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<div>NOTICE to Members of the Green Party of Santa Clara County (GPSCC):<br>
<br>
Next Tuesday Evening, November 5, 7:30 PM, at the monthly meeting of
the GPSCC, <u>you will</u> <u>have the opportunity</u> to
participate in the discussions and help to decide on what
recommendations will be made to our GPSCC delgation who will represent
us at the Green Party of California (GPCA) Quarter Annual General
Assembly Plenary in Yolo, California, scheduled for December 16 - 17. <br>
<br>
A group of GPSCC members met on November 16 to review the Plenary items
(below) and to make recommendations that Warner Bloomberg has
summarized. The recommendations were made through the consensus process.<br>
<br>
If you would like to have dinner before the meeting starts it is
suggested that you arrive somewhat earlier at the BANJARA INDIA CUISINE
Restaurant where the GPSCC will meet. The restaurant is located at 407
Town and Country Village in Sunnyvale, one block north of Washington
Ave.<br>
<br>
Hoping to see you on Tuesday, December 6,<br>
<br>
Fred Duperrault, Mountain View<br>
(650 )691-1215 or <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:Fredd@freeshell.org">Fredd@freeshell.org</a> <br>
<br>
P.S. The GPSCC monthly meetings usually adjourn by 9:15 PM.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<font face="Times New Roman" size="3">GPSCC PLENARY AGENDA REVIEW --
NOVEMBER 16, 2005</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Participants: Warner
Bloomberg, Jim Doyle, Fred Duperrault, Valerie Face, Gerry Gras,
Cameron Spitzer, Jim Stauffer<br>
Note taker: Warner<br>
Following the Draft Agenda as previously forwarded from the GPCA CC
email list decision items were discussed with the following
recommendations:</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">*****************************<br>
TITLE: Yolo General Assembly Agenda</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2005</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Campaign Finance (Clean
Money) - ERWG<br>
Proposal: [That the GPCA approve the] Proposed Amendment to AB 583 /
The California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act / Prepared by Trent
Lange, Vice President of the California Clean Money Campaign in
consultation with members of the Green and Peace & Freedom <br>
Parties (would provide partial public funding to smaller parties in
primary and general elections for partisan office, but less than the
public financing provided to candidates in the "big parties" until
candidate for a party in a statewide office or district receives 10% of
vote; then larger public funding would be provided in the following
election cycle if that party has a candidate for the same office). </font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Comments: Proposal is
unclear about what it is requesting.<br>
Recommendation: All support GPCA approval of the proposed amendments
to this legislation.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Election Code - ERWG<br>
PROPOSAL: The ERWG requests that this proposal be approved as draft
text to present to the California legislature for introduction as
legislation and that the ERWG, through its Co-Coordinators and other
members, are authorized to represent the GPCA in dealings with
legislators and their staff.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Recommendation: Consensus
that the proposal should be approved -- i.e., the draft GPCA Elections
Code text with the ERWG to have authority to deal with further changes.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Fair Wage Initiative - Green
Issues<br>
PROPOSAL That the GPCA support one of the three initiatives. All three
would be <br>
presented because all three have their merits.<br>
Funding: The GPCA will raise funds for the initiative of its choice.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Comments: Proposal unclear
because it does not designate preferred version of a proposed
initiative. Also is unclear about how much funding from GPCA is
expected. Also is unclear about what happens if version GPCA prefers
is different from that preferred by other coalition members.
Recommended order of preference 1, 2, 3 in order presented (lowest
increase to start #1; highest increase to start #3)</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">GPUS delegation elections
[delegate and alts on one ballot] -- <br>
GDI Participants: Mary Beth Wurtheimer Cat Woods Jan Arnold <br>
Currently GPCA CC Members Mary Beth Wurtheimer Cat Woods David Silva <br>
Currently International Protocol Committee Co-Co Fred Hosea</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Concerns: GDI an
ideological faction and additional members not desirable on the GPUS
Delegation. GPCA CC members already have a large workload if they are
doing their job properly; likewise GPUS Delegates are expected to be
involved in GPUS Committees and communications -- issue whether anyone
should hold both kinds of offices. Concern that David Silva has issues
working with other people. Affirmation that Fred Hosea has been active
regarding international issues.<br>
Recommendation: GPSCC will vote for Fred Hosea (1st ranking) and No
Other Candidate (NOC) as second ranking.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Two-year Workplan - Bylaws<br>
Proposal: The following GPCA Bylaw language would be approved:</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">7-1.13 Strategic Plan</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The CC shall establish a
two-year strategic plan annually, using <br>
input from a brainstorming plenary session and draft work plans from
the standing committees and working groups. The proposed plan shall be
presented and affirmed at the subsequent General Assembly.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The two-year strategic plan
shall be reviewed and refocused by the <br>
CC and presented to the General Assembly annually. As part of the <br>
strategic plan, the CC shall develop a two-year schedule, including <br>
potential agenda items, for the General Assemblies and Gatherings, <br>
with input from each standing committee and working group work plan.
The two-year schedule shall be revised annually, with General <br>
Assembly agenda and scheduling remaining flexible.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Recommendation: Agreement
that GPCA CC should create a two-year work plan. However...<br>
Comments: Warner -- Bad idea to have General Assembly using plenary
time in two sessions each year to create a two-year work plan. Jim
Stauffer: Make the plenary language a procedure rather than a Bylaw.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Coordinator Funding - CCWG</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">PROPOSAL: That the GPCA
General Assembly affirms its prior budget authorization for the CCWG
Campaign Coordinator position and authorizes advance funding for that
position in the 2006-2007 Fiscal Year in the sum of $8,000 for monthly
compensation, plus $1,200 for expenses reimbursements. Further, the
CCWG and Finance Committee Coordinators are authorized to negotiate a
modification of the Campaign Coordinator job description to include
fund raising and the GPCA Coordinating Committee is delegated authority
to increase the compensation for the position consistent with increased
activities and responsibilities submitted by the CCWG and Finance
Committee Coordinators.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Recommendation: All approve.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">GPUS Affiliation Agreement -
CC<br>
PROPOSAL: </font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The GPCA approves its
affiliation agreement with the GPUS, with the recognition that the GPCA
bylaws stipulate that “No decision of the GPUS is binding on the GPCA
without its consent” (Paragraph 11-1.1).</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">If a GPUS decision or
nomination impacting the GPCA is contested by the GPCA membership, the
General Assembly shall convene to grant or withhold its consent. Among
the issues delegates may wish to consider and assess, during this
process, is whether the decision or nomination was arrived at by a
fair, proportionate and accountable democratic process.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Comments: If the
affiliation agreement is not approved, then GPCA has no right to send
delegates and participate in GPUS decisions. GPCA consent should be
considered as made by its GPUS Delegates.<br>
Recommendation: Approve GPUS Affiliation Agreement. [Note: Second
Clause not expressly discussed, but comments infer it should be
opposed.]</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Consent Calendar Items:
Remove Eco-Net reference and replace with the GPCA website in the GPCA
Bylaws as follows --</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">5-6.2 f) In a timely manner,
a copy of the draft minutes will shall <br>
be sent to each region and posted on the GPCA website.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">5-8.7 a) The committees
shall post proposals in the pre-meeting <br>
agenda package on the GPCA website.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Recommendation: All agree.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Make Liaison to SoS an ex
officio member of the ERWG instead of Clearinghouse -- Change GPCA
Bylaws as follows --</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">7-6.2 Ex Officio Member<br>
A Webmaster, appointed by the committee, is an ex officio member of <br>
the Clearinghouse Committee.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">8-3.2 Ex Officio Member<br>
The Liaison to the Secretary of State is an ex officio member of the <br>
Electoral Reform Working Group.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Recommendation: All agree.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Update GPCA Bylaws
describing International Protocol Committee mission, etc. </font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Recommendation: All agree.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">[Write-in Threshold - CCWG]<br>
<br>
Proposal: The following GPCA Bylaw language would be approved<br>
<br>
In order to advance to the General Election as the Green Party nominee
in an election for partisan office, a Green Party write-in candidate
must be<br>
<br>
a) a registered Green Party member in the District in which they seek
to <br>
run, at least 25 days before the commencement of the write-in <br>
declaration period,<br>
b) must receive the most votes in the primary, and<br>
c) must received a number of write-in signatures equal to or greater <br>
than the number of nomination signatures necessary to qualify for the <br>
ballot in the first place (40-60, varies by district) or 1% of the <br>
number of registered Greens in that legislative district, at the count <br>
of the close of registration for that primary, which ever is greater.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Recommendation: (b) and (c)
ok; Concerns that (a) should require one-year registration in the Green
Party before the write-in candidate deadline filing (which is later
than the candidate filing deadline for someone whose name will appear
on the primary ballot). </font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2005</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Voting Threshold - Bylaws
Committee<br>
PROPOSAL FOR DISCUSSION: <br>
Decisions of the Green Party of California shall be made at General
Assemblies and governing committees of the Green Party of California
using a consensus-seeking process as outlined in the Bylaws section
5-8.1 (a-c), and section 5-8.9 (a - j). When consensus cannot be
reached on a business or policy item, the presenters of the item shall
have the right to call for a vote. The item will only be only adopted
if it is approved by [a 2/3 majority] of the voting delegates.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The following changes would
be made to the GPCA bylaws to accommodate this proposal:</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Section 5-8.1 d shall be
rewritten as “Voting will be on business and procedural questions will
require the support of [a 2/3 majority] of the General Assembly members
to pass.”</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Section 5-8.9 k (4) shall be
rewritten as “A [2/3 majority] vote is necessary to approve a business
or policy item.”</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Section 5-8.9 k (5 - 6)
shall be removed</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Section 5-8.9 k (7) shall be
rewritten as “Abstentions are not counted in calculating the percentage
vote.”</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The Bylaws Standing
Committee is instructed to make these and any other changes to the
bylaws to make them consistent with this proposal. </font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Comments: Everyone except
Fred felt that the 80% voting threshold for policy issues should be
kept (instead of reducing it to 2/3ds). Jim Stauffer also noted that
this proposal attempts to do away with abstention voting -- contrary to
the following proposal. Since there was not consensus, this item needs
discussion at the December 6th GPSCC monthly meeting.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Abstention Anomaly - Bylaws
Committee<br>
PROPOSAL:</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Existing language: 5-8.9 k)
7. Abstentions are not counted in calculating the percentage <br>
vote, however if 20% or more of those voting abstain, the proposal
fails.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Option A: remove altogether.<br>
5-8.9 k) 7. Abstentions are not counted in calculating the percentage
vote.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><br>
<font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Option B: add minimum affirmative
vote requirement<br>
5-8.9 k) 7. Abstentions are not counted in calculating the percentage
vote. The minimum number of affirmative votes required to pass a <br>
proposal shall be the voting threshold times the decision-making quorum.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Comments: Consensus to
oppose option A (loss of the abstention option in voting0. No
consensus regarding Option B. Some difficulty understanding Option B.
Further discussion needed at December 6th GPSCC monthly meeting.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Platform plank #1 Health
Care Plank. Minor rewrites. General sense, ok; but people should
submit their proposals for further editting.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Platform plank #2 Rewrite
of Unions statements in the Social Justice & Liveable Communities
Section of the GPCA Platform.<br>
Comments by Jim Stauffer: More concerns about specialized and unclear
language in this proposal. Written comments need to be forwarded to
the Platform Committee. </font></div>
</div>
</font>
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