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January 2004 Newsletter
Green Party of Sonoma County (GPSC) News for January:
1. Become Active in the Green Party of Sonoma County in 2004!
2. Sonoma County Green Party Candidates on the March Ballot
3. GPSC Meeting Minutes and Bylaws Now Available on Web Site
4. Calendar of Upcoming Meetings and Events
5. Contact information
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BECOME ACTIVE IN THE GREEN PARTY OF SONOMA COUNTY IN 2004!
The beginning of a new year is a time that many of us resolve to make
positive changes in our lives. While most self-improvement goals can
be achieved through the will power of the individual, broader goals,
such as making improvements to our communities and the environment,
are more likely to be achieved when individuals join forces to promote
their causes. By becoming an active member of the Green Party of
Sonoma County, you can add your skills and talents to those of a
growing group of people committed to effecting positive social and
political change. We encourage you to visit our website
(www.sonomagreenparty.org) to learn about the GPSC, our ten key
values, and the issues we are addressing. If you find that the GPSC
shares your goals for the future, please make a resolution to take
action in 2004 in one or more of the following ways:
- Register to vote with the Green Party if you are not already
registered Green
- Attend our monthly Green Talk or Regular (Business) meetings to
interface with the GPSC and take an active role in building the
Party (see www.cagreens.org/c/sonoma/calendar.pl or the calendar in
this newsletter for meeting dates and times)
- Join one or more of our working groups to organize around specific
issues (www.sonomagreenparty.org/pages/involved.html)
- Make a financial contribution to the GPSC
(www.sonomagreenparty.org/subscribe/donate.html)
Have a wonderful New Year and we hope to see you in 2004!!
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SONOMA COUNTY GREEN CANDIDATES ON THE MARCH BALLOT
The following Green candidates will be on the Sonoma County ballot in
March:
Congressional District 1:
Pamela Elizondo, Laytonville
Bill Meyers, School Board Member, Point Arena
Green Party of Sonoma County County Council:
Susan Chunco, Appointed Incumbent, Santa Rosa
Tim Morgan, Appointed Incumbent , Petaluma
Sam Pierce, Appointed Incumbent, Sebastopol
Michael J. Sandler, Environmental Program Coordinator, Petaluma
Skaidra Smith-Heisters, Incumbent, Guerneville
Daniel Solnit, Non-profit Organization Director, Guerneville
Ann Tompkins, Community Volunteer, Santa Rosa
Justin Reed Whitaker, Student, Healdsburg
Meet the candidates at our next Green Talk on February 6th. Also,
check the GPSC website in January for special links on the county
council election. Each candidate will be profiled with a campaign
statement, a bio, and other relevant campaign information.
The GPSC county council race is a significant one for our
organization. It is the only county race on the ballot this March
besides the Board of Supervisors. The other party central committees
aren't running contested races.
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GPSC MEETING MINUTES AND BYLAWS NOW AVAILABLE ON WEB SITE
Members can now stay informed about GPSC business discussions and
decisions by reading the minutes of our monthly business meetings
posted on the "History/Archives" page at
www.sonomagreenparty.org/pages/history.html.
In addition, the current GPSC Bylaws and proposed changes to the
Bylaws are now posted on the site. The Bylaws are an important
document for the GPSC because they are written to insure that GPSC
operations and decisions conform to key Green Party values. To access
the documents, visit the "Get Involved" page at
www.sonomagreenparty.org/pages/involved.html and look for the links
under the heading "Bylaws Working Group." If you wish to take part in
the Bylaws review and revision process, contact the working group at
bylaws@sonomagreenparty.org.
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Calendar of Upcoming Meetings and Events
*NOTE* To keep up on the latest event dates, check out our new
events calendar at www.cagreens.org/c/sonoma/calendar.pl
January --------------------------------------------------------
3 (Sat) ELECTORAL REFORM WORKING GROUP MEETING
10 AM. Contact: er@sonomagreenparty.org
8 (Thu) GREEN TALKS WORKING GROUP MEETING
7 PM. Contact: greentalk@sonomagreenparty.org
8 (Thu) OUTREACH WORKING GROUP MEETING
7 PM. Contact: outreach@sonomagreenparty.org
8 (Thu) THE FARM WORKERS' STRUGGLE IN SONOMA COUNTY
7 PM. Peace & Justice Center of Sonoma County
467 Sebastopol Ave (for more info, see the event description
following the last calendar item below)
13 (Tue) BYLAWS WORKING GROUP MEETING
7 PM. Contact: bylaws@sonomagreenparty.org
14 (Wed) GPSC FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Contact: steve@roadtaken.com
15 (Thu) GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING
7-9 PM, Tentatively scheduled at the Environmental Center
404A Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa (check our web site to confirm)
The general meeting is held every 3rd Thursday. All interested
Greens are welcome to attend!
Info: info@sonomagreenparty.org
16 (Fri) CHILDREN'S POETRY READING CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR.
6-8 pm, R.L. Stevens Elementary School, 2345 Giffin Ave., SR
(Corner of Stony Point Rd. and Giffin Ave)
Sonoma SERVES Children's Poetry Reading. COOL SCHOOL, COOL
Families, Project SCHOLARS and AmeriCorps.
Info: (707)664-2956. FREE!
17 (Sat) A NIGHT OF POETRY AND UNPLUGGED MUSIC, CELEBRATING THE LIFE
AND IDEALS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
8-10 PM, Two locations:
Epiphany World Musical Instruments, 640 4th Street, Santa Rosa
Info: (707)543-7008. FREE!
Aroma Roasters Coffee House, (Youth) 95 5th Street, Santa Rosa,
Info: (707)576-7765. FREE!
18 (Sun) MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
7-9 PM, Luther Burbank Center
Featuring: A Civil Rights Film - Danza Mexica Coyolxauqui -
Singer/Songwriter, Tai Shan - Hip Hop with Prospect Hill
Production and Kamary - The Celebration Mass Choir - Middle
School and High School Oratories - A Special Children's Program.
Info: (707)546-0744. FREE!
19 (Mon) MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BIRTHDAY EVENT -
A DAY ON NOT A DAY OFF
10 AM - 3 PM, Community Baptist Church, 1620 Sonoma Ave, SR
Community Awareness Day and Community Service Project. For the
whole family - children, youth and adults.
Info: (707)546-0744. FREE!
23 (Thu) IT (INFO TECHNOLOGIES) WORKING GROUP MEETING
7 PM. Contact: it@sonomagreenparty.org
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EVENT DESCRIPTION: FARM WORKERS' STRUGGLE IN SONOMA COUNTY
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Thursday, January 8, 7 PM
Peace & Justice Center of Sonoma County
467 Sebastopol Ave.
(off Santa Rosa Ave., just south of downtown SR)
In Sonoma County the wine industry brings in huge profits but the men
and women who do the work of planting and harvesting the grapes of
Gallo Vineyards, Richard's Grove, Saralee's Vineyards, and other
companies, are being discriminated against, and are terminated
unjustly for fighting for health coverage, fair wages, respect and
dignity in the work place. Working conditions are unsafe and the
companies are refusing to negotiate with the union in good faith. This
is an opportunity to learn about the farm workers' struggles and
discuss how the community can support the workers.
During that company-backed effort, Gallo family scion Matt Gallo told
workers the union opposed health benefits for the 75% of winery
laborers supplied by farm labor contractors while the company favored
coverage--an outright lie. Matt Gallo still refuses to agree to a UFW
contract providing basic health benefits to all his workers and their
families. Now that Judge Smith has ruled, send your message to Matt
Gallo. Sign the petition Gallo of Sonoma workers will present Matt
Gallo after the holidays. Go to: www.ufw.org/gallopetition.htm Or
contact Matt Gallo at Gallo of Sonoma, 3387 Dry Creek Road,
Healdsburg, Calif. 95448, phone: 707-431-5500 or e-mail Gallo by
visiting the UFW web site, www.ufw.org
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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WORKING GROUPS (WG)
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Bill of Rights Defense WG
Join efforts to push for city and county resolutions in defense of
the Bill of Rights against laws and orders that diminish them, such
as the USA PATRIOT Act. Three states and 228 cities, towns, and
counties across the nation have been successful in passing
resolutions including Sebastopol, Cotati, and Sonoma.
Contact: bordc@sonomagreenparty.org
Info: www.roadtaken.com/srbordc/
Bylaws WG
Help draft the bylaws for the GPSC. This is important work that
will insure the GPSC's commitment to the 10 key values of the Green
Party.
Contact: bylaws@sonomagreenparty.org
Campus Greens
A Campus Greens chapter in Sonoma county has been started on the
Sonoma State University campus. One of our long-term goals is to
work for implementation of IRV on campus, as well as of course
promoting Green candidates and politics (note: those interested in
starting a Campus Greens club at Santa Rosa Junior College should
contact James at jswingaling@hotmail.com )
Contact: jaredl@sbcglobal.net
Listserve: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/sonomacampusgreens
Electoral Reform WG
This group is looking into doing work on the voting machine issue
as well as IRV, etc. Considering possibly attending county Board of
Supervisors meetings, just to get a feel for the current process
and climate at that level. Eventually try to talk to all Greens in
the county about this issue. Green party supporters are encouraged
to join the group.
Contact: er@sonomagreenparty.org or call Jim Housman at 823-7564
for information on activities and meeting schedules.
Green Talk WG
Help organize discussions and presentations that will provide
interested citizens with an attractive and energizing avenue to get
involved in local, regional, state, and national Green politics.
Next Meeting: 1/8 (every 2nd Thursday of each month)
Contact: greentalk@sonomagreenparty.org
IT (Information Technologies) WG
Contribute your ideas and/or skills to help fine tune our website
and communication technologies.
Next Meeting: 1/23
Contact: it@sonomagreenparty.org
Outreach WG
Next meeting: 1/8
Contact: outreach@sonomagreenparty.org
Tabling WG
There are several new statewide initiatives out that will be in
circulation for at least the next couple months, including a Green
friendly initiative funding Mental Health Programs that were cut
during the Reagan years. Those cuts have since contributed to
California's current, chronic, morally bankrupt, and excessively
expensive homeless problem. Working on initiatives provides an
excellent vehicle for Green volunteer and paid activists to engage
the man and woman on the street in a political dialogue, and for
planting the seeds of the Ten Key Values. It also provides tablers
the best ongoing opportunity to register Greens on a steady,
consistent basis. This is what we need to be doing to keep growing
the party, to expand and diversify our base constituency, and to
move out from marginalization.
If you want more information, or to get more involved, please
contact Tim Smith, at 1-707-206-0260, or Rioryon@aol.com
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