Approved minutes of the Monday, July 20, 2015 6:30PM EC telephonic meeting of the GPCT. Attendees: Co-chairpersons: Linda Thompson, Norwich; Rolf Maurer, Stamford and S. Michael DeRosa, Wethersfield. Treasurer: Christopher Reilly, West Hartford. Secretary: Barbara Barry, Wethersfield.
Discussed: potential GPCT candidates for the November 3, 2015 municipal elections: Ben Holden, Canton; David Olszta, New Haven; and possible other candidates from the City of New London chapter and the Waterford chapter. David Bedell, pursuant to CT SEEC regulations, did the following public notice of the GPCT 7-28-15 Nominating Convention: http://patch.com/connecticut/easthampton-ct/green-party-nominating-meeting
Green Party Nominating Meeting: Announcement of political candidate nominating meeting.
To support grassroots democracy and a sustainable future in Connecticut towns, the Green Party plans to run candidates for municipal office in various towns throughout the state. A nominating meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 28, at the regular monthly meeting of the Green Party.
The meeting will take place at 6:30 pm at the Portland Senior Center, 7 Waverly Avenue, Portland, CT. For more information, see http://www.ctgreenparty.org. SMD to take paper work to the town clerks of Canton and New Haven.
###############################################################Proposed agenda for the Tuesday, July 28, 2015 GPCT Nominating Convention.
Start time: 6:30PM. Facilitator: S. Michael DeRosa, GPCT co-chairperson.
1. ( 20-30 minutes): Municipal Candidates will provide their (1-2 minute) candidate statements and take questions from attendees.
2. (10 minutes): Vote and the election of GPCT candidates for the November 3rd, 2015 municipal elections.
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Proposes agenda for the Tuesday, July 28, 2015 GPCT SCC immediately following the nomination convention. Estimated start time: 7PM. Facilitator: Linda Thompson, GPCT co-chairperson
- à Sunday, July 26, 2015 from our delegates: Joshua Steele Kelly, S. Michael DeRosa and Linda Thompson.
6. (5-10 minutes): CT contributions to Jill Stein, a GPUS potential presidential candidate for 2016. She is one of several potential candidates.
7. (20 minutes): Updates from our representatives from each (GPUS) Standing Committee.
Accreditation (AC): reviews state chapter which petitions to join the GPUS; reviews criteria for state delegates to GPUS annual meetings and conventions. Annual National Meeting (ANMC): working on the 2014 GPUS Annual Meeting. Ballot Access (BA): discussion of efforts/difficulties/strategies of the state Green Parties gaining ballot access: SMD. Black Caucus. Bylaws, Rules, Polices Procedure (BRPP): for the GPUS officers & national committees: AVN, JSK. Dispute Resolution (DRC): mediation of any disputes within the GPUS organization. Diversity (DC): strategies/actions to urge/maximize diversity within the GPUS: EG. Eco Action (EA): develop strategies for the GPUS regarding ecological matters. Finance (Fincom): determine how to spend the GPUS money. Fundraising (FC): raises money for the GPUS. Green Party of the US internet news: acquire and write articles for the GPUS website. International Committee (IC): promotes GPUS positions re: world issues: SMD, JSK and JMcC. Latino Caucus.
Merchandizing Committee (MERCH): determines/acquires items for the GPUS. Media Committee (MC): writes GPUS press releases.
Outreach (OC): interacts with other groups who may have similar interests of the GPUS: EG and LT. Peace (GPAX): discusses/develops strategies of how the GPUS may promote peace throughout the world: BW-C.
Platform (PC): promotes positions of the GPUS which are consistent with GP 10 Key Values JSK, AVN & JMcC.
Presidential Campaign Support Committee (PCSC): strategies to support a GPUS presidential candidate: TMcK.
Women’s Caucus.
8. (5-10 minutes): GPCT candidate support committee: Volunteers sought to provide campaign assistance to the 2015 municipal GPCT candidates. Dates and times of meetings: to be determined.
9. (15 minutes): Reports about our GPCT 2015 legislative proposals to the CT Legislative:
CT public banking: report from Ed Heflin. Urban/suburban/rural farm to table food chain: report from Paul Gobell and Barbara Barry. Demilitarization of the police/law enforcement officials: by Rolf Maurer and Barbara Barry. Universal healthcare: by Barbara Barry. Promotions of MUDs (municipal utility districts): Barbara Barry and S. Michael DeRosa. Common Core Curriculum reform: by Baird Welch-Collins, Emily Garfinkel and Joshua Steele Kelly. Renewable energy: by Ed Heflin and S. Michael DeRosa. Ballot access: S. Michael DeRosa: HB 5304: write-in registration for minor parties; HB 6103: act regarding party affiliation. Decriminalization of cannabis and use of hemp economy: by Rolf Maurer, Baird Welch-Collins and Cindy Day. Conversion of military property/businesses to renewable energy sources: by S. Michael DeRosa and Rolf Maurer.
10. (5-10 minutes): GPCT Budget Committee: Linda Thompson and Christopher Reilly. a) Goal setting: need money to petition for the GPUS 2016 presidential candidate. b) Support GPCT candidates and c) Advertise events in the print and digital media.
11. (5-10 minutes) a) GPCT Conflict Resolution Committee as recommended by the 4-25-15 Conflict Resolution Workshop attendees.
12. (5-10 minutes: GPCT Fundraising Committee report about possible future fundraisers.
13. (5-10 minutes) Report from Linda Thompson of the GPCT Outreach Committee: goal setting i.e. selection of GPCT member liaisons with other CT organizations with similar values e.g. Able Child, HempCT, CT Sierra Club, True Colors, Environmental Justice Network, NAACP, organizations supporting urban/suburban/rural farm to table farming.
14. (5-10 minutes): Update from Tim McKee, GPCT liaison with organizations opposing the expansion of the Algonquin Pipeline. The energy company plans to expand the pipeline to a ME seaport so frocked oil and gas may be exported. The alliance includes GPs of NJ, NY, RI, MA, PA, OH, WV, ME and the GPUS. Here's a link to the Spectra Energy description of the project: http://www.spectraenergy.com/Operations/New-Projects-and-Our-Process/New-Projects-in-US/Algonquin-Incremental-Market-AIM-Project/
GREEN PARTY TEN KEY VALUES: non-violence, respect for diversity, grassroots democracy, social justice and equal opportunity, ecological wisdom, decentralization, community-based economics and economic justice, future focus and sustainability, personal and global responsibility, feminism and gender equality. Submitted by Barbara Barry, GPCT secretary for the GPCT EC: Linda Thompson, S. Michael DeRosa, Rolf Maurer and Christopher Reilly.