{news} REVISED SEND:minutes March 2005 SCC meeting-part 2 of 2
edubrule
edubrule at sbcglobal.net
Sun Apr 24 23:21:48 EDT 2005
(Please delete from your inbox the originally-sent part 2 of 2; it omitted the minutes section on the proposal for Executive Committee endorsement of delegates to national committees.)
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4. Proposal on approval of delegates to national committees (Appendix 4). Elizabeth presented the proposal. It was written after the Executive Committee considered the request of Elizabeth Brancato and Justine McCabe to join the newly-formed national Peace Action Committee. We put an inquiry on the News listserve and David Eliscu said that he, too, would like to join that committee. An agenda item to approve these three persons was on the February SCC agenda but was not reached due to lack of time.
Justine asked if there should be a defined period of time in which people could express interest in joining committees. Judy asked if the proposal included mention of caucuses; Elizabeth said it doesn't; Judy then noted, however, that some people wanting to join caucuses might not want their names on the News listserve.
Justine recalled that the current process (approval by SCC) had delayed her joining national committee(s) and had in at least one instance had prevented her from giving input to a committee until the issue at hand was moot. Barbara noted that the bylaws define the term of officers as one year and that more than one year has passed since the Executive Committee was elected. She said that if approval of delegates was brought to the SCC (except in cases where deadlines precluded this) more people would become aware of the committee opening. Attendees expressed the opinion that the SCC should approve Executive Committee actions. Attendees spoke of the awkward situation where the Executive Committee made an appointment but the SCC disapproved of it. Perhaps the proposal should be modified to take into account whether there was a deadline for the approval and whether the SCC was meeting soon.
Elizabeth said that, were the proposal as presently written were to pass, a person wishing to join a national committee could still approach the SCC for approval rather than the Executive Committee.
SCC decision: by vote, the proposal was accepted as submitted by the Executive Committee (yes, accept proposal--14; no--2; abstain--5)
5. Proposal on event endorsement by the Executive Committee (Appendix 5). Elizabeth presented the proposal. The June 2004 SCC passed a proposal authorizing the Executive Committee, by majority vote, to "endorse and/or agree to co-sponsor events, activities, proposals, or petitions when there is not time to submit the request to the full SCC". The proposal to be considered tonight has the objective of conserving SCC time by letting the Executive Committee endorse routine (non-controversial) events.
The following points were raised about the proposal being considered tonight:
*The proposal passed in June requires the Executive Committee to post its endorsement on the announcements (or News) listserve within 48 hours; the current proposal lacks such a requirement.
*Should the proposal address the issue of donations to groups requesting our endorsement?
*Should a comment period be allowed before the Executive Committee endorses an event? An event perceived by the Executive Committee members as routine may be perceived as controversial by others in the Party. Executive Commitee members may lack knowledge about groups or events that others in the Party have. A proposal put out for comment could be put on the News listserve for 1 week.
*Should a comment period be required for controversial proposals (which might be defined as those without consensus among Executive Committee members)?
*Some people might purposely delay submitting a proposal so that it couldn't be dealt with by the SCC and had to be dealt with by the Executive Committee.
*Should the sentence be included (as it was in the June 2004 proposal) "the Executive Committee should draw guidance from the 10 Key Values and the national Green Party platform"? (Elizabeth commented that in her experience different Greens sometimes interpret the 10 Key Values differently as applied to a particular situation at hand.)
DECISION: the Executive Committee withdrew the proposal and will consider revising it in light of the above comments.
6. Proposal from internal elections committee. Jean presented the proposal (Appendix 6).
SCC DECISION: the proposal was accepted by consensus, with the date of the annual meeting to be Sunday April 17. The proposal has 10 sections (1-5, 5A, and 6-9). Highlights of the proposal, with decisions made at tonight's meeting, are as follows.
Section 1. The deadline for announcing candidacies is Friday, April 8, 2005 at 5:00 pm.
Section 2. The annual meeting, by consensus, will be April 17 from 10am-2pm with a potluck lunch. (The alternative proposed date of April 23 was rejected because Passover celebrations begin that evening, and also because the Hamden chapter has scheduled a cleanup day that date.)
Section 3. Hall rental ($75)--the SCC approved this expenditure by consensus. (The possibility of the donation of this money by the New Haven chapter--noted in the proposal--was not mentioned at tonight's meeting.)
Section 4. Nominations from the floor of the annual meeting will be accepted.
Section 5. Ballots and candidate information will be mailed to any Connecticut Green Party member who requests one. The SCC approved tonight up to $200 for printing/postage associated with the annual meeting. The Hamden chapter offered use of a copying machine.
Section 5A. To date there are no contested races. Tonight the SCC decided that even if additional persons declare candidacies, no mailing of internal elections/annual meeting information will be done this year (with the exception of the mailings to those requesting ballots).
Section 6. All positions will be filled by elections (rather than by direct appointment by the SCC).
Section 7. There will be a candidate forum at the annual meeting.
Section 8. Publicizing the annual meeting.
Section 9. Tonight the SCC approved the expenditure of up to $100 to reimburse possible annual meeting speaker(s) for transportation expenses and to be able to offer small honorari(a)
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Appendix 1. Bylaws excerpts.
Individual Membership (Modified by statewide vote in 2001):
Anyone registered to vote as a Green is a Green Party member.
In addition, anyone who can satisfy (and verify) at least 2 of
the following criteria will be considered a Green Party
member:
have attended 2 meetings of the Green Party (either state
meetings or meetings of an officially recognized chapter)
within the past 12 months;
are on the state's official mailing list; and/or have
submitted a written (or email) request for membership or
informational materials from the Party;
have performed at least 2 volunteer activities with the
Green Party (or with a coalition partner) of the Green Party
within the past 12 months.
2. Regional Chapter Membership Any group of five or more
individual members, resident in a cohesive geographical or
political area, may form a Regional chapter provided that the
group appoints an official who will inform the Party on a
continuing basis of Chapter membership, meeting place and
schedule, minutes of meetings and other significant Chapter
activities, and shall in a timely manner transmit to the
Chapter members significant communications from the State
Party and shall commit to compliance with all other
requirements established by the Party for the conduct of
Chapters. The chapter shall also provide regular
representation at Party Conventions and State Central
Committee Meetings, and timely response (positive or negative)
to Party requests for action and information.
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Appendix 2 Proposal on Green Party of Connecticut Northwest Chapter account balance
Green Party Meeting Proposal Form
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
PRESENTER: Northwest Chapter of the Green Party of Connecticut
CONTACT: Judy Herkimer: jherkimer at snet.net
SUBJECT : Green Party of Connecticut Northwest Chapter account balance
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
According to the current Treasurer (Bob Eaton), the Northwest Chapter account balance is $2,075.88. This balance is a result of an agreed upon 70/30 split with the Green Party of Connecticut (70%) for all donations that originate from within the Northwest Chapter (30%) geographic boundaries. These funds are held by the Green Party of Connecticut under the oversight of the Treasurer and disbursed upon request by the chapters. The current available records indicate that the Northwest Chapter has not drawn any funds from their account since (at least) the first quarter of 2003.
PROPOSAL:
In preparation for ongoing tabling opportunities throughout the state and beyond, for use during campaigns and for any beneficial use towards furthering the building of the party, our chapter proposes the design and purchase of comprehensive "tabling kits". These kits will be distributed (at no cost) to all chapters in the state and will be made available to those at-large members in areas not currently covered by a specific chapter. Input from anyone in the Green Party of Connecticut is welcome during the design and creation of the tabling kits.
Tabling kit items under consideration:
folding table with cover
chairs (2-3)
canopy and hardware
banner and display hardware
signage
donation can
printed paper material (e.g. brochures, literature, campaign materials)
items for sale (e.g. buttons, bumper stickers, clothing, videos, flying discs)
supplies (e.g. tablecloth, clipboards, office supplies, receipt book)
paper weights
CD of basic handouts
carrying case
The Northwest Chapter anticipates the total cost of the tabling kits to be between $1500-$2000. As a courtesy to the Treasurer, we submit this proposal as notification of our intention to present invoices in the near future for supplies and services associated with the tabling kits.
As a courtesy to the State Central Committee, we submit this proposal to inform the general membership of this exciting project and to encourage widespread participation.
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Appendix 3
Green Party Meeting Proposal Form
PRESENTER: Executive Committee
CONTACT: Elizabeth M. Brancato, 19 Smith Street, Torrington, CT 06790, embrancato at netzero.com
SUBJECT: Fund Raising Mailing - Additional funds
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
The SCC, in November approved paying $855-$955 for a fund-raising mailing. The mailing was done, but the bill has run over the cost estimate. Although part of the overage seems to be due to printing more copies than the original quote called for, it seems that the overage is also due to our requesting printing on two sides of the insert. That was not part of the original quote.
PROPOSAL:
We propose that the Connecticut Green Party approve an additional expenditure of up to $200.00 to settle this account in full.
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Appendix 4.
Green Party Meeting Proposal Form
PRESENTER: Executive Committee
CONTACT: Elizabeth M. Brancato, 19 Smith Street, Torrington, CT 06790, embrancato at netzero.com
SUBJECT: Approval of Delegates to National Committees
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
There are many national committees which SCC members in good standing can join and contribute to. We feel this benefits and strengthens our SCC, as well as the individual delegates. We would like to encourage members joining and working on national committees. We have, in the past, put these nominations before the full SCC. This has sometimes resulted in delay and discouragement. The SCC meetings often do not have quorum. When there is quorum, the agendas are so full that often all business is not done, or is done in a rushed manner.
PROPOSAL:
We propose that the Connecticut Green Party allow the Executive Committee to approve delegates to national committees. Notice of the pending approval and solicitation of other candidates will take place before the approval. Notice of the approval will be posted on the News list serve within 48 hours of the approval being granted. Notice of the approval will be reported at the next SCC meeting as part of the report of the Executive Committee.
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Appendix 5
Green Party Meeting Proposal Form
PRESENTER: Executive Committee
CONTACT: Elizabeth M. Brancato, 19 Smith Street, Torrington, CT 06790, embrancato at netzero.com
SUBJECT: Event Endorsement by the Executive Committee
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
The Executive Committee has the authority to approve the endorsement of events when there is not time to bring the request for approval before the full SCC. Most event endorsements are straightforward and not at all controversial. SCC meetings often do not have quorum, and even when they have quorum, the agenda is full. We believe that the time of the SCC would be better spent if routine endorsements were taken care of by the Executive Committee.
PROPOSAL:
We propose that the Connecticut Green Party allow the Executive Committee to approve the endorsement of all events. The EC will approve the endorsement if there is full consensus. If there is not full consensus, and there is time to put the endorsement before the SCC, it will be added to the agenda for the next meeting and will be discussed and decided-upon by the full SCC. If there is not time to put the endorsement before the full SCC, a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee will prevail.
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Appendix 6
Green Party Meeting Proposal Form
[Saturday, March 26, 2005; with revision from Judy received 3-28-05; totals with postage added by Ed]
PRESENTER Internal Elections Committee (IEC)
CONTACT: Jean de Smet, 39 Davis Street, Willimantic, CT 06226 860-456-2188 demac at galaxyinternet.net
SUBJECT : 2005 Annual Meeting/State Party Convention of the Green Party of Connecticut (GPC)
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE:
The IEC is charged by the State Central Committee (SCC) to coordinate and implement all aspects of an annual election for elected positions within the GPC.
PROPOSAL:
1. Deadline for announcing candidacies is Friday, April 8, 2005 at 5:00pm.
2. Proposed Convention dates are Sunday, April 17th or Saturday, April 23rd; 10am-2pm with a potluck lunch.
3. Authorize David Bedell to rent for $75 the Greater New Haven Labor Council, 267 Chapel Street, New Haven, 203-777-2756. The New Haven Chapter previously offered (January 20, 2005) to donate the rental fee.
4. Nominations from the floor the day of the Convention will be accepted (Co-Chairperson[3], Secretary, Treasurer, GP-US Representative[2], GP-US Representative Alternate).
5. A ballot and candidate information will be mailed to any qualified member who requests one. Deadlines for mailed ballots will be established once the Convention date is set. Ballots will be numbered and mailed by this committee. Numbered ballots and printed candidate information will be available at the Convention. This committee requests that $200 (or less) be earmarked by the treasurer for printing and associated costs for ballots, candidate information sheets, envelopes and postage.
5A. In the event of an uncontested race, this Committee does not recommend a widespread mass postal mailing of ballots and candidate information for the following reasons:
(i) the low amount of money in the Party's checking account;
(ii) apparent disinterest among members in the idea of doing a mailing. Weeks ago the secretary sent lists of registered Greens to each of the chapters with the request that chapters return to him address changes and additional members (per the bylaws definition of member) in preparation for the internal elections; few of the chapters have responded
(iii) inability of the secretary to find time to do further work on the lists (e.g. add missing zip codes, determine why dozens of names were not included in the lists sent to the chapters).
However, if other candidates should come forward thus creating a contested election, this Committee requests the guidance of the SCC as to whether or not the Party wishes to consider a mass postal mailing. Estimated cost quotes of three printing/mailing options: (postage included):
Option #1: 2800 postcards/200 full ballot $1,291
Option #2: 2000 postcard/1000 full ballots $1,892
Option #3: 3000 full ballots $3,260
6. Although the bylaws state that the only elected position is Co-Chairperson[3] and all other positions are appointed, this committee recommends that the Party follow historical precedent by electing all positions. The bylaws read: ".Co-Chairpersons shall be elected by an absolute majority vote of the members, as established if necessary by successive preferential voting."
--Bylaws of the GPC, Adopted by the SCC-January, 1999; revised 2000, 2001: II. Party Structure and Functions, 2. Officers, f) Election/Appointment of Officials
7. At the Convention, candidates will be allowed opportunity to present their positions and answer questions.
8. Notice of the Convention will be disseminated via existing listservs, chapter representatives, email, media "events" listings and our website. Chapters are encouraged to reach out to their members via phone calls.
9. In anticipation of the Executive Committee arranging for Convention speaker(s), we request an appropriation from the SCC for speaker(s)' gasoline expenses and small honorarium.
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If you have serious disagreements with the accuracy of anything written in these minutes, please contact the secretary, Ed DuBrule, at edubrule at sbcglobal.net or 860-523-4016. If your e-mail or letter is titled "I remember things happened differently" or "I remember that this also occurred", I will treat your e-mail or letter (or a summary of it) as an addendum to these minutes. Such e-mails or letters must be received within 4 weeks of the date of publication of the minutes to the News listserve to be considered addenda.
Addenda are published to the News listserve and are considered part of the minutes. They are brought to the following month's SCC meeting (for distribution at the time the minutes are approved/disapproved); they are posted to the CT Green Party website as part of the minutes.
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