Convention Minutes June 2005

Pacific Green Party
Annual Business Meeting
Portland State University
6-26-05
Facilitator: Lori Burton
1. Agenda approved by consensus
2. Election Review:
• Matt Donohue elected to Corvallis School Board
• Matt Marr elected to Ashland School Board
• 12 Greens elected into office in Oregon
3. National Committee report: Marnie Glickman
• Working on process of decentralization
• State and local parties are stronger and more vibrant
• Good functioning committees and growing policy development
• November-focus on 2008 Pres/VP candidate recruitment
4. Treasurer report by Delbert-We are about where we were last year. We need more members
5. Peter Drake reported the new, improved web site is coming. Peer reviewed the various email lists. Consolidation was discussed and approved.
6. Peter gave the following posting advise:
• Be polite/respectful/clear/concise
• Know who you are responding to
• Make sure the subject line is up to date
• To start a discussion select and send to 1 list
We discussed the need for outreach to those who don’t have email, need to communicate with union members, need to attract new members, esp. in minority communities.
7. William Maxwell presented his experience at the Seattle Campaign School. Recommendations and comments included:
• Plan campaign one-year prior and identify committee
• Don’t run 2 progressive candidates
• Discussed Wellstone Action group-focusing on college campuses
Matt: We need institutional memory and well run campaigns
8. Betsy Cunningham: Bill of Rights Campaign
State action fizzled
9. Rural Organizing Project:
• 1,000 people at kickoff
• 400-500 daily average marchers
• PCUN co-sponsored
10. IRV Pam Vavra
Jackson County did a Carter Review of IRV. The City attorney stated that IRV appears to be legal. The IRV Charter amendment has been carefully written and modeled from other cities to be adopted statewide.
11. Bylaws/Constitutional/Amendments
There was a presentation of two amendments one by each Ken Leigh and the Committee presented by Ron Brandstetter related to the SCC decisions related to the TK campaign controversy.
After a discussion a straw pole was taken. The results were: Ken-4, Committee-1, No change to the bylaws-17. Ken and the Committee can reintroduce the amendments at the next convention if so desired.
12. SCC nominations were taken from the group. Current members are George H, George G. and Chris H. Teresa, Matt, Seth and Pam’s terms are expiring. Seth stated he is ready to end his SCC membership. The other three are willing to continue their service.
13. Announcements:
• Steve announced the Back to the Wall bus kick-off tour this Thursday and Friday to S. OR. And the biscuit protest. Seats are still available.
• There is a job available at the Bento County Water & Soil Conservation District
• PSU is having a War & Media Conference Friday 7/8-7/10
• Added note by Peter Drake: A nuts and bolts change-we are associated with the GPUS instead of the Association of State Green Parties.
14. Legislative
-Salvador Peralta presented the 10-year plan of Harry Lonsdale’s group Democracy’s Edge. Oregon is 1 of 5 states with no campaign finance reform limits. The group is asking for PGP support and signature gathering.
-Jonathon Manton associate of Senator Floyd Pozanski presented the Industrial Hemp bill and it’s trip through the legislative process. Hurdles included: association with marijuana, Federal law excuse and fiscal impact (unjustified fear). The Senate president stated he didn’t have the 16 votes to pass. The solution is: education, possibly a ballot measure.
15. Bottle Bill proposal: For 2010-to expand to mirror California standards
16. IRV presentation: Blair
Legislators don’t understand IRV but legislative aides do. Secretary of State’s office is the biggest obstacle. John Limbach had a bad experience in Alaska. We need to kill HB 2614, which makes it impossible for an independent candidate to get on the ballot. IRV is the solution. We need to start using it in everyday life.
17. Executive Director Committee: Betsy/Monica
Proposal to design a job description for an Executive Director including funding the position with benefits. Betsy stated we need to create the employment situation that is supported by our values/good labor practices. The committee will draft a job description based on a feasibility study.
18. SCC elections. Steve Geiger was nominated/seconded and accepted candidacy. A vote added Steve, Teresa, Pam and Matt unanimously.
19. Next meetings
October/November-Camp Myrtlewood
February/business meeting/Eugene
June/nominating convention/Portland
20. Ten Key Values-William Maxwell
William presented the idea to strengthened the idea of labor rights in the Ten Key Values. A discussion ensued. A decision was made to update the PGP platform. Teresa, Monica, Peter and Betsy volunteered to work on the platform.
21. Monica and Betsy presented the work of the Lane County Bill of Rights Committee. It was suggested to strengthen the area of Civil Liberties in our PGP platform.
22. Kurt Sommer asked for our support in his application for the Regional Electric Utility Advisory Committee. Kurt was approved unanimously.
23. CFR Amendment and statues was voted for with unanimous support
24. Strategy Session ideas and actions
-Goal 2010-50-50, by 2010 we will have 50,000 members and 50 solid candidates
We will sign up members and hand out info at CFR booths
- Jeff Cropp presented on the Peak Oil presentations the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from August-November at St. Francis Church.
-We currently have 13,600 members, a plateau
-Harry Lonsdale has volunteered to pay for a statewide mailing
-We need to support the infrastructure that is already in place such as neighborhood service centers
-Register voters, raise money, elect candidates
Salvador proposed we share their structure, blogs, website, activities
-Work with Sierra Club and Clean Rivers
-Use interns and other available resources
-Educate interested voters and grow membership