Johnson County Green Party Business Meeting - Minutes
Saturday September 8th, 2007
3:00 p.m.
Iowa City Public Library, Room B
The goal of this meeting was to plan for regular meetings and upcoming activities, taking advantage of the start of the new school semester and the political climate.
1) REVIEW OF THE PAST YEAR AND SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Last summer and fall, members were active in the Wendy Barth/Rick Johnson campaign for Governor/Lieutenant Governor.
In September the Johnson County Green Party was invited by the University of Iowa to be part of their Energy Expo. We brought in Ted Glick as one of the headline speakers. Ted is national coordinator of the Climate Crisis Coalition, part of the Independent Progressive Politics Network, and member of the Green Party of New Jersey. While in Iowa City, he also met with a group of local activists representing several progressive, environmental and peace organizations.
Over the summer, the Johnson County Green Party partnered with the School for Moral Courage in hosting a reading and conversation with author/activist Michael Palecek; screening of "The Global Brain" with subsequent discussion led by John Shumaker of Cedar Rapids; and the screening of "An Unreasonable Man," the documentary biography or Ralph Nader.
Two members, Ron Kinum and Holly Hart, attended the national Green Party meeting in Reading, PA. Holly is Green Party of the United States Secretary. Ron attended representing the Iowa Green Party as delegate. He has been providing a series of reports on the workshops and meetings he attended, the most relevant of which will eventually be included on the Iowa Green Party website.
The Iowa Green Party received wonderful news that the ACLU lawsuit on behalf of the Green and Libertarian parties over voter registration party identification was to be settled out of court. Several other states are now engaged in lawsuits based on the success in Iowa. While still considered "no party political organizations," third parties in Iowa can now collect 850 signatures and file a request and bylaws or articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State in order to be listed by name on Iowa's voter registration forms.
Members have been collecting signatures throughout the state. In Iowa City, several of us have been petitioning at the Friday night pedestrian mall concerts. We have at least 825 signatures, and will try get 900-1000 for a cushion.
2) PEACEFEST - Sunday, September 9th, 2007; Noon - 5:00 p.m.; College Green
Park
The Johnson County Green Party will have a table. Bill Boos will set up; Ron, Jacqui and Holly will arrive later throughout the afternoon.
3) FUNDRAISING/FINANCES
Gail took part in a national Green Party-US conference call which outlined some programs the national offers. Individuals who get "green cards" for $36/year can have 60% donated to their state party. People who purchase a green card also receive a subscription to Green Pages, and a button and sticker from the Green Party-US. There is also a custom-made donation page state parties can use on their websites.
Other fundraising options: The Iowa Green Party treasurer can send a form to individuals who want to make an EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) from their bank account to the Iowa Green Party, either as a one-time donation or on a regular basis.
Florence and Bill were interested in adding a PayPal account to our website for donations, especially for individuals who may wish to make a donation but not necessarily on a regular basis.
Gail and Florence will contact Iowa Green Party treasurer Ray Meyer, and look into these options and how to publicize them to our membership.
4) UPCOMING EVENTS
There has been interest in continued films and readings or speakers.
It was agreed to start holding regular Johnson County Green Party meetings on the first Saturday of each month, with a short meeting followed by a film or speaker (or brief speaker and film) and discussion.
5) CANDIDATE VISIT
Brandon Ross, running for Iowa City City Council at-large, stopped in
to visit. He spoke about his campaign and answered a few questions.
He is promoting a progressive agenda, as an advocate for neighborhoods, sustainable development, bike routes, walkability, public transit (including reviving Iowa city's old trolley line as part of an eventual inter-urban system). He advocates mixed housing, integrating affordable housing throughout the city.
He would like Green support in financial contributions, volunteers, people to show up ant candidate forums to ask questions (or make sure the right questions get asked), place yard signs, and publicize events to friends and organizations, etc.
It was agreed to arrange for a candidate forum later this month, and invite all the city council candidates (or the at-large candidates, as the smaller districts are uncontested). Members agreed on various
tasks:
Room reservation - DONE (Room B)
Invitations to Candidate: Jacqui
Media release: Holly
Snacks: Booses
Moderator: Holly
Bouncers/Clacquers/Hosts: Ron, Gail
6) UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept.. 29th: Iowa City City Council Candidate Forum Saturday, September 29 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Iowa City Public Library, Room B
Oct. 6: Johnson County Green Party Meeting/Film/Speaker Saturday, October 6 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Location TBA
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Johnson County Green Party meeting at 3:00 p. m., followed by (brief) speaker, then film and discussion.
Sometime in February, 2008 we hope to have a local event highlighting Green voter registration The new Iowa Voter registration form will be out in January, 2008. It was suggested that after the Democratic and Republican caucuses, we send out a mailing to members and contacts with voter registration forms and an explanation on how to register Green; fundraising envelope; and locally, an insert with an invitation to an event.
9/8/07
Holly Hart
Secretary, Johnson County Green Party