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March 2005 Newsletter
Green Party of Sonoma County (GPSC) News for March:
1. GPSC - County Council Election Announcement
2. Green Talk - Future of Food Video and Discussion (3/3)
3. GPCA State Plenary to be held 4/30-5/1 in LA
4. Minutes of the January 30, 2005 Regional Election
5. GPSC Needs You!
6. Calendar of Upcoming Meetings and Events
7. Contact Information
8. Newsletter Links of the Month
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GPSC - COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT
WHAT, WHEN, WHERE - The Green Party of Sonoma County (GPSC) will
hold an election for one of seven county council seats/positions.
The new council member will complete the remainder of a 2 year term
which lasts until the June 2006 primary election. The event will be
held on Thursday, April 21, 2005, at The Environmental Center, 404A
Mendocino Ave (nearest cross street is 5th) Santa Rosa, 7-9 PM.
ELIGIBILITY - If you are registered Green in, and reside in, Sonoma
county you are eligible to run and/or vote for the seat/position.
VALUES - The election and electoral process will be guided by the
values of grassroots, participatory democracy and decentralization.
The GPSC also promotes respect for diversity, including gender
balance (the current county council is composed of of 3 women and 3
men). Furthermore, Greens encourage cultural diversity and urge
minorities, people of color, and people of all sexual orientations
to run and/or vote (the current council is composed of only one
Latina and 5 Caucasians, so the GPSC wishes to improve
representation of all marginalized, disenfranchised, and oppressed
groups).
DUTIES OF COUNTY COUNCILOR - Duties include administering the
decisions and policies of the general membership of Sonoma county
(i.e., the Grassroots - some 7,000 Greens and growing) as
determined at monthly general meetings open to all Greens. Duties
also include organizing meetings and facilitating activism (for
example, facilitating a growing political rebellion against
fascism).
PROCESS - The election will be conducted in the spirit of inclusion.
There will be a proposal presented for discussion and approval at
the next general meeting (Thursday, March 17 at the Environmental
Center) that all candidates serve as alternates to the council if
they are not elected to the council seat. At that meeting, there
will also be a discussion and decision regarding election method
and procedure, inclusive of electoral reforms, such as types of
Ranked Choice Voting to be used, IRV, STV, and proportional
representation.
CONTACT - Please contact the following councilors or the regional
representative with questions and/or notification of your intent
to run:
County Councilors: Email cc@sonomagreenparty.org to reach
Veronica Lopez, Tim Morgan (cell 707-695-9293), Susan Chunco,
Justin Whitaker, Jared Laiti, and Ann Tompkins (707-542-3037).
Regional Representative: Tim Smith, 707-206-0260 or email
Rioryon@aol.com
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GREEN TALK - FUTURE OF FOOD VIDEO AND DISCUSSION
Thursday, March 3, 7-9 PM
Environmental Center of Sonoma County
404A Mendocino Ave (near 5th Street), Santa Rosa
We will be showing the video, "The Future of Food," followed by
informal talk and refreshments. Everyone is invited and encouraged to
bring a friend! No admission will be charged but a donation is
requested.
To get more information, suggest future topics, or join the Green Talk
Working Group, please email greentalk@sonomagreenparty.org or call Ann
at 542-3037.
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GPCA STATE PLENARY TO BE HELD 4/30-5/1 IN LOS ANGELES
The next Green Party of California (GPCA) State Plenary will be held
in Los Angeles. It is currently scheduled to happen on Saturday, April
30 and Sunday, May 1, 2005.
This could be YOUR opportunity to move your Green work to the state
and national levels!
All candidates must be registered California Greens. All terms are for
two years. Job Descriptions for these openings can be found in the
links below.
STATE-LEVEL POSITIONS:
GPCA Coordinating Committee (CC) At-Large Representatives -- 2 seats
Job Description: http://www.cagreens.org/cc/JobRegRep.htm
GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State -- 1 seat
Job Description: http://www.cagreens.org/cc/JobLiaison.htm
GPCA Treasurer -- 1 seat
Job Description: http://www.cagreens.org/cc/JobTreas.htm
If you are interested in the State-level positions above, please
send a short (2-paragraphs or so) bio and share with us your Party
experience and any other qualifications you have for the position
you seek. All bios must be submitted NO LATER THAN MARCH 6. Please
send your bio to the Plenary Planning Committee at
agenda-team@cagreens.org .
NATIONAL-LEVEL POSITIONS (Submit bios by FEBRUARY 28):
The Green Party of the United States (GPUS) is recruiting California
Greens to participate in the party-building work to be done at the
national level. We are recruiting Californians for Delegates and
Alternates to the GPUS Coordinating Committee. The only requirements
are that you're a registered California Green, willing and able to
commit to the position, and can work well with others.
THE POSITIONS:
*** GPUS-CA Delegate - 2 positions (13 seats total) ***
*** GPUS-CA Delegation Alternate - 2 or more positions (13 seats
total) ***
Job descriptions may be found on-line at:
http://www.cagreens.org/cc/JobDelegate.htm
All positions are for two-year terms. Because women and historically
marginalized communities are underrepresented at the national level,
we are strongly encouraging members of those groups to apply.
A short 2-paragraph biography of your past party (or related)
experience and why you're interested in the position is required for
all applicants to be considered. One or two references are
appreciated, especially for newer Greens. Local or state party
experience is desired, but not required.
Delegates and Alternate Delegates will be selected by the General
Assembly at our next Plenary, currently scheduled for April 30th
/May 1st in Los Angeles. The current delegation may choose to make
recommendations to the General Assembly. Applicants need not be
present at the Plenary to be chosen, but biographies MUST BE
SUBMITTED BY FEBRUARY 28 in order to be reviewed by the current
delegation and to be submitted as part of the Plenary Packet.
If you are interested, please send your biography and statement to
one or both of the GPUS-CA Delegation Co-Chairs:
Stuart Bechman ... sbechman@sbcglobal.net ... 805-522-4524 (Phone/Fax)
Nanette Pratini ... pratini@ucr.edu ... 951-686-5542
*** PLENARY PROPOSALS ***
Proposals for the General Assembly are due by FEBRUARY 28. All
proposals must be submitted through a Working Group or Standing
Committee. (Committee contact info can be found at
http://www.cagreens.org/wg/ . If you are not sure which Committee to
send your proposal to, please contact your Regional Rep. Rep contact
info can be found at http://www.cagreens.org/cc/ .)
______________________________________________
contacts2 mailing list: contacts2@cagreens.org
http://lists.cagreens.org/mailman/listinfo/contacts2
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MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 30, 2005 REGIONAL ELECTION
The Green Parties of Marin, Sonoma and Napa County met on Sunday,
January 30 to elect a regional member to the Green Party
of California Coordinating Committee (GPCA CC), as well as 1st
Alternate and 2nd Alternate representatives. This method is based on
Sections 7-1.4, 7-1.5, 7-1.6, 7-1.8, 7-1.9, and 7-1.10 of the GPCA
bylaws. (According to a footnote in the GPCA Bylaws, Sections 7-1.8,
7-1.9, and 7-1.10 "are currently not in use but retained within these
bylaws for reference.")
Michael Borenstein, CC representative from El Dorado County and Tim
Morgan were co-facilitators for the meeting.
John Morton, CC representative from Alameda County was in attendance.
Mike Wyman, State Treasurer, was also there, also representing Marin.
Tim Smith questioned whether or not the agenda for the meeting was
approved. The group was questioned on this and no concerns were voiced
about the agenda.
Lowell Downey of Napa agreed to take notes and Gary Brady-Herndon of
Napa was the time keeper.
Each County then briefly introduced themselves and spoke about what
they were doing. Tim Smith brought out a diagram illustrating the
number of Greens registered in each county. 981 in Napa. 3,657 in
Marin. 6,933 in Sonoma. 11,571 in all combined.
Tim Morgan described the Election process---------------
1. Nomination Phase
2. Candidates Speak
3. Question and answers
If only one candidate approval voting with a 80 threshold for
approval being the requirement, or if more than one candidate an IRV
process would be used - rank candidates in order of preference and
also have a choice for No Other Candidate (NOC).
Absentee Ballot discussion------------------------------
Sean Prendiville (Marin) asked if a member from Marin who could not
be present for the meeting could vote while absent from the meeting
via an absentee ballot. Tim Smith also stated that a Sonoma member
had expressed the same interest. Tim Morgan pointed out that the
agreed to election process made no provision for or against
absentee ballots. A discussion followed.
One argument was to accept absentee - inclusiveness vs.
exclusiveness
One argument was against accepting absentee ballot - the person
does not have the time for a "face to face" discussion
The person may change their vote if they were here listening to
those running for office.
A suggestion was made that other voting means be considered, i.e.,
electronic or phone calls.
Michael Borenstein commented that the state does not allow for
proxy voting. The person has to be there in person.
A proposal was made to not allow the absentee ballot. The group
consensed to this proposal, with an amendment that a group be
formed to study this for future North Bay Green regional meetings.
Debra Richardson expressed concern about this proposal. Her concern
was that how would such ballots be validated and / or attendees of
such a meeting. She felt that this has long been a problem. Matt
Grantham was concerned that at another meeting there would be less
people and then less democratic. Both agreed to stand aside. No
blocking concerns.
Nominations were taken for Candidates-------------------
Keith Heltsley for alternate - not in attendance
Cat Woods - attending
Tim Smith - attending
Tim Morgan for alternate - attending
Matt Grantham for alternate - attending
Robert Ovetz - not in attendance
NOC
Discussion occurred on whether Keith and Robert were required to
attend to be elected. The decision was that since no policy had been
adopted then they could be voted on.
Michael Borenstein read Keith Heltsley's statement.
Cat Woods read her statement.
Tim Smith read his statement.
Tim Morgan read his statement.
Matt Grantham read his statement.
Michael Borenstein read Robert Ovetz's statement.
Question answer period.
Vote for Regional Representative first------------------
Candidates were Tim Smith, Cat Woods and Robert Ovetz.
Cat Woods and Tim Smith ended up in a tie 12 votes apiece.
Tim Morgan suggested a coin toss. The coin toss was immediately
rejected. A new vote was decided using just Tim and Cat as
candidates to resolve the tie.
Tim Smith won the Regional position by a vote of 13 to 10.
Vote for 1st Alternate Representative-------------------
Cat Woods chose to be listed on this ballot, with Tim Morgan and
Keith Heltsley as the other two candidates.
1st Alternative Vote between Tim Morgan, Cat, and Keith
Cat won with 61 of the vote.
Vote for 2nd Alternate Representative-------------------
Tim Morgan chose to be listed on the ballot for 2nd alternate Rep.
2nd Alternate vote between Tim Morgan, Matt Grantham, and Keith
Helstley
Tim Morgan is elected.
The suggestion was made by Tim Morgan to hold the next North Bay
Greens regional meeting in the summer and Tim asked Lowell if Napa
would host.
Michael Borenstein announces next GPCA Plenary in late April location
in north Los Angeles County and encourages everyone to attend.
Tim Morgan mentions that he has created a green discussion group at
nothbaygreens@list.riseup.net.
Meeting concluded.
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GPSC NEEDS YOU!
Have you been considering growing your commitment to progressive
politics and getting more active? If so, the Green Party of Sonoma
County could use your help! Here are some of the ways you can plug in
to the GPSC:
* Volunteer to become the Treasurer or Secretary for the County
Council.
* Help us with the small organizational jobs that are essential to
our operations.
* Join one of our working groups (item #7 below).
* Volunteer for upcoming tabling and phone banking efforts.
* Make a donation in any amount. You can donate online at
http://www.sonomagreenparty.org or by check made out to the "Green
Party of Sonoma County" at the following address:
Green Party of Sonoma County
PO Box 15073
Santa Rosa, CA 95402
These volunteer activities do not need to require substantial time
commitments. Contact info@sonomagreenparty.org or any of the groups
listed in item #7 below.
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
*NOTE* To check for new events and schedule changes, visit our home
page at http://www.sonomagreenparty.org
March --------------------------------------------------------
3 (Thu) GREEN TALK - FUTURE OF FOOD VIDEO AND DISCUSSION
7 PM, Environmental Center, 404A Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa
For more info, see item #2 in this newsletter.
Contact: greentalk@sonomagreenparty.org or 542-3037
5 (Sat) FORUM--INCOME INEQUALITY IN THE NORTH BAY
9-11 AM, Faculty Lounge/Doyle Student Center at Mendocino Ave. and
Elliott, Santa Rosa Junior College
New Economy, Working Solutions (NEWS) will release a new report,
"The Limits of Prosperity: Growth, Inequality and Poverty in the
North Bay." Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey will chair a panel of
elected officials including Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, Sonoma
County supervisor Mike Kerns, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carl
Wong, and other community leaders who will hear a summary of the
findings by the researchers and presentations by low-wage workers
struggling to make ends meet. The executive summary or the full
report can be downloaded after March 1st at
http://www.neweconomynorthbay. For more information call Martin
Bennett at 707-545-7349 ext 221 or email: JnnfFlch@aol.com
8 (Tue) BYLAWS WORKING GROUP MEETING
7-9 PM. Contact: bylaws@sonomagreenparty.org or 542-3037
16 (Wed) DEADLINE FOR GPSC NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS FOR APRIL
If you have a Green-related article or event that you want
included in the next GPSC e-newsletter, email your draft or
completed submission to pc@sonomagreenparty.org by 3/16. If you
email a draft, please submit the completed article by Monday,
3/21.
17 (Thu) GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING
7-9 PM, Environmental Center, 404A Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa
The general meeting is held every 3rd Thursday of the month. All
interested Greens are welcome to attend!
Info: info@sonomagreenparty.org
Minutes of last meeting:
http://www.sonomagreenparty.org/pdfs/gpsc_021705_mtg.pdf
21 (Fri) IT/PC WORKING GROUP MEETING
7-9 PM, Aroma Roasters Coffee Company, Railroad Square, Santa
Rosa. All interested Greens are welcome to attend!
Info: it@sonomagreenparty.org or pc@sonomagreenparty.org
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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WORKING GROUPS (WG)
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Bylaws WG
Info: http://www.sonomagreenparty.org/pages/gi_bylaws.shtml
Contact: bylaws@sonomagreenparty.org or 542-3037
Green Talk and Outreach WG
Info: http://www.sonomagreenparty.org/pages/gi_greentalk.shtml
Contact: greentalk@sonomagreenparty.org or 542-3037
IT (Information Technologies) WG
Info: http://www.sonomagreenparty.org/pages/gi_it.shtml
Contact: it@sonomagreenparty.org
PC (Public Communications) WG
Info: http://www.sonomagreenparty.org/pages/gi_pc.shtml
Contact: pc@sonomagreenparty.org
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LOCALS
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Campus Greens - Sonoma State University Chapter
Contact: jaredl@sbcglobal.net
Listserve: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/sonomacampusgreens
(Interested in starting a SRJC chapter? Email
jswingaling@hotmail.com)
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THE GREEN PARTY of Sonoma County
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(707) 524-8818
info@sonomagreenparty.org
http://www.sonomagreenparty.org
PO Box 15073 Santa Rosa, CA 95402
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NEWSLETTER LINKS OF THE MONTH
http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/117477/index.php
Approximately a half hour video on the protests in DC for the
inauguration. Has a bit from David Cobb.
http://www.demos-usa.org/pubs/caredisreport.pdf
This document from the Center for Governmental Studies and Demos
includes a wealth of detail on the bewildering multiplicity of
proposals now floating around the Legislature and buzzing around the
ballot for the upcoming November special election.
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