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<DIV><FONT size=4>I attended the GPUS Annual National Meeting in Durham, NC July
23rd-26th. There were various workshops Thursday afternoon (four tracks to
choose from). I attended one on how internet technology can help campaigns
and another about fund raising. Friday morning I attended a workshop
critiquing the national party on various counts and led another workshop to that
had folks sitting roughly in a circle talking to/with each other about what was
going on in their various state GPs. Friday afternoon was a meeting of the
Green National Committee (delegates from the state GPs) that was mostly reports
of various kinds. Friday night was a showing of a documentary called Coal
Country about the effects of the coal industry in Appalachia (to be released on
tv... don't know if it will be on HBO, PBS or?). </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Saturday was probably the most important work of the meeting
as a whole. There has been a (IMO legitimate) critique that the national
party delegates have gotten overly preoccupied with rules and procedures
and need to refocus on Green messaging. This criticism comes
from a number of delegates (and is not intended as a criticism of work
done by people on various standing GPUS committees). The
group as a whole engaged in one of those
what-is-your-most-important-issue-write-it-on-a-post-it-and-now-we-will-collect-them-all-and-see-what-we-have
exercises. The result was to create three working groups to work around
the following issues: Single Payer Healthcare; Human Rights; and
Water/Food/Energy. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>I went to the WFE group where we all agreed that all of
the "three" issues groupings were really all interconnected if not parts of
a whole (e.g., food and water are basic human rights that are part of good
health; healthcare being another basic human right). All of the
working groups are intended to connect with state and local work already
done, collect information papers for candidates, and create Green messages to
use at all party levels both to encourage activities on the ground and
outreach to media and for recruitment (whew!!!). As "working
groups" the activities are volunteer driven and created.
The three groups reported back from their hour long initial meetings and
then there were break out groups to discuss how standing committees could also
move in the direction of either participating in better messaging or
use whatever the new working groups are able to develop.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Saturday night had a gathering at a local bar as a
joint fund raiser for the North Carolina GP and GPUS (there were periodic fund
raising pitches and a silent auction throughout the event).
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Sunday morning included more reports. Friday, Saturday
and Sunday included brief statements from Steering Committee candidates who will
be elected in the next few weeks by email voting.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>The event was held on the North Carolina Central University
campus using its buffet style cafeteria and a dorm for housing to keep costs
down. Very friendly environment. Got to meet in person a number of
people I have been reading on email and, in some cases, hearing on
teleconferences. Attendance was in the 120-150 range, so workshops and
meetings had enough that I didn't see empty rooms where I attended.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>California by my count had at least 6 delegates and two
observers. Drew and I were delegates from Santa Clara County, and Fred was
an observer.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>These are just my comments and impressions... not
anything "offishul"</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Warner</FONT></DIV>
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