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Meeting of the National Action Committee April 23, 2008 Meeting called to order at 9:10 am Attending: Jerry Levy, Andrea Pason, Nan Pfefferle, Peter Moody, Jerry Stastny, Greg Pason and Billy Wharton. Anti-Imperialism Committee Greg reported that the NYC, North Jersey & Boston Locals elected and sent the names of their representatives to the Committee. - Other Locals are strongly encouraged to do so soon. Greg will set up the first Anti-Imperialism Committee phone conference & e-mail list in the next two weeks. National Anti-War Conference The committee discussed the upcoming “Open National Anti-War Conference”, which the National Committee endorsed at its March 1-2, 2008 meeting and also discussed naming an official representative to the planning meetings. - Greg mentioned that Matthew Andrews was attending conference phone conferences as a Boston Local a member of New England United. No other names were proposed. - Motion: To name Matthew Andrews as an official SPUSA representative to planning meetings for the Open “National Anti-War Conference” to be held in Cleveland on June 28-29, 2008. Motion passed unanimously. - The NAC also agreed that we should give credentials to a few SPUSA members if there is any official conference voting procedure. SNC/Presidential Campaign The committee discussed recent news from the campaign and discussed ways to produce campaign materials with both candidates’ names. - Motion: To authorize $200 from the SNC to purchase campaign buttons with the names of both candidates. Designs are to be solicited via the SP members and announcement e-mail list. A deadline of May 5th will be set for submissions. The Communications Committee (David Schaich, Peter Moody & Diane Drufenbrock) as well as both candidates will be asked to pick one design by May 21st. The National Secretary is directed to order the buttons and have them available by mid-June." unanimously National Organizing Conference Greg gave a quick report on his conversation with Matt Erard. Matt told him that the committee has divvied up tasks and started to work, and that the conference will be held on July 11-13th. He reminded the committee that $1000 was allocated to for the conference but that depended on $1000 budgeted as income. Since the rent for the meeting hall will be free and the only expenses will be mailings & materials, the committee should have some money for travel support. - Motion: To direct the National Secretary to work with the Organizing Conference Committee to create an organizing conference journal and set advertising rates. The rates are to be set by May 15th and a mass-mailing with information on ad rates, registration fees and logistics (housing and transportation) is to be mailed by bulk mail to all members no later than May 21st. - The NAC also agreed to set aside $500 of the conference budget for travel support, based on at least $1000 in revenue. The Organizing Conference Committee will set up travel subsidy requirements and subsidy applications are to be posted on the SPUSA organizing conference website and included in the May 21st mass mailing. Funds available for travel support may increase if specific contributions are made toward that fund." Motion passed unanimously Tibet Statement The NAC discussed the International Commission’s statement on Tibet. It was originally thought that the International Commission voted and passed the statement, but later it was clarified that the statement was the Statement of the International Commission Chair with input from Commission members and that at least one IC member complained about that process. - Greg suggested the NAC pass the resolution since it would give the statement more of a national party endorsement. Billy recommended that the International Commission be give the statement and hold a vote. Jerry suggested that we approve the statement, as written, if the International Commission votes and passes it. - The NAC decided that we should let the IC membership revisit the statement and have a chance to vote yes/no and that we should approve it as a NAC statement after that point. - Motion: The National Action Committee approves the Statement on Tibet after it passes an International Commission membership vote. Motion passed 1 no (Jerry Stastny - who wanted it clear that his objection was one of process not to the statement) and 1 abstention (Nan). Wisconsin Nan did not have the full Wisconsin convention minutes but submitted her notes (printed below). Notes from the SPWI biennial Convention 2008 Members Present: members in brackets are not SPUSA member in good standing- (Dave Schall), Robert Kimbrough, Ken Haak, (Ray Nashold), Roger Chapman, (Judy Leurquin), (Russ Attoe), Diane Drufenbrock, Nan Pfefferle Paul Cigler, Myrtle Kastner, Vicenta Padron, (Ted Uribe), Jerry Stastny, Linda Randolph, Anita Zeidler, Kevin Kane, Gerry Shade, Clarence Kailen Guests present: ET Griffin Constitutional amendments that passed follow: Article IV, Section 5— Every member of the Socialist Party of Wisconsin and its Locals shall have equal opportunity to participate in Party activities, and there shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, age, or sex. (Unanimous) Article VII Delegates to the national conventions shall be members in good standing of the SP-USA and shall be determined by the State Executive Committee in a fair and just manner, representing insofar as possible the districts areas and viewpoints of the Party in the State and the membership of the Locals. (Passed with one abstention) One resolution was brought forward after discussion of constitutional changes; the text is as follows: The Socialist Party of Wisconsin recognizes the importance of its affiliation with the Socialist Party of the United States of America. The Socialist Party of Wisconsin encourages all socialists in Wisconsin to join the Socialist Party of the United States of America. (1 no Jerry Stastny) The New State Executive Committee Paul Cigler, Chair Anita Zeidler, Vice Chair Nan Pfefferle, Secretary Gerry Shade, Treasurer Kevin Kane, Member-at-large Myrtle Kastner, Member-at-large Jerry Stastny, Member-at-large Linda Randolph, Member-at-large Diane Drufenbrock, Member-at-large (Slate passed by acclimation) The NAC discussed the notes and how they did / did not address the issues brought up at the national convention and asked the National Secretary to include them in the NAC minutes. The Conference Committee will continue to meet at least until the next NC meeting (August), where any follow up resolutions or business could take place. Minutes by Greg Pason Follow-up: The International Commission approved the Tibet statement 7 yes, 1 no and 1 abstention |
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