Approved minutes from the SCC meeting on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 from 7pm to 8:45pm.
Quorum was met.
Location: Welles Turner Library (Glastonbury Public Library), 2407 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033 www.wtmlib.com<http://www.wtmlib.com P: 860/652-7720
CTGP attendees by chapters: Fairfield: David Bedell, CTGP treasurer; Greater Hartford: Jeffery Russell, William Glickman, S. Michael DeRosa, CTGP co-chairperson, Barbara Barry, CTGP secretary; Christopher Reilly; New London: Ronna Stuller, CTGP co-chairperson; At Large: Linda Thompson and John Lancz. Observer: Philip Dooley. Facilitator: Barbara Barry
- Deferred review of the minutes of 4-28-12 CTCP Annual Meeting. When available, the SCC will review these minutes by CTGP members due to the 3-30-12 resignation of CTGP secretary.
- Consensus approval of the minutes of the 5-30-12 SCC meeting and consensus acceptance the 6-18-12 EC meeting.
3. Treasurer's report from David Bedell: balance of $295.28.
4. Reports from our five (5) representatives to the GPUS: BAB reaffirmed that as secretary she notified the GPUS secretary that the following were elected 4-28-12 to be CTGP representatives to the GPUS: Linda Thompson, Tim McKee, Jeff Russell, S. Michael DeRosa and Allan Brison.
5. a) Resolution from Allan Brison, CTGP co-chairperson, requesting CTGP support:RESOLUTION URGING THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO CALL FOR A CONVENTION TO PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENDING CORPORATE PERSONHOOD. Occupiers, Greens, Activists, and Friends: On June 4, the New Haven Board of Aldermen unanimously passed a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to undo the damage done by the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizen's United decision. The resolution states that Corporations are not People and should not be entitled to the constitutional protections granted to real people; and that Money is not Free Speech -- that states and municipalities should be permitted to pass campaign finance laws that regulate how money is used in political campaigns. With this action, New Haven joins a growing number of municipalities around the country including New York, and Los Angeles, as well as Hartford and Middletown here in Connecticut.
The resolution was the joint effort of Occupy New Haven's Issues and Proposals Working Group, the New Haven Green Party, the Wolf-PAC organization, and Alderman Doug Hausladen (D-7, Downtown). Passed by consensus.
b) FYI from Ronna Stuller, CTGP co-chairperson, advised the New London Green Party supported the following New London City Council resolution:WHEREAS, the city of New London celebrates freedom of speech as a voice for each person. WHEREAS, the city of New London has grave concerns about the health of our country following the United State Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling regarding the constitutional rights of corporations. WHEREAS, the city of New London finds leadership is best when it engages citizens, not money. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT: Section 1. The city of New London is calling for an amendment to the Constitutionto provide that the rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only. Artificial entities, such as corporations, limited liability companies, and other entities, established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights except as legislated by the People; and, the judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment. Section 2. Furthermore, the city of New London is calling on Congress to begin the process of amending the Constitution for said purpose.
6. Fundraiser for Jill Stein, the presumptive GPUS presidential candidate, on Friday, June 29, 2012 from 5pm to 8:30pm at the Winchester Restaurant and Bar, 12 Selden Street, Woodbridge, CT 06525. Goal: raise another $1500 for the GPUS presidential candidate by June 30, 2012. Reason: if 20 states raise a maximum of $5000 for a presidential candidate (per federal regulations), that candidate would be likely be eligible for federal campaign matching funds. http://www.jillstein.org
7. Petitioning for the GPUS presidential candidate: has started and more CTGP members took
petition sheets for their use. Need 7,500 valid petition signatures but due to upwards of a 50%
rejection rate by the 169 town clerks, upwards to 15,000 gross signatures are needed.
8. Consensus: attendees reaffirmed recommendations from the CTGP attendees at the 4-28-12 Annual Meeting that 80% of the first round vote at the GPUS Presidential Convention (July 12 through July 15, 2012 in Baltimore, MD) will be for Jill Stein. The CTGP secretary has already provided delegate, alternate delegate and CTGP policies and CT regulations to the GPUS Credential Committee. NOTE: proxy votes need to be designated to an actually attending delegate; maximal delegate vote by proxy: 50%. The convention can be viewed via Sypke.
9. Reports from CTGP members to the (GPUS) National Committees: SMD: has been interacting with the GPUS Ballot National Committee and the Jill Stein workers regarding: potential help with petitioning for the GPUS presidential candidate in CT and for the 6-29-12 Jill Stein visit/fundraiser to the CT.
10. Updates regarding selection of CTGP members to the (GPUS) National Committees. We are allotted a maximum of 3 CTGP members to each national committee. We are seeking CTGP members to these committees whether they are dormant or active this month. National committees become active as the need arises (e.g. ANMC, AC and PSC). The national committees and CTGP representatives are:
Accreditation (AC): reviews any state chapter which petitions to join the GPUS; reviews criteria for state delegates to GPUS annual meetings conventions.
Annual National Meeting(ANMC):work on the July 2012 GPUS Presidential Convention.
Ballot Access (BA): discussion of efforts, difficulties, strategies and successes of the state Green Parties gaining ballot access. S. Michael DeRosa, William Glickman.
Bylaws, Rules, Polices Procedure (BRPP): for the GPUS officers and national committees. Coordination Campaign (CCC): distribution of GPUS money to GP public office candidates.
Dispute Resolution (DRC): mediation of any disputes within the GPUS organization.
Diversity (DC): strategies and actions to urge/maximize diversity within the GPUS.
Eco Action (EA): develop strategies for the GPUS regarding ecological matters.
Jeffery Russell and William Glickman
Finance (FinCom): review/determine how to spend the money of the GPUS
Fundraising (FC): raises money for the GPUS operations.
Green Party of the US internet news: acquire and write articles for the GPUS website.
International Committee (IC): develops/promotes GPUS positions regarding world issues.
Linda Thompson, Hector Lopez, Jeffery Russell, S. Michael DeRosa.
Merchandizing Committee (MERCH): determines and acquires items for the GPUS. Rolf Maurer.
Media Committee (MC): writes GPUS press releases.
Outreach (OC): interacts with other groups who may have similar interests of the GPUS.
Peace (GPAX): discusses/develops strategies of how the GPUS may promote peace throughout the world. Jeffery Russell, Richard Duffee.
Platform (PC): promotes positions on issues for the GPUS which are consistent with Green Party Ten Key Values. William Glickman.
Presidential Campaign Support Committee (PCSC): develop strategies to support any GPUS presidential candidate. Timothy McKee.
Steering (SC): the seven (7) co-chairpersons of the GPUS which promote GPUS actions and strategies. Black Caucus: BAB: no response from the co-chairman and secretary of this caucus regarding lack of knowledge about which members identify themselves as Afro-Americans. Reason: neither the CTGP nor the State of CT requires this information from members/registered voters. A CTGP member was written in for this caucus and the Latino Caucus and the Women’s Caucus. BAB emailed her but has not received a response from her. Consensus: a) accept this CTGP person for the 3 caucuses if she wishes to join and b) reaffirm BAB’s plan to: continue to seek a response from the Black Caucus regarding their request.
Latino Caucus:Hector Lopez.
Women’s Caucus: Linda Thompson.
11. CTGP candidates running for office for the November 6, 2012 elections: Nicholas Payne has withdrawn and another candidate is being sought for the CTGP ballot line for CT State Representative from New Milford. Don Alexander, for State Repetitive from Torrington. David Bedell is seeking a candidate for the 26th CT legislative district (part of Westport and Ridgefield) and David acquired petitions for the New Britain legislative district but need a candidate. Melissa Schlag for 33rd State Senate district from Haddam, http://www.melissaschlag.com ; Colin Bennett for the 2nd Congressional District( from Eastern CT from Mass border to RI to CT shoreline). We are seeking candidates for the ballot line of the 3rd Congressional District(New Haven). Caleb Kleppner has petitioned for the Registrar of Voters for the city of New Haven. SMD is considering running for the 1st Congressional District (Greater Hartford). Seek candidates for ballot lines in: Hartford/Wethersfield for CT 1st State Senate District; Doug Lary is petitioning for Windham Registrar of Voters. He is seeking the endorsement of multiple political parties inclusive but not limited to: The Bottom Line, CTGP and others. We anticipate having CTGP nomination conventions in July and August.
12. CT voter list: has been acquired. Christopher Reilly will provide to chapters.
13. Political actions to be taken in the near future.
14. Events per RS: Op-Sail and Sail-fest events from Friday, July 6th through Sunday, July 8, 2012 in New London at: downtown, city pier, Fort Trumbull and the Groton side of harbor. Fireworks will be Saturday night.
16. Chapter reports: deferred due to time.
17. Current CTGP websites: http://www>.ctgreentimes.org; www.ctgreens.com www.ctgreenparty.org www.ctgreenparty.com www.greenpartyct.org www.greenpartyct.com
18. Selection of the next SCC meeting is Wednesday, August 1st. Possible site: New Milford.
Green Party Ten Key Values: non-violence, respect for diversity, grassroots democracy, social justice and equal opportunity, ecological wisdom, decentralization, community-based economics, economic justice, future focus and sustainability, personal and global responsibility, feminism and gender equality.