CHARLOTTE AREA GREEN PARTY MEETING MINUTES / JULY 6, 2002


Members Present: Richard Hornsby, Harry Phillips, Judy Aulette, Kathryn Kuppers, Gray Newman, Alan Burns, Mark Ortiz, Michael Sharpe, and Chris Peigler

• As agreed upon during a listserve discussion, twenty dollars was donated by four members to pay for Michael Sharpe’s annual dues. Michael’s excellent contributions to our web site prompted this decision.
  
  
• Minutes of June’s meeting were read.
  
  
• Treasurer Mark Ortiz reported that our funds total $766.73, with $701.73 in our checking account and $65 being held in cash.
  
  
• Alan reported on South Carolina’s inaugural convention of Greens. He noted that some members of South Carolina’s United Citizens Party (UCP) attempted to foil the SC Green Party’s efforts to obtain ballot access. The difference between these groups is that the UCP wants to stay local in their activities, while the SC Greens see themselves as more regional, national, and international. Twenty-five people attended. There was some mention that a Green might run for governor in SC.
  
  
• Alan reported on the NCGP Executive Committee meeting on June 30. Among important topics was the question of how to respond to Democrats regarding the topic of instant run-off voting. Also discussed was the need to work toward ballot access for 2004 elections. It was suggested that Bonnie Raitt be contacted and asked to support the NCGP at her July 27 concert at the Verizon venue. Denny Bost did not get enough signatures (5,000) to appear on the ballot in the Wilmington county commissioner race and dropped out of the running. There is a Green candidate for mayor in Greenville, NC. The spring NCGP convention will be in Wilmington.
  
  
• In a non-agenda-related item, Judy argued that we should respond to the state budget crisis by supporting the state lottery bill. Mark countered that, in general, we should push for progressive taxation of people who earn the most and work against sales taxes and a lottery during a budget crisis.
  
  
• The Labor Day Parade Committee has accepted our request for a sponsor fee of $100, instead of the normal $150 fee. Kathryn will price out a new banner to be carried during the parade that will state our support for local labor. Judy circulated essay contest flyers. Kathryn made available raffle tickets for the parade. Gregg may coordinate distribution of flyers on the plutonium issue at the parade.
  
  
• Regarding maintenance of our web site, Michael requests that we delete dated information by letting him know what to remove. Harry will take from monthly minutes events to highlight on the home page and send them to Michael. A link and a brief narrative will be included. It was suggested that we archive dated material.
  
  
• Gray reported that four people filed for two vacant seats on the Conservation Board, among them Don Boekelheide (sp). We should support Gray’s candidacy by contacting the Charlotte Post, Creative Loafing, La Noticia, and Bruce Henderson at the Observer. We should also look into Gray participating in the League of Women Voters’ candidates forum this fall. We may want to distribute promotional information on Gray’s candidacy on election day outside the twenty precincts with the most votes cast for these positions in the past.
  
  
• A co-clerk will begin archiving hard copies of our activities and endorsements, etc.
  
  
• It was decided that we should revisit our position on the reparations issue. Richard will coordinate discussion of this on our listserve and collate salient comments for discussion at our next meeting.
  
  
• Alan will ask Gregg to ask Mary Oleson to speak at our August meeting regarding the plutonium trucking issue.
  
  
• It was decided that we should request 200 copies of the state newsletter for local distribution.
  
  
• Harry updated the group on the statues of the $24k proposal, noting that little had been accomplished in terms of how to raise funds. Gray will attend a fundraising workshop at the annual GPUS convention in Philadelphia later this month and may have specific suggestions for this project.
  
  
• Gray apprised the group of GPUS’s unfavorable review of our application for membership, noting that our requirement for annual dues is troublesome. The Accreditation Committee will defer to the National Committee on this, and we hope to have this resolved and our membership accepted. Dues, says GPUS, would close the political process to people.
  
  
• Alan suggested inviting local media to view parts of the three-hour video on 9/11 events.
  
  
• A by-law amendment was passed that protects those who buy lifetime memberships in CAGP.
  
  Respectfully Submitted,
  Harry Phillips, 7/10/02