Minutes - Steering Committee of the Green Party of Humboldt County (GPHC)

held at Humboldt Bay Municipal Water Building, Eureka on Tuesday, July 5, 2005

Regular Meeting: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Steering Committee Members Present:
Greg Allen, Chair
Mike Cordova, Treasurer
Martha Devine

Steering Committee Members Absent:
Larry Ogden
Leo Power

Guests Present:
Charles Douglas
Michael Smith
  1. INTRODUCTIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENT

    2. Michael Smith of FairChance.us is proposing a benefit concert under the working title of POP AID, or Power Over Poverty, to be held around Labor Day 2006 at Humboldt State University. Michael hopes to attract a 'major act' and raise funds as well as a critical mass of debate to focus on 'social actions' to reduce polarization and increase access to higher education. Michael proposes to meet with interested Greens on July 26 at 7:00 p.m. at an undetermined location in Eureka. Greg Allen suggested the possibility of using the proceeds to invest as a trust, with the interest then devoted to the intended programs, in order to give the project ongoing support. Mike Cordova said advice is available regarding socially responsible investment instruments. Michael said he is looking to involve College of the Redwoods and attract other students around the state by targeting college media. Greg said the draft General Assembly agenda includes a sponsorship proposal for the concert.

  2. ANNOUNCEMENTS

    3. Martha Devine announced a touring play on the life of Congresswoman Ginettte Rankin will be performed on Saturday, July 9, 8:00 p.m. at the North Coast Repatory Theater, co-sponsored by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and also featuring the Raging Grannies. Martha said she is looking for transportation assistance to make it to the Green Party Convergence at the Bohemian Grove on July 15-17, to which Greg contributed $5. Greg announced the likely formation of an Elections Advisory Committee for Humboldt County, to include representatives from locally organized political parties as well as other interested parties such as the Voter Confidence Committee and the League of Women Voters. Greg said the General Assembly will make the appointment on behalf of the Green Party once the proposal has been formally released. Martha expressed satisfaction with the rapid response of Green Party of California officials to the revelation of California National Guard officials gathering intelligence on the Raging Grannies and other non-violent anti-war groups. Greg announced the next Arcata Greens meeting would be on July 11, 7:00 p.m. at Café Mokka. Greg also noted upcoming meetings for the Legal Committee and the Elections Committee at 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., respectively on July 25 at Café Mokka. Martha said the SC may want to consider moving to a different Tuesday of the month to attract more attendance.

  3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 10, 2005

    4. MOTION WAS MADE (Cordova/Devine) to approve the minutes of January 10, 2005 as drafted. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (3-0)

  4. STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS

    5. Greg visited the Elections Department today and is working with the Assistant Manager to secure the most recently updated list of Green registrants in Humboldt County. Martha said the struggle to initiate a Coca-Cola boycott and label GMO-laced products at the North Coast Co-op is progressing, with an advisory initiative on the boycott likely for this year's membership elections. Martha noted with concern attempts by some in the Legislature to pass a pre-emption bill to prevent cities and counties from banning the use of GMO crops. Mike said there were no recent deposits or expenditures on the GPHC account.

  5. ADOPTION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY AGENDA FOR JULY 30

    6. Greg presented a draft agenda for consideration. Mike suggested more encouragement was needed to prompt attendees to read up on items in the Agenda Packet prior to the General Assembly session. Mike said more time would be needed for individual agenda items to encompass the likely discussion, that they needed to be more spread out in their order on the agenda, and that no time would likely be available for a platform discussion. Martha said breaks and Caucus meetings needed to be build in. Mike said reports from committees should be one of the first items on the agenda, with some items of greater interest moved nearer the end to keep the interest of attendees. Charles referred Jan Lundberg or Patrick Eytchison on the subject of a "Peak Oil" keynote address. Martha wanted to make sure a account on the Bohemian Convergence was included in the Statewide Report and Discussion. Mike said he had a prior commitment and would be unable to make it to the meeting. MOTION WAS MADE (Devine/Allen) to approve the General Assembly agenda for July 30 as amended. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (2-0-1; Cordova stands aside)

  6. REVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE

    7. Martha reported the continuing absence of the key to P.O. Box 114 in Arcata from former county party officials. Mike said the box was scarcely used when it was checked. Charles relayed a message from Barbara Shults suggesting an annual payment would soon come due on the voicemail/pager account. Greg said he will either recover access to the previous P.O. Box or set up a new one, and garner any paperwork Barbara has on the voicemail account. Martha questioned the need for a pager along with the voicemail.

  7. REVIEW OF POSSIBLE MEETING LOCATIONS IN NORTHERN HUMBOLDT

    8. Greg is working to secure a regular meeting place for the Arcata Greens and for GPHC committees to meet in Arcata to resolve noise and space issues present at Café Mokka.

  8. REVIEW NORTH COUNTRY FAIR APPLICATION

    9. Martha said an informational booth would cost $90, and may not be available post-deadline. MOTION WAS MADE (Devine/Allen) to expend $90 to apply for space at the North Country Fair if available. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (3-0)

  9. DIRECT SPOKESPERSONS TO MAKE STATEMENTS AT ARCATA CITY COUNCIL OF JULY 6, 2005

    10. Greg noted that the agenda of the July 6 Arcata City Council included consideration of the No Confidence Resolution as well as a proposal by Mayor Michael Machi to move public comment time to near the end of the agenda order. Greg, as one of three GPHC spokespersons designated by the May General Assembly along with Devine and Paul Encimer, said he would soon be re-approaching the Council on the proposed Police Review Act, and thus would like to refrain from speaking on these issues. Mike said the amount of public comment apparent after the time was moved to near the front of the agenda earlier this year was evident of the level of interest in participation. Greg said meetings of the Council were running late, even past 1:00 a.m., creating an extreme effect on public comment time, with few attendees remaining and few viewers or audience members watching. Devine said since Paul would be unlikely to attend, she would be willing to make brief remarks on behalf of the GPHC.
    MOTION WAS MADE (Allen/Devine) to direct GPHC spokesperson Martha Devine to make statements in favor of the No Confidence Resolution and against the rollback of public comment time proposed by Mayor Michael Machi. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (3-0)

  10. INITIAL PLANNING FOR FUNDRAISER

    11. Greg will E-mail Steering Committee members with the outline of a benefit CD proposal.

  11. OPEN DISCUSSION

    12. Martha quipped a new term for eco-activists labeled as terrorists by government officials: terra-ist.

  12. CLOSING CIRCLE

    13. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Greg Allen, Chair, Steering Committee of the GPHC