{news} Internal Elections Committee proposal

[Judith Herkimer]

This proposal will be presented at tonight's SCC meeting in Middletown. Some
formatting has been lost.
See you tonight.

Judy Herkimer
--for the IEC
******************************************

Green Party Meeting Proposal Form
Saturday, March 26, 2005

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 appropriation from the SCC for speaker(s)'
gasoline expenses and small honorarium.