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- 138 discussions
Hi Jeff,
I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I'm not an SGA delegate so
was not able to see your question.
I would like to serve on the Coordinating Committee because I believe that
the Green Party of California should be the viable force for good in
California it is meant to be. While the GPCA can and must grow, we Greens,
in order to allow for maximum growth, have to create an organization that
is not only open and welcoming, but transparent and democratic as well. All
Greens, but especially new members, deserve a party that gives them
opportunities to organize, communicate, collaborate, and contribute to a
thriving movement during this crucial moment in our history.
To make certain all new Greens are able to find a home and a voice in our
party, a number of things need to be done.
Currently, the Green Party of California website does not provide adequate
information or contacts for anyone seeking more information on how to
become active as a Green in the state of California. Having worked for a
number of public municipalities, I know first hand that the website is the
first line of communication for any organization. It is of the utmost
importance to make certain that anyone who searches for an organization
must be able to find _essential_ information — who, where, how — as quickly
and easily as possible.
Another area of concern for me is ensuring that all rural California
counties become active so that Greens in California’s heartlands (where
threats to our environment, such as resource extraction, exploitation,
pollution, etc., and threats to our communities, such ICE raids, extreme
poverty, institutional racism, access to affordable healthcare and housing,
etc., are severe) have a voice — and a vote — in GPCA affairs. The current
protocol for activating new county organizations, and by extension, new
Greens, is an extremely complicated and discouraging process, one which, if
simplified, would create a much more welcoming atmosphere for those who
seek to be active within the existing state structure.
I currently serve as communications officer for the Yolo County Council,
and am fully committed to ensuring that basic avenues of communication
between our council, Yolo Greens, and the broader community are as
streamlined as possible — in particular, I strive to make sure that each
and every person seeking information on how to get active in our local
Green movement will get an immediate, useful, and appropriate response. In
addition, I work alongside other Greens (in Yolo and surrounding counties)
to forge and strengthen alliances with other progressive causes.
Since I submitted my application to the SGA to serve on the Coordinating
Committee, I helped organize last month’s Central Regional Gathering, which
brought together nearly fifty Greens from all over Northern California to
strategize growing the party in the Central Valley and rural California.
Thanks to this Gathering, we are in the process of organizing counties in
rural Northern California that have never been active, and are building an
infrastructure to support Greens running for local, state, and federal
legislative office in the Central Valley and further north.
I hope this answers your question, Jeff, and please feel free to contact me
if I can be of further assistance.
Deatra Cohen
Yolo County Council
Davis, CA
2
1
Deatra,
What can our party do to grow our ranks that we are not doing today?
Jeff Lebow
Orange County GP
Sent from my iPhone
5
5
Is it too late to make minor edits to the minutes? Tulare is spelled wrong next to Dalia Gonzales' name.
2
1
[Gpca-votes] Discuss: ID 133 - Election: Coordinating Committee, unscheduled vacancy, one female seat, remainder of July 2016 - June 2018
by GPCA Votes 06 Oct '17
by GPCA Votes 06 Oct '17
06 Oct '17
*Please send your discussion comments to gpca-votes(a)sfgreens.org
<gpca-votes(a)sfgreens.org>*
Discussion has begun for the following GPCA SGA ranked choice vote.
Ranked Choice Vote ID: 133
Ranked Choice Vote: Election: Coordinating Committee, unscheduled
vacancies, one female seat, remainder of July 2016 - June 2018
Number of Seats: 1
Ranked Choice Vote Administrator: Laura Wells
Discussion Dates: 10/02/2017 - 11/12/2017
Voting Dates: 11/13/2017 - 11/19/2017
Voting ends at Midnight Pacific Time
*Background:*
This election is to fill one unscheduled vacancy for one female seat on the
GPCA Coordinating Committee http://www.cagreens.org/committees/coordinating
resulting from resignation by Adia Williams, elected in June 2016
http://sga.cagreens.org/vote/irvresult?pid=88 to serve the remainder of the
two year term running from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018. The Coordinating
Committee's Duties and Authority are found here
http://www.cagreens.org/bylaws/2016-07-03#Section_8-1_Duties_and_Authority
When such unscheduled vacancies occur, the Coordinating Committee shall
publish a Notice of Vacancy and Call for Candidate Submissions to the
active County Organizations, as per GPCA Bylaws 8-4.5
http://www.cagreens.org/bylaws/2016-07-03#Section_8-4_Elections This was
sent on July 10, 2017.
According to GPCA Bylaws 8-2.1, "The Coordinating Committee shall be
composed of up to 24 voting members, with 12 men and 12 women. Six men and
six women shall be elected each year to serve staggered, two year terms"
http://www.cagreens.org/bylaws/2016-07-03#Section_8-2_Membership and 8-4.1
"Elections shall be conducted each year by the Standing Green Assembly
using Ranked Choice Voting with a No Other Candidate option, with the six
week discussion period beginning on the first Monday of May and the one
week voting period commencing immediately thereafter"
http://www.cagreens.org/bylaws/2016-07-03#Section_8-4_Elections 8-4.3(b)
adds that the election as it is posted to the Standing Green Assembly shall
include: "A full and detailed explanation of Ranked Choice Voting, an
explanation of the No Other Candidate option, and an encouragement that
delegates make their choices seriously and a reminder that they do not have
to fill all seats unless they feel there are enough qualified candidates."
Ranked Choice Voting is explained here:
http://www.fairvote.org/fair_representation#ranked_choice_voting_pr •
http://www.fairvote.org/reforms/instant-runoff-voting •
http://sfgov.org/elections/marking-your-ballot (click “Ranked-Choice
Voting”) • http://www.acgov.org/rov/rcv/ . Ranking 'No Other Candidate'
(NOC) means once NOC passed the approval threshold, no further candidates
will be elected, other than those (if any) who have already been elected
before NOC reached the threshold.
*Candidates:*
No other candidate
Deatra Cohen
*Bio and Statement - Deatra Cohen:*
I’m interested in serving on the Coordinating Committee because I believe
passionately in the potential of the Green Party of California to be the
force for political, ecological, social and environmental change that it
should be. One of the ways we can accomplish this is by ensuring the
Coordinating Committee, as the backbone of the state party, is healthy.
What do I mean by healthy? Transparent, inclusive, democratic.
I was a public librarian for over twenty years. My work history includes
extensive organizational experience with strategic planning, partnering
with other municipalities, budgeting, coordinating events, facilitating
meetings, fundraising, mentoring graduate students, data collection, and
report writing, to name a few key responsibilities. Over the course of my
career I served on long- and short-term coordinating committees, both local
and distributed.
On a more personal note, I saw daily, through my work with library patrons
of all ages and ethnic and economic backgrounds, that we all want to be
listened to, heard, and understood, and that we all need a basic level of
compassion. In the interest of transparency, inclusivity, and democracy, I
welcome uncomfortable conversations, the ones we’ve long been taught are
lacking in decorum. Isn’t it time we talk to each other with a fearless
compassion that breaks down the barriers and assumptions that have held us
back for far too long? I invite you to ask me anything regarding my bid for
this position. I will respond with as much candor and compassion as I can
muster!
Deatra Cohen
Green Party of Yolo County
-----------
Full details are available at:
http://www.sjcgreens.org/sga_vote_cc_vacancy_female
*Please send your discussion comments to gpca-votes(a)sfgreens.org
<gpca-votes(a)sfgreens.org>*
4
4
[Gpca-votes] Discuss: ID 133 - Election: Coordinating Committee, unscheduled vacancy, one female seat, remainder of July 2016 - June 2018
by GPCA Votes 06 Oct '17
by GPCA Votes 06 Oct '17
06 Oct '17
*REVISED: Note that there are now three choices, two candidates (Nicole
Castor and Deatra Cohen) and “No other candidate”.*
*Please send your discussion comments to gpca-votes(a)sfgreens.org
<gpca-votes(a)sfgreens.org>*
Discussion has begun for the following GPCA SGA ranked choice vote.
Ranked Choice Vote ID: 133
Ranked Choice Vote: Election: Coordinating Committee, unscheduled
vacancies, one female seat, remainder of July 2016 - June 2018
Number of Seats: 1
Ranked Choice Vote Administrator: Laura Wells
Discussion Dates: 10/02/2017 - 11/12/2017
Voting Dates: 11/13/2017 - 11/19/2017
Voting ends at Midnight Pacific Time
*Background:*
This election is to fill one unscheduled vacancy for one female seat on the
GPCA Coordinating Committee http://www.cagreens.org/committees/coordinating
resulting from resignation by Adia Williams, elected in June 2016
http://sga.cagreens.org/vote/irvresult?pid=88 to serve the remainder of the
two year term running from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018. The Coordinating
Committee's Duties and Authority are found here
http://www.cagreens.org/bylaws/2016-07-03#Section_8-1_Duties_and_Authority
When such unscheduled vacancies occur, the Coordinating Committee shall
publish a Notice of Vacancy and Call for Candidate Submissions to the
active County Organizations, as per GPCA Bylaws 8-4.5
http://www.cagreens.org/bylaws/2016-07-03#Section_8-4_Elections This was
sent on July 10, 2017.
According to GPCA Bylaws 8-2.1, "The Coordinating Committee shall be
composed of up to 24 voting members, with 12 men and 12 women. Six men and
six women shall be elected each year to serve staggered, two year terms"
http://www.cagreens.org/bylaws/2016-07-03#Section_8-2_Membership and 8-4.1
"Elections shall be conducted each year by the Standing Green Assembly
using Ranked Choice Voting with a No Other Candidate option, with the six
week discussion period beginning on the first Monday of May and the one
week voting period commencing immediately thereafter"
http://www.cagreens.org/bylaws/2016-07-03#Section_8-4_Elections 8-4.3(b)
adds that the election as it is posted to the Standing Green Assembly shall
include: "A full and detailed explanation of Ranked Choice Voting, an
explanation of the No Other Candidate option, and an encouragement that
delegates make their choices seriously and a reminder that they do not have
to fill all seats unless they feel there are enough qualified candidates."
Ranked Choice Voting is explained here:
http://www.fairvote.org/fair_representation#ranked_choice_voting_pr •
http://www.fairvote.org/reforms/instant-runoff-voting •
http://sfgov.org/elections/marking-your-ballot (click “Ranked-Choice
Voting”) • http://www.acgov.org/rov/rcv/ . Ranking 'No Other Candidate'
(NOC) means once NOC passed the approval threshold, no further candidates
will be elected, other than those (if any) who have already been elected
before NOC reached the threshold.
*Candidates:*No other candidate
Nicole Castor
Deatra Cohen
*Bio and Statement - Nicole Castor:*My name is Nicole Castor. Coming from
the “#demexit” wave, I joined the Green Party in July 2016. Having been
registered Democrat for over seventeen years, my dissatisfaction and
disappointment with the supposedly-progressive Democratic Party led me to
finally realize that the needs of common people, the planet and future
generations will neither be addressed nor met from within the corrupt and
corporately-run two-party 'system’.
I was born and raised in Lakewood, New Jersey, a culturally-diverse
community which helped to shape my perspective and worldview. I had moved
to California as a teen, spent a few years on each coast, and eventually
settled down in California because of its affordable public colleges. I
attended a community college and transferred to California State University
Sacramento, earning my BA in Sociology in 2008. My studies helped me
recognize and address key issues affecting the marginalized in our society.
Throughout college, I was active in my community, and often participated in
various demonstrations and protests. Once I started a family, after
college, my involvement toned down a bit as I dedicated my time as a
stay-at-home-mom, focusing my activism on raising a couple of little
radicals who will shape the system in their time!
As my children are growing, I am now afforded more time to come back to the
community involvement I’ve missed so much. After registering Green last
year, I have been fortunate to meet others with a common deep concern for
society. I quickly became involved in re-activating the Green Party of
Sacramento County. Because of our hard work, we became a recognized County
Council and are establishing a Green presence and visibility in the
Sacramento area by joining committees, coalitions, and participating in
events, actions and demonstrations. We have been vocal about Homeless
Rights issues when attending City Council meetings, had been mentioned in
the local news for our participation in a recent “Reclaim MLK Day” march.
As an individual, I had also had the opportunity to speak in support of the
Green Party on the local Fox News and in an online Bloomberg View article [
https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-09-23/two-part
ies-aren-t-enough-for-all-u-s-voters].
I currently hold a seat on the steering committee of the Sacramento
Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights, am on Student Career Options
Committee (countering military recruiters in high schools), an adjunct of
Sacramento Area Peace Action. I had given marginal help on the organizing
committee for the Sacramento May Day March and provided supplemental
support on the organizing committee for March on Monsanto Sacramento. As
well as my own involvement, I strongly urge others in the County Council to
collaborate with other coalitions.
In addition to the policy side, I was chosen as our County Council
Co-Coordinator by the other Sacramento County Council members. That has
helped me to gain an appreciation of how the party itself needs to be run,
which was then further expanded when I attended the March 2017 GPCA General
Assembly in Bakersfield, where I met similarly-committed Greens from around
the state – contacts I hope to work with in the years to come.
Most recently, I was honored to host, with my county, the most recent GPCA
General Assembly in Sacramento. The tremendous amount of work involved was
worth every minute to see such a large turn-out of our state Greens. It
had been expressed by some that it was an incredibly productive and
positive meeting. The council and I were incredibly proud of the results
of our work, and to see everyone attend, working in harmony. Maybe it was
too hot to argue, or maybe it was a great mix of people who felt the love
and care which went into making that meeting possible.
What do I wish to accomplish on the Coordinating Committee?
The single-most important thing to me, in my work with my county Green
Party, always comes down to integrity: integrity of the party and integrity
of principles. I want to make it clear, my intention to serve at the state
level is not based on petty factional politics, but rather to a commitment,
which is bigger than Green Party, but of course, Green Party is part of
this. This commitment is to make the world a better and more equitable
place for future generations. This will only happen through social
movements, having political diversity in Congress, engaging disenchanted
voters and non-voters, strategic growth of the party with substance, rather
than bolting growth which favors quantity over quality. I possess a strong
ideological theoretical framework, from which I base my decisions, a mind
of my own which does not take sides. I feel that this is crucial to our
party’s survival- to value what is right over what is popular, and to refer
to our key values and the pillars which support our platform, to guide our
decisions. I did not come to GPCA for recognition, personal gain or to be
commissioned as an activist. I came to do my part in facilitating the
changes necessary for social justice, by deepening my involvement with the
party.
The Green Party can be a truly transformative political party -- if and
only if it remains true to its principles. I strongly believe in the
Green Party's Ten Key Values and see those as the most important basis of
how we should operate.
I also understand the necessity of the basic administrative work that the
Coordinating Committee is responsible for, work that empowers the rest of
the party – from ensuring our state meetings happen in a timely manner and
are well-run, to appointing people to important committees, to recognizing
new county parties and more. I am ready to attend the monthly Coordinating
Committee teleconferences and do my share of those administrative tasks.
*Bio and Statement - Deatra Cohen:*
I’m interested in serving on the Coordinating Committee because I believe
passionately in the potential of the Green Party of California to be the
force for political, ecological, social and environmental change that it
should be. One of the ways we can accomplish this is by ensuring the
Coordinating Committee, as the backbone of the state party, is healthy.
What do I mean by healthy? Transparent, inclusive, democratic.
I was a public librarian for over twenty years. My work history includes
extensive organizational experience with strategic planning, partnering
with other municipalities, budgeting, coordinating events, facilitating
meetings, fundraising, mentoring graduate students, data collection, and
report writing, to name a few key responsibilities. Over the course of my
career I served on long- and short-term coordinating committees, both local
and distributed.
On a more personal note, I saw daily, through my work with library patrons
of all ages and ethnic and economic backgrounds, that we all want to be
listened to, heard, and understood, and that we all need a basic level of
compassion. In the interest of transparency, inclusivity, and democracy, I
welcome uncomfortable conversations, the ones we’ve long been taught are
lacking in decorum. Isn’t it time we talk to each other with a fearless
compassion that breaks down the barriers and assumptions that have held us
back for far too long? I invite you to ask me anything regarding my bid for
this position. I will respond with as much candor and compassion as I can
muster!
Deatra Cohen
Green Party of Yolo County
-----------
Full details are available at:
http://www.sjcgreens.org/sga_vote_cc_vacancy_female
*Please send your discussion comments to gpca-votes(a)sfgreens.org
<gpca-votes(a)sfgreens.org>*
1
0
These minutes include several entries informing us that a discussion occurred without any specifics as to the content of the discussion, leaving the reader in the dark as to what was said. I found these minutes, aside from the BLM endorsement, lacking and less than informative as it could be.
Sent from my iPhone
2
2
I had sent my application's email before the deadline and am not listed as
a candidate for open seat- coordonating committee (female).
Nicole Castor
GP Sacramento County
1
0
[Gpca-votes] Discuss: ID 135 - Approval: Minutes, General Assembly, March 12-13, 2017
by GPCA Votes 03 Oct '17
by GPCA Votes 03 Oct '17
03 Oct '17
*Please send your discussion comments to gpca-votes(a)sfgreens.org
<gpca-votes(a)sfgreens.org>*
Discussion has begun for the following proposal:
Proposal ID: 135
Proposal: Approval: Minutes, General Assembly, March 12-13, 2017
Floor Manager: Victoria Ashley
Discussion Dates: 10/02/2017 - 11/12/2017
Voting Dates: 11/13/2017 - 11/19/2017
Voting ends at Midnight Pacific Time
*Background:*
GPCA Bylaws 7-5.6 Minutes state that "Minutes shall include the date, time,
location and list of delegates in attendance, the subject/title, sponsor(s)
and presenter(s) of all agenda items heard, the decisions-taken (including
whether by consensus or by roll-call vote) and the text of all proposals,
including amendments."
(http://www.cagreens.org/bylaws/2016-07-03#Section_7-5_Meetings)
The following minutes from the General Assembly, March 11-12, 2017 in
Bakersfield, California (Kern County) are presented below, with links from
this page to the text of the proposal:
*Proposal:*
That the following minutes be approved as presented in draft form on the
web here:
http://www.sjcgreens.org/sga_vote_minutes_kern_county_general_assembly and
in draft text form below:
[DRAFT] Minutes, GPCA General Assembly - March 2017 General Assembly -
Draft Minutes
Bakersfield (Kern County), March 11-12, 2017
(Minutes approved ---)
List of delegates, registrants and attendees:
First. Last.
County. Delegate? Present/Absent
Adam. Siegel.
Yolo. Delegate. P.
Alexander. Warren.
Sacramento. Delegate. P.
Andrea. Houtman. Los
Angeles. Not delegate. P.
Ann. Menasche. San
Diego. Delegate. P.
Anthony. Fuentes.
Kern. Not delegate. P.
Anthony. Krzywicki.
Ventura. Delegate. P.
Barry. Hermanson. San
Francisco. Delegate. P.
Bert. Heuer. Contra
Costa. Not delegate. P.
Beth. Moore.
Nevada. Delegate. P.
Brian. Good. Santa
Clara. Delegate. P.
Brianna. Frisbey.
Ventura. Delegate. P.
Bridget. Duffy. San
Mateo. Not delegate. P.
Carol. Bouldin. San
Bernardino. Delegate. P.
Cassidy. Sheppard.
Kern. Delegate. P.
Christopher. Carlson.
Sacramento. Delegate. P.
Colt. Gonzales. San
Joaquin. Delegate. P.
Dalia. Gonzales.
Tulara. Not delegate. P.
David. Chen.
Orange. Delegate. P.
David. Cobb.
Humboldt. Delegate. P.
Deatra. Cohen.
Yolo. Not delegate. P.
Donna. Phillips.
Stanislaus. Delegate. P.
Emily. Bucchianeri. San Luis
Obispo. Not delegate. P.
Eric. Brooks. San
Francisco. Delegate. P.
Eric. Frame.
Sacramento. Delegate. P.
Eric. Luna. San
Joaquin. Delegate. P.
Erik. Rydberg.
Butte. Delegate. P.
Fernando. Serrano.
Tulare. Delegate. P.
Forrest. Brown.
Kern. Not delegate. P.
Frank. Lambert.
Monterey. Delegate. P.
George. Grunig.
Sonoma. Not delegate. P.
George. Schimpf.
Tulare. Not delegate. P.
Gloria. Purcell. San
Mateo. Delegate. P.
Greg. Jan.
Alameda. Delegate. P.
Hebard. Olsen.
Monterey. Delegate. P.
James. Clark.
Sacramento. Delegate. P.
James. Lauderdale. Los
Angeles. Not delegate. P.
Jane. Jarlsberg.
Mendocino. Not delegate. P.
Janet. Arnold.
Alameda. Delegate. P.
Jennifer. Hall. San
Joaquin. ALT delegate. P.
Jewel. Santana.
Ventura. Delegate. P.
Jim. Smith.
Humboldt. ALT delegate. P.
John. Schmit.
Stanislaus. Delegate. P.
Jon. Mann. Los
Angeles. Not delegate. P.
Judy. Pendleton.
Tulare. Not delegate. P.
Julie. Cartwright.
Kern. Not delegate. P.
June. Brashares.
Sonoma. Delegate. P.
Juvenal. Estrada. San
Bernardino. Delegate. P.
Laura. Wells.
Alameda. Delegate. P.
Lee. McKusick. San
Mateo. Delegate. P.
Leidiana. Macias.
Orange. Delegate. P.
Lisa. Salvary. Los
Angeles. Not delegate. P.
Lisa. Zapata.
Alameda. Delegate. P.
Lise. Rehbock.
Alameda. Not delegate. P.
Lorraine. Salas.
Riverside. Delegate. P.
Margaret. Koster.
Mendocino. Not delegate. P.
Mark (Hashid). Felton (Kasama).
Fresno. Delegate. P.
Matthew. Smith-Caggiano.
Humboldt. Delegate. P.
Maxine. Daniel.
Alameda. Delegate. P.
Melanie. Liu. Santa
Clara. Delegate. P.
Meleiza. Figueroa. Contra
Costa. Delegate. P.
Michael. Rubin.
Alameda. Delegate. P.
Mimi. Newton.
Marin. Delegate. P.
Nadia. Nouri. Santa
Clara. Delegate. P.
Nashaw. Jafari. San
Diego. Delegate. P.
Nassim. Nouri. Santa
Clara. Delegate. P.
Nicole. Castor.
Sacramento. Delegate. P.
Nicole. Montoya. San
Diego. Delegate. P.
Olga. Estrada. San
Bernardino. Delegate. P.
Pedro. Gomez.
Alameda. Delegate. P.
Penny. Sheppard.
Kern. Not delegate. P.
Raven. Playfaire. Santa
Cruz. Delegate. P.
Rich. Zitola. Santa
Cruz. Delegate. P.
Richard. Gomez.
Fresno. Delegate. P.
Roberto. Halili.
Riverside. Delegate. P.
Ron. Rodarte.
Orange. Delegate. P.
Ruscal. Cayangyang.
Solano. Delegate. P.
Ruthi. Engelke.
Humboldt. Delegate. P.
Sadie. Fulton.
Yolo. Delegate. P.
Sanda. Everette. San
Mateo. Delegate. P.
Sean. Bohac. San
Diego. Delegate. P.
Shane. Que Hee. Los
Angeles. Not delegate. P.
Stephen. Pendleton.
Tulare. Not delegate. P.
Steven. Breedlove.
Butte. Delegate. P.
Susan. Chunco.
Sonoma. Delegate. P.
Susan. Lamont.
Sonoma. Delegate. P.
Susan. Roberts-Emery.
Nevada. Delegate. P.
Tarik. Kanaana.
Sonoma. Delegate. P.
Terrance. Tovar.
Fresno. Delegate. P.
Thomas. Leavitt. Santa
Cruz. Delegate. P.
Vicente. Cruz.
Alameda. Delegate. P.
Vickie. Wilson. San
Bernardino. Delegate. P.
Victoria. Ashley.
Solano. Delegate. P.
Wanda Jean. Lord.
Kern. Delegate. P.
Woody. Hastings.
Sonoma. ALT Delegate. P.
Ximena. Gomez-Schimpf.
Tulare. Not delegate. P.
Zachary. Zapata.
Alameda. Not delegate. P.
Carolyn. Epple.
Sonoma. ALT Delegate. A.
Jason. O'Neal. Contra
Costa. Not delegate. A.
Lawrence. Bragman.
Marin. Delegate. A.
Liz. Kroboth.
Alameda. Delegate. A.
Rachel. Fish.
("California”). ????.
Richard. Mellor.
Alameda. Not delegate. A.
Stephen. Zollman.
Sonoma. ALT delegate. A.
Derek. Simpson.
Kern. ALT delegate. A.?
Craig. Slater.
Marin. ALT delegate. A.
Holly. Bragman.
Marin. ALT delegate. A.
Merrily. Davis.
Tulare. Delegate. A.
Samuel. Mello. San
Joaquin. ALT delegate. A.
Saturday, March 11
Proceedings opened at 9:15 am, with a greeting from the Kern County Greens
(Julie Cartwright et al.)
Facilitators: June Brashares, Sonoma County
Greg Jan, Alameda County
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Announcement of Standing Committee vacancies.
Announcement re: Media Presence.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
June and Greg spoke about the consensus process and the new delegate
orientation.
Quorum count – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34,
35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52,
53, 54, 55, 56, 57, and 58.
9 of the 11 Regions are represented, so we have quorum. (See By-Law
7-5.3(a).) (Note: the missing Regions are Central Coast and Los Angeles.)
Central (at least 2 counties present),
East Bay (at least 1 county present),
Emerald (at least 1 county present),
Monterey Bay (at least 1 county present),
North Bay (at least 1 county present),
Orange/Riverside/San Bernardino (at least 1 county present),
San Diego/Imperial (at least 1 county present),
San Francisco (1 county present), and
Silicon Valley (at least 1 county present).
Question: What is the number of delegates present?
Answer: (Wells) There were 58 delegates present at 9:51 am out of 89
pre-registrants and several walk ups - twice as many as we had at the May
2016 GA. 38 delegates were needed to be present to begin decision-making at
the meeting (See, By-Law 7-5.3(b).)
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
9:52 am Agenda approval
Eric Brooks (timeskeeper)
Susan Chunco (vibeswatcher)
Clarifying Question: Do the counties who we aren’t sure are certified have
authorized delegates?
[No Answer Provided.]
Proposed Amendment: Certification of Counties to add to the agenda for
Saturday: (Ventura and Santa Cruz counties). Request for agenda amendment
to accommodate affirmation of new counties present; there is a proposal to
hear the item after lunch on Saturday, (COUNTY CERTIFICATION MATTER) at
1:00 pm and adjust remaining items in the afternoon accordingly.
Proposed Amendment: Recategorize Platform Items on Agenda for Sunday:
(Shane Que Hee)
Request for clarification of and request for agenda amendment to make the
Platform Planks Item a DISCUSSION ITEM:
Sunday 9:05 am Discussion Decision: Proposed Platform Planks
Proposal: Platform Plank: Initiatives, Referenda and Recall.
Proposal: Platform Plank: Peace Dividend
Proposal: Platform Plank: Militarism of Youth
Clarification: The Coordinating Committee already voted on March 6, 2017 to
change this item from a decision item to a discussion item.
Friendly amendment: Since we might be able to agree on a couple of these
platform planks tomorrow, could we change it back to a decision item now,
to allow for that possibility, and then, if we are unable to achieve
consensus, bring the ones we cannot agree on back for reconsideration
later, after further consideration, discussion and possible editing by the
Platform Committee?
Shane Que Hee, on behalf of the Platform Committee, will accept the
friendly amendment to turn this item back into a decision item now instead.
Proposed Amendment: Bylaws Amendment to add to the agenda for Sunday:
(Wanda Jean Lord)
Kern County requests the addition of an item on the Sunday agenda to hear
its proposed by-laws amendment re: County Recognition (hand out #1); there
is a proposal to hear the item after lunch on Sunday, (Decision Item: Kern
County Council of the Green Party of California Proposed Amendment to the
Bylaws of the Green Party of California) at 1:30 pmand adjust remaining
items in the afternoon accordingly.*
Proposal to adopt all three proposed amendments and approve the revised,
amended Agenda.
No outstanding questions or concerns.
Approved by consensus.
* After the General Assembly was concluded, the following section of GPCA
Bylaws was brought to the attention of the Bylaws Committee, as this
proposal was not submitted to the Bylaws Committee and was not reviewed by
the Bylaws Committee before it was presented to the General Assembly:
GPCA Bylaw 13-2.2 -- Each proposed amendment must be submitted to the
Bylaws Committee. The Bylaws Committee shall review the proposed amendments
and provide recommendations to the sponsors, including to promote
consistency in numbering, format, terminology and meaning with existing
documents, to minimize ambiguity and to promote clarity.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
9:55 am Discussion: Election Debriefing: Presidential Campaign Panel
discussion with audience follow up with those who worked on the Stein
campaign -- officially (David Cobb, Meleiza Figueroa, Erik Rydberg, Greg
Jan and Jill Stein) and unofficially in the counties.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
10:25 am Discussion: Election Debriefing: Current and past Green candidates
from around California (CCWG)
Kenneth Mejia: A call for volunteers was made to help in preparation for
the Tuesday, April 4, 2017 primary election for District 34 (Los Angeles)
Congressional Representative. Mejia4Congress.com
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
10:30 am Break
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
11:10 am Discussion: Brainstorming session on 2017-2018 electoral strategy
for preparation of the 2017-2018 Two-Year Strategic Plan (CCWG)
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
12:00 pm Lunch Women’s Caucus meeting during lunch
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
1:00pm Reconvene
Facilitators: Shane Que Hee
Laura Wells
Quorum count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38,
39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57,
58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, and 66.
32 - on the phone outside
65 - please note: there is no delegate 65, it was accidentally skipped when
the numbers were doled out, per Laura Wells. (Delegate 66 will be
renumbered 65.)
There are currently 9 of the 11 Regions are represented, so we have quorum.
Central (at least 2 counties present),
East Bay (at least 1 county present),
Emerald (at least 1 county present),
Monterey Bay (at least 1 county present),
North Bay (at least 1 county present),
Orange/Riverside/San Bernardino (at least 1 county present),
San Diego/Imperial (at least 1 county present),
San Francisco (1 county present), and
Silicon Valley (at least 1 county present).
Representatives from Ventura, which is part of the Central Coast Region,
are here but are seeking certification during the upcoming agenda item.
80% of registered delegates (65) and a minimum of 90% of the maximum number
of delegates registered for the Saturday session (65) needed to be present
in order for the General Assembly to engage in decision-making at this part
of the meeting, (See GPCA By-Law 7-5.3(b).) We have met that threshold.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
1:05 pm County Certification Matters
Decision: Certify Ventura County
Background: According to the GPCA Bylaws, 6-6, (
http://www.cagreens.org/bylaws/2016-07-03#Section_6-6_Appointment_to_Vacanc…)
in order to become certified, the County must publicize and hold a General
Meeting open to all registered Greens in the county and submit to the GPCA
Coordinating Committee:
(a) minutes of the election where it had the election;
(b) bylaws if they have been changed;
(c) election results, etc.; and
(d) proof of either 20 signatures of registered Greens from the county on a
petition with the names of the nominees for County Council -OR- 20
registered Greens attending the election meeting, etc.
Sponsors for each County Council candidate must also meet the requirements
of GPCA Bylaw 6-2.5,
(http://www.cagreens.org/bylaws/2016-07-03#Section_6-2_Elections)
Ventura County (Anthony Krzywicki) - meetings were held in September and
October of 2016. Then, on November 11, 2016, there was a recertification
meeting. Another meeting was held on January 12, 2017, in which the
following people were elected to the Ventura County Council: Linda
Anderson-Moyer (C0-Co); Anthony Krzywicki (Co-Co); Jewel Santana
(Secretary); Tiffany Grande (Treasurer); and Brianna Frisbey. [A copy of
the Jan. 12, 2017 Ventura County Council Meeting Minutes, is attached
hereto at Appendix A.]
A series of clarifying questions and answers ensued resulting in the
following clarifications from Ventura County:
The County has been meeting on a monthly basis for about 4 months; the
relevant County information has been transmitted to the State Party;
advance notice of County Greens meetings has been made through a variety of
means; and existing County Bylaws did not change.
No outstanding questions or concerns.
Approved by consensus.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Decision: Certify Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County (Raven Playfaire) – Presentation from three Greens who
were appointed to the County Council: Rich Zitola (Z), Raven Playfaire and
Thomas Leavitt.
A series of clarifying questions and answers ensued resulting in the
following clarifications from Santa Cruz County:
The County Greens are having irregular, but frequent meetings and have not
changed their existing Bylaws.
No additional outstanding questions.
Outstanding Concern, (stand aside): Eric Brooks (San Francisco), Eric
thinks there needs to be more regularization of the Party County Council
meetings, and hopes the County Council will start to do that now.
No additional outstanding concerns.
Approved by consensus.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Announcement by Laura Wells: With Ventura County certification, we now have
10 of the 11 regions participating at the GA (Ventura is part of the
Central Coast Region).
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
1:32 pm Discussion: Report from counties on What are the counties doing? (A
facilitated meeting in which people from different counties briefly share
what their counties are doing. Handouts and/or links to internet
information would be shared.)
Facilitators: Sadie Fulton (Yolo County)
Erik Rydberg (Butte County)
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
2:15 pm Discussion: Brainstorming session on party organizing and party
building for preparation of 2017-2018 Two-Year Strategic Plan(GROW). First
half of this session would be done with Youth-led fishbowl format. The rest
of session will be opened up for more brainstorming from everyone, although
it will continue to be facilitated by youth who
will do the calling on speakers.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
2:55 pm Decision: Confirmation of Treasurer nominated by Coordinating
Committee (Coordinating Committee)
Ruscal Cayangyang (Solano County) was introduced.
A series of clarifying questions and answers ensued resulting in the
following clarifications from Ruscal:
The Finance Committee recommended Ruscal to the CC and the CC confirmed his
nomination at their March 6, 2017 meeting; we can expect a 45-minute to an
hour budget presentation at the next GA where the budget will be approved;
our current Treasurer’s term is coming to an end; currently, the Treasurer
fills out the FPPC forms and Ruscal, as the Assistant Treasurer, is
reviewing them; the Treasurer receives a $150/month stipend; the GPCA
Bylaws say that the Treasurer will be approved during the first GA in the
odd numbered years; Ruscal commits, as Treasurer, to present monthly
financial statements as well as bank activity and check images to the
Finance Committee; and, Ruscal also invites each county treasurer to send
him an email message so that, once Treasurer, he can provide County
Treasurers with assistance.
Affirmations were heard from:
June Brashares, Sonoma County
Barry Hermanson, San Francisco County
Frank Lambert, Monterey County
Beth Moore, Nevada County
David Cobb, Humboldt County
Mica Daniel, Alameda County and
Eric Brooks, San Francisco County
No other questions or outstanding concerns.
Approved by consensus.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
3:34 pm Decision: Validation of GPCA endorsement of the Movement for Black
Lives platform (Validation of endorsement made by Coordinating Committee at
Feb. 6, 2017 Coordinating Committee meeting.) [Policy demands are listed on
the Movement for Black Lives Platform page at
https://policy.m4bl.org/platform/. They are listed under six categories:
(1) End the war on black people; (2) Reparations; (3) Invest-Divest; (4)
Economic Justice; (5) Community Control; and (6) Political Power.]
[Liz Kroboth was unable to attend due to illness, so Greg Jan made the
presentation on her behalf.]
A series of clarifying questions and answers ensued resulting in the
partial reading of the Movement for Black Lives platform policy demands by
Greg.
Affirmations were heard from:
Jan Arnold, Alameda County
Melanie Liu, Santa Clara County
Colt Gonzalez, San Joaquin County and
Sadie Fulton, Yolo County
Outstanding concern (standing aside): (Erik Rydberg, Butte County), Based
on the assumption that the Coordinating Committee members read the whole
platform before they voted for it, now that we have a general sense of the
platform, he is willing to stand aside.
No other questions or outstanding concerns.
Approved by consensus.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
4:01 pm Discussion: The Electoral Reform Working Group proposes that the
California Green party work quickly to build a broad coalition around the
state (including Berniecrats, Libertarians, other third parties, voter
reform and good government groups and others) to fight
to repeal Top Two and to institute Ranked Choice Voting on a statewide
basis in California for both state and national elections (including how
Presidential votes are counted) with the goal of
introducing a state ballot initiative in 2018. (ERWG)
There was a lively discussion. Those wishing to discuss the matter further
were encouraged to attend the ERWG break out session, coming up next on the
agenda.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
5:00 pm Announcement of Standing Committee vacancies and information about
breakout sessions
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
5:10 pm Breakout sessions for committees and working groups (ERWG,
Platform, Fundraising, GROW)
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
6:06 pm Confirmation: Standing Committee and Working Group Co-Coordinators
(ERWG, Platform, Fundraising, GROW)
Campaigns and Candidates Working Group - David Cobb has stepped up to be
the male Co-Co and wants to empower local groups not stifle them. Sadie
will step up on the next meeting when the current co-co steps back and
Sadie will help with phone text list and will work with Mel to set up a
tutorial if you want to set it up ASAP. They will give priority to
Kenneth. The App requires an android phone and the phone list is about $5.
Sadie can set it up for you.
Eric Brooks: The Fundraising Committee has the potential to grow to about 6
½ people (with Ruscal Cayangyang counted as the ½ since he will be the
Committee liaison to the Finance Committee). Currently, Wanda Jean Lord,
Kern County, and Eric Brooks, San Francisco County,
are the Committee Co-cos. Planning to apply for appointments to the
Committee are: Erik Rydberg (Butte County), Gloria Purcell (San Mateo
County), Forrest Brown (Kern County), and Ron Rodarte (Orange County).
GROW Committee - Laura Wells is one of the Co-cos and the liaison to the
Coordinating Committee but there is currently no male co-co. However, some
people are interested in joining and there may be another female willing to
replace Laura at some point so she can just be the CC
liaison.
Platform Committee - Shane Que Hee (Los Angeles County) - Steven Breedlove
(Butte County) is interested in joining the Committee as is Cassidy
Sheppard (Kern County), who is interested in being the female Co-co.
6:20 pm Announcements
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
6:20 pm Dinner Break. GPUS Delegation meeting during dinner
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
8:20 pm Speech by Jill Stein
See https://www.facebook.com/mimi.newton/videos/10154898531780801/ for
a video of the speech, but not the Q and A that followed.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Sunday, March 12
Proceedings opened at 9:15 am.
Facilitator: Bert Heuer (Contra Costa County)
Announcements: Pedro Gomez (Alameda County) created a GPCA General Assembly
2017 Facebook page and would like everyone to join.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Quorum count - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,
18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,
38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 51, 52, and 53 (present).
# 20 - absent
9 of the 11 Regions are represented, so we have quorum at 9:25 am.
(Note: the missing Regions are Central Coast and Los Angeles.)
1. Central (at least 2 counties present),
2. East Bay (at least 1 county present),
3. Emerald (at least 1 county present),
4. Monterey Bay (at least 1 county present),
5. North Bay (at least 1 county present),
6. Orange/Riverside/San Bernardino (at least 1 county present),
7. San Diego/Imperial (at least 1 county present),
8. San Francisco (1 county present), and
9. Silicon Valley (at least 1 county present).
80% of registered delegates (65) and a minimum of 90% of the maximum number
of delegates registered for the Sunday session (59) needed to be present
for the General Assembly to engage in decision-making at this part of the
meeting. We have met that threshold.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
9:25 am Decision: Proposed Platform Planks
Tarik Kanaana (Sonoma County) sent all three platform planks to the GPCA
Forum List Serv on March 7, 2017.
*** ***
Proposal: Platform Plank: Militarism of Youth (Shane Que Hee, Los Angeles
County):
Shane introduced the issues and discussed proposed changes to the
Militarism of Youth Platform Plank.
A series of clarifying questions, affirmations and concerns were raised
which resulted in a number of suggested revisions to the platform language.
Shane accepts the revisions suggested and proposes the revised plank,
(Appendix B, hereto).
No outstanding concerns or questions.
Approved by consensus.
*** ***
Proposal: Platform Plank: Peace Dividend
Shane introduced the platform (Appendix C, hereto).
An affirmation was heard from:
Jon Mann (Los Angeles County)
No outstanding concerns or questions.
Approved by Consensus.
*** ***
Proposal: Platform Plank: Initiatives, Referenda and Recall.
Shane introduced the platform (Appendix D, hereto).
A series of clarifying questions, affirmations and concerns were raised,
resulting in:
A recommendation from Eric Brooks (San Francisco County) that the General
Assembly send this platform plank back to the Platform Committee to work
more on this proposal, including a request that they consult with the ERWG
on the language and that a new proposal be circulated to folks by April 30,
2017.
Shane, on behalf of the Platform Committee, accepts the friendly amendment
that the Platform Committee consult with ERWG and resend out a revised
version of the platform to folks by April 30, 2017.
No outstanding questions or concerns.
Approved by consensus.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
10:25 am Discussion: Brainstorming session on GPCA platform updates for
preparation of 2017-2018 Two-Year Strategic Plan (Platform Committee,
Coordinating Committee)
Shane Que Hee (Los Angeles County) - The Platform Committee is seeking new
platform suggestions to include in its two year strategic plan.
A robust discussion of a variety of topics ensued.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
10:45 am Breakout sessions for committees and working groups (ERWG, Green
Issues, Bylaws, GROW)
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
12:20pm Announcements
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
12:30pm Lunch, Optional caucus meetings during lunch
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
1:30pm Reconvene
Facilitation: Cassidy Sheppard
Quorum count:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,
24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44,
45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, and 59.
#s 8, 13, 31, and 40 - absent
9 of the 11 Regions are represented, so we have quorum. (Note: the missing
Regions are Central Coast and Los Angeles.)
1. Central (at least 2 counties present),
2. East Bay (at least 1 county present),
3. Emerald (at least 1 county present),
4. Monterey Bay (at least 1 county present),
5. North Bay (at least 1 county present),
6. Orange/Riverside/San Bernardino (at least 1 county present),
7. San Diego/Imperial (at least 1 county present),
8. San Francisco (1 county present), and
9. Silicon Valley (at least 1 county present).
80% of registered delegates (65) and a minimum of 90% of the maximum number
of delegates registered for the Sunday session (59) needed to be present
for the General Assembly to engage in decision-making at this part of the
meeting. We have met that threshold.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Decision: Kern County Council Proposed Amendment to the GPCA Bylaws
Wanda Jean Lord provided background regarding the proposed amendment. The
copy which was handed out on Saturday morning has been revised, based on
discussions with various Green Party delegates since then. A one-page
handout which reflects these proposed revisions is circulated among the
delegates. Wanda Jean reviews the entire proposal with the proposed
revisions.
A series of clarifying questions, affirmations and concerns were raised,
resulting in suggested revisions to the Proposed Amendment as reflected in
Appendix E, hereto.
Affirmations were heard from:
Nassim Nouri (Santa Clara County) and
Tarik Kanaana (Sonoma County)
Outstanding concerns:
Faygo (James Clark), (Sacramento County) - is not willing to stand aside
because: 1) he was not able to discuss the proposal with his county; and
2) the motion was presented in a way that did not follow the bylaws of the
GPCA by not going through the Bylaw Committee by the deadline to be put on
the agenda.
No other outstanding concerns.
Wanda Jean accepts the friendly amendments (although there is no notice
requirement in the Elections Code with respect to the first meeting of the
County Council), but she desires to have the revised proposal put to a vote.
YES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24,
25, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49,
50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 (45 yes votes)
NO: 12, 27, 39, 51, (4 no votes)
ABSENT: 6, 8, 13, 23, 31, (5 absent)
ABSTAIN: 26, 33, 44, 52, 59 (5 abstentions)
80% of registered delegates (65) and a minimum of 90% of the maximum number
of delegates registered for the Sunday session (59) needed to be present
for the General Assembly to engage in decision-making at this part of the
meeting. We have met that threshold.
The threshold to amend a bylaw is 2/3 of all 'yes' and 'no' votes cast for
passage per GPCA Bylaw 7-2.3b. The proposal was approved by 45 of the 49
delegates who voted either yes or no. [See Appendix E, hereto.]
Proposal adopted.*
* After the General Assembly was concluded, the following section of GPCA
Bylaws was brought to the attention of the Bylaws Committee, as this
proposal was not submitted to the Bylaws Committee and was not reviewed by
the Bylaws Committee before it was presented to the General Assembly:
“GPCA Bylaw 13-2.2 -- Each proposed amendment must be submitted to the
Bylaws Committee. The Bylaws Committee shall review the proposed amendments
and provide recommendations to the sponsors, including to promote
consistency in numbering, format, terminology and meaning with existing
documents, to minimize ambiguity and to promote clarity.”
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
2:00 pm Confirmation: Standing Committee and Working Group Co-Coordinators
(CCWG, Green Issues, Bylaws)
Mimi Newton and Vic Ashley are seeking confirmation as the Co-Cos for the
Bylaws Committee.
(David Cobb was confirmed as the Co-Co for CCWG on Saturday by consensus
and the Green Issues Working Group has not yet met.)
Confirmed by consensus.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
2:05 pm Proposal: Approval Next General Assembly Meeting Date and Place
(Coordinating Committee)
Sacramento County has stepped up with a proposal to host the next General
Assembly and are looking at June 24 and 25 because they need some lead time
to get it organized. However, since the budget needs to be approved before
July 1, they will also consider the weekend of June 17 and 18 in case the
24th and 25th doesn’t pan out for some reason.
San Mateo County is looking at the possibility of hosting the Dec. 2017 GA.
Approved by consensus.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
2:30 pm Breakout sessions for committees and working groups (Finance,
Media, Clearinghouse)
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
4:10 pm Confirmation: Standing Committee and Working Group Co-Coordinators
(for Finance, Media, Clearinghouse and any other Committees or Working
Groups not confirmed earlier)
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
4:15 pm Announcements
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
4:20pm Closing session
A big thank you to Kern County!
Another big thank you to the Green veterans!
*** ***
Appendix A - Ventura County Meeting Minutes
Green Party 3rd Meeting
12 January 2017 / 6:00 PM / Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf CONFERENCE ROOM
Welcome
Introductions
Attendees
Linda Anderson-Moyer
Anthony Krizywicki
Tiffany Grande
Brianna Frisbey
Michael Cervantes
Jewel Santana
By Phone-Martha Fellows
Ventura County Green Party Council
2017 Committee member selection
Read guidelines to what it means.
Anthony Krzywicki nominates Linda-accepts
Michael Cervantes and Linda Anderson-Moyer nominate Anthony-accepts
Tiffany Grande nominates Jewel-accepts
Tiffany nominates Brianna-accepts
Voting-
Brianna Frisbey gets majority vote
Tiffany gets majority vote
Linda Anderson-Moyer-voted in
Jewel Santana-voted in
Anthony Krzywicki- voted in
Host Green Party Conference
Status of Conference
Martha informs everyone that March 11th and 12th 2017 in Kern County
Women’s Council
Recruiting for participants
Linda shares about the information and will provide Tiffany and Jewel
with more information. natlwomens-caucus(a)gp.org
Future Meeting locations
Bell Arts Factory-Ventura BLVD-Linda suggests that we rent once a month
and all the benefits of the facility, P.O. Box-Printer-Shredder- The
Hall for events-
Everyone is in favor of the idea, but Anthony is concerned about
parking and it might be a little congested.
Linda is okay with going ahead
Linda Proposes that all future meetings be held at Bell Arts and she
pays for membership-Anthony Seconds that
Vote-Majority approve
Baja Fresh conference Room-may be costly
Universalist Unitarian Church-Ralston-expensive and need insurance
Outreach
Twitter- only contains info on how you can get involved in community
and GP posts
Linda created account-Brianna has mentioned she would like to be
involved more with Social Media outreach
Brianna will be made an administrator to facebook account
Instagram account will be created
Will need to send the the state new contacts
Linda will call Kendra about green party information
Linda has many new contacts that would like to get involved
Anthony will be sending the names of the new Green Party Ventura County
Council Members to the State.
Direct Mail
Registered voter info from County Recorder
Once this meeting is over to submit meeting minutes to get addresses
and start direct mail to Greens
100 to 200 a week mailed postcards
Local Issues/Events
Oxnard Power PLant Meeting- overview
Linda was Impressed-children were shown to stand up for community
issues
City Council Meeting- overview
Linda said there were two students from Ventura High that were there to
present environmental ideas.
Linda suggests that the Green Party express their concerns and make
ourselves seen
Friends of the Earth-How to set up local event training 1/13/17 RSVP
Webinar-Anthony will be attending and report back
Not My President Rally- Simi Valley 1/15/17
Linda is going to attend
Benefit for Standing Rock- Thousand Oaks 1/15/2017
Anthony might attend
MLK March Oxnard 1/16/17
Linda and Michael will be attending-8AM
SURJ Meeting Saticoy 1/17/17
Anthony and Jewel might attend
Inauguration Day of Action Oxnard 1/20/17
March for Justice Ventura 1/21/17
Set up at 8 end at 12-tabling
Linda and Jewel will stay at table-Anthony and TIffany will
attend-Brianna will try to attend
Candidate training webinar 1/24/17 RSVP
Anthony and Jewel will attend-
Gov. Center there is a protest 1/20/17
Next Meeting Agenda
Fundraisers
T-shirts
Outreach
Registered greens and NPP
College Greens
2018 candidate search
Connect with local progressive groups/organizations
Event booths-Vta County Fair, Earth Day, Street Fairs, County Days
Proposed Ventura Green Party Events
Planned Parenthood march/rally-March 10
Tabling
Possible Divest protest corner of Telephone and Victoria- a Fri in Feb
Local groups speaker series-Monthly
Earth Day-April 22
Oxnard Earth Day April 15 11AM-3PM
Beach Clean-up- April 23
Ventura County Fair
Cost of 10 days at ventura County Fair Main st. 1000+ 100 inside corner
fee + $20 registration fee - registration begins as early as a January
2017
Additional cost for flyers banners posters need sales tax permit if
sale T-shirt or green Party memorabilia
Next Meeting
February 9th, 2017 6PM-8PM at Bell Arts Factory
*** ***
Appendix B
Militarism of Youth (revised 031217 Bakersfield)
Militarism is harmful because it consumes both natural and human
resources which could be better employed in useful endeavors. People
have a basic right to decide how they will serve their society and
contribute to it. This choice should be based on the individual's
religious, moral and ethical beliefs.
Today, most youth aged between 18 to 25, regardless of citizen status,
are still required by law to register with the Selective Service
System, even though actual conscription has not been used since the
Vietnam War https://www.sss.gov/Registration-Info/Who-Registration. The
military's propaganda ("Be All That You Can Be"), and its invasive
recruitment tactics in schools, have resulted in a so-called “all
volunteer force” that is, in effect, a "poverty draft." Young men and
women are enticed into the armed forces as an escape from poverty and
may then find themselves obligated to fight wars that they don't
believe in, or that they find morally objectionable.
The Green Party urges measures to counter the injustice inherent in
militarism:
Abolish the Selective Service System.
Respect the right of all people in and out of the military to follow
their principles in claiming conscientious objector (CO) status.
Currently, COs can only file a claim not to be drafted when called to
the draft. Congress should monitor the military's procedures in
processing CO claims.
Service members should have a period to opt out that does not endanger
their benefits and be able to finish that obligation in some other
capacity.
The military including the ROTC and all other recruitment programs
should be kept out of schools.
Deny access to the names of students under 21 from driver license
records or school lists by military recruiters, unless the students, or
their parents in the case of minors, sign a release authorizing access.
Hold military recruitment materials to the same "truth in advertising"
standards that are required of businesses.
*** ***
Appendix C
Peace Dividend (revised 031217 Bakersfield)
Green philosophy emphasizes the need to enable people to meet basic
needs of quality food, housing, health care, equal opportunity,
education and employment. Our country needs economic and social
revitalization that can only be achieved through sane resource use and
future-focused planning.
Use of resources to meet basic human needs has long been sacrificed to
pay for a huge military budget. This level of military spending is the
result of a bloated defense budget based on unrealistic assessments of
foreign military threats, inefficient and wasteful procurement
practices, self-serving competition between different branches of the
military and duplication of military functions. Local economies have
become so dependent on military spending that "pork-barrel" legislation
has become an accepted practice.
About one third of the national budget is discretionary spending
(non-discretionary spending is mostly entitlement programs mandated by
law). Military spending accounts for more than half of all
discretionary spending. This means that the combined budget for all
other programs in all other agencies and departments is less than what
the military is getting.
To fund the wars in the Middle East and the "war on terrorism" post
September 11, the level of spending is roughly equal to the combined
defense budgets of the next 15 largest militarized countries. This war
money comes at the expense of funding for social programs and
international assistance.
The Green Party advocates a major shift in the allocation of resources:
Redefine the military's role in the light of post-Cold War
circumstances, multi-national economics and the emergence of developing
nations.
Develop a new national defense policy with participation by citizen and
governmental representatives as well as the military.
Reduce military spending to 25% of Cold War levels. Several studies
supported the possibility of reducing such expenditures by 50% during
the USSR's waning years. Today, no superpower threats justify even that
spending level. While a 75% reduction is an arbitrary target, the
Government and military should be made to explain to citizens why more
is needed.
Stop funding the Ballistic Missile Defense system. An intercontinental
ballistic missile is not the weapon of choice for a terrorist
organization or a developing country. With the demise of the cold war
and the growth of global economic interdependence, no industrialized
nation poses a threat of an all-out invasion of the U.S. Furthermore,
the current missile defense schemes cannot be proved to work since they
cannot be tested against real targets, and they remain vulnerable to
countermeasures and decoys.
Distribute the resulting "peace dividend," in part, to state and local
governments to handle the multitude of neglected problems in social
welfare, the environment and the economy.
Simplify and decentralize the military procurement system, and
consolidate military functions to eliminate duplication.
Eliminate the use of drones.
*** ***
Appendix D
SPONSOR: Platform Committee.
PRESENTER: Mike Feinstein, Los Angeles, mfeinstein(a)feinstein.org.
SUBJECT: Initiatives, Referenda and Recall. A revision of the old
version. The concerned Ten Key Values are: Social Justice;
Grassroots Democracy; Personal and Global Responsibility.
BACKGROUND
The Green Party supports initiative, referendum and recall as essential
direct democracy tools; and seeks to retain and enhance these important
institutions.
The strength of the initiative process is that it gives citizens the
ability to by-pass the legislature and act directly as legislators
themselves. Through the initiative process, citizens can propose
statutes and amendments to the California Constitution -- a critical
option when elected officials are deemed non-responsive by their
constituents. The weakness of theinitiative process is the degree to
which its components can be determined by big money -- from qualifying
for the ballot, to waging statewide election campaigns.
Originally intended as a way for citizen voters to access the
government structure, the initiative process has too often become a
large-scale commercial and fundraising enterprise. It can cost millions
of dollars and require a great deal of organization just to gather the
necessary signatures to qualify for the ballot. Then there is the
private, for-profit role that signature-gathering companies play in
determining the cost of access to our democracy.
In response, Greens support making it easier for volunteer-based
efforts to qualify initiatives and referendum; and at the same time to
increase financial disclosure for ballot measures. Greens also seek
ways to ensure that better-drafted measures ultimately make it to the
ballot.
During the election season, Greens support ensuring television and
radio time for informational programming; pro/con debates for each
statewide ballot measure; and contribution and spending limits for
pro/con campaigns.
PROPOSAL
The Green Party proposes:
Signature Gathering
Make it easier to qualify an initiative or referendum proposal using
volunteers, by extending the number of days to qualify for the ballot
for signature-gathering efforts that utilize large percentages of
volunteers and stay within spending limits, and/or weigh more highly
the signatures obtained utilizing volunteers
Where it is possible to truly safeguard security, identity and privacy,
allow signature gathering Internet and/or other electronic technology
for initiatives and referenda; in such cases there may be a higher
signature threshold.
Drafting
Initiative proposals should be written in language that is precise,
clear, and understandable, and meets standards of readability.
Initiative proposals should be limited to a single subject. The
definition of "single subject" should ensure clear interpretation and
strict enforcement.
Initiatives with provisions that would require funding should specify
the sources or method(s) of providing the funding.
Initiatives should include a provision providing for an automatic
review/re-vote or expiration of the measure, as appropriate.
Title and Summary
The title and summary should be written by an impartial and
non-partisan official authority, such as the Legislative Analyst's
Office (for statewide measures).
Ballot pamphlet analyses of initiative and referendum measures should
be written for the reading level of the average citizen.
The ballot label and ballot pamphlet should clearly indicate the effect
of a yes vote and a no vote.
Voting and Approval Thresholds
An initiative statute, or a legislative statute appearing on the ballot
as a referendum, should be approved by a simple majority of those
voting on the measure.
The approval threshold for an initiative constitutional amendment
should be higher than a simple majority vote
An initiative statute or constitutional amendment that imposes a new
requirement for passage of future initiativesshould meet the same
requirement.
An initiative statute or constitutional amendment that requires a
super-majority vote for passage of future related issues should be
required to receive the same super-majority vote approval for its
passage.
An initiative should not be allowed to provide for different outcomes
depending upon the percentage of votes cast in its favor.
Elections
Provide free time for informational television and radio information
about the initiative and referendum proposals on the ballot, and
broadcast any public hearings the Legislature holds/has held on the
initiative proposals.
Impose contribution and expenditure limits by individuals and groups in
initiative and referendum campaigns - mandatory limits where possible
by law, and voluntary when not.
Conduct a series of televised debates featuring the yes and no sides of
initiative and referendum proposals, just as there are pro/con
arguments in the voter information guide - but only for campaigns
accepting and operating within spending limits.
Disclosure
Require that disclosure requirements that already apply to mailings and
advertisements in support or opposition to an initiative or referendum
also apply to the ballot pamphlet and voter information guide for those
ballot measures
Require that that at least the top three sponsors of an initiative or
referendum and organizations that form a committee to support or oppose
a measure be listed by name in the ballot pamphlet, in mailings, and in
advertisements.
Require that at least the top three principal contributors to an
initiative or referendum campaign be listed by name in the ballot
pamphlet, in mailings, and in advertisements.
Where an initiative or referendum campaign has substantially qualified
for the ballot through signature-gathering by volunteers, include this
with other disclosure information.
Require that initiative and referendum committees use names that
reflect their true economic or special interest.
RESOURCES. This revised platform plank did not gain enough votes at
the SGAs of 10/09/16 and 11/14/16. This platform plank was originally
proposed by Mike Feinstein on Sep 9 2016, agreed to by consensus by the
Platform Committee listserve on Sep 28 2016, and approved by the 2
voting members on October 4 2016. The 11/14/16 version needed input
from County Councils.
*** ***
Appendix E
Article 5. County Organization
A) Counties may organize in any way they choose that includes
Consensus-Seeking Facilitation and horizontal organizing and is not in
violation of the California Election Code Division 7 Part 6 Green Party
and the Ten Key Values of the Green Party of the United States.
Counties shall provide 21-day public notice of their first General
Meeting.
B). County Green Party Recognition by the Green Party of California:
i) To be recognized by the Green Party of California, County Green Party
Organizations shall make an application in writing (physical or
digital) to the GPCA Coordinating Committee. The application shall
include written (physical or digital) Bylaws and a list of the County
Organization’s Officers and all County Organization Members also known
as County Council Members for which the applying County Organization is
requesting GPCA recognition and certification under California
Elections Code Section 7927(a)(1). The County Council shall include
their list of appointed Delegates to the Standing General Assembly
(SGA) and representatives to any upcoming General Assembly (GA).
ii) The GPCA Coordinating Committee has the authority, in compliance with
the California Elections Code, to accept, and shall approve, any
application for membership that is in compliance with the California
Elections Code.
iii) Any decision by the Coordinating Committee may be appealed to the GPCA
General Assembly.
iv) If no Active County Council exists, a new County Council may be
organized as defined in Sections (A) and (B).
v) A County does not have an Active County Council if the County
Organization has not held a meeting for 6 consecutive months.
C). Any and all GPCA Bylaws not in compliance with A) and B) above must be
interpreted in such a way as to preserve, allow & facilitate all of the
rights and processes described above and shall not in any way be
interpreted or otherwise used to limit the rights described therein in
any way.
Article 6. County Councils
Section 6-1 Members
6-1.1 Members of County Councils shall be those elected in the direct
primary election and those appointed in between.
6-1.2 A County Organization's bylaws must specify the number of members
to be elected in the county.
6-1.3 If a county has less than 150 registered Green Party voters, the
number of members to be elected shall be three;
6-1.4 If a county has between 150 and 500 registered Green Party
voters, the number of members to be elected shall be five;
6-1.5 If a county has more than 500 registered Green Party voters, the
number shall be either:
6-1.5(a) The greater of the number seven or the integer nearest the
resulting quotient obtained by dividing 100 times the number of Green
Party registered voters in the county by the number of Green Party
registered voters in the state; or
6-1.5(b) Recognized County Organizations may choose to modify the
number of members to be elected by notifying the Coordinating Committee
at least 165 days prior to the direct primary election, notification of
which must include minutes of the decision that took place. In such
cases the number of members to be elected may be no fewer than five. It
shall be the responsibility of the Coordinating Committee to notify the
Secretary of State of the modification no later than 135 days prior to
the direct primary election.
Section 6-2 Elections
6-2.1 Members shall be elected in each county at each direct primary
election. Only those legally registered to vote in California as
members of the Green Party are eligible to be elected. Elections shall
be for two-year terms lasting until 30 days after the next direct
primary election.
6-2.2 Multi-Member Districts
6-2.2(a) Members shall be elected from one or more multi-member
districts.
6-2.2(b) A County Organization's bylaws shall specify that members
shall be elected from either a single, countywide multi-member district
or multiple, multi-member districts corresponding to the boundaries of
the Congressional, State Assembly, State Senate or Supervisorial
districts within that county.
6-2.2(c) The number of seats to be elected for each district shall be
proportional to the number of registered Green Party members in that
district, compared to the number of registered Green Party members
county wide.
NOTE: The following text 6-2.3 through 6-2.7 shall be considered part
of the GPCA Bylaws, until such text or text similar to it is passed as
part of a GPCA section of the California Elections Code:
6-2.3 Computation of members allotted
6-2.3(a) The Secretary of State, no later than the 125th day before the
direct primary election, shall compute the number of members of County
Councils to be elected in each county and shall mail a certificate to
that effect to the county clerk of each county and to the Liaison to
the Secretary of State.
6-2.3(b) The county clerk, no later than the 115th day before the
direct primary election, shall compute the number of members of County
Council members to be elected in each district if the election of the
members is to be by district.
6-2.4 In each county, the name of each candidate for member of County
Councils shall appear on the ballot only if she or he is registered in
the Green Party and has filed a nomination paper pursuant to Division 6
(commencing with Section 6000) of the Elections Code signed in the
candidate‘s behalf by Green Party voters of the County Council
election district in which she or he is a candidate.
6-2.5 The number of sponsors which shall be required of a person to be
a candidate for member of a County Council shall be either: (a) Not
less than 20; or (b) Not less than 2 percent of the number of voters
registered as affiliated with the Green Party in the County Council
election district -- whichever is less. Each sponsor is entitled to
sponsor as many candidates as there are seats in the district.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Elections Code, as many candidates
as there are seats in the district may have their names listed on a
single sponsor's certificate, and the signatures thereon shall be
counted toward the sponsor requirement of each and every candidate
whose name is listed on the certificate. In no case shall the number of
candidates having their names on a sponsor's certificate exceed the
number of members of the county council to be elected in the district.
6-2.6 No write-in candidate for member of County Council shall be
declared elected, however, unless that candidate has received a number
of first choice votes equal to or greater than 2 percent of the number
of party members voting in the County Council election district at the
direct primary or 20 votes, whichever is less.
6-2.7 For the purposes of this Section, the registration figures used
shall be those taken from the statement of voters and their political
affiliations transmitted by the county clerk/registrar to the Secretary
of State on the 135th day prior to the next direct primary election.
6-3 Vacancy
A vacancy on the County Council shall be said to exist whenever any of
the following has occurred. Additional criteria may be enacted by a
County Organization in its bylaws, like attendance requirements, that
are not in conflict with these bylaws:
6-3.1 A County Council seat was not filled in an election;
6-3.2 A County Council member has submitted a written statement of
resignation to the County Council or the Coordinating Committee;
6-3.3 A County Council member is no longer registered in the county or
district within the county from which she or he was elected;
6-3.4 A County Council member is no longer registered Green;
6-3.5 A Councilmember dies or becomes incapacitated to act;
6-3.6 A Councilmember is removed for cause.
6-4 Removal for Cause
6-4.1 County Council members elected in the direct primary election may
be removed from office only by a 2/3 vote of the General Assembly in
response to a Removal for Cause petition from the County Council in
question. Before a Removal for Caucus petition is considered, mediation
is encouraged to address outstanding issues and concerns.
6-4.2 A Removal for Cause petition must contain the written basis for
removal, must be approved by the County Council by a 2/3 vote, and must
be received by the Coordinating Committee before it can be forwarded to
the General Assembly for a vote. The written basis for removal must be
based upon a substantial violation of the bylaws of the GPCA and/or the
County Organization.
6-4.3 Upon receipt of such Removal for Cause petition, the Coordinating
Committee shall schedule a vote of the General Assembly. If an
in-person General Assembly is scheduled to occur within 60 days of the
receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee shall place the
vote on the draft agenda, and any agenda approved by the General
Assembly must include the vote. If an in-person General Assembly is not
scheduled to occur within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the
Coordinating Committee shall submit the petition for a discussion and
vote of the Standing General Assembly at the next available starting
date for on-line proposals, as defined in these bylaws.
6-4.4 County Council members not elected in the direct primary
election, but who have been appointed by the processes described in
Article 5 and 6-5 , may be removed by the process described in 6-4.1
through 6-4.3, or alternatively, by a 4/5 vote of the County Council,
in response to a Removal for Cause proposal containing the written
basis for removal.
Section 6-5 Appointments to Vacancies in Counties In Which No County
Council members were elected in the primary election
6-5.1 The General Meeting must appoint at least one member to the
County Council. Only registered Green Party members in the county are
eligible for appointment. The county organization shall forward minutes
of the meeting to the Coordinating Committee.
6-5.2 Once the Coordinating Committee has certified that the County
Organization is recognized under Article 5, it shall review the minutes
of the County Council election and certify the new County Council,
unless there is clear evidence that the Council was elected in conflict
with that County Organization's bylaws. Any decision by the
Coordinating Committee not to certify may be appealed by that County
Organization to the General Assembly and shall require a 2/3 vote to
certify. If an in-person General Assembly is scheduled to occur within
60 days of the receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee
shall place the vote on the draft agenda, and any agenda approved by
the General Assembly must include the vote. If an in-person General
Assembly is not scheduled to occur within 60 days of the receipt of the
petition, the Coordinating Committee shall submit the petition for a
discussion and vote of the Standing General Assembly at the next
available starting date for on-line proposals, as defined in these
bylaws.
-END-
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Full details are available at:
http://www.sjcgreens.org/sga_vote_minutes_kern_county_general_assembly
*Please send your discussion comments to gpca-votes(a)sfgreens.org
<gpca-votes(a)sfgreens.org>*
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