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Socialist Party USA: National Committee
Minutes
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Meeting of the National Committee,
Socialist Party USA
Mayday Books,
Minneapolis,
MN
June 25, 2011
Attending:
Billy
Wharton (co-chair), Jim Sanders (vice-chair), Kristin Schall, Stephanie
Cholensky, Mal Herbert, Veronica N., Greg Pason, Matthew Andrews, Marc
Luzietti and Jerry Stastny.
Meeting called to order at 10:15 by Greg Pason
The NC was seated.
Greg P held a poll of when members were leaving. Matt A. said he was
leaving early Sunday (before the meeting) and Marc L. had to leave by
noon on Sunday. It was determined that quorum would be lost by 12 noon
on Sunday, so the agenda was amended with the Treasury report moved to
an on-line report to the National Committee.
Jim Sanders chaired the first session
National Office Report
Greg P. gave the National Office report (written) as well a a breakdown
of national members.
Related resolutions
Motion (Matt A.): To amend the membership application to replace the
term “gender” with “gender identity” and to leave a blank line for self
identification. Motion passed unanimously.
States and Locals
Jerry Statsny gave a report from Wisconsin. He reported that there
continue to be members on the state and local executive committee who
are not members in good standing of the Party. He distributed a
resolution from the State Executive Committee that supported the
current status of the SEC and LEC and requested formal notification
from the NC on any problems.
The NC discussed the history of this issue and the last few attempts to
communicate constitutional requirements to the Wisconsin SEC including
an entire section of the 2007 SPUSA national convention.
Motion (Jerry S.): To give the Wisconsin State Executive Committee
formal notice that all officers of the state and local organizations
must be members in good standing of the Socialist Party USA. Failure to
comply in sixty (60) days will lead to automatic revocation of the
state and local charters. Motion passed: 6 yes (Billy W, Greg P.
Jerry S., Kristin S., Mall H. and Veronica N.) and 4 no (Marc L.,
Matt A., Stephanie C. and Jim S.)
The minutes show that all four no votes were votes in opposition to the
motion because they wanted immediate revocation of the charter.
Motion (Marc L.): Any state or local organization which is in violation
of the constitution of the SPUSA or which has violated the same
provision of the constitution more than once shall not be eligible to
vote for delegates to the following national convention and shall have
its delegate weight set to zero. Motion failed 10 no
Greg P. submitted the state report by the Chicago Socialist Party in
which it stated that it was not currently able to hold delegate
elections and asked for help in doing so.
Motion (Greg P.): To direct the National Secretary to organize a mail
ballot to elect Chicago delegates to the National Convention. Motion
passed 8 yes (Billy W. Jim S., Kristin S., Mal H., Greg P., Matthew A.,
Stephanie C., Jerry S.) and 2 abstentions (Veronica N and Marc L)
Greg submitted the state report from Kansas.
Motion (Greg P.): As per the request of Socialist Party of Kansas
chair, Larry Burks, the NC suspends the charter of the Kansas state
Party and its locals until they can be reorganized. The NC pledges to
support in this reorganizing effort. Motion passed unanimously.
Greg reported that members in California held a state convention where
they elected new officers and requested a charter for the state
organization.
Motion (Greg P.): To charter the Socialist Party of California. Motion
passed unanimously
Finally, Greg reported that there has not been a local committee in
Minneapolis since Stephanie C. had to move from the state. He
recommended that the local be suspended so that convention delegates
can be elected at large and to allow the national the ability to
reorganize the area.
Motion: (Marc L.) The NC suspends the charter of the Central/Eastern
Minnesota Local will be put in the Central US pool for at-large
delegates. The NC pledges to support in this reorganizing effort.
Motion passed 8 yes (Billy W. Jim S., Kristin S., Mal H., Greg P.,
Matthew A., Veronica N. and Jerry S.) and 2 abs (Stephanie C. and Marc
L.)
Meeting broke for lunch at 1:05 pm
Meeting called to order at 2:10 pm by Veronica N
The Socialist/Publication
The national committee discussed the webzine and how the domain was
lost as well as communications issues between the EB and NC. They also
discussed publication costs because of heavier paper stock and size
required by the only union printer we found that could print our run at
an affordable cost.
Motion (Matt A.): The National Committee authorizes The Socialist
is to use the non-union printer that was found previously when the
Editorial Board and Editor searched to replace Saltus, as long as that
printer can produce The Socialist at the original weight (under 1 oz)
and at the current print cost or lower. The National Committee will
continue to search for union printers which will address format, weight
and run issues. Motion passed 5 yes (Matt A., Veronica N., Jerry S.,
Stephanie C. and Mal H.) 4 no (Marc L., Jim S., Kristin S. and Billy
W.) and 1 abs. Greg P.
Motion(Kristin S.): To direct a member of the Editorial Board to draft
a letter informing members that the edition has been printed non-union
and asking for donations to resume union printing. Motion passed 6 yes
(Greg P., Billy W., Jerry S., Kristin S., Stephanie C., Mal H.) 4 no
(Marc L., Jim S., Matthew A. and Veronica N.)
Motion: To put out a call for members of the Editorial Board in the
next issue of Hammer & Tongs. The nominations are due by the post
convention National Committee meeting. Motion passed 8 yes (Billy W.,
Greg P., Matthew A., Jim S, Jerry S., Stephanie C., Mal H and Veronica
N.) and 2 no (Marc L. and Kristin S.)
Technology
Motion (Marc L) Be it resolved that access and password information for
all current National web sites and domain names will be give to the
National Secretary and party approved web masters within 15 days. All
present domains for National Party web sites, if not already, will have
ownership transferred to show the owner as the Socialist Party USA.
Furthermore that the SPUSA shall set up a gender balanced technology
committee to look at these new and emerging technologies and provide
advice to the NC, NAC, locals and to the national convention. The
committee shall have a minimum of 4 (four) members and a maximum of 8
(eight), with no more than 2 (two) from any single local. This
committee will look at creating a technology policy that will include
but not be limited to: (in no particular order) Socialist Party USA Web
site, Web host company, an Official Facebook page, Twitter, DIGG and
other social web technologies, use of cell phone for SMS and MMS
messaging systems, Mailing list and Bulletin board, Providing
technology resources for locals, Moving from propriety software to open
source (ie dump Microsoft), Domain name registrations, Possible SPUSA
Iphone and Android app, Skype or other web cam technology for meetings
and other new and emerging technologies
The committee will also look at fund raising ideas to both improve the
technology of the party as well as using technology to improve current
fund raising.
A call for committee members will go out within 30 days of the passing
of this resolution on the SP Web site, Webzine, all official mailing
lists, and with any mailing that may go out during this time, with a
deadline for applications to the National Office 30 days after that.
The NC shall allow the NAC to approve committee members with a goal of
allowing the committee to start meeting by September 15th, 2011. Motion
passed 8 yes (Stephanie C., Mal H., Veronica N., Greg P., Matthew A.,
Marc L. Jim S. and Jerry S.) 1 no (Kristen S.) and 1 abstention (Billy
W.)
List-serve
Motion (Billy W): 1) The SPUSA listserve will be taken off digest-only
mode, with current list members invited to use other reception options
(direct, e-mail, no-mail/archives, digest, etc). Future subscribers
will be asked what mail they would like when subscribing. The listserve
will continue to be unmoderated, which means no pre-screening of posts
by the moderators.
2) The listserve guidelines will include:
a) Insults, ad hominem attacks, racist, sexist or heterosexist posts
are not allowed
b) Implicit or explicit threats of violence will not be tolerated
c) There is a limit of two posts per day per person
d) No personal attacks – personal attacks are considered to be any
derogatory comment made towards a member which is not directly related
to and of importance in Party business and the topic at hand.
e) No posts which are derogatory towards a group of people or an
individual on the basis of sex, race, sexual preference, gender
identity, disability or religion.
f) No using of list in order to make personal attacks or derogatory
comments in private.
g) No posting of private conversations to the list without express
permission.
h) Conversations taken off list must be made clearly so in the title.
3) Moderators of the listserve will monitor and enforce the guidelines
firmly and fairly, to keep the lilstserve a safe space.
4) For listserv violations:
First violation- Offline warning by one moderator.
Second violation- Suspended from listserve for two weeks.
Third violation- Suspended from listserve for six months.
Placing a member on listserve suspension must be approved by two
moderators.
5) Moderators will be chosen by the NAC or NC. Moderators who do not
properly perform their duties may be removed at any time by the NAC and
replaced by the NC to ensure that the listserve remains a useful
resource for the Party.
6) The full name or name that is used in Party membership and state of
residence must be listed in the listserve membership directory for all
listserve members.
Motion (Matt A.): To sever the resolution. Failed to get a second
Motion passed 8 yes (Billy W., Jim S., Kristin S., Stephanie C.,
Veronica N., Greg P., Marc L. and Jerry S.) and 2 abstentions (Mal H
and Matthew A.)
Convention
The committee discussed delegate weights and registration fees,
specifically taking into considerations travel and travel
considerations.
Motion (Greg P.): To set delegate weights to one delegate for every ten
members in good standing with delegations rounded up at 5. Motion
passed 9 yes (Billy W., Jim S., Kristin S., Stephanie C., Mal H.,
Veronica N., Greg P., Marc L. and Jerry S.) and 1 abstention
(Matthew A.)
Motion (Greg P.): To set the convention registration fees as follows
for delegates and alternates: Southern California $100 –
Central/Northern California $80 – West of the Mississippi (outside of
California) $50 – East of the Mississippi $40. A 10% discount will be
granted for delegates and alternate registration payments made before
Sept. 1, 2011. Observer fee $20. Motion passed 9 yes (Billy W., Jim S.,
Kristin S., Stephanie C., Mal H., Veronica N., Greg P., Marc L. and
Jerry S.) and 1 abstention (Matthew A.)
Motion (Greg P). To set the at-large groupings as follows:
North East (DC, at-large MD, Maine, NH, PA, RI, at-large Vermont);
South East (AL, GA, at-large KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, at-large TN, at-large
VA and WV) Central (AR, IA, at-large IN, at-large IL, KS, MN, MO,
at-large NE) North West (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA) South West (at-large AZ,
CO, GA, NM, NV, OK, UT and INT).
Motion (Greg P.): Delegate weights will be set based on membership in
good standing on July 1, 2011.
Motion passed unanimously
Motion (Jerry S.): To create a committee of all NC members remaining on
Sunday June 26th after NC loses quorum to review rules for the 2011
national convention. Motion passed unanimously
Meeting adjourned at 6:10 pm followed by a screening of “Enemy Alien”
at Mayday Books
Sunday June 26
Attending: Billy Wharton (co-chair), Jim Sanders (vice-chair), Kristin
Schall, Stephanie Cholensky, Mal Herbert, Veronica N., Greg Pason, Marc
Luzietti and Jerry Stastny.
Meeting called to order at 10:07 am by Billy Wharton, who chaired, with
the agenda prioritized so that important business could be addressed
before it lost quorum around 11:15 am.
SNC/Campaign Clearinghouse
Motion (Marc L.): To name Matt Erard as interim Campaign Clearinghouse
Coordinator. The interim term will last no longer than to the 2011
national convention. Motion passed unanimously
Motion: To direct the NAC to conduct a candidate search for a permanent
Campaign Clearinghouse Coordinator. Motion passed 8 yes (Billy W,
Kristin S, Stephanie C, Mal H, Veronica N., Greg P, Marc L and Jerry S)
and 1 abstention (Jim S.)
Motion (Greg P.): To allocate the funds transferred from the LaBotz
campaign to the SNC toward the ballot access lawsuit in Ohio to retain
the Party’s ballot line. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissions
International
Motion (Marc L.): To name Matthew Andrews as International
Commission chair. Motion passed unanimously
Charters
Motion (Greg P.): The National Commission renews the charters of the
International and Faith & Socialism Commissions. All other
Commissions no longer are chartered but can reapply in the future.
Motion passed unanimously
Other Business
Motion (Marc): To move the Resolution on Party Property to the
post convention NC. Motion to table passed 8 yes (Greg P, Jerry S, Jim
S, Marc L, Kristin S, Mal H, Stephanie C, Veronica N) and 1 no (Billy W)
Motion (Greg P.): To endorse the Stand Up and Be Counted March in
Washington DC on Labor Day weekend 2011. Motion passed 7 yes
(Greg P, Bill W, Jim S, Kristin S, Mal H, Stephanie C and Veronica N)
and 2 abstentions (Jerry S and Marc L)
Meeting adjourned at 11:15 am
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