[StrategyPlan] Discussion Guide for Goals & Strategy Discussions

[Jim Stauffer]

I had hoped to make something a little more detailed and grand, but other 
things are using up my time these days. This at least shows the types of 
discussions I'd like to foster.


Jim
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What should the GPCA accomplish in five years and ten years? What goals can we 
set that *realistically* can be accomplished in five years? … in ten years?

Categories of Political Goals

         Partisan and non-partisan candidates
         Campaigns and ballot proposition
         Election reforms

Categories of Internal / Party Goals
         Voter registration
         Developing Locals
         Fundraising
         Internal structure and process



SUGGESTED DISCUSSION TOPICS

Given the current recession and its detrimental effect on fundraising, should 
we adopt a “survival plan” until recovery is tangible (e.g. unemployment below 
8%)? How would this affect all goals and strategies?


What are realistic voter registration goals? What attracts people to a small 
party? What caused the Green registration decline of the past six years, can 
it be reversed?


Given that we have less than 1% of registered voters, what are realistic 
electoral strategies for a party of our size? How do we recruit/develop 
electable candidates for non-partisan offices? Do we continue attempts in 
partisan races? Does Prop 14 provide any potential to us? Should we make a 
real, concerted effort to promote ranked-choice voting (i.e. Instant Runoff 
Voting and proportional representation)?


The GPCA’s decentralized structure and consensus-seeking decision process is 
an experiment that we’ve carried on for 20 years. Is it working well enough? 
Is there a good balance of responsibilities between the state party and the 
county parties? Should we examine giving more authority over internal business 
to the state party? Is continuing to rely solely on volunteer labor a viable 
plan for growth?


What factors have created viable, stable Locals? What factors have caused 
Locals to deteriorate? What resources do Locals need from the state party? 
What resources does the state party need from Locals?