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National Committee Meeting January 24-25, 2009 * Bloomfield, NJ Attending (all or part): (Co-Chairs) Andrea Pason, Jerry Levy), (Vice-Chairs) Nan Pfefferele, Peter Moody, (NC Members) Doris Lake, Susan Dorazio, Myrtle Kastner, Alice Kelsey, Greg Pason, Steve Sears, Eric Chester, Marc Luzietti, Peter Diamondstone, Matthew Andrews (Alternates) Tessa Salo, Kristin Schall, Matt Erard, Jerry Stastny. Observing (all or part): William Wharton (Editor), Zelig Stern, Gretchen Van Dyck, Amilcar Navarro, Elliot Traiman, and David Wreck. Saturday January 24th Meeting called to order by Co-Chair Andrea Pason at 10:30 am National Committee seated Chairs were selected by consensus Saturday morning: Andrea P. Saturday afternoon: Nan P. Sunday morning: Jerry L. Sunday afternoon: Peter M. National Office/National Secretary Report Greg P. gave the National Office report and discussed the status of active Party locals as well as the number of older inactive locals which are still on the Party’s books. He suggested a process where inactive locals can formally fall out of good standing when members move out of the area or the state/ local committees become inactive. He also reported that membership was still at approx. 1000 members in good standing. Dues revenue has increased by a large amount, but members are still regularly falling three to six months in arrears before renewing so needs help from states and locals in collecting timely membership dues. The end of year operational budget and dues revenue information was distributed handed to NC members. Motion: To accept the National Office/National Secretary report. Motion passed with one abstention (Susan D.) Treasury/Finance Committee Report Jerry S. reported that the Party did suffer some losses in its “socially responsible” funds as well as some of the bond funds. There was discussion about moving all assets into cash. Motion (Peter D.): To convert non-cash Treasury funds to cash or cash equivalents, with the Finance Committee making investment decisions. 12 Yes (Andrea P., Doris L., Susan D., Myrtle K., Tessa S., Jerry L., Peter M., Greg P., Eric C., Marc L., Peter D., Jerry S.), 1 No (Matthew A.) 1 Abs. (Kristen S.) 2009 Budget The committee discussed the proposed 2009 budget and proposed changes: Motion (Jerry L): To increase paid National Secretary hours to 35 per week. Amendment (Peter D.): To increase paid National Secretary hours to 35 per week plus an additional 5.8% cost of living increase. Amendment failed 5 Yes (Peter D., Doris L., Kristin S., Marc L.) 6 No (Nan P., Susan D., Eric C., Matthew A., Matt E. and Jerry S.) 5 Abs. (Jerry L., Andrea P., Peter M., Alice K. and Myrtle K.) Substitute Motion (Matt A.) To increase the salary of the National Secretary by 5.8% with no hourly increase. Substitute failed 6 Yes (Susan D., Eric C., Matt E. Nan P., Peter M. and Matthew A.) 6 No (Jerry S., Kristin S., Jerry L., Doris L., Peter D and Alice K.) 2 Abs. (Tessa S. and Andrea P.) (original) Motion (Jerry L): To increase paid National Secretary hours to 35 per week. Motion passed 12 Yes (Jerry S., Marc L., Kristin S., Jerry L., Doris L., Peter M., Peter D., Matt E., Tessa S., Alice K., Susan D. Myrtle K.) 3 No (Matthew A., Nan P. and Eric C.) 1 Abs. (Andrea P.) Motion (Matthew A.): To continue the suspension of the dues share program until the next National Committee meeting. Motion passed 15 yes (Nan P., Susan D. Myrtle K., Alice K., Tessa S., Kristin S., Jerry L., Peter M., Greg P., Eric C., Marc L., Matthew A. and Jerry S.) 1 No Matt E 1 Abs. (Doris L.) . Motion (Kristin S.): To increase Treasury support by $1,436 to $11,436.00. a fundraising committee will be formed and directed to report plans to raise the additional fund to the NAC in 30 days. Substitute (Matthew A.): To cut General Organizing Funds by $1,500. Substitute failed 5 Yes (Eric C. Nan P., Matthew A., Marc L. and Myrtle K.) 8 No (Greg P, Jerry S, Andrea P., Kristin S., Doris L., Matt E., Susan D. and Alice K.) 3 Abs (Peter M., Tessa S. and Jerry L.). Substitute (Matt E.) To increase the dues revenue line to $29,000. Substitute failed to get a second. (Original) Motion (Kristin S.): To increase Treasury support by $1,436 to $11,436.00. a fundraising committee will be formed and directed to report plans to raise the additional fund to the NAC in 30 days. Motion passed 13 Yes (Andrea P., Alike K., Myrtle K., Jerry L., Jerry S., Marc L., Matt A., Kristin S., Doris L., Peter M., Tessa S., Susan D., and Greg P.) 2 No (Nan P. and Eric C.) 1 Abs. (Matt E.) A Fundraising Committee was approved by consensus: Matthew A., National Treasurer (non-voting), National Secretary (non-voting), Tessa S., Peter M., Kristin S. and Jerry L. Motion: To pass the 2009 Budget as amended. Revenue: Dues ($27,500), Contributions ($9,500), Pledges ($4,500), Sustainer Fees ($1,500), The Socialist/Socialist Women ($1000), Treasury support $11,436) Expenses: Staff (28,000), Bank C Fees ($1300), Off Exp ($13,000), Merchandise ($500), Fundraising ($1000), Rent ($2436), The Socialist/Socialist Women ($6000), Gen. Organizing ($2,500), Meetings ($500), Memberships ($200) Motion passed unanimously The meeting broke for lunch from 2:55 to 4:10 pm Meeting called to order by Nan P. who chaired the afternoon session The agenda was adjusted to fit the remaining schedule for the day. National Convention Location Proposals The committee discussed proposals by the New York City and Northern New Jersey Locals and agreed to first vote for the NYC proposal (1) or Northern NJ proposal (2). New York City: 4 votes (Kristin S., Jerry L., Tessa S. and Matthew A.) Northern NJ: 10 votes (Greg P., Jerry S., Marc L., Andrea P., Nan P., Myrtle K., Peter D., Doris L., Alice K and Peter M.) The Northern New Jersey proposals were voted on: Secaucus: 7 votes (Greg P., Jerry S., Andrea P., Peter M., Jerry L., Peter D and Matthew A.) Newark: 9 votes (Alice K, Susan D., Marc L, Nan P., Kristin S, Tessa S, Eric C, Myrtle K. and Doris L) The Newark proposal (Gateway Hilton) is selected as the convention location. The committee vote don the convention dates and decided to rank two dates. First Priority: October 2-4, 2009 11 votes (Greg P., Tessa S., Marc L., Andrea P., Nan P., Peter M., Jerry L., Eric C., Susan D., Alike K. and Doris L. Second Priority: October 9-11, 2009 2 votes (Kristen S., Peter D.) Planning A convention planning resolution was discussed: Motion (Susan D.) The committee in charge of working out arrangements for the Socialist Party National Convention of 2009 will be known as the Convention Planning Committee. It will be gender balanced and comprised of two people who served on the 2007 Convention Planning Committee, two current National Committee members, two people from the convention site area, two people from west of the Mississippi, and National Secretary, Greg Pason, for a total of nine members. The co-conveners of the committee will be one member from the site area and one member who served on the 2007 Convention Planning Committee. Conveners will be: Tessa S. and Steve S. Committee members: (2007 planning committee) Susan Dorazio and Steve Sears (NC Members) Marc Luzietti, and Nan Pfefferle (Site) Tessa Salo and (West of the Mississippi) Stewart Alexander and (National Secretary) Greg Pason Convention delegate weight ratios were proposed. Motion (Eric C.): One convention delegate for every seven members in good standing with the total membership number rounded up or down to the nearest seven. Substitute (Susan D.): One convention delegate for every five members in good standing with the total membership number rounded up or down to the nearest five. Substitute failed 7 Yes (Greg P., Nan P., Kristin S., Jerry L. Tessa S. Susan D and Myrtle K.) 7 No (Eric C., Jerry S., Marc L., Peter M., Matthew A., Doris and Peter D.) 2 Abs. (Andrea P and Alice K.) (Original) Motion (Eric C.): One convention delegate for every seven members in good standing with the total membership number rounded up or down to the nearest seven. Motion passed unanimously. The following convention deadlines were adopted: Motion (Greg P.): To set delegate weights for state organizations, locals in unchartered states and at-large delegates on the number of members in good standing in the state organization on July 1, 2009. Motion passed unanimously. Motion (Greg P.): Official lists of state and local organizational delegates must be received at the Party’s National Office no later than August 15, 2009. Motion passed unanimously. Publications The Socialist The group read the Editorial Report submitted by Mal Herbert. Billy Wharton then gave the Editor’s report and answered questions. The committee discussed content and focus of The Socialist as well as the role of the Editorial Board. Motion (Eric C.): To name Marc Luzietti to the Editorial Board. 14 Yes (Susan D., Eric C., Matt E., Doris L., Peter D., Matt A., Jerry L., Peter M., Kristin S., Jerry S., Greg P., Andrea P., Myrtle K. and Alice K.) 2 Abs. (Nan P. and Tessa S.) Motion passed. Socialist Women Susan Dorazio gave the Editorial Collective report from Socialist Women. Motion (Susan D.): For the year 2009, the publishing schedule for “The Socialist” and for “Socialist Women” will be as it was for the year 2008, i.e., the 4 issues of TS will be dated January-February, May-June, July-August, and November-December; the 2 issues of SW will be dated Spring and Fall. Motion passed 12 Yes (Jerry S, Myrtle K., Alice K., Marc L., Nan P. Jerry L., Tessa S., Doris L., Matthew A., Peter D., Eric C., Susan D.) 2 No (Kristin S., and Greg P.) 1 Abs. (Peter M.) Motion (Matthew A.): Rooms rented for National Committee meetings must hold at least 20. Motion passed unanimously. Hammer & Tongs The committee discussed upcoming deadlines for Hammer & Tongs. Motion (Greg P.): To set upcoming deadlines for Hammer & Tongs at March 31, 2009 and July 15, 2009. Motion passed unanimously. Archives The committee discussed formerly starting a database of Party resolutions. Motion: To direct the National Office to begin to archive Party resolutions in a web-based database, prioritizing resolutions from the last five years. The National Office will report to the next National Committee. Motion passed 12 Yes (Jerry S., Marc L., Nan P., Peter M., Kristin S., Susan D., Tessa S., Matthew A., Jerry L., Doris L., Greg P. and Eric C.) 1 No (Peter D.) Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm Sunday January 25th Meeting called to order at 10:25 am Peter Moody and Jerry Levy agreed to switch chairing times. Peter Moody chaired Activism/Activist Campaigns The committee discussed s statement on the financial crisis by Eric Chester. Motion: To go into Committee of the Whole to discuss the resolution. 8 Yes (Marc L., Jerry S., Nan P., Tessa S., Susan D., Jerry L., Greg P., Eric C.) 2 No (Matthew A. and Peter D.) 1 Abs. (Peter M.). The committee of the whole came out with the following amended statement: SOCIALISTS CONFRONT THE ECONOMIC CRISIS The current "financial crisis" is not just a temporary setback, nor is it caused primarily by the lack of regulation in the financial sector. The collapse of the financial sector is indicative of the total failure of the capitalist economy. In recent years, the leading recipients of the recent bailout have attempted to justify their “Washington consensus” of decimated social safety nets, massive cuts to wages and benefits, and privatization of public services in the name of mercilessly strict adherence to the “tough love” and “sacrifice” of the “free market.” This deregulation and dismantling of any social protections was a logical step for the capitalists represented by the Republican and Democratic Parties. The call now for regulation of the markets is a hypocritical action by those who continue to promote the “free market” as the solution to all ills. The same power brokers and politicians who demanded the near complete deregulation of the financial sector under "free market" principles, are now calling upon all tax-paying U.S. workers to "come together as Americans" and take "collective responsibility" for their boundless greed and ultimate financial failure under the very standards they themselves imposed. Congressional Democrats, through continuous pledges to reach a "bipartisan" solution to the financial meltdown, have predictably fallen over themselves to reaffirm their reliable role as one of the two great parties of capital. As Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi proclaimed on September 26th, 2008, "We will not leave until legislation is passed that will be signed by the president. The markets need a message from us that we're acting." Barack Obama, who received $25 million dollars in campaign contributions from the financial industry during the 2008 election campaign, likewise urged a rapid, bipartisan passage of the bailout package, "in the spirit of cooperation on behalf of the American people.” As socialists, we understand that there can no longer be any rational debate on the question of pursuing the "free market" as an alternative to the compelling urgency for a socialist transformation of society. The need of the largest capitalist firms to wipe out competition has already led to the centralization of economic power, but in the form of private ownership of an unaccountable ruling class of professional speculators, not of working people. If we the people are now to publicly socialize the costs of our ruling class' disastrous practices, as our corporate politicians demand, what justification can be given for handing the very pillars of our economic security back to their private and unaccountable ownership, once resurrected? The Socialist Party rejects the bailout of the financial sector. Instead, we propose that the government take over the financial sector, and then delegate the distribution of home loans to a decentralized network of non-profit credit unions. These institutions are far less likely to push bogus loans than the white-collar criminals that control the current financial institutions. Under the impact of the crunch in consumer lending that has followed upon the crisis in the financial sector, the automobile industry, which has been slowly unraveling under the impact of global capitalism and a short-sighted refusal to build fuel efficient cars, has reached the brink of total collapse. The end of the U.S. automobile industry would further add to the skyrocketing unemployment that is already occurring as a result of the crash in the housing market. The Socialist Party rejects the bailout of the automobile industry, giving billions of dollars in subsidies to corporate executives that have already demonstrated their abysmal incompetence. Instead, we need an integrated transportation program that will shift people out of cars and into mass transit. The billions in subsidies should be turned into investments in a publicly owned enterprise that would take over the factories that currently produce cars and would prioritize the production of buses, subway cars and trains for government entities. Such an enterprise would be controlled by autoworkers in conjunction with elected representatives of the communities in which these factories are located. While opposing the bailout of insolvent corporations, we also call for programs that will provide support to, and help empower individuals, families, and working people as a whole to take power away from the corporate powers that be. We support building millions of units of low-density, high-quality, low-cost housing. We support a federally funded socialized healthcare system that would eliminate health insurance companies and be controlled by locally elected community health committees. We support elimination of anti-workers laws such as the Taft-Hartley Act and give all workers, including public employees, the right to organize through card check off and the right to strike. We support laws that would encourage the creation of worker-owned and worker-run institutions. We support massive investment in mass-transit and alternatives to fossil fuels. And finally we call for the immediate withdrawal of all troops from both Iraq and Afghanistan (including thousands of national guard troops which have been taken away from their families and jobs to fight oversees), slashing our military budget by at least 50%, and establishing a steeply graduated federal income tax system. The above actions are first steps that would improve working people’s lives, bring the thousands of troops overseas home, raise hundreds of millions of dollars for education and social services, and take the tax burden off of low and moderate income individuals and families. The only solution to the current economic crisis is to move quickly to a socialist society, a society based on cooperation, equality and justice, where the means of production in their entirety are taken into public ownership and are controlled by their workers and the communities in which they are located. As democratic socialists, we stand ready to work with everyone who shares this perspective. Motion passed 12 Yes (Jerry S., Andrea P., Peter M., Matthew A., Nan P., Doris L., Tessa S., Peter D., Eric C., Susan D., Jerry L., Greg P.) 1 Abs (Marc L.) Motion (Peter D.): The National Committee directs the Editorial Board to include the Party’s statement on the Financial Crisis in the next issue of The Socialist. Motion passed unanimously. Anti-War Motion (Matthew A.): The National Committee of the Socialist Party USA endorses the call for mass protests on March 21st to mark the sixth anniversary of the ground invasion and occupation of Iraq at the Pentagon in Washington DC, San Francisco, and Los Angeles being made by the National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupations, ANSWER, and others. Amendment (E. Chester). To encourage state and local organizations to organize or support local demonstrations on March 21st. Amendment failed 3 Yes (Eric C., Jerry S., Tessa S.) 7 no (Peter D. Greg P., Susan D., Marc L., Peter M., Matthew A., Doris L.) 1 Abs (Jerry L., Andrea P. and Nan P.) (Original) Motion (Matthew A.): Motion (Matthew A.): The National Committee of the Socialist Party USA endorses the call for mass protests on March 21st to mark the sixth anniversary of the ground invasion and occupation of Iraq at the Pentagon in Washington DC, San Francisco, and Los Angeles being made by the National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupations, ANSWER, and others. Motion passed 9 Yes (Greg P., Marc L., Jerry S., Peter M., Matthew A., Nan P., Doris L., Tessa S. Andrea P.) 2 No (Peter D. and Susan D.) 2 Abs. ( Eric C., Jerry L.). The committee discussed the Party’s role in existing anti-war coalitions. Motion (Matthew A.): Whereas, UfPJ has made official statements compromising their independence from the capitalist war-making Democratic Party, Whereas, UfPJ has played a divisive role in the wider anti-war movement, including, but not limited to, failing to organize mass actions on the anniversary of the ground invasion and occupation of Iraq for two years running, Whereas, the expansion of the US war on the middle east in Palestine and the transfer of power to a wholly Democratic Party government in the US will necessitate a militant and massive anti-war movement that is politically independent from the Democratic Party in order to achieve its goals, Whereas, other forces in the anti-war movement have already begun to orient in a new direction to address these developments. Be it resolved that: 1) The SPUSA disaffiliates from UfPJ and ceases funding for participation. 2) The SPUSA encourages state affiliates, and locals where they lack statewide organization, to elect representatives to the National Assembly Continuation Body and the SPUSA anti-imperialism committee. 3) SPUSA locals are encouraged to participate in their local anti-war movement with whomever they can in a principled way as socialists advocating non-exclusion, democracy, direct action and mass protest independent of the capitalists' political parties to defeat US imperialist war efforts. Motion to divide. The committee agreed to divide the three “be it resolved” sections. Motion: To table to the next NC. Motion failed 2/3 majority needed. 7 Yes (Jerry L., Marc L., Jerry S., Greg P., Andrea P., Peter M. and Nan P.) 4 No (Matthew A., Doris L., Susan D and Eric C.) 2 Abs. (Tessa S. and Peter D.) Motion: To table indefinitely. Motion passes (simple majority needed) 6 Yes (Greg P., Marc L., Jerry S., Nan P., Andrea P. and Peter M.) 5 No (Eric C., Jerry L., Susan D., Matt A. and Peter D.) 2 Abs. (Doris L and Tessa S.) Susan D. proposed a “War at Home Committee”. Motion (Susan D.): The National Committee hereby establishes a “War at Home” Committee, convened by the Women’s Commission, that will involve the Socialist Party membership in actions to protest the disproportionate effect on low-income women and women of color of the capitalist system in general and the current economic crisis in particular. These actions will begin on or around Sunday March 8, International Women’s Day. The National Committee allocates $100 to the Women’s Commission to cover expenses related to the work of this committee. Motion passed 12 Yes (Greg P., Marc L., Jerry S., Andrea P., Peter M., Nan P., Tessa S., Doris L., Susan D., Jerry L., Eric C. and Peter D.) 1 Abs. (Matthew A.). Motion (Greg P.) The National Secretary will specifically solicit articles on the Party’s relationship to the anti-war/peace & justice movement for the next issue of Hammer & Tongs. Motion passed unanimously. Eric C. gave a report on the border patrol protests in Washington State. Jerry L. chaired Electoral/ SNC The committee discussed the 2008 election and the Moore/Alexander campaign, including ballot access, local organizing and the recent letter by Brian Moore to Pres. Obama. Motion (Greg P.): Former presidential and vice-presidential candidates can not speak for the Party unless empowered to do so. A candidate becomes a “former” candidate the day after the election. This information will be given to all perspective candidates. Motion passed 10 Yes (Greg P., Tessa S, Eric C., Jerry L., Peter D., Peter M., Doris L., Andrea P., Jerry S. and Marc L.) 2 No (Nan P and Matthew A.). Motion (Peter D.): To censure Brian Moore for non-compliance with direction of the National Action Committee direction to remove a letter to President Obama from his www.votebiranmoore.com website. Motion passed 9 Yes (Jerry S., Andrea P., Doris L., Matthew A., Peter D., Jerry L., Eric C. Tessa S. and Greg P.) 1 No (Nan P.) 1 Abs. (Peter M.) State & Local Organizations Greg distributed copies of local and state reports received at the National Office. The committee discussed the status of the Oregon organization. Motion (Eric C.): To de-charter the Oregon organization and all locals in the state for failure to have officers or meetings. The status of Oregon members is not effected by this resolution. Motion passed 11 Yes ( Marc L., Jerry S., Andrea P., Doris L., Peter M., Matthew A., Peter D., Jerry L., Eric C., Susan D. and Tessa S.) 1 No (Nan P.) Nan P. gave a report on the status of the Wisconsin Party. She reported that after taking over as state secretary she was cleaning up the database and hoped and stating to and minutes to the National Office. The committee asked question on membership records and compliance with the SPUSA constitution. Motion (Peter D.): To revoke the charter of the Wisconsin organization. The committee discussed the status of the Wisconsin organization. Motion: To table the discussion of the Wisconsin organization. Motion passed 7 yes (Greg P., Tessa S., Peter M., Matthew A., Peter D., Tessa S., Doris L. and Jerry S.) 3 No (Susan D., Marc L. and Andrea P.) Greg P. discussed the charter request by the Socialist Party of Kansas. Kansas already has two chartered locals and has been actively meeting and organizing. Motion (Greg P.): To charter the Socialist Party of Kansas. Motion passed unanimously Next NC Meeting The committee discussed possible locations and dates. Motion: To hold the next National Committee meeting on June 6-7, 2009 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:15 pm Minutes by Greg Pason |
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Socialist Party
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