Accepted Minutes of the Thursday, January 2, 2014 7PM telephonic EC meeting.
Attendees: GPCT co-chairpersons: Allan Brison, S. Michael DeRosa; Christopher Reilly, treasurer; Barbara Barry, Secretary. Absent: Linda Thompson, co-chairperson: reason: hospitalization of spouse.
EC members discussed: a) AB to complete the GPCT website articles and forward to the website; b) AB: the American Studies Association proposal to boycott against the US people/researchers who go to Israel for education/research. Their reasoning: lack of academic freedom. CR: Jewish Voices for Peace organization are concerned about Israeli human rights violations and treatment of Palestinians. SMD: has not heard the GPUS International Committee discussing this. AB to contact Justine McCabe GPCT member of the GPUS IC for feedback, then get back to the EC and/or SCC. c) Also discussed the updates from GPCT members, chapters and GPUS and included items in the 1-7-14 SCC agenda; developed the 1-7-14 SCC agenda; and discussed the deaths of GPCT members: Bob Eaton and Chris Nelson.
Proposed 1-7-14 SCC agenda:
1. Review and approve the minutes of the: a) 11-19-13 SCC meeting; and b) accept the minutes of the: 1-2-14 EC meeting.
2. Treasurer's report from Christopher Reilly: $1167.36=balance.
3. Reports from our three (3) representatives to the GPUS: Linda Thompson, Tim McKee, and S. Michael DeRosa.
4. Any proposals/ resolutions from chapters or a group of five CTGP Members or from the EC.
5. GPCT fundraising while following the CT and federal regulations (as updated by Christopher Reilly, GPCT treasurer). Examples are: a) selection of speakers such as Harvey Wasserman, anti-nuclear activist since at least Three Mile Island event to address the Fukushima 2011 event and Millstone nuclear plants in Waterford, CT…for fundraising events. Determine dates, times and sites of fundraising events; b) GPCT merchandise; lawn signs, drawings and T-shirts and c) request donations from GPCT members and/or activists.
6. GPCT website: a) GPCT literature has not been developed by Melissa Schlag for placement on eventual placement on GPCT website. She was to address: GPCT 10 Key Values and GPCT concerns and solutions about state issues. Need volunteers to complete these tasks. ; b) S. Michael DeRosa has sent to the GPCT website his (vetted) GPCT articles about climate change and student loans; c) Allan Brison to develop a GPCT letterhead and to send his vetted GPCT retreat flier to the GPCT website and d) develop a GPCT newsletter for our website.
7. Development of GPCT strategies, literature and actions to be taken about nuclear energy and closing Milestone nuclear power plant in Waterford, CT; address the safe closure of same; re-training of Milestone employees. Coordination of these actions with our anti-nuclear speaker(s). This issue may be used by GPCT 2014 candidates. BAB: develop a grading system (A, B, C, D and F) for our CT legislative officials e.g. DEEP administrator, Mr. Esty, about how strongly are their anti-nuclear actions are and how strongly their actions are for renewable energy sources (wind, sun, geothermal and water) ; reconnect with anti-nuclear organizations e.g. Sierra Club; GPCT speaker/writers to assist with this and any other legislative activities.
8. Mailing List Information from Allan Brison inclusive of emails. He anticipates providing at the 1-7-14 SCC meeting.
9. a) Develop GPCT responses to a) any actions taken by the CT legislature, our governor, CT officials or the federal government. Possible topics: the 10-17-13 debt ceiling which has been moved to 2-7-14; the federal shutdown from October 1, 2013 through October 16, 2013 which may reoccur on January 15, 2014; N.S.A. vs. civil rights and privacy rights; possible changes to Social Security and Medicare; fracking, immigration, etc. b) GPCT legislative agenda items: meet with CT Rep District 49: Susan Johnson, (D) regarding decreasing petitions needed to run for CT offices; c) need GPCT members to interact with the SOS office to clarify 2013 regulation about no cross-endorsements. SMD and BAB volunteered but other GPCT volunteers are welcome; and d) GPCT media members to address concerns.
10. Political actions to be taken in the near future; GPCT legislative actions; events GPCT wishes to participate in and discussion about running GPCT candidates for the November 2014 offices for: governor? Congressional Districts? State Senate and state representatives? Have ballot line access for many offices.
11. Discussion regarding date, site and agenda for the 2014 GPCT Annual Meeting and Internal Elections. NOTE: Passover is Tuesday, 4-15-14; Easter Sunday is 4-20-14; Earth/Arbor Day is Friday, 4-25-14.
12. Status of the GPCT Bylaws Committee from members: Rolf Maurer, Cora Santaguida, Christopher Reilly, Linda Thompson, Barbara Barry, S. Michael DeRosa and Jeffry Larson.
13. Reports from CTGP members to the (GPUS) National Committees.
Accreditation (AC): reviews state chapter which petitions to join the GPUS; reviews criteria for state delegates to GPUS annual meetings and conventions.
Annual National Meeting (ANMC): working on the 2014 GPUS Annual Meeting: Tim McKee and John Went.
Ballot Assess (BA): discussion of efforts/difficulties/strategies/successes of the state Green Parties gaining ballot access: S. Michael DeRosa & Edward Schwing.
Black Caucus:
Bylaws, Rules, Polices Procedure (BRPP): for the GPUS officers and national committees: Amy Vas Nunes.
Coordination Campaign (CCC): distribution of GPUS money to Green Party public office candidates.
Dispute Resolution (DRC): mediation of any disputes within the GPUS organization:
Diversity (DC): strategies and actions to urge/maximize diversity within the GPUS: Linda Thompson.
Eco Action (EA): develop strategies for the GPUS regarding ecological matters.
Finance (FinCom): review and determine how to spend the money of the GPUS organization
Fundraising (FC): raises money for the GPUS operations.
Green Party of the US internet news: acquire and write articles for the GPUS website.
International Committee (IC): develops/promotes GPUS positions regarding world issues. Hector Lopez, Justine McCabe and S. Michael DeRosa.
Latino Caucus: Hector Lopez.
Merchandizing Committee (MERCH): determines and acquires items for the GPUS. Rolf Maurer and Hector Lopez.
Media Committee (MC): writes GPUS press releases.
Outreach (OC): interacts with other groups who may have similar interests of the GPUS: Linda Thompson.
Peace (GPAX): discusses/develops strategies of how the GPUS may promote peace throughout the world: Hector Lopez and S. Michael DeRosa.
Platform (PC): promotes positions on issues for the GPUS which are consistent with Green Party Ten Key Values: Justine McCabe and Amy Vas Nunes.
Presidential Campaign Support Committee (PCSC): develop strategies to support any GPUS presidential candidates. Timothy McKee.
Women’s Caucus: Martha Kelly.
14. a) Reactivation of the Greater New Haven GPCT chapter; b) report from the GPCT Waterford, CT members about their past, present and future activities and chapter development; c) update from the new Norwich Chapter; and d) Chapter reports: verbal to the attendees and the written approved minutes to the CTGP secretary/EC members.
15. a) Obituary of Bob Eaton who served as treasurer of the CT Green Party in 2004-2005.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hartfordcourant/obituary.aspx?pid=168098814
Robert F. Eaton, 1959 – 2013. Published in The Hartford Courant on Nov. 20, 2013
Robert F. Eaton, 54, of New Hartford, passed away November 14, 2013. He was born in Burlington, NC on July 10, 1959 to Lois and Favre Eaton. Bob graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture and Art, with a degree in Industrial Design in 1982. He was married to Elisa Kayser Eaton. Bob was employed by the Hartford Insurance Group in their Audio Visual Department from 1982 to 1993. He did independent consulting for ESPN and CPTV. In 1993 he started his own business, Spazmo Video Graphics and Animation. Professional recognition includes Amiga World Magazine International Animation Competitions 2nd place in 1990 and 3rd place in 1993. He was a staunch advocate of peace and social justice, giving his time and energy to the Connecticut Green Party, Winsted Area Peace Action and several local campaigns. He played trombone and was one of the founding members of the Harmonious Brass Choir. He served as co-chair of the Music Parents Association at Northwestern Regional #7. He was an avid jogger, skier, vegan and purveyor of bad puns. He is survived by his wife, Elisa, and daughter, Kira, of New Hartford; parents, Lois and Favre Eaton of Prescott, AZ; sister, Joy Eaton of San Mateo, CA; foster sister, Lucy Laccavole of Manchester, CT; several nieces and nephews and the extended Truong family. A Celebration of Bob's Life will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 7:00 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Society: East, 153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, CT. In lieu of flowers an education account has been set up for Kira Eaton. Contributions can be sent to Northwest Community Bank, New Hartford Branch, PO Box 413, New Hartford, CT 06057.
b) Chris Nelson's obituary appeared in the New London Day. Chris was treasurer of the New London Greens and also served as treasurer of the CT Green Party around 2002. This was a great loss.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theday/obituary.aspx?n=chris-nelson&pid=168757565
Published in The Day on Dec. 27, 2013.
New London - Chris Nelson, 43, passed away last week. Chris was passionate about his work as a shipwright, which took him all over the country restoring historic wooden boats using traditional methods. He was a proponent of livable cities and was dedicated to building a vibrant New London. In addition to participating in several community groups, Chris served on the planning and zoning commission where he advocated for mixed-use, high-density neighborhoods. Chris helped launch and sustain an active third party, the New London Greens, which opposed the use of eminent domain and provided important perspectives on local issues.
Born and raised in New York City, Chris graduated from Yale University and trained as a boat builder at The Landing School in Maine. He moved to New London in 1999. He loved sailing and basketball. He will be remembered for his brilliant mind, dry wit, progressive politics and his laughter. Chris leaves behind many friends and colleagues who will miss him dearly. He is survived by his parents, Joan and Michael of New York City; sisters, Emily of New York City and Jennifer of Baltimore, Md.; brother-in-law, Carrick Mollenkamp; nephew, Quentin; and former wife and good friend, Laura Cordes of West Hartford. The family will be creating a fund in Chris' memory to honor his life and work. For more information, please contact cnmemorialfund@ gmail.com.
16. Selection of the date, time and site of the next SCC meeting: will it be the last Tuesday of January i.e. 1-28-14 or some other date?
17. Other suggestions.
GREEN PARTY TEN KEY VALUES: non-violence, respect for diversity, grassroots democracy, social justice and equal opportunity, ecological wisdom, decentralization, community-based economics and economic justice, future focus and sustainability, personal and global responsibility, feminism and gender equality.
Submitted by Barbara Barry, secretary of the Green Party of Connecticut