[GPSCC-chat] Minutes of Jan 6th Meeting

[spencerg]

See below, in line.  A good time was had by all.  Spencer


On 1/5/2011 1:28 AM, Gerry Gras wrote:
>
> Is that tomorrow or the next day?
>
> It says the 6th in the subject line, and the 5th below.
>
> Gerry
>
>
> WB4D23 at aol.com wrote:
>> *GREEN PARTY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY*
>>
>> Draft Agenda for Monthly General Membership Meeting January 5, 2011
>>
>> San Jose Peace and Justice Center, 48 South 7th Street, San Jose, CA
>>
>> (Near 7th and San Fernando)
>>
>> 6:30 pm – Eat and chat
>>
>> 7:30 pm – Begin meeting
>>
>> Select Facilitator, Notetaker, Timekeeper, and Vibeswatcher(s), Select
>> Agenda Preparer for next meeting; Affirm or modify draft agenda (5 
>> Minutes)
Facilitator:  Caroline
Notetaker:  Spencer
Timekeeper:  Jim Doyle
Vibeswather:  Fred
Next agenda:  Jim Doyle

>>
>> Introductions and Announcements (10 Minutes)
Werner:  Played on Saturday ordering Heritage vegetable seeds.
Fred:  Democratic Left / Socialists paper

Proposal:  All agenda items should be written as a proposal (or as a 
report).

>>
>> Treasurer’s Report and presentation of 2011 GPSCC projected budget – Jim
>> Doyle (15 minutes)
$2617 = balance.
No budget because we have not goals nor plans about which to create a 
budget.

Fixed operating expenses of $520 per month +/- = telephone, rent (Peace 
Center) + post office box.

We need to set goals with plans to achieve goals including

Tian, Mirriam & Andrea = County Council.

Drew Johnson volunteers to serve also.
Need at least 1 and can have a max of 7.
Tian will ask Wes if he would like to serve.

>>
>> General discussion of goals for 2011 – County Council Members (30 
>> minutes)
>>
>> Issues include: Role(s) of County Council (see Bylaws excerpt below);

Council has not met frequently last year but will have a meeting.

>> General Meetings scheduling; Speakers at meetings; Recruiting candidates
>> for the 2012 elections (see copy of Wes Rolley email below)

Third Tuesday is proposed as our next meeting time.
Cameron is trying to sign up the room for the next three months.  County 
Council will meet the third Tuesday in January, and this group will meet 
the third Tuesday in February and March.

Werner recommends the County Council meets on the Third Tuesday with 
agenda including speakers at meetings and use of GPSCC email list.

Jim Stauffer:  state goals.
We used to have a state goals and strategy committee.  There will be an 
email soon on this, asking 3 questions:  Goals for 2011 & 12,
What do you think we should accomplish in the next 2, 5 and 10 years?

Suggested:  meeting with multiple counties
The announcement will also discuss a Wiki that has been started.
Fred would also like to hear a review of accomplishments over the past 5 
years.  Proposed agenda item for the next meeting.  This could be done 
by reviewing the minutes of the Green Party meetings.   -> for the third 
Tuesday in January.
>>
>> Report on what are current policies for use of GPSCC email list – Tian
>> (5 minutes)

We should adopt the state netiquette rules.  An item for the next meeting.
Tian to prepare an agenda and try to discuss with Andrea.
>>
>> Need to recruit new regional Coordinating Council member and alternate
>> (5 minutes)  --> to the state coordinating committee.

(Jim Stauffer is planning to leave the area.)
>>
>> Presentation of expected 2011 tabling events; Report on status of
>> tabling materials and supplies -- Jim Doyle (15 Minutes)

First in April:  Junior State
Others ad hoc.
eager tablers:  Caroline, Drew, Tian.  (+ Valerie)

Who has the button machine?  (It may be in "the little black suitcase, 
possibly in her garage".  Merriam will look for it next week.)
>>
>> Review of draft banks and credit cards bookmarks – Spencer (5 minutes)

Audience is for people who would attend a progressive event.

(Charlotte Casey liked the fliers.)

We need the low literacy version of

Credit card is not recognizable ...

>>
>> Proposal to purchase updated CfER proportional rep leaflet – Jim
>> Stauffer (10 minutes)

pizza brochure -- rank choice voting
Center for Voting and Democracy.
They may update it, and then we can buy from them
CfER = Californians for Electoral Reform.
Wait to see what the Center for Voting and Democracy does.
>>
>> Revisit question of hosting 2012 GPUS Presidential Nominating Convention
>> – Warner (5 Minutes)

Jim Stauffer:  It's bigger than one county.  It should be a regional but 
we don't have the people in this and neighboring counties.
Jim Doyle:  Who many people, etc. does it take?  The big role of the 
host during the meeting is providing bodies for information, etc., local 
hosting.
Drew thinks we need ~25 people to organize it.  200-400 people.  
Meetings organized by the National party.  Local host arranges the 
logistics.  Drew volunteers to try to help recruit those people.
Caroline:  We might be able to recruit such a group at Junior State.
Tian, Fred, Drew, Caroline, Fred:  Werner will circulate the form.
Werner:  Put this on the agenda for the Feb. meeting.
>>
>> Proposal re GPSCC campaign re banks – Spencer (15 minutes) – See text
>> following draft agenda for further details

Spencer to contact Low Income Self Help Center, 525 W. Alma.
Democracy for America (Dean Democratic Club)
League of Women Voters
People need to come together --
Also need max 10 word version of the story -- pithy headline
sticker slogan.

>>
>> (2 Hours Estimated Cumulative Times. Goal: Adjourn by 9:30 pm)

Merriam:  Activists from Minnesota have been
people approached by the FBI.
There is a committee against FBI repression
Tues., Jan. 25:  National protest day.  4-6 PM:  in front of ML King 
Library.  March through Cezar Chavez plaza and back to ML King library.
Merriam will put a message on the Green Discuss list.
Will present the movie CoIntelPro 101.
Freedom of Information Act
Muslim group Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Committee Against political repression.


$67 collected tonight


Drew:  Tuesday, Jan. 18, Freedom Train.  We have a natural connection 
with the people who do this.
Starts at San Jose at 9:30 but people start gathering at the Diridon 
Station.  Will post all the details.  Big party in SF.


Jim Doyle:  Nepotism is alive and well in Chicago.
>>
>> Tabling Events Addenda – Needed for each item (not necessarily all at
>> this meeting):
>>
>> Confirm date and location; Approval of fee payment (as applicable);
>> Designation of coordinator(s) and other volunteers
>>
>>
>> No Tabling Events Reported As Of Preparation of This Agenda
>>
>> ###
>>
>> [From GPSCC Bylaws] ARTICLE 2 COUNTY COUNCIL
>>
>> 2.1 Purposes
>>
>> 2.1.1 The County Council will fulfill the legal requirement for a
>> liaison between the California Green Party and Santa Clara County
>> officials. As used in these Bylaws, the term "County Council" shall have
>> the same meaning as the term "Central Committee" as that term is used by
>> the Office of the Registrar of Voters for Santa Clara County, 
>> California.
>>
>> 2.1.2 The Council shall select a secretary and a treasurer from among
>> its members, or may ratify the selection of these officers made at a
>> General County Meeting. The Council and/or its officers will be
>> responsible for complying with the financial reporting requirements of
>> the Fair Political
>>
>> Practices Commission (FPPC). The Council or its officers shall be
>> responsible for obtaining an FPPC number for financial reporting. The
>> Council may create such committees or initiate such inquiries as it
>> considers necessary and appropriate to perform its collective
>>
>> responsibilities as described in these Bylaws.
>>
>> 2.1.3 Internal to the Green Party, the Council's primary duties include
>> serving as a coordinating or steering committee to:
>>
>> a) Facilitate communications between Green Party members within the
>>
>> county, at county meetings, and between locals within the county.
>>
>> b) Facilitate communications between the county Green Party and the
>> State Green Party.
>>
>> c) Assist Green Party involvement in elections in the county (including
>>
>> recruiting, advising and assisting Green Party candidates, co-ordinating
>>
>> voter registration efforts and tabling, and supporting ballot issues
>>
>> effecting issues of concern to the state or county Green Party).
>>
>> d) Enhance communications between the county Green Party and other Green
>>
>> Parties and/or other local organizations which support the principals 
>> and
>>
>> objectives set forth in the Green Party Platform.
>>
>> e) Oversee and assist the work of committees formed by the Council, or
>>
>> outside the Council by the Party's members, to help carry out the above
>>
>> duties, or other duties considered necessary that are not in conflict 
>> with
>>
>> these ByLaws; such as an electoral reform committee, an environmental
>>
>> issues committee, etc.
>>
>> 2.1.4 The County Council shall act as the designated contact persons for
>> the Green Party of Santa Clara County, and refer interested people to
>> persons who may be designated as spokespeople for the Party at a General
>> County Meeting.
>>
>> 2.1.5 The County Council, by agreement of eighty percent (80%) of its
>> members, may authorize the use of the name of the Green Party of Santa
>> Clara County as an endorser or co-sponsor of an event or public
>> statement consistent with the principals and objectives set forth in the
>> Green Party Platform if time issues make the decision necessary before
>> it can be brought before the next general meeting. Any such County
>> Council authorization shall be reported to those present at the next
>> monthly meeting. /[Adopted July 1, 2003]/
>>
>> -------- Original Message --------
>>
>> Subject: [GPCA-MediaComm] Home - California Target Book
>>
>> Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 09:36:14 -0800
>>
>> From: Wes Rolley
>>
>> http://www.californiatargetbook.com/ctb/default/index.cfm
>>
>> This link to the California Target Book web site currently contains a
>>
>> list of all of the state legislators who will be termed out in 2010. We
>>
>> should currently be looking for ways to exploit this, especially as Prop
>>
>> 14 has kicked in beginning with the special election in for the SD 28
>>
>> special election to be held on Feb 15.
>>
>> This is the list with interesting (to me) opportunities marked with *
>>
>> STATE SENATE (4 Dem; 2 Rep)
>>
>> Joe Simitian (D-SD11) *
>>
>> Elaine Alquist (D-SD13)
>>
>> Alan Lowenthal (D-SD27)
>>
>> Bob Dutton (R-SD31)
>>
>> Tom Harman (R-SD35)
>>
>> Christine Kehoe (D-SD39)
>>
>> ASSEMBLY (17 Dem; 5 Rep)
>>
>> Jared Huffman (D-AD6) *
>>
>> Fiona Ma (D-AD12)
>>
>> Sandré Swanson (D-AD16)
>>
>> Cathleen Galgiani (D-AD17)
>>
>> Mary Hayashi (D-AD18)
>>
>> Jim Beall, Jr. (D-AD24) *
>>
>> Cameron Smyth (R-AD38)
>>
>> Felipe Fuentes (D-AD39)
>>
>> Julia Brownley (D-AD41)
>>
>> Mike Feuer (D-AD42)
>>
>> Anthony Portantino (D-AD44)
>>
>> Gil Cedillo (D-AD45)
>>
>> Mike Davis (D-AD48)
>>
>> Mike Eng (D-AD49)
>>
>> Tony Mendoza (D-AD56)
>>
>> Charles Calderon (D-AD58)
>>
>> Wilma Amina Carter (D-AD62)
>>
>> Paul Cook (R-AD65)
>>
>> Kevin Jeffries (R-AD66)
>>
>> Jim Silva (R-AD67)
>>
>> Jose Solorio (D-AD69)
>>
>> Martin Garrick (R-AD74)
>>
>> ***************************************************************************** 
>>
>>
>> Resolved: The Green Party of Santa Clara County will attempt to work
>>
>> with other organizations to build effective united action against major,
>>
>> predatory banks. Possible coalition members include organizations
>>
>> involved with people with experience with threatened or actual
>>
>> foreclosure as well as debt counselors encouraging people to end credit
>>
>> card debt and rank and file members of other political organizations.
>>
>> Discussion:
>>
>> 1. The actions of predatory banks might be the single greatest
>>
>> "sleeping giant" among the US electorate during the current Great
>>
>> Recession. The commercial media are complicit in this: They'd lose
>>
>> advertising if their news and world views conflicted seriously with
>>
>> those of bank executives who control advertising budgets. This issue
>>
>> could be large enough to convince a critical mass of the US electorate
>>
>> that the current structure of the US media is potentially the biggest
>>
>> threat to peace and democracy in the world today -- possibly stronger
>>
>> regulation of both the media and the banks -- possibly even antitrust
>>
>> action.
>>
>> 2. Organizations involved with helping people with financial
>>
>> difficulties can provide substantive information as well as a source of
>>
>> people who could be activated politically by a platform more rational
>>
>> than that of the Tea Party. I think they would eagerly collaborate with
>>
>> others who might help increase the political awareness of the issues
>>
>> they work with every day. An issue like this could turn many nonvoters
>>
>> in this group into active Green party members if we could find ways to
>>
>> help build an effective political movement demanding enforcement of
>>
>> existing laws regarding perjury and fraud against bank officers.
>>
>> 3. The Peace and Freedom Party seems farther to the left than
>>
>> the Greens, and I think could be persuaded to join something like this.
>>
>> American Independents might also agree that we need substantive bank
>>
>> regulation. Most Libertarians are probably hopeless on this issue, but
>>
>> we could be surprised even there.
>>
>> 4. I think the vast majority of US citizens registered as either
>>
>> Democrat or Republican would agree with the need to increase banking
>>
>> regulation, not decrease it as the incoming US House majority has
>>
>> promised to do. This could be the deciding issue in denying reelection
>>
>> to many incumbents in 2012.
>>
>> 5. MoveOn so far appears to have been thinly disguised shills
>>
>> for the Democrats. As the Great Recession continues and deepens, they
>>
>> may switch allegiance, refusing to support Democrats who vote with the
>>
>> bankers and possibly declaring themselves a separate political party or
>>
>> even supporting Greens in some cases.
>>
>> 6. If this issue gets serious traction, it will tarnish all the
>>
>> incumbents who have supported liberalizing banking regulations in the
>>
>> past. That will be a boon for minor parties, especially the Greens if
>>
>> we exercise leadership on this issue.
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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-- 
Spencer Graves, PE, PhD
President and Chief Operating Officer
Structure Inspection and Monitoring, Inc.
751 Emerson Ct.
San José, CA 95126
ph:  408-655-4567