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

held at Humboldt Bay Municipal Water Building, Eureka on Tuesday, August 23, 2005

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

  1. INTRODUCTIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENT

    2. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Greg Allen.

    Steering Committee Members present: Greg Allen (Chair), Mike Cordova (Treasurer), David Giarrizzo, Courtney Linclau (Vice Chair), Nebi Sanderson (Alternate for Martha Devine)

    Steering Committee Members absent: Larry Ogden, Leo Power

    Guests Present: Craig Spjut

    Greg apprised members of Martha Devine’s health problems and forthcoming surgery. Martha Devine has submitted a letter naming Nebi Sanderson of Eureka as her Alternate on the Steering Committee until she resumes her duties. Courtney Linclau of Whitethorn introduced herself to the group. Greg thanked her for making the long journey. David introduced himself to the group and mentioned his involvement in local media, in organizing the Eureka Greens Local. David said he wanted to fight apathy and the fallacy of lesser-evilism. Craig introduced himself as an independent voter concerned about the inclusion of jet skis in the definition of ‘coastal watercraft’ used by government officials. Craig noted his membership in the Central Labor Council and Building and Trades Union and urged Greens to become more engaged in the labor movement, especially after the break-up of the AFL-CIO. Craig said unity was needed in lesser populated areas such as Humboldt. Craig asked the SC to poll local Greens for union membership.

  2. ANNOUNCEMENTS

    3. Nebi said the water fountain in the hallway needs a new filter. David said the water protection and spray devices installed outside by the Water District on the suggestion of Green Party member Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap were a troubling display of anti-homeless attitudes.

  3. SEATING OF NEW STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS DAVID GIARRIZZO, JESSE GOPLEN AND COURTNEY LINCLAU

    4. Greg said Jesse Goplen’s swearing-in would be delayed to the next SC meeting due to his absence. MOTION WAS MADE (ALLEN) to accept the results of the Special Election held at the General Assembly of July 31, 2005 and seat Courtney Linclau as an At-Large SC member and David Giarrizzo as a Local Delegate SC member representing the Eureka Greens. MOTION CARRIED BY CONSENSUS (3-0)

  4. ACCEPTANCE OF AUTOMATIC RESIGNATION OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS LARRY OGDEN AND LEO POWER

    5. Greg noted the Bylaws provision which is consistent with state Elections Code regarding the automatic removal of any Steering Committee member who misses three consecutive meetings without appointing an Alternate, as Ogden and Power did for June, July and August. MOTION WAS MADE (ALLEN) to accept the resignations of Steering Committee members Larry Ogden and Leo Power. MOTION CARRIED BY CONSENSUS (5-0)

  5. APPROVAL OF STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 14 AND JULY 5, 2005

    6. MOTION WAS MADE (ALLEN) to adopt the SC Minutes of February 14 and July 5, 2005. MOTION CARRIED BY CONSENSUS (5-0)

  6. STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS

    7. David spoke of the plans developing for a Eureka Greens benefit, with proceeds to be shared with the Green Party of Humboldt County. David also mentioned the developing Legislative Agenda of the Eureka Greens, which includes attention to police behavior, homeless issues and sustainability. Greg said police review has gained support from the Redwood Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, with talks proceeding well engaging members of the Human Rights Commission and Civil Liberties Monitoring Project.

  7. REVIEW OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF JULY 31, 2005

    8. Greg said the meeting ran smoothly and still hosted spirited discussion and amendments of the proposals, with an excellent potluck beforehand. Courtney said the discussions were educational and enjoyable. Nebi said more publicity was needed to advertise future meetings.

  8. APPROVAL OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY AGENDA OF OCTOBER 1, 2005

    9. Greg said Nelson Hall East Room 106 at Humboldt State University has been reserved. Greg urged additional items to be added to the draft agenda no later than the next Steering Committee meeting so that they would be included in the written packet of information. Greg suggested the deletion of items not received from Michael Smith regarding resolutions on Green Party unity and dis-affiliation with Greens for Democracy and Independence (GDI) unless they were received by September 15. MOTION WAS MADE (GIARRIZZO) to adopt the General Assembly Agenda of October 1, 2005 as amended. MOTION CARRIED BY CONSENSUS (5-0)

  9. APPROVAL OF LETTER TO GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA STATE COORDINATING COMMITTEE REGARDING RECOMMENDED POSITION ON PROPOSITION 77

    10. Greg explained how Prop. 77 was taken off the ballot temporarily just before the last General Assembly, then put back on since then. Greg said the ability of Prop. 77 to help minor parties was negligible, as retired judges drawing district lines would still need to be appointed by the Legislature. Greg noted the deadline for submitting votes on the GPCA’s official position on state initiatives would pass prior to the next General Assembly where a formal endorsement decision would be made. David called it a risky move. Courtney said the issue needed more discussion. MOTION WAS MADE (GIARRIZZO) to table discussion of Prop. 77 to the next General Assembly. MOTION CARRIED BY CONSENSUS (5-0)

  10. RATIFICATION OF ASSIGNING STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING DATE TO FOURTH TUESDAYS REGULARLY AND THIRD TUESDAYS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

    11. MOTION WAS MADE (GIARRIZZO) to change the standing meeting date of the Steering Committee from the first to the fourth Tuesday of every month. MOTION CARRIED BY CONSENSUS (5-0)

  11. APPONTMENT OF WEBSITE AND LISTSERV ADMINISTRATOR

    12. Greg said he had been struggling to keep the website and listserv up to date with limited help from his own website designer, Tobias Griggs. Greg said he looked forward to making the website even more of a recruiting tool. David said he appreciated the in-depth information available on the website and wanted more. Greg asked if audio and video features could be added. Nebi described her qualifications as a website designer and listserv administrator and described the local Democrat and Republican websites as boring. Nebi said the Green Party’s site was good but needed to gain appeal to reach a wider audience. Greg suggested including more pictures. David suggested an on-line newsletter. Greg said the use of electronic media was increasing substantially. Courtney suggested including a front page option for faster or slower computers and connections. MOTION WAS MADE (ALLEN) to appoint Nebi Sanderson as GPHC Website and Listserv Administrator. MOTION CARRIED BY CONSENSUS (5-0)

  12. REVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE

    13. Greg offered the use of his personal P.O. Box, number 785 in Arcata. Greg noted concerns with the use of the GP-News list for published opinions. David suggested the use of disclaimers on any opinions. Greg mentioned the annual bill for the website and listserv at greenhumboldt.org would be due in October. Nebi said there would have to be more space on the server to accommodate additional listservs beyond those present, more than doubling the annual cost. Jesse suggested letting information be disseminated, leaving it to individuals to judge its merits on their own. MOTION WAS MADE (ALLEN) to table the rewrite of the GP-News rules and leave approval of messages at the discretion of the GPHC Website and Listserv Administrator. MOTION CARRIED BY CONSENSUS (5-0)

  13. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR

    14. MOTION WAS MADE (ALLEN) to elect Courtney Linclau as Vice Chair. BALLOTS RETURN CONSENSUS SUPPORT FOR ELECTION OF COURTNEY LINCLAU (5-0)

  14. ELECTION OF SECRETARY

    15. MOTION WAS MADE (ALLEN) to table the election of Secretary. MOTION CARRIED BY CONSENSUS (5-0)

  15. OPEN DISCUSSION

    16. Greg suggested organizing fundraisers around fun activities. Courtney said the Greens should get a local radio show. David said the Humboldt Free Radio Alliance was looking for a home. Greg said Internet streaming radio was a legal and affordable option. Courtney said compact discs could be released to local stations featuring Green artists and educational programming. Greg mentioned the KMUD transponder, KMUE and how one day it may broadcast a separate signal for northern Humboldt shows. David described the continuing struggle to regain public access to cable television. Courtney said she will talk to KMUD about getting a Green show scheduled. David described his previous experience putting together a topical and satirical weekly news show. Greg said a Green television network could eventually emerge from the collective work of local groups. David suggested delegating the discussion to the Media Committee. Nebi suggested the inclusion of controversial material to attract attention.

  16. CLOSING CIRCLE

    17. The meeting was adjourned by facilitator Greg Allen at 8:55 p.m.

Signed,
Greg Allen, Chair
Steering Committee of the GPHC