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National Committee Meeting Seattle, WA August 16-17, 2008 Saturday August 16th Attending: Jerry Levy, Andrea Pason, Peter Moody, Doris Lake, Susan Dorazio, Myrtle Kastner, Beverly Brown, Greg Pason, Eric Chester, Peter Diamondstone, Matt Erard and Jerry Stastny. Meeting called to order at 10:06 am by Jerry Levy, who chaired. Agenda adopted as amended. National Office Report Greg Pason gave a report on recent activities at the National Office. He also reported the following: Membership in good standing is at 1002 The national office is on-budget with revenue of $25,208.00 and expenses of $27,150.50 Finance Jerry Stastny gave the Treasurer’s/ Finance report. The Treasury balance is at/around $134,000.00. Jerry reported that the Finance Committee adjusted investments to move some of the cash into a bond fund, but wanted some input form the National Committee on how funds are to be invested. The committee discussed current investments and alternatives. Motion (Peter D.): To invest $100,000 of the Party’s Treasury in two funds. $50,000 in a “money” funds and $50,000 in a money market. Motion (Jerry S.): To table the investment discussion to the finance committee meeting in December. Motion to table passed unanimously. Dues Share The committee discussed the successes and failures of the dues-share program, specifically the failure in getting state and local parties to take on full responsibility of dues collection and little change in timely dues renewals. Motion (Jerry S.): To suspend the dues-share program until the first order of business at the next National Committee meeting. Motion passed 7 Yes (Susan D., Myrtle K., Beverly B, Andrea P., Eric C., Jerry L., and Jerry S.) 2 no (Peter D. and Peter M.) 2 abs. (Doris L and Greg P.) Motion: To create a special committee to evaluate the dues-share system. Substitute: To direct the Finance Comm. to evaluate the dues-share system and to report suggestions to the next NC. Motion: To replace the motion with the substitute 7 Yes (Jerry L., Myrtle K., Andrea P., Doris L., Susan D., Beverly B and Peter D.) 3 No (Eric C., Greg P. and Jerry S.) 1 Abs. (Peter M.) Motion (as substituted) passed 10 Yes (Peter D., Jerry L. Peter M., Andrea P., Beverly B., Myrtle K., Doris L., Jerry S., Greg P. and Susan D.) 1 No (Eric C.) The committee discussed providing “starter kits” to each local consisting of merchandise, books, posters and other materials for fundraising purposes. The N.O. will provide these kits free of charge with locals keeping 50 % of the profits of all sales. Greg agreed to contact the locals, research the costs and try to get this system started before the end of the year. Dues Waivers The committee discussed the number of waivers granted, specifically by state and local organizations. Motion (Eric C.): State and Local organizations may recommend waivers for their membership, but the waivers must be granted by the National Action Committee. Motion passed unanimously. Motion (Eric C.): When evaluating dues waivers, the National Action Committee shall use the following criteria: 1) dues may be waived for long-term unemployment 2) dues may be waived for prisoners Substitute motion: When evaluating dues waivers, the National Action Committee will use the following criteria: 1) dues may be waived for net incomes under the federal poverty levels allowing for extraordinary medical expenses and court ordered payments. Motion (Peter D.) To replace the motion with the substitute. Motion passed 4 Yes Doris L., Beverly B., Jerry S. and Peter D. 3 No Eric C, Greg P. and Peter M. and 3 Abs. Susan D., Jerry L. and Andrea P. Motion as substituted passed unanimously. Publications Socialist Women/ The Socialist The committee read a report that Billy Wharton sent by e-mail and Susan presented the most recent issue of Socialist Women. The committee discussed general issued related to publication costs, collecting ads, the size of the publication and possibly increasing/ changing the budget in 2009.Tthe budget and these issues will be discussed at the next NC meeting when the budget is passed. Literature Joint Literature Distribution Motion (Peter M.): The Socialist Party will propose to selected organizations, which the NC will designate, distributing each others literature, including papers, journals, fliers, and even discussion bulletins. Each group would have the right to not distribute specific pieces of lit or to withhold specific pieces of literature. Motion failed 0 Yes 10 No (Greg P., Jerry L., Doris L., Susan D., Myrtle K., Beverly B., Andrea P., Eric C., Jerry S., Peter D., and Greg P.) and 2 Abs. (Peter M and Matt E.) Motion (Peter M.) The Socialist Party will deliver copies of all party literature and communications electronically to those members who volunteer to receive it in such a manner. Those who volunteer to receive party information in this way will not receive paper copies. This does not preclude members receiving bundles of party literature for distribution to people interested in the party and its work. The committee agrees this was already a policy and directed the National Secretary to publicize it. Meeting broke for lunch and reconvened at 2:00 pm by Andrea P., who chaired. Wisconsin Discussion Jerry Statstny distributed a personal statement on the Wisconsin discussion. Motion (Peter D.): The National Committee de-charter the Wisconsin organization and all it locals. Motion was not seconded. The committee discussed issues related to the Wisconsin Party and related questions about the Oregon Party and agreed to send specific list of questions to the Wisconsin State Executive Committee. Motion: The National Committee requests answers by the State Executive committee to the following questions. 1) Can non SPUSA members hold local or state office or vote to elect these officers? 2) Can non-SPUSA members vote for delegates to the SPUSA convention? 3) Can non-SPUSA members vote on state or local policy or resolutions 4) Do new members in the SPWI (non SPUSA) have to subscribe to the SPUSA Statement of Principles as all SPUSA members do? Amendment (Peter D.): #5: Can SPWI (non-SPUSA) members publicly endorse or support candidates running against SPUSA candidates? Amendment failed: 2 Yes (Peter D. and Doris L.) 4 No (Beverly B., Andrea P., Greg P. and Myrtle K.) 6 Abs. (Matt E., Peter M. Jerry L. Susan D. Jerry S. and Eric C.) Motion: To pass the resolution (without amendment). Motion passed unanimously. Oregon The committee discussed the three organizations using the name “Socialist Party of Oregon” in the state of Oregon. 1) The SPUSA state organization 2) An Oregon ballot line (without ballot status) 3) A coalition organization There was discussion on the existing organizations and how to differential them and what responsibilities each had. Beverly and Walt explained that they believed that the membership of #2 & #3 were either registered voters or individuals interested in socialism that attended meeting, but neither had a vote on SPUSA related business. Motion: The National Committee believes that only members of the Socialist Party USA should be members of organizations calling themselves “Socialist Party of Oregon”. Motion passed 6 yes (Eric C., Matt E., Peter D., Susan D., Doris L. and Jerry L.) 1 No (Beverly B.) and 5 Abs. (Greg P, Jerry S., Peter M., Andrea P. and Myrtle K.) Socialist National Committee Greg reported that there is approx. $1000 in the SNC fund and that $300 in contributions were recently granted by the NAC. $100 to Jean Treacy (for US House of Reps. From MI) , $100 to Todd Vachon (for US House of Reps. From CT) and Dwain Reynolds (for state-wide school board). Motion (Eric C.): The SNC shall prioritize funding candidates running on the Socialist Party line. Motion passed 7 Yes (Greg P. Susan D., Myrtle K., Jerry L. Doris L. Eric C and Jerry Stastny) 3 No (Peter D., Matt E. and Beverly B) and 2 abs. (Andrea P. and Peter M.) Presidential Campaign Report Walt Brown and Matt Erard gave an update on the status of the campaign. Matt announced that Moore/Alexander was on the ballot in Colorado, New Jersey and Iowa so far, with write-in status in many other states. Electoral Policy Peace & Freedom Party The committee discussed the role of the Socialist Party in the Peace & Freedom Party (PFP) and the PFP’s status as a “broad-left third party”. Motion (Eric C.): The National Committee urges its California members to build the Socialist Party as an activist organization and as an independent party, and to not place energy and resources into building the Peace & Freedom Party. Motion passed 10 Yes (Jerry L., Doris L., Susan D., Jerry S., Beverly B., Andrea P, Eric C., Jerry S., Peter D. and Greg P.) 1 No (Matt E.) and 2 abs. (Peter M. and Myrtle K.) Sunday August 17th Attending: Jerry Levy, Andrea Pason, Peter Moody, Doris Lake, Susan Dorazio, Myrtle Kastner, Beverly Brown, Greg Pason, Eric Chester, Peter Diamondstone, Matt Erard and Jerry Stastny. Meeting called to order at 10:15 am by Peter Moody, who chaired. Howie Hawkins Campaign The committee discussed the campaign of Howie Hawkins on the “Green Populist” line/slogan and his work on the Nader campaign. Motion (Eric C.): To remove Howie Hawkins name from the campaign clearinghouse website and to suspend his membership through Election Day 2008. Motion to divide the resolution (Greg P.) Motion (Eric C): To remove Howie Hawkins name from the Campaign Clearinghouse website. Amendment (Matt E.): .and to direct the National Secretary to follow through on the previously passed “candidate enforcement policy”. Amendment failed 3 Yes (Jerry S., Susan D. and Matt E.) 5 no (Peter D., Greg P., Doris L., Jerry L. and Eric C.) 2 abs. (Andrea P. and Myrtle K) Motion: To pass the resolution (without amendment). Motion passed unanimously. Motion (Eric C.): The National Committee suspends Howie Hawkins through the next election (November 5, 2008) for violating Article VI Section 2 of the Constitution of the Socialist Party USA by supporting and endorsing the presidential campaign of Ralph Nader. Specifically, Howie Hawkins acted as a stand-in for Ralph Nader in the 2008 Illinois Green Party presidential primary. He also played a leading role in the previous Nader presidential campaigns when the Socialist Party had nominated its own presidential candidate. Substitute (Greg P.): To put the following resolution to mail ballot of the full NC: ”To suspend the membership oh Howie Hawkins until after Election Day 2008”. A pro statement is to be written by Eric Chester and a con statement by Howie Hawkins. Motion failed 3 Yes (Andrea P., Greg P. and Matt E.) 7 No (Doris L., Susan D., Jerry L., Myrtle K, Jerry S., Eric C and Peter D.). (Original) To pass the resolution (without amendment). Motion passed 9 yes (Doris L., Susan D., Jerry L., Myrtle K., Jerry S., Eric C., Peter D., Andrea P. and Greg P.) 1 abs (Matt E.). Motion: To close the discussion on Electoral Policy immediately after discussion on authorizing the NAC to make SNC disbursements. Motion failed 5 Yes (Jerry L., Myrtle K., Andrea P., Eric C. and Greg P.) 5 No (Matt E., Peter D., Doris L., Susan D. and Jerry S.) The voted being tied, the chaired voted no to break the tie. The committee agreed to continue the discussion on Electoral Policy until 1 pm Motion (Matt E.): Resolution on Clarifying Constitutional Requirements and Distinctions Regarding Candidate Party Affiliation 1) Whereas Section 1 of the SP Constitution's Article VI: Political Action refers to, "the decision to run state and local candidates under the banner of the Party" and thereby refers to the "under the banner" criterion in all following sections of Article VI which refer to "running" of SP candidates; 2) Whereas the SP Constitution's Article V makes repeated distinctions between the acts of running and endorsing candidates, while also establishing conditions under which SP organizations may jointly run candidates under the ballot label of another Party or endorse candidates running under the ballot label of another Party with national Party approval of the pertaining candidates or parties; 3) Whereas the Constitutional notion of running candidates "under the banner" of the SP is therefore relevant to both the candidate's own Party identification in campaign materials and the partisan label, if any, under which he or she may place on the ballot; 4) Whereas this dual sense of running under the banner is further clarified by the National Convention's Broad Left Third Parties resolution, which requires SP candidates running on the ballot lines of parties approved by the National Committee to still run under the banner of the Party by running openly as Socialist Party candidates and on political programs prompting socialism; 5) Whereas clear conceptions and expectations pertaining to the SP's capacity to nominate candidates are integral to the maintenance and development of the SP as an independent electoral party; 6) The National Committee interprets and resolves that: 1 (a) Such
candidates, in order to be eligible for SP nomination, must run under
the SP banner to the greatest extent possible within whatever
limitations they face to state and ballot recognition of their SP
affiliation.
1 (b) In situations in which SP candidates can only obtain state recognition of their candidacies without party affiliation, this means that such candidates must still fully identify as SP candidates in campaign materials and presentations to the same extent to which they would be reasonably expected to do so if listed on the ballot as candidates of the SP. 1(c) In situations in which SP nominated candidates are authorized to run on the ballot lines of other parties, such candidates should place a priority on their membership in the Socialist Party and on the Principles and Platform of the SP, rather than on the platform of the other party in which they are a candidate. 2(a) To become a recognized candidate of the Socialist Party, a candidate must receive the formal nomination of the Party organization with geographic and Constitutional jurisdiction over the location in which she or he is running as a candidate. In cases where such a candidate is on the ballot line of another party, or is an independent candidate having any ballot label other than socialist, such an endorsement requires the approval of the National Committee, which will be given only under exceptional circumstances. Members of the Socialist Party may only be candidates under the SP ballot label, or where ballot certification under the SP label cannot be obtained, as independents campaigning under the SP label. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the National Committee, which will do so only under exceptional circumstances. 2 (b) At large members require National Committee or National Action Committee approval to run as candidates of the Socialist Party. 2 (c) Candidates who do not have the Constitutional nomination of the SP, as clarified by this resolution, shall not be listed as SP candidates on the SP Campaign Clearinghouse website or in any other SP materials. Motion passed 7 Yes (Doris L. Susan D., Myrtle K., Jerry S., Andrea P., Eric C and Matt E.) 3 abs. (Jerry L., Greg P. and Peter D.) Motion: To authorize the National Action Committee to disburse SNC funds until the next NC meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Activism UfP&J Assembly Motion: The Socialist Party will send representatives to the December 2008 UfP&J national assembly and will work in alliance with other left organizations putting forward steering committee candidates and resolutions calling for: 1) Breaking with and exposing the Democratic Party as a Party of war and imperialism. 2) Continuing anti-war activism and mobilizations no matter which Party is in power. Motion passed unanimously. Cleveland Anti-War Assembly The committee discussed the June anti-war assembly in Cleveland, OH and the controversial re-vote on one of the assembly’s resolution. The committee was in agreement that the resolution on the UfP&J assembly is one the Party should consider if there is another assembly by this coalition. Peter Moody left/ Andrea Pason Chaired. Healthcare The committee discussed a healthcare committee similar to the one organized around anti-imperialism work. Motion (Greg P.) To create a committee on Socialized Healthcare with each local and state party selecting a representative to serve on the committee. The National Secretary will organize the first meeting and the committee will elect its own convener. Motion passed unanimously (Doris L., Susan D., Myrtle K., Jerry S., Andrea P., Peter M. and Peter D.) National Organizing Conference The committee discussed the National Organizing Conference, pro & cons Commissions The committee discussed previous resolutions on the rights/ responsibilities of commission members and conveners. Motion (Eric C.): to pass the following rules on Commission decision making 1) The convener of each commission shall be elected by the national committee, and is charged with the responsibility of making sure that each commission remains within the policy guidelines set by the convention and national committee. Such statements shall be posted on the Party’s website, and printed in Party publications, as signed by the convener of that commission. 2) Commissions may issue statements by majority vote on issues of concern to that commission. Such statements shall be posted on the Party’s website, and printed in Party publications, as having been issued by the commission. 3) Should the convener and a majority of a commission differ significantly on a specific issue, both statements would then be referred to the NAC prior to being issued and the NAC would then decide which statement should be issued. In this case, the statement would be posted and printed as a statement from the Socialist Party. Motion passed 7 yes (Doris L., Susan D., Jerry L., Myrtle K., Andrea P., Eric C. and Greg P.) 2 no (Peter D and Matt E.) 1 abs. (Jerry S.) Other business Motion (Matt E.): To create a three person committee to investigate the benefits and legal ramifications of ending the distinctions between the SPUSA and the SNC. The Committee is to include Matt Erard, David Schaich, and Eric Chester with Jerry Stastny as an alternate and will report to the next NC. Motion passed 8 Yes (Doris L., Susan D., Jerry L., Myrtle K., Jerry S., Eric C., Matt E. and Peter D.) and 1 abs. (Greg P.) National Convention The next National Convention will be held in October 2009 in the North East or South East U.S. Local proposals to host the convention must be submitted by January 1, 2009. Motion passed unanimously. Next NC Meeting Motion (Susan D.): The next NC meeting will be held the Newark New Jersey area on January 24-25, 2009. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 3:15 pm |
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