Coordinating Committee members present (10): Victoria Ashley (via speaker phone), Marla Bernstein, June Brashares, Maxine Daniel, Sanda Everette, Mike Feinstein, Tim Laidman, Jesse Moorman, Alex Shantz, Rich Zitola (via speaker phone)
Coordinating Committee members not-present (6): Cindy Asrir, Margaret Garcia, Parker Jean, Sasha Karlik, Shamako Noble, Candice Yamaguchi
Invited Guests (3) : Doug Barnett, GPCA Treasurer, Jared Laiti, GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State (via speakerphone); Carina Aviles, Interim Co-coordinator, GPCA Electoral Reform Working Group (via speakerphone)
Quorum: Quorum reached at 11:59 with nine present: Victoria Ashley (via speaker phone), Marla Bernstein, Maxine Daniel, Sanda Everette, Mike Feinstein, Tim Laidman, Jesse Moorman, Alex Shantz, Rich Zitola
Rich Zitola left call at 12:14
June Brashares arrived at 12:44
Rich Zitola returned to the call at 5:03
Jared Laiti joined the call for the time of his report
Carina Aviles joined the call for the time of agenda item #11) Report on efforts to establish GPCA rules in the state elections code
2) Roles
Facilitator: Alex Shantz
Minutes taker: Mike Feinstein
Time keeper: Maxine Daniels
Vibes Watcher: Tim Laidman
Approved by consensus
3) Approval of Agenda (simple majority vote)
Proposal: Add Endorsement of Global Climate Convergence at end of agenda, with flexibility possible depending upon ending time (Everette)
Approved by consenus
Proposal: Approval of Agenda (Shantz)
Approved by consensus at 12:05
4) Decision: Approval minutes, Coordinating Committee meeting, January 6th 2014 (simple majority vote)
Proposal: Approval minutes, Coordinating Committee meeting, January 6th 2014
http://www.cagreens.org/committees/coordinating/minutes/2014-01-06
Approved by consensus at 12:06
5) Election of CC Male Co-coordinator for 2014-2016
Proposal (Feinstein): That the Coordinating Committee finds that the oral declaration by Shantz on Coordinating Committee teleconference of January 6th is sufficient for compliance with Coordinating Committee internal procedures regarding declaration of candidacy http://www.cagreens.org/committees/coordinating/procedures#Article_I:_Co-Coordinators
Approved by consensus
Male Co-Coordinator: Alex Shantz
Approved by consensus
Rich Zitola left call at 12:14
6) Election of CC Male Alternate Co-coordinator (five minutes)
No applications were received, item will be heard on February 3 Coordinating Committee teleconference, as per 1-4.1 Co-coordinators shall be elected either in person at Coordinating Committee retreat in either January or February via the process described in 1-4.2 or via a CC teleconference at the first Coordinating Committee teleconference in February via the process described in 1-4.3 (http://www.cagreens.org/committees/coordinating/procedures#Article_I:_Co-Coordinators)
7) Review of SGA performance (Laidman, Feinstein) (15 minutes)
Feinstein and Laidman reported upon the operation of the SGA voting page, including where there have been posting (and other) errors and how they will be fixed; and about additional technical improvements to the voting page that are scheduled (such as an automated quorum count for SGA delegates, in addition to the existing quorum count for counties).
Timing of the next SGA session was also discussed, with the caveat that the timing may need to be adjusted to account for when the Secretary of State publishes the pro/con ballot arguments.
Proposal (Feinstein): Request that the Bylaws Committee return with an amendment to the following two sections (7-2.4(a) Multi-Seat Elections: Ranked Choice Voting and 7-2.4(b) Single Seat Election: Instant Runoff Voting) for elections to the Coordinating Committee and GPUS Delegation, to specify that the ballot shall be secret during the voting period and the individual votes cast shall remain secret after the result has been announced.
Item continued to Sunday January 26.
8) Review progress towards realizing GPCA IT protocol, including capabilities for county parties to utilize GPCA Drupal and Nationbuilder functionality (Laidman)
http://www.cagreens.org/it-protocol
County parties can have their own pages in a www.cagreens.org/countyname format on the cagreens.org server, through the old .ftp access. It is possible in the future to create sub-nation pages through Nationbuilder and IT will continue to research this.
Proposal (Brashares): Direct the Finance Committee Co-coordinator and the GPCA Treasurer to consult with the FEC on applicable rules regarding what may be paid from the party's state and federal accounts, and report back to the Coordinating Committee's February 3 teleconference for a decision on how applicable payments shall be made.
Approved by consensus
Proposal (Feinstein, Laidman): In keeping with the GPCA IT Protocol that establishes that "the Coordinating Committee may approve a limited access list of individuals with technical skills and specific areas of focus, and the Coordinating Committee may specify the areas of the web site that the individual is authorized to post to" that the Coordinating Committee approve the following individuals with the follow status:
Victoria Ashley (Content Creators, Content Editors, County Page Editors, Intern)
Sanda Everette (Content Creators, Content Editors, County Page Editors, Intern)
Sasha Karlik (IT Committee Member)
Ajay Rai (Administrators, County Page Editors, IT Committee Members)
Jenni Woodward (IT Committee Members)
Rich Zitola (Form Creators, IT Committee Member)
Approval by consensus
Proposal (Feinstein): That a proposal be brought back to the Coordinating Committee on Sunday, January 26 to amend the IT Protocol to reflect that IT Committee adminstrators (which to be determined) can enforce GPCA email list netiquette
Approval by consensus, with one abstention (Brashares)
Item was heard after #6
9) Report from GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State
GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State Jared Laiti (http://www.cagreens.org/liaison) reported the same information he sent to the Coordinating Committee on january 10th, that the party's Statement of Purpose is due by fax by 5 PM on 2/13/14, with the following guildines: Limited to 200 words, No solicitations for donations, No references to other parties or candidates of other parties. The party's adress, phone number, and/or website address not subject to word limit.
10) GPCA ballot statement for June 2014 voter guide
Proposal (Shantz): That this item be heard on Sunday, January 26th.
Approved by consensus
This item heard after #9
11) Report on efforts to establish GPCA rules in the state elections code (Feinstein)
Feinstein reported on the history of the party's efforts, and Carinna Aviles, ERWG co-coordinator, participated via teleconference to hear report.
12) Decision: Endorsement of Global Climate Convergence
Proposal (Everette): That the Green Party of California endorse the Global Climate Convergence (http://www.globalclimateconvergence.org).
Yes (8): Bernstein, Brashares, Daniel, Everette, Feinstein, Laidman, Moorman, Shantz
No (1): Rich Zitola
Abstain (0):
Proposal approved 8-1-0
13) Report from GPCA Treasurer
Owing to time constraints, item to be heard on January 26
14) Groom Assistant GPCA Treasurer (Laidman)
Owing to time constraints, item to be heard on January 26
Item heard after #11
14) Approve CC draft work plan and budget for FY2014-2015 (Shantz, Feinstein)
Proposal (Shantz): Approve work plan as attached below, with opportunity to revise after discussion about retaining legal counsel in amicus brief in Rubin v. Bowen
Approved by consensus at 1:14
15) Review draft FY2014-2015 Strategic Plan
Owing to time constraints, item to be heard on January 26
16) Appointment of Coordinating Committee Liaisons to Standing Committees/Co-coordinators (Five minutes)
Background:
No appointments necessary, all positions currently filled
17) Appointment of Coordinating Committee Liaison to Working Groups (Five minutes)
Background:
No appointments necessary, all positions currently filled
18) Appointments to Standing Committees
Bylaws Committee: Victoria Ashley
Approved by consensus
Bylaws Committee: Mike Feinstein
Approved by consensus
Clearinghouse Committee: Marla Bernstein
Approved by consensus
Clearinghouse Committee: Mike Feinstein
Approved by consensus
Clearinghouse Committee: Tim Laidman
Approved by consensus
Finance Committee: Maxine Daniel
Approved by consensus
Finance Committee: Tim Laidman
Approved by consensus
Finance Committee: Susan Chunco
Approved by consensus (includes findings that Susan Chunco's verbal application on the Coordinating Committee's teleconference is compliant with the internal procedures for applications)
Information Technology Committee: Tim Laidman
Approved by consensus
Media Committee: Tim Williams
Approved by consensus
Platform Committee: Shane Que Hee
Approved by consensus
19) Report on efforts to pass legislation to account for negative affects of Prop 14 on smaller party ballot status (Feinstein, Shantz, Zitola)
Feinstein and Shantz reported on the status of negotiations and a discussion on their report was held.
20) Review process of conducting GPCA County Council elections (Feinstein)(20 minutes)
Owing to time constraints, item to be heard on January 26
21) Review how Personnel Policy is working (Laidman, Feinstein, Everett) (20 minute)
Owing to time constraints, item to be heard on January 26
Attachment: DRAFT Work Plan
Green Party of California Coordinating Committee
Work Plan and Budget Proposals for the 2014-2015 GPCA Fiscal Year( DRAFT)
1. Summarize, paraphrase or quote the GPCA Bylaws describing your group and its responsibilities. If the Bylaws do not describe your group, or do not describe it adequately, provide your additional description.
Section 8-1. Duties and Authority
The Coordinating Committee shall authorize and carry out decisions of the General Assembly and make executive decisions, but not set policy between General Assembly meetings, and shall be generally responsible for coordinating General Assemblies and other statewide meetings, internal communications and other Party administrative tasks as defined in these Bylaws, including to
8-1.1 Establish draft agendas and select facilitators for General Assembly meetings.
8-1.2 Forward proposals to the Standing Green Assembly.
8-1.3 Certify County Council members (as described in 6-6) in counties in which no County Council candidates qualified for the ballot in the preceding direct primary election, or in counties in which all members of the County Council have resigned and/or become disqualified from holding office.
8-1.4 Determine active County Organizations (as described in 5-1)
8-1.5 Appoint members to the Committees of the General Assembly (as described in Article 9)
8-1.6 Appoint a Coordinating Committee Liaison to Committees and Working Groups, who is charged with facilitating communications between that Committee or Working Group and the Coordinating Committee and in the case of certain committees as specified in Article 9, to serve as one of its two Co-Coordinators.
8-1.7 Request and receive reports from Committees and Working Groups, refer matters to them, and monitor and assist their work.
8-1.8 Authorize and ratify specific expenditures.
8-1.9 Make statements in the name of the Party.
8-1.10 Retain legal counsel on behalf of the GPCA and make decisions based upon that counsel consistent with the Coordinating Committee's duties under the other provisions of these bylaws.
8-1.11 Propose a Strategic Plan to the General Assembly (as defined in 11-2.)
8-1.12 Establish Sub-Committees of the Coordinating Committee as necessary to accomplish these and other tasks of the Coordinating Committee as defined in these Bylaws.
8-1.13 Establish Internal Procedures of the Coordinating Committee as necessary, that are not in conflict with these Bylaws, to facilitate these tasks.
Section 8-2. Membership
8-2.1 The Coordinating Committee shall be composed of up to 24 voting members, with 12 men and 12 women. Six men and six women shall be elected each year to serve staggered, two year terms.
8-2.2 If a Coordinating Committee member misses three consecutive regular monthly meetings, the individual shall lose their seat and a vacancy shall occur.
2. Summarize your work plan and budget for the 2013-2014 Fiscal Year and what parts of your work plan were accomplished or expect to be accomplished and budget items that were used or are expected to be used by the end of the Fiscal Year. For current FY work plan and budget items that will not be accomplished and spent by the end of the FY, provide a brief explanation for each.
The CC did not have a work plan for the 2013-2014 Fiscal Year. However, the CC had requested the following budget items:
Expenses:
Two General Assemblies: $6,900
Expense Categories
-- Site Rental @ $1000/Meeting $2,000
-- Food Expenses @ $1000/Meeting $2,000
-- Video @ $125/Meeting $250
-- Minutes Taker @ $250/Meeting $500
-- CC Friday night dinner @ $100/Meeting $200
-- Nancy Broyles General Assembly Hardship Travel Subsidy @ $1000/Meeting $2,000
Two Gatherings (one North/one South): $1,600 - consideration of increasing this
-- Site Rental @ $500/Gathering $1,000
-- Food Expenses @ $300/Gathering $600
Liability Insurance Policy: $1,000 (subject to adjustment for actual premium expense)
Annual Coordinating Committee Retreat: Site/Food Expenses $400
Legal Consultation: $1,000
Total Expenses: $10,900
Income
General Assembly income from Registration Fees @ $2000/Meeting $4,000
Gatherings income from Registration Fees @ $500/Gathering $1,000 (this might be reconsidered for more income)
Total Projected Income: $5,000
Plus possible additional income from small directed donations for the Plenary Travel Subsidy Fund
3. Work Plan: Describe the activities and events that are expected to be accomplished in the upcoming Fiscal Year -- July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015. For each item requiring GPCA funding, provide the funding request and explain how the funding request was calculated.
Thee CC expects to hold monthly teleconference meetings, plan and organize one or two General Assemblies, one Gathering, and supervise the Standing General Assembly; and work to recruit volunteers to revitalize Standing Committees and Working Groups. The proposed budget for the 2014 to 2015 Fiscal Year generally reflects the requests from the previous Fiscal Year, with some minor amendments.
4. Budget Proposals: Provide a summary of budget proposals by separate line items including a summary name for the budget line from the standardized list (below) and the amount being requested. Each proposed budget line item should be explained in the Work Plan so that the Budget Committee and Finance Committee members can understand how the activity or event relates to the responsibilities of the SC/WG/Delegation and how the budget request was calculated.
Discussion was held regarding the Nancy Broyles General Assembly Hardship Travel Subsidy, and whether registration fees be subsized by the state party or not. Registration fees to not include meals to cut costs.
Please the following standardized budget line items with section 4 Budget Proposal:
Expenses:
Two General Assemblies: $4,920
Expense Categories
-- Site Rental @ $1000/Meeting $2,000
-- Food Expenses @ $1000/Meeting $2,000
-- Video @ $60/Meeting $120
-- Minutes Taker @ $50/Meeting $100
-- CC Friday night dinner @ $100/Meeting $200
-- Nancy Broyles General Assembly Hardship Travel Subsidy @ $250/Meeting $500
One Gathering: $1,300
-- Site Rental @ $1,000
-- Food Expenses @ $300
Liability Insurance Policy: $1,000 (subject to adjustment for actual premium expense)
Annual Coordinating Committee Retreat: Site/Food Expenses $400
Legal Consultation: $1,000
Total Expenses: $8,620
Income: $5,300
General Assembly income from Registration Fees @ $2,000/Meeting $4,000
Gatherings income from Registration Fees @ $1,300 (this might be reconsidered for more income)
Total Projected Income: $5,000
Plus possible additional income from small directed donations for the Plenary Travel Subsidy Fund
5. When paid staff are part of a work plan and budget proposals, for each position also submit (a) a detailed project description; (b) a proposed job description (including activities, preferred qualifications and compensation description); and (c) a description of the job application process.
No paid staff.
6. A calender for at least one year -- including the Fiscal Year -- that summarizes the activities and events described in the work plan and deadlines involved in the planning and organization process for those activities and events (dates may be approximate, as applicable).
2014
January 25-26: Coordinating Committee annual retreat
January 31: Deadline: Work plans submitted from committees and working groups
Early Winter: SGA Vote to approve minutes of Winter 2013/2014 General Assembly
February 3rd: CC meeting
February 13: GPCA party ballot statement for June primary due, approval by Coordinating Committee
March 3: CC meeting
March 3: Deadline for applications for candidates for the Coordinating Committee and the GPUS Delegation
April 7th: CC meeting
Feb/March/April: SGA vote on GPCA positions on any initiatives on the June 2014 ballot
Spring: Award Campaign Support Funds for Green candidates in spring and June elections (GPCA Bylaws Section 9-7)
Spring: Deadline to release Draft FY2013-2014 Budget; at least 42 days before General Assembly (GPCA Bylaws 7-5.1(a))
Spring: Deadline to release Draft General Assembly agenda; at least 42 days before General Assembly (GPCA Bylaws 7-5.1(a))
Spring: Determination of active Counties of calculating delegates to the Spring General Assembly (GPCA Bylaws 5-2.2) and for the Standing General Assembly in the upcoming fiscal year; at least 42 days before General Assembly (GPCA Bylaws 7-6.1(b))
May 5th: CC meeting
May 5 - June 15: Discussion period for Coordinating Committee at-large and GPUS Delegation elections
May 7: CC sends reminder via GPCA Inform list to counties reminding them to appoint delegates to the GPCA FY2014-2015 Standing General Assembly for one year terms (July 1 - June 30)
June 3: California primary election
June 9nd: CC meeting
June 9: Bi-Annual Notice announcing vacancies and seeking applicants for GPCA Standing Committees
June 16-22: Voting period for Coordinating Committee at-large and GPUS Delegation elections
May/June: Approval of the Annual Budget and Annual Strategic Plan, Annual Treasurer's Report, Spring General Assembly (GPCA Fiscal Policy Sections 5-2 and 10-1, GPCA Bylaws Section 11-2 Strategic Plan)
June 30: By this date, delegates to the GPCA FY2014-2015 Standing General Assembly shall be appointed by active County Organizations and shall serve for one year terms (July 1 - June 30), with no term limits
July 1: Standing General Assembly Delegate Terms begin and run through June 30th of 2015
July 7th: CC meeting
Summer: Hire independent contractors as provided for in approved FY2013-2014 budget and the GPCA Personnel Policy
July 24-27: GPUS Annual National Meeting, St. Paul, Minnesota
August 4th: CC meeting
July/August: SGA vote on GPCA positions on any initiatives on the November 2014 ballot
September 8th: CC meeting
October 6th: CC meeting
Mid Fall: Award Campaign Support Funds for Green candidates in November elections (GPCA Bylaws Section 9-7)
November 4: California General Elections
November 10: CC meeting
November 10: Bi-Annual Notice seeking applicants for GPCA Standing Committees
2015
January: Coordinating Committee annual retreat
January 5th: CC meeting
January 31: Deadline: Work plans submitted from committees and working groups
February 2nd: CC meeting
March 2: CC meeting
March 2: Deadline for applications for candidates for the Coordinating Committee and the GPUS Delegation
April 6th: CC meeting
Spring: Determination of active Counties of calculating delegates to the Spring General Assembly (GPCA Bylaws 5-2.2) at least 42 days before General Assembly (GPCA Bylaws 7-6.1(b)); and for the Standing General Assembly for the upcoming fiscal year
May 4th: CC meeting
May 4 - June 14: Discussion period for Coordinating Committee at-large and GPUS Delegation elections.
June 1st: CC meeting
June 8: Bi-Annual Notice announcing vacancies and seeking applicants for GPCA Standing Committees
June 15-23: Voting period for Coordinating Committee at-large and GPUS Delegation elections
May/June: Approval of the Annual Budget and Annual Strategic Plan, Annual Treasurer's Report, Spring General Assembly (GPCA Fiscal Policy Sections 5-2 and 10-1, GPCA Bylaws Section 11-2 Strategic Plan)
May/June: Confirmation of GPCA Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Liaison to Secretary of State, Spring General Assembly
June 30: By this date, delegates to the GPCA FY2015-2016 Standing Green Assembly shall be appointed by active County Organizations and shall serve for one year terms (July 1 - June 30), with no term limits.
July 1: Standing General Assembly Delegate Terms begin and run through June 30th of 2016
July 6th: CC meeting
Summer: GPUS Annual National Meeting
August 3rd: CC meeting
September 7th: CC meeting
October 5th: CC meeting
November 2: CC meeting
November 2: Bi-Annual Notice seeking applicants for GPCA Standing Committees
December 7th: CC meeting
