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Participants:
Jana Cutlip - CVA
Greens Bruce Busching - Valley Greens
Carey Campbell
Judith
Mickell (Kelly) Branham - Valley Greens
Jim Lowenstern - NOVA Greens
Aaron Feldman - CVA Greens
Sherry Stanley - Valley Greens
Eric Sheffield - Rockbridge Greens
1. Facilitation/Finalization
of agenda items
Eric Sheffield agreed to facilitate the meeting as co-clerks
were unable to get a facilitator for the meeting. The agenda
as placed on the web by Sherry Stanley was prioritized by the
members of the group. It was felt that we would not get to everything
on the agenda. Eric suggested that we go around the table so
that each person can place their most important items on the
agenda.
2. Introductions
3. Press Secretary
Jim Lowenstern nominated Sherry Stanley to be the Press secretary
for the Green Party of Virginia. Sharon Williams read the section
of the bylaws which details the duties of the Press secretary.
Bruce Busching suggested that all press releases should be approved
by a minimum of two people. Sherry has both a database of media
contacts and the ability to fax from her computer. There were
a series of questions raised by the group - Has the position
been made available to others? How would the press secretary
interact with the Nader Campaign? Jana explained that a national
press secretary had been hired by the Nader campaign. The general
feeling of the group was that the press secretary's position
should be kept separate from the Nader campaign. Sherry told
the group that Jana Cutlip has been hired as the regional coordinator
for the Virginians for Nader Campaign. Sherry Stanley was elected
as Press secretary for the Green Party of Virginia by consensus.
4. Treasurer Report - Eric Sheffield
Eric Sheffield reported that the fundraising letter sent out
to all Green in the state had moderate success. We raised $750
dollars in dues and donations. Our newsletter was the major
expense for the year. All available budget balances held by
the Green Party of Virginia are available from Eric.
5. Co-Clerks Report - Jim Lowenstern and Sharon Williams
Jim reported that the Co-Clerks will need to set the dates for
the summer and fall quarterly meeting. Also, he mentions questions
about the interim committee. He spoke about work with the Nader
Campaign. Sharon apologized for not getting a facilitator for
the meeting.
6. Approval of the minutes
There were some corrections to the minutes as written by Sharon
for the February 5th 2000 meeting in Charlottesville. Carey
wanted the following changes to be reflected in the minutes.
Tex Wood is running for the United States Senate and not for
State senate. Jana did not see the statement in the minutes
for the National Green Party plan where it is stated that the
Green Party of Virginia had endorsed the plan. She wanted it
reflected that the Plan had passed by consensus. Pages numbers
should be included in the minutes. Jana wanted the minutes to
reflect a change under the section regarding the endorsement
of Mark Geduldig Yatrofsky. "The Greens of Virginia endorse
Mark Geduldig Yatrofsky for Portsmouth City Council." Sherry
felt that the minutes should be approved before they go on the
website. The minutes for the February 5th meeting are not currently
on the website. (Housekeeping) Sherry has brought food for a
potluck. Lunch will be at 1:00pm.
7. State Contact person
This issue of the state contact person for new and potential
greens came up at the Nader event at Charlottesville, Virginia.
Sherry had the Valley Greens contact information on the fliers
for the event in Charlottesville. In the past, the standard
practice has been to put the Co-Clerks as contacts. Sherry felt
that state contact person should have green presence in the
community. This person needs to be reliable, an active participant
on the GOV list, answers phone calls, emails, etc. for all potential
greens. The group felt that the state contact person should
be the co-clerks for the GPVA. This proposal passed with consensus.
Someone suggested an automatic responder to reply to email from
potential greens which would bring up an automatic message.
Sherry suggested that the group ask Muriel about this. Eric
explained the procedure for processing new green party members.
Sharon, Jim, and Eric received the emails. Eric has been forwarding
the emails to active participants of the locals. It would be
hard to change things immediately. Sherry has still occasionally
getting new members who need information about the Green Party
of Virginia.
8. Update on Tex Wood
Eric gave a report on Tex Wood's US Senate campaign. He could
not attend the meeting as he is petitioning. He now has 11,000
signatures but he doesn't have them in all of the Congressional
Districts covered by the US Senate seat. The group asked what
does Tex Wood want from us? Sherry expressed serious concerns
about his campaign. She was concerned about the fact that Tex
will switch to the political party who does the most work for
him. He has publicly stated via email that he will switch the
day before the election to the party who has demonstrated the
most effective organization and leadership. Carey expressed
his support for Tex Wood's race. He asked the group to endorse
Tex Wood at this meeting. Sherry read a letter from Tex Wood.
Bruce Busching expressed the concern that it is as if (Tex Wood)
he is making the endorsement decision for us as opposed to our
group making an independent decision. Jim asked that we should
delay the endorsement to the next meeting. Bruce felt that it
was bad model to compete with other parties to endorse Tex Wood.
Sherry read the bylaws under the section for nomination/endorsement
process as a means of clarifying the situation. The group wants
to know Tex's platform. Does he want a nomination? The group
wants him to read the bylaws and follow the process. We also
asked that he refrain from putting his candidacy on the Fairfax
Green website without prior approval from the GPVA.
9. Results of the Presidential Voting
92 members of the Green Party of Virginia voted in the Presidential
Voting. The breakdown of votes is as follows: 68 Nader 17 Gaskin
1 Haglein 5 Jello Biafra 1 None of the Above Gaskin recieved
1 Delegate vote and Nader received the rest of the Delegate
votes which can be as high as six. Gaskin achieved just under
20% of the vote. Eric announced that the GPVA have 473 members
and within a month we will have 500 members the local breakdown
of the members is as follows. Valley - 42 Rockbridge - 139 NOVA
- 79 Blue Ridge - 23 Tidewater - 23 GOV - 81 NRV- 18 SGVA -
20 Sherry expressed her desire to see all of the candidates
who ran in our presidential primary speak at the convention
in Denver. She expressed how much of an honor it was to see
Jello Biafra, Joel Kovel, and Stephen Gaskins run in our primary.
92 people voted in our presidential balloting - What percentage
cam via Internet, mailing, or in-person. The breakdown is as
follows: 50 electronic 24 mailing 15 persons in meeting in Rockbridge
and Blacksburg then Blacksburg sent the votes electronically.
Muriel and Eric mailed out more ballots than were returned.
Sherry sent out ballots to the Valley Greens, Eric sent the
ballot to the 300 Email addresses on our state database and
those bounced back to us were sent a paper ballot. The Group
personally thanked Jim Lowenstern , Eric Sheffield, and Muriel
Grim for all their efforts put forward to make the election
possible.
10 Update on single party status
Sherry reported to the group that the ASGP and GPUSA will probably
not make the deadlines sent in the National Draft Plan before
the Denver Convention. Both Groups want some sort of unity.
Jim reported that the GPUSA voted to continue dialogue for unity,
The Group discussed the upcoming GPUSA Congress in Chicago.
Who will go to this meeting ? Jana discussed the importance
of having a representative there in support of unity, as crucial
decisions will be made on this issue. The Congress will be May
25, 26 - Memorial Day weekend. Jana volunteered to go the meeting
in Chicago.
11 Amendment to the ASGP National Platform concerning
the Death Penalty
Kelly Branham introduced herself and gave extensive background
as an Attorney and litigation specialist on the Federal Death
Penalty cases. The proposal as submitted: I am proposing a revision/amendment
to section II-F-13 0f the platform. It currently reads. " We
do not support, as a matter of conscience, the death penalty,"
I would like to add the following " While we support the groundswell
of national support for a moratorium on the death penalty, we
realize that capital punishment cannot be "fixed" to be fairly
applied. We therefore call the abolition of the death penalty.
Sherry Stanley cosponsored the proposal Kelly asked about the
supporters of the moratorium on the death penalty- The American
Bar Association and others . The group expressed the need to
find out the process for the inclusion of this platform amendment
into the ASGP Platform. The members present at this meeting
expressed no reservations from putting this into the ASGP Platform.
The proposal passed with consensus.
12 Report from GPUSA
Jim asked for opinions from the group regarding how he should
vote at the upcoming GPUSA Meeting in Chicago. Important issues
to be considered by the GPUSA are The timeline for Unity, the
status of the caucuses in the GPUSA, and Dues. These are all
concerns expressed about the National Draft document for unification
for GPUSA and ASGP into a Single National Green Party. The group
agreed to trust Jana and Jim to make decisions at the GPUSA
meeting in Chicago. Jana volunteered to fill the second GPUSA
delegate position - Jim seconded the nomination. Sherry wanted
the following added to the proposal. The Greens of Virginia
can change our affiliation at anytime. Our decisions can be
reconsidered at anytime with regards to our affiliation with
GPUSA Concerns with expressed in the discussion are the following.
We want to make it clear that we are working towards a United
National Green Party and not a stronger GPUSA. Two proposals
have been made. A Do We want to apply to be a represented as
a state for the purposes of the Congress and this will include
the Rockbridge local. This proposal passed with consensus. B
Jana Cutlip will be our representative to the GPUSA. This propsal
passed with consensus.
Lunch Break
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
13 Selection of Delegates for the ASGP Convention
Nominees- Michael Green, Jim Lowenstern, Charley Jordan, Sherry
Stanley, Bruce Busching, Jana Cutlip, Sharon Williams, Kelly
Branham, Roger Clarke, Cary Campbell, May 10th is the deadline
for sending delegates selections into the ASGP. Can we vote
on alternates to the convention? Concerns raised in the discussion
by Bruce Busching- We are casting ourselves as a nominating
convention. the goal of this convention will be to vote on seven
delegates plus an alternates. the official result must be reflected
in the minutes and sent to the ASGP. Regarding the voting process
for delegates. the first round of voting. Was to determine if
we wanted these individuals to represent us in any fashion in
Denver. Those who received more yes votes than no votes advanced
to the second round of voting where each person was allowed
to vote for seven delegates and the candidates with the top
seven vote totals were Selected as delegates, the others were
selected as alternates in order of their vote totals. There
are not proxies at the convention- If we have 7 delegates then
we have 7 votes and this vote count will drop off if someone
decides not to go at the last minute. Discussion on how to do
the balloting. Eric suggested that the ballot contain the names
of the people and two columns for yes and no . You can count
vote for as many people as you want to in this balloting. Anyone
on our database , who is a member can vote. Carey Campbell withdrew
his name from consideration. Delegates must get a majority of
the Votes cast. Selection of ASGP Delegates to the Denver Convention-
Yes votes Sherry-6 ,Jana -6 ,Bruce-6 ,Sharon-6 ,Kelly-6 ,Jim-5
,Charlie Jordan- 3, Roger Clarke-3, Michael Green-3,No votes
-Charlie -2, Roger-1, Michael-1 We did not receive a clear result,
so the group decided to vote again. Each person was asked to
vote for 7 candidates Selection of ASGP Delegates to the Convention
in Denver Sherry-7. Jana-7, Bruce-7, Sharon-7, Kelly-7, Jim-7,
Michael Green -5. Roger Clarke-2 and Charlie Jordan 1 amendment:
Alternates would be taken on in order if someone dropped out.
Roger Clarke is the first alternate and Charlie Jordan is the
second
14. Request for Affiliation by the Fairfax Greens
Carey Campbell representing the Fairfax Greens read a statement
concerning this group's wish to be an affiliated local of the
Greens of Virginia. Carey described the local's activities dating
back to 1996 in support of the Green Party in the state of Virginia.
The group was endorsed by the NOVA Greens in the Summer of 1999.
Carey asked that the Fairfax Greens be affiliated with the state
party and that a web link be established between the state website
and the website of the Fairfax Greens. He cited the hard work
and dedication he has placed into the party- with the Rail Now
Coaltion and the candidates being run by the Fairfax Greens.
Eric read the section on locals in the Bylaws. Jana, Sherry,
Aaron, and Sharon expressed their concerns regarding the application
for affiliation made by the Fairfax Greens. Much discussion
concerning endorsement process in the summer surrounding the
selection of candidates by the Fairfax Greens who were opposed
to many of the positions contained in the Green Party Platform.
Heated discussion centered around the candidacy of Virginia
Dobey who ran as a Green conservative displacing the Republican
Jane Woods in favor of Democratic candidate Leslie Byrne. Carey
expressed his desire to work with the group in the future but,
he characterized some of our actions as undemocratic in nature.
The Application will be discussed at the next meeting. Carey
left the meeting at this point after the discussion finished.
15. Report on Nader Petition Drive
The petition drive now has 60 to 70 volunteers and no treasurer
at this time. Jana is now the coordinator for the petition drive
in Virginia and West Virginia. The Nader campaign has raised
$250,000 and hired 7 staff persons. The Campaign has five state
coordinators. Nader will be speaking at the IMF/World Bank Protests
on Sunday, April 16th at 1pm.Jana has a post office box- PO
Box 161, Batesville, Virginia 25161. The Nader campaign website
is http://www.votenader.org The campaign is setting up petition
information directly from the website for potential volunteers.
They are setting up a listserv for each state.Nader has set
up unauthorzed committees so we will have to give the Nader
campaign a name that doesn't use the candidate's name in the
titile. ( ie. Green Victory 2000 )
14 Affiliation request for the Fairfax Greens
The Group decided to come back to the issue of the Fairfax Green's
request for affiliation when Caret Campbell unexpectedly left
the meeting. 10 minutes more were allotted for this discussion.
the main questions raised ; How do we deal with loose cannons?
the Group would like to know the implications if he sends his
petitions to Richmond for verification and inclusion on the
ballot. What will this mean for the Green Party in Richmond?
16. PAC
Eric reported that the Green Party of Virginia is in trouble
with the State Board of Elections. The PAC is only for use in
campaigns and we cannot dp finances through them. The PAC was
established to protect the Green Party name. It can be used
for political campaigns. It was felt that the Nader campaign
should have a seperate treasurer.Proposal: The operations of
the GPVA State PAC not the same as the Green Party of Virginia
and Sherry Stanley has agreed to file applications with the
state. Sherry will do all ot the bookwork and make sure we are
in compliance with the state. There should be no activity in
the PAC. This proposal passed with consensus.Eric told the group
that thje PAC was on a semi-annual reporting schedule.National
Platform- the Delegates who are going to the convention should
get together on the Email and discuss the platform as sent by
Sherry. Sherry is working with NY Greens on proposals for the
education planks . Bruce spoke in praise of returning the 10
Key Values into questions. There was an invitation to support
this aspect of the platform.The Deadline is May 15A request
should be fowarded to the locals for the input of the members
of GPVA, The National Platform is being worked on and the GPVA
would like input from its membership. This request for input
could be announced on the website.Proposal: Announcement
to each of the locals and Email the whole list with results
of voting on delegates, appeal for petitioners, and statement
on the National Platform with appeal for their comments. Passed
with consensus.
17.Peter Robinson
Sherry read a letter from former GOV member Peter Robinson.
Peter is interested in finding a mutually agreeable way in which
he could become involved with the Greens again. There was a
brief discussion. No action was taken.Next Agenda Items Interom
Committee Locals Next Meeting We need to have Roger Clarke send
the co-clerks the proposals- Endorsement of LAG, Support of
Mattaponi opposition to the reservoir, and the support of the
Virginia Democratic Coalition
18. Interim Committee
The Interim Committee is made up of Sharon, Jim, Sherry, and
Eric.Central Virginia Greens - Aaron
Valley - Dale
NOVA - Muriel
Rockbridge - none
NRV - none
TWG - none
BR - none
The section concerning the Interim Committee was read to the
group at this time.
19. Local Reports
NOVA - Jim spoke about
the Save the Soccer Field Rally aat Culmore, School of America
Rally in DC.
Central Virginia Greens - Ralph Nader
came to speak at UVA with 300 people in attendance ; working
on petition drive for ballot access.
Valley Greens
- The Valley Greens have met once since the last state meeting.
Sherry did a petitioning training session with the petitioners
at James Madison University. Some of the Valley Greens are working
with Taxpayers against the Golf Course. United Electrical is
set to go on strike. Sherry working successfully against the
SOL's in her community.
Rockbridge Greens had their
first meeting in 10 months. They had a mass meeting with 8 people
in attendance for the Presidential balloting.
20. Evaluation?
Next Meeting
The Co-Clerks should work on dates for the next four meetings
and report back to state.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sharon Williams
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