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Meeting
of the National Committee
January
23-24, 2010
Charlottesville,
VA
Attending: Billy Wharton (Co-chair),
Diana Demers (co vice-chair), Jim Sanders, (co Vice-chair), Sally
Joyner, Kristin Schall, Stephanie Gussin, Stephanie Cholensky, Doris
Lake, Gretchen Van Dyck, Steve Tash, Rafael Thurin, Greg Pason, Matthew
Andrews, Peter Moody, Zelig Stern, Brandon Collins and Amilcar
Navarro.
Meeting
called to order at 10:15 am by Billy Wharton, who chaired.
Co-chair
report
Billy
W. gave a report on recent activities, including letters he and
Andrea P. wrote to CCDS, Solidarity and DSA as Party co-Chairs,
inviting dialogue. He also reported on an organizing trip he and
Kristin S. made to Philadelphia and a Local Organizing booklet he
compiled with other members for the Party, which will be submitted
later during the NC meeting.
National
Office Report
Greg
gave the National Office report including an update on staff hours,
membership and the status of the Party office. Membership number
dropped because of the new grace period rules, but dues revenue has
been steady. He also reported that after a year plus of discussion the
AJ Mustie Institute has decided to move all the organizations in the
current building (339 Lafayette) to a new location in NYC (probably
closer to mid-town) because of structural issues with 339 Lafayatte St.
and that he, Billy and Andrea have been in regular communication with
the Muste Institute and attending building meetings. The move will most
likely happen in the summer or Fall of 2010 and there should be little
“down time” with phone and mail forwarding and the on-going virtual
office via the website.
Motion (Greg P): The National
Committee re-affirms the Socialist Party’s involvement in the AJ Muste
Institute movement housing program, including relocating to a new AJ
Muste Institute location. Passed unanimously.
Motion (Greg P.): To authorize the
National Secretary and both Co-Chairs to serve as a liaison committee
with the AJ Muste Memorial Institute and to oversee the National Office
relocation. Passed unanimously.
Treasury
Jerry
Statsny e-mailed the following statement on the Treasury “As of January
20, 2010 our current market value of investment holdings is $98,407.02.
This is down from $99,782.52 on 10/31/09. This is actually an
improvement on our decreases of the investment account. Cash
draws have decreased to $3250 since 10/30/09 while the investment value
has stayed steady and income return has been good.” Jerry also reported
that he has found open-source accounting software and that the NC needs
to help with a better job description for the Treasurer and re-organize
the Finance Committee.
Budget
Greg
P. distributed the financial report from 2009 and the proposed budgets
for the National Office and The Socialist, along with budget
suggestions for the National Organizing Conference.
The
group discussed the cost of producing Hammer & Tongs, the Party’s
internal discussion bulletin, as well as possible changes in ways the
bulletin is distributed.
Motion: To give members the
opportunity to receive H&T online in pdf format instead of by mail.
Motion passed 15 yes Billy W., Diana D., Jim S., Sally J., Kristin S.,
Stephanie G., Stephanie C., Gretchen V., Steve T., Rafael T., Greg P.,
Matthew A., Peter M., Zelig S. and Amilcar N.) 1 no (Doris L.)
Motion: To pass the following
Nation Office Operational Budget: Revenue: Dues- $27,500;
Contribs/Fundrasing-$10,000; Merch sales- $1,750 = $39, 250.00
Expenses: Staff $27,000; Bank Fees $1700; Office Exp- $12,000;
Merchandise- $500; Rent $2880; H&T/TO- $1000; Organizing- $2,500;
NC Meetings 650.00 Passed unanimously.
Fundraising
The
NC discussed a proposal to re-create a Fundraising Committee.
Motion (Kristin S.): The authorize
Kristin Schall to write a fundraising letter for the IWD mailing of The
Socialist.
Motion
passed unanimously.
Motion (Zelig S.): To authorize
Zelig Stern to start the process of compiling a database of contacts
for fundraising purposes. Motion
passed unanimously.
The
meeting broke for lunch at 12:15 and reconvened at 1:30 pm
Diana
Demers chaired
Publication
Copies
of the last three issue of The Socialist were distributed to NC members
and the Editorial Board Convener and Editor’s reports discussed.
Marc
Luzietti called in to answer questions as EB convener.
Motion:
To pass the expense budget of The Socialist and to set goals of 100 new
subscribers and $500 in advertisement revenue for 2010. The budget will
be reviewed at the next NC. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion: To direct the Editorial
Board to investigate the costs of subscription postcards for insertion
in The Socialist and to report back to the NAC with costs and
authorization to purchase them. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissions
Women’s
Commission
Motion:
The National Committee will encourage SP members and affiliates to
1)
Commemorate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day by
planning actions and events that focus on the world-wide assault on the
public sector
2)
Put forward a socialist feminist analysis and program (as outlined in
our SP Statement of Principles and Platform) as regards the issues
involved in this assault
3)
Adopt the slogan “International Women’s Day 1910-2010… Women
Still in the Streets for Socialism… Rights, Equity, Justice… Stop the
Assault on the Public Sector!” as a way to honor IWD's socialist
founders, and to link their issues and activism with ours today
4)
Seek the participation of socialist organizations in the US and abroad
by circulating the Women’s Commission “International Call for IWD
Action” via personal contacts. Motion passed unanimously
Motion: To name Gretchen Van Dyck
as the convener of the SPUSA Women’s commission as of March 9, 2010.
Motion passed unanimously.
Faith
Motion: To name Josh Hatala and
Landon Frim as co conveners of the Party’s Faith and Socialism
Commission and continue the charter of the commission. Motion passed 14
yes Billy W., Diana D., Jim S., Sally J, Kristin S, Stephanie G,
Gretchen V., Steve T., Rafael T., Greg P., Matthew A., Peter M., Zelig
S. and Amilcar N. 1 no (Doris L.) and 1 abs (Stephanie C)
Labor
Zelig
S. gave a short report on the new commission and a positive response he
received to the Labor Commission survey. Motion: To continue the
charter of the Labor Commission. Motion passed unanimously.
Queer
Commission
Jim
S. gave a report on the status of the Queer commission and reported
that the commission was still in the process of re-organizing.
Motion: To continue the charter of the Queer Commission with Jim
Sanders as chair/convener. Motion passed unanimously
People
of Color Commission
Amilcar
N. gave a report from the People of Color Commission and reported that
he and Erik Toren have been working to get the commission more active.
Motion: To continue the charter of the People of Color Commission with
Erik Toren as chair/convener. Motion passed unanimously
International
The
group discussed the recent call for a meeting of “Fifth International”
in Venezuela.
Motion: The National Committee
endorses sending a member to the 5th International meeting in Caracas
Venezuela. The International Commission will select a member to attend
and find funding sources to cover travel expenses. The International
Commission will also discuss the political perspective that the
representative will present and bring that suggestion to the National
Action Committee for approval. Motion passed unanimously.
YPSL
The
committee discussed the status of YPSL. Peter Moody and Matthew Andrews
reported that YPSL no longer had an active National Committee and has
not held a convention in 2009.
Motion:
To suspend the current YPSL website and put up a temporary site which
directs inquiries and contact information to the National Office. The
National Office will use those contacts to help organize a YPSL/ youth
meeting at the National Organizing Conference. Motion passed
unanimously.
Electoral/SNC
The
committee discussed the Campaign Clearinghouse and the status of the
coordinator. It was reported that David Schaich was filing SNC
paperwork with the FEC and would continue to do so but preferred to
pass on the responsibilities to another member when one if found
willing to do the job.
The
group discussed some issues remaining from the Brian Moore/ Stewart
Alexander campaign, including the $1000 loan still owed the SNC and
collecting the campaign database. Steve T. said he would speak to Brian
Moore about getting a list of campaign contacts.
Alexander
for Governor
Stewart
Alexander sent the NC a letter requesting authorization to run as a
candidate for Governor in the Peace & Freedom Party primary.
Motion: To authorize Stewart
Alexander to run as a Peace & Freedom candidate for Governor in
California. Motion passed 14 yes (Billy W., Diana D., Sally J., Kristin
S., Stephanie G., Doris L., Gretchen V., Steve T., Rafael T., Greg P.,
Matthew A., Peter M., Zelig S. and Amilcar N.) 2 abs (Stephanie
C. and Jim S.)
Greg
reported that there will be a phone conference with Ohio members on
Sunday at 1:00 pm to discuss their state charter.
States/Locals
Indianapolis
The
Greater Indianapolis reported a problem with a local activist putting
forward statements and posting a website claiming to control the SP in
Indianapolis and asked for a resolution form the NC confirming their
existence and relationship with the Party.
Motion (Billy W.): Resolution on the
Greater Indianapolis Chapter of the Socialist Party USA
1)
The Greater Indianapolis Chapter of the Socialist Party USA stands for
the creation of democratic socialist society through a radical
democracy that places people's lives under their own control - a
non-racist, classless, feminist socialist society.
2)
The Greater Indianapolis Chapter of the Socialist Party USA supports
militant working class struggles and electoral action, independent of
the capitalist controlled two-party system, to present socialist
alternatives. We strive for democratic revolutions - radical and
fundamental changes in the structure and quality of economic,
political, and personal relations - to abolish the power now exercised
by the few who control great wealth and the government.
3)
The Greater Indianapolis Chapter of the Socialist Party USA believes
that People around the world have more in common with each other than
with their rulers. We therefore align with no nation, but only
with working people throughout the world.
Resolved
that the National Committee of the Socialist Party USA recognizes the
following officers of the Greater Indianapolis Chapter of the Socialist
Party USA as its official representatives in the state of Indiana:
Chair
- Rebecca Bow 17433 Trailview Circ Noblesville, Ind
46062
Vice
Chair - Ron Haldeman 2440 N. Park Ave. Indianapolis INd
46205
Secretary
- Michael Murphy 17433 Trailview Circ Noblesville, Ind 46062
Treasurer
- John Behrendt 8235 Spyglass Dr. # 3A
Indianapolis, Ind 46260
Motion
passed unanimously
Meeting adjourned at
5:25 pm
Sunday
Meeting
called to order at 10:10 am by Kristin Schall, who chaired.
Remaining
Business from Saturday
Disability
Commission
Greg
gave a short report on a proposal to charter a disability commission by
Phil Mungai.
Motion:
To charter a Disability Commission with Phil Mungai as convener. Motion
passed unanimously.
Structural
Local
Organizational Proposal
The
committee discussed a proposal on regional organization presented by
Billy Wharton.
Motion
(Billy W.): Socialist Party Local Communications
1)
Locals will be divided into five groups based on geography. Locals
inside these groups will be encouraged to open new channels of
communication with each other.
2) The following
measures are suggested:
- A
quarterly phone conference for each geographical grouping
- An
email listserve for each group – one rep from each local should be on
this listserve
- A
website through which the groups may share resources
3)
In order to enhance the potential success of this plan, the co-chairs
and vice co-chairs of the NC will be directed to be responsible for
aiding one geographic grouping, in building these new communication
channels as well as any other endeavors the respective geographical
groupings wish to engage in. the New England region will pick
their own convener. The chair people will be responsible for making a
report to each meeting of the NC on progress.
4)
The suggestion for groupings is as follows:
New
England: Brattleboro, Connecticut, Massachusetts organizations plus
interested at-large members.
Mid-Atlantic:
New York, New Jersey, Baltimore plus interested at-large members.
Mid-West:
Chicago, Indianapolis, Oklahoma City, Michigan, Kansas, Wisconsin plus
interested at-large members.
South:
Florida, Memphis, Central Virginia, Texas plus interested at-large
members.
West:
California plus interested at-large members.
5)
Locals may choose on their own to opt-out of one group and affiliate
with another. Members who are unaffiliated to a local, especially those
in the West, will be encouraged to participate in the quarterly phone
conferences.
Motion passed 15 yes (Billy W, Jim
S, Diana D, Kristin S, Stephanie C, Doris L.,Stephanie C,
Gretchen V., Steve T., Rafael T., Greg P., Matthew A., Peter M., Zelig
S. and Amilcar N.) 1 abs (Sally Joyner)
National
Organizing Framework
Matthew
A. discussed his proposal for a National Organizing Framework.
Motion (Matthew
A.): The National Organizing Framework of the Socialist Party USA
The
Socialist Party USA seeks to coordinate participation in ongoing
national and international struggles on behalf of the dispossessed. The
purpose of this document is to outline our priorities and structure for
participation in mass movements.
We
participate in coalitions that meet the following political standards:
1-
We are welcome to participate openly as socialists and advocate
socialist perspectives Demands are made that advance the struggle
toward socialism and do not violate our principles
2-
The general body is the highest decision-making body with the power to
set policy and elect leadership through one-person, one-vote.
3-
Decision making is transparent with recorded votes.
While
all struggles that meet these political standards are worthy of our
support, we prioritize those that meet the following material
conditions: urgent consequences are unfolding the issue is eliciting
widespread action among the working class our involvement has the
potential to have a meaningful impact. With these considerations in
mind, the National Committee of the Socialist Party USA shall establish
our own campaigns based on the following issues:
Anti-Imperialism
The
War on the Poor
Universal
Health Care
The
SPUSA National Committee encourages all chartered state and local
organizations as well as individual members to join local coalitions
and build grassroots efforts to address these issues.
Furthermore,
the SPUSA National Committee shall:
1-
Appoint a national organizer to facilitate each of our campaigns.
2-
Charge SPUSA campaigns with developing a socialist perspective as well
as a strategy for advancing that perspective in the mass movement.
SPUSA campaigns shall develop SPUSA literature and propaganda to
advance our perspective and recruit new members. SPUSA campaigns are
encouraged to develop their own projects with specific targets and
goals that SPUSA members can participate in.
3-
Mandate that each SPUSA campaign integrate fundraising into its work,
and coordinate with national fundraising efforts to both fund campaign
projects and meet general budgetary goals.
4-
Require SPUSA campaigns to report to the National Committee and adjust
in any way the National Committee directs.
5-
Host regular National Organizing conference calls. Each chartered
local, state, campaign, and commission shall be invited to send one
representative to the phone conference in order to coordinate national
actions, directly share information, and consult one another on matters
of grassroots organizing and Party building. These National Organizing
phone conferences shall be facilitated by the National Co-Chairs, or
Co-Vice-Chairs. These calls shall not constitute a deliberative body.
Amendment (Greg P): To change the
second paragraph to read : “We participate in coalitions that meet, or
work in these coalitions to get them to meet the following
standards”, To remove paragraph three and remove points #2 through #5.
Amendment passed 8 yes (Billy W., Zeilg S., Greg P., Stephanie G.,
Diana D., Kristin S., Steve T. and Gretchen V) 6 no (Rafael T., Matthew
A., Amilcar N., Sally J., Stephanie C., Doris L.) 1 Abs (Peter M.)
Motion: To pass the resolution as
amended. Motion fails: 5 yes (Greg P., Matt A., Steve T, Stephanie G.,
Diana D.) 8 no (Billy W., Rafael N., Zelig S., Gretchen V., Sally J.,
Amilcar N., Doris L., Kristin S.) 2 abs (Peter M. and Stephanie
C.).
Members
List
The
committee discussed problems with the members list and what action, if
any, should be taken.
Motion (Matthew A.): To abolish the
members list. Motion failed 2 yes (Matthew A., Amilcar N.) 10 no (Billy
W., Diana D., Sally J., Kristin S., Stephanie G., Doris L., Gretchen
V., Steve T., Greg P., Zelig S.) and 3 abs. (Stephanie C., Rafael
T. and Peter M.)
Motion (Greg P): To suspend the
members list until the next NC meeting, and in that time encourage
members to use the discussion board. There will be a one-week period
before the list is suspended, and in that time the National Secretary
will communicate with members, explaining that the board is being
suspended while the NC is considering list options. Motion failed 5 yes (Greg P.,
Matthew A., Steve T., Stephanie G and Peter M.) 8 no (Rafael T., Zelig
S., Diana D., Gretchen V., Sally J., Doris L., Billy W and Kristin S.)
2 abs (Stephanie C and Amilcar N.)
Motion (Peter M.) To change the
members-list to digest only. Motion
passed 6 yes (Kristin S., Greg P., Matthew A., Rafael T., Diana
D. and Stephanie G.) 5 no (Billy W., Doris L., Sally J., Steve T. and
Gretchen V.) 4 abs (Stephanie C., Zelig S., Peter M. and Amilcar N.)
Moderators
Motion (Greg P.): To name Peter M.
and Steve T. as e-mail list moderators and invite Steve S. to continue
as a third moderator if he is interested. Motion passed 13 yes (Billy
W., Diana D., Sally J., Stephanie G., Stephanie C., Gretchen V., Jim
S., Rafael T., Greg P., Matthew A., Peter M., Zelig S. and
Amilcar N.) 1 no (Doris L.) 1 abs (Steve T.)
Motion (Billy W.): The National
Committee would like to begin the transition from the members list to
the discussion board and asks Rafael T. to produce and short users
guide for the board which can be sent over various SPUSA mailing lists.
Motion passed 15
yes (Billy W., Rafael T., Greg P., Jim S., Matthew A., Peter M., Zelig
S., Amilcar N., Stefanie G., Diana D., Sally J, Kristin S., Doris L.,
Steve T., and Gretchen V.) 1 no (Zelig S.)
Think
Tank
Steve
T. submitted a proposal to create a Party think-tank called the Eugene
Debs Institute.
Motion (Steve T.): Resolved that the
Socialist Party USA shall:
1.
Form a think tank in order to promote the principles and stances of the
Socialist Party USA in academic, policy, and media circles; develop
specific, socialist policy solutions to societal ills; provide detailed
and evidenced socialist analysis of the world we live in; and document
the historical socialist involvement glazed over or ignored by
mainstream media.
2.
The name of this think tank shall be the Eugene Victor Debs Institute
(EVDI).
3.
The EVDI shall be headed by a Director.
a.
The Director shall be responsible for the solicitation of papers,
fact-checking, appraisal, publishing of the papers submitted, and
maintaining the EVDI website. These responsibilities can be
delegated to other members of the party, formally or informally, at the
Director’s discretion on a voluntary basis.
b.
The Director shall be elected by the National Committee by majority
vote. A new vote for Director must take place at the first
meeting of every new National Committee. The former Director is
eligible for reelection.
c. A
recall of the Director may be done through normal referendum procedure
or by super-majority vote of the National Committee.
4.
Papers submitted to the EVDI shall be considered eligible for
publishing if they can be reasonably placed into one of the following
categories: a. Policy positions, b. Electoral strategy, c. Economic
analysis d. Historical analysis,
e.
Political analysis, f. Cultural/societal analysis g. Memoirs of
comrades, of a political nature
5.
Papers shall be evaluated on the following bases and shall generally be
accepted if they qualify under each:
a.
Falls within the scope of the Statement of Principles, b. Is of
academic quality including citations in a standard format (e.g.
MLA, Chicago Style, etc). Memoirs are exempt from this condition. c. Is
free from spelling and grammatical errors. d. Falls into one of the
aforementioned categories. e. Does not include clear factual
inaccuracies.
6.
If any paper is not accepted when it meets these guidelines, through a
claim of extraordinary circumstances by the Director, the
Director must present these reasons to the National Committee at their
next meeting. The decision to exclude the paper may be overridden
by general referendum procedure or by majority vote of the National
Committee.
7.
When any paper is rejected, the reasons for the decision must be made
clear to the author in writing. The author must also be presented
with their rights to appeal to membership at large or the
National Committee or resubmission with appropriate editing.
8.
Submissions shall be accepted from people worldwide.
Submissions not written in English must be translated into English
prior to being accepted. Attempts will be made to solicit
trusted comrades to translate all works into languages in the order of
their prevalence of their fluent usage within the United States.
9.
Papers published by the EVDI shall be published online through its
website.
10.
If certain conditions are met, a print journal may be published.
a.
Any print journal must be offered on a subscription-only basis.
Such subscriptions shall be offered on a quarterly, semi-annual or
annual basis. If for any reason, a print subscription cannot be
met timely, subscriptions will be extended in such a manner to grant
them the same number of journals they paid for., b. A print
journal shall be entitled The Eugene Victor Debs Institute Journal., c.
The Director shall attempt to produce any print journal at an at-cost
basis., d. As there may be limited space in a print journal, the
Director shall attempt to include papers in a manner that represents
the full spectrum of views within the Socialist Party USA.
11.
The following disclaimer shall appear in any publication of the
EVDI: [T]he papers herein are verified to fall
within
the scope of the Statement of Principles of the Socialist Party
USA. They, however, do not necessarily represent the official
stance of the Socialist Party USA.
Amendment (Greg P) To rename the
organization “Institute for Socialism as Radical Democracy”.
Accepted as friendly.
Motion failed 2 yes (Steve T. and
Greg P.) 12 no (Billy W., Jim s. Rafael T., Matthew A., Peter M.,
Amilcar N., Stefanie G., Diana D., Sally J, Kristin S., Doris L.,
Gretchen V. and Zelig S.)
Ohio
Greg
P., Billy W. and Diana D. reported back from the phone conference they
had with members of the Socialist Party of Ohio and ballot access
lawyer Mark Brown.
Motion (Greg P.): To re-charter the
Socialist Party of Ohio with the following members as the new state
committee Dan LaBotz as Secretary Cliff Brown as Treasurer and Mary
Loritz as Chair. These officers will serve as the state committee until
the next Ohio state convention in spring 2010. Motion passed
unanimously.
Literature
Billy
W. handed out copies of a proposed pamphlet “How to Organize a Local”
Motion
(Billy W.): To pass the pamphlet “How To Organize A Local”, with future
content changes to be made by the NAC or NC. Motion passed 14 yes and 1
abstention
Early
Submission to the National Committee
Zelig
S. handed out his resolution on “Early Submissions to the National
Committee”
Motion (Zelig S.): 1. Resolved,
Motions and resolutions being brought to the National Committee may be
submitted to the National Secretary in written form via hardcopy or via
an on-line form created by the National Secretary on the Party website,
as well as sent out over the Members listserve, the National Committee
listserve and Key Contacts list no more than three weeks prior to the
National Committee meeting. Motions and resolutions submitted in
writing or via the on-line form will be distributed in paper form by
the National Secretary to the “Key Contact List” and the members of the
National Committee no less than two weeks prior to a meeting of the
National Committee.
2.
Resolved, Motions and resolutions, including secondary motions
(amendment to motions being debated), moved at the National Committee
which are not submitted in the manner laid out above, e.g. motions
submitted late or made at the table without prior distribution, must
receive a majority vote to be debated. Motions moved at the National
Committee which were submitted in the manner laid out above must be
seconded before being debated as laid out in Roberts’ Rules.
3.
Resolved, A “Key Contact List” must be created containing names, phone
numbers, addresses, and email addresses of all state and local
secretaries and at-large members who are active in trying to organize
locals. Additionally any member who wishes to be on the “Key Contact
List” may sign up. A listserve must be created for all people with
e-mail addresses on the “Key Contact List”.
4.
Resolved, It is the responsibility of state and local secretaries and
at-large members on the “Key Contact List” to attempt to distribute
motions being brought to the National Committee to members in their
state or local areas.
Amendment (Sally J.): To amend
section 2 to read “Resolved, Motions and resolutions, including
secondary motions (amendment to motions being debated), moved at the
National Committee which are not submitted in the manner laid out
above, e.g. motions submitted late or made at the table without prior
distribution, must be submitted to the National Committee in hard copy
and be moved to the end of the agenda. Motions moved at the National
Committee which were submitted in the manner laid out above must be
seconded before being debated as laid out in Roberts’ Rules. Amendment
passed 9 yes (Billy W. Amilcar N, Peter M., Stephanie G., Steve T.
Diana D, Rafael T., Zelig S and Kristin S.) 7 no Greg P, Doris L,
Brandon C., Sally J., Stephanie C., Gretchen V, Matt A.)
Amendment (Greg P.): To eliminate
section 2.
Chair
rules out of order. Cannot revote on same section, but rules new
wording is in order.
Amendment (Greg P): To replace
section 2 with the word “uh-huh“.
Chair
clarifies that resolution can be split.
“Uh-huh”
motion withdrawn and motion to split put forward.
Motion (Greg P.): To divide section
2 from the rest of the resolution. Motion to divide passes clear
majority.
Motion: To pass sections 1, 3 and 4.
Motion passed 13 yes (Billy W., Diana D., Sally J., Kristin S.,
Stephanie G., Stephanie C., Doris L., Gretchen V., Steve T., Greg P.,
Peter M., Zelig S. and Amilcar N.) 1 no (Brandon C) and 2 abs
(Matt A. and Rafael T.)
Motion: To pass section 2. Motion
failed 5 yes (Kristin S., Billy W., Stephanie G., Steve T. and Diana
D.) 8 no (Doris L., Brandon C., Sally J., Gretchen V., Peter M., Zelig
S., Matt A and Greg P.) 1 abs (Rafael T.)
Activist
Campaigns
US
Social Forum
Motion (Greg P.): To empower the
Detroit Local to organize a panel at the US Social Forum in the name of
the Socialist Party USA and to allocate up to $200 to cover forum
registration costs. Motion passed unanimously.
March
20th Anti-War Mobilization
Motion
(Greg P.): To endorse the March 20th Anti-war mobilization in
Washington DC and organize a SPUSA contingent there. Motion passed
unanimously.
National
Organizing Conference
Location
The
NC discussed proposals by South Central Wisconsin (Madison), Detroit
and New York City to host the National Organizing Conference.
Votes: Madison: 10 votes
(Matt A., Greg P., Doris L., Brandon C., Sally J., Gretchen V.,
Stephanie G., Peter M, Steve T., and Zelig S)
Detroit:
4 votes (Billy W., Amilcar N., Diana D and Rafael T.)
New
York: no votes
The
National Organizing Conference will be held Madison.
Motion: To hold the conference on
the first or second weekend of August. Motion passed 10 yes 2 no (Sally
J and Gretchen V) 2 abs (Doris L. and Zelig S.)
Motion: To create a National
Organizing Conference Committee of reps from the South Central
Wisconsin Local and Greg P., Billy W., Matt A., and Kristin S. Motion
passed unanimously
Next
National Committee
The
NC discussed locations and dates for the next NC meeting.
Motion (Matt A.): To hold the next
NC meeting in Boston. Motion failed 3
yes (Greg P., Pete M. and Matt A.), 12 no
Motion (Rafael T.) To hold the next
National Committee meeting on June 19-20, 210 in Detroit Michigan.
Motion passed unanimously
Meeting
adjourned with the singing of the Internationale
Minutes
Greg Pason
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