GPMN Coordinating Committee meeting

Saturday, April 8 

Pierre Bottineau Library, NE Minneapolis

1:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Present: Holle Brian, Tom Dunnwald, Cam Gordon, Seth Kuhl-Stennes, Adam Schneider. Roger Kittleson attended briefly to observe and introduce himself.

No online participants

1) Agenda approved with modifications.

2) Seth appointed facilitator.

3) March 11 minutes approved with modifications.

4) Consideration of party leadership / executive roles and responsibilities — discussion and approval

A) Co-Vice Chair

Adam nominated Cam for co-chair. Passed by consensus. Seth’s terms out in July as 5CD rep, may not run for reelection, so we will be looking for another chair at 

B) Finance chair

The CC is looking for people to fill the roles of treasurer and/or finance chair. Becki Smith is currently acting treasurer but would like to step down. Becki, Darnell and Seth are signers for our account at Highland Bank. Sam Pree-Gonzalez has expressed interest in helping with finances. Tom will contact her and confirm.

C) Communications chair

Cam moved to make Adam Communications chair, with the charge of reinvigorating the GPMN’s social media presence. Passed by consensus.

5) Finance report

Treasurer’s reports for the last 14 months are linked to these minutes. April_2023__Treasurer's_Report.xls

In summary: Our ongoing expenses are rent for the office at 4200 Cedar, which is $150 a month; and for National Builder web and database services, which is $148 a month; and bank fees, which are $45-60 a month. The GPMN no longer uses or pays for G-Suite. Monthly donations are currently at $288. Ending cash balance for March 2023 was $1,826.05.

There is also a separate account at Highland Bank for GP tax checkoff funds that has $2,011.93. These funds are not available to us as we are no longer a minor party.

We owe Dave Bicking $600 for rent.

It was suggested that we switch to Northeast Bank as a cheaper and more community-based institution. Tom and Sam will look into this.

If we change banks, we need to contact all our monthly sustainers about the move and encourage them to continue and maybe increase their donations. We may keep both bank accounts until we’ve transferred the monthly donors to the new one. It was agreed that any fundraising campaigns should wait until we have a new bank.

Seth moved to pay Dave Bicking for three months rent ($450). Passed by consensus.

6) Communication, online and data resources and access update

A) GPMN website

Seth and Adam are administrators. Holle will be added as a limited-access admin. Adam and Seth are continuing to work to update the site. We agreed to remove the comments section from the contact page.

B) Twitter

We can’t get access to our Twitter account, because it’s linked to an old mngreens.org email which is no longer active. We are not sure who has been using it in the past. The account has over 3,000 followers and it would be good to retain it if we can. The account is at [email protected]

C) Wikipedia

Needs to be updated. Adam will work on this.

D) Facebook

Cam is still trying to reach Trahern and/or Brandon to get the account transferred. Adam can post on the Facebook page via Instagram as a temporary fix.

E) Instagram

The official Instagram account is “greenpartyminnesota”. There are some other old accounts that are not in use. 

7) Annual Meeting planning and timeline — discussion and approval

A) Surveys to members and allies

Cam and Adam submitted their survey drafts to the CC for review. CC members have until April 15 to comment. If there are no comments or concerns by then, Cam and Adam may circulate the surveys to contacts in the GPMN database, both individuals and organizations. This should be done no later than April 25. Priority will be given to survey responses from Minnesota residents. 

B) “Visioning” meetings

After survey responses have been collected, the CC will host four meetings where we will solicit input from members and allies about the direction of the GPMN. Two of these will be in person, two via zoom. Seth offered to use the 5CD GP’s zoom account for the longer meetings. The visioning meetings for GP members will be held on Wednesday, May 17 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (online); and Saturday, May 20 from 10-11:20 a.m. (in person, location tba). The meetings for allies will be held Wednesday, June 7 from 6:00-7:30 (online); and Saturday, June 10 from 10-11:30 p.m. (in person, location tba).

C) Bylaws and Constitution

The CC has been charged with reviewing the Bylaws and Constitution to see if they can be changed to better accommodate our reduced capacity, and submit proposals for changes, if any, at the 2023 Annual Meeting. Holle and Seth will start this process and bring recommendations to the May 8 CC meeting.

D) Annual Meeting date

It was decided that the Annual Meeting would be held on Saturday, July 15 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., location tba.

8) Future Coordinating Committee meetings and dates — discussion and approval.

May

• Saturday, May 6, 11:00am - 1:00pm CC meeting, East lake Library Conference Room, 2727 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
• Wednesday, May 17, 6-7:30pm - hold member’s vision and goals online meeting
• Saturday, May 20, 10:00-11:30 am - hold member’s visioning in-person meeting, Doty Board Room, Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401

June

• Saturday, June 3, 11:00am - 1:00pm CC meeting, East lake Library Conference Room, 2727 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406

• Wednesday, June 7, 6-7:30 - Allie’s online focus group
• Saturday, June 10, 10-11:30am - allies and supporters in-person focus group, Highland Park Library Community Room, 978 Ford Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55116

July

•Saturday, July 8, CC meeting   

•Saturday, July 15, 11:00 am – 1:30 pm Annual Membership meeting 

9) New business, comments and meeting evaluation - tabled.

GPMN Coordinating Committee working and planning meeting

Saturday, March 11 

Walker Library, uptown Minneapolis

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Present: Holle Brian, Cam Gordon, Seth Kuhl-Stennes, Adam Schneider, David Strand

No online participants

1) Agenda

It was noted that meeting agendas need to be posted seven days in advance in order for action to be taken, which was not done. It was agreed that the March 11 meeting should be a working and planning session of the CC and that decision-making be moved to the next CC meeting.

2) Cam appointed facilitator.

3) Secretary role

Holle has volunteered to act as a secretary to the CC. Her role will include taking meeting minutes, preparing meeting agendas, document management and electronic communication. Holle is currently active in her local DFL chapter in SD28, and wanted to make sure there were no concerns about her participation in this role. No objections were raised.

4) CC roles and responsibilities

- Structure

Currently there are seven interim CC members: Seth Kuhl-Stennes (Mpls/5CD), Samantha Pree-Gonzalez (at large), Tom Dunwald (at large), Cam Gordon (at large), Adam Schneider (at large), Michelle Parker (2nd CD) and David Strand (at large). Seth is party chair. Becki Smith is treasurer. 

- Locals

As far as we know, the only active local is the Minneapolis/5th District Green Party. The St. Paul Green Party is not active. The 4th CDGP’s treasurer, Darnella, has recently filed reports, but it is not active. 3rd CDGP has closed down. 

- CC roles

Previously the GPMN CC has had two co-chairs (only one is listed in our state filings); an executive committee; and designated spokespeople. Other roles could include a financial committee and a social media/database committee. Adam noted that this interim CC is more of a working group than a governing body. Seth is willing to continue as party chair but may be stepping down after the next Mpls/5CD election. It was agreed that for now all current CC members could act as spokespeople for the GPMN.

- Finances

Julie Madden has stepped down as GPMN treasurer. Hers was a paid position. Thank you Julie for many years of service! Becki Smith doesn’t want to continue as treasurer. The CC needs to evaluate our budget and see how much we can pay an accountant, then recruit. Possible candidates include Jesse Lickle and Sam Pree-Gonzalez. In addition, we would like to find a better bank that is more consistent with our needs and values. Sam had mentioned she could work on this.

HR1374 - legislation has been proposed to replace the PCRP with “Democracy Dollars” - a state fund for people to designate for the candidate or party of their choice, without going through the donation and refund process. This will be very helpful to political accountants if it passes. The GPMN is not eligible for the PCRP.

- Website / social media

The GPMN’s official website is mngreens.nationbuilder.com. It is linked to the GPMN database, which is also in National Builder. Theoretically our database is also linked to the national Nation Builder database. Currently Seth and Adam are administrators for the website. Right now, its latest content is from 2021; there are broken links and outdated info. Former CC members have been removed from the site.

The GPMN has a Twitter account, Green Party of MN (#MnGreens) which also has not been updated since 2021. 

The GPMN has an official Facebook page. It is active and up-to-date. There are other GP Facebook pages, but we should only be concerned with the official GPMN one. Brandon is an administrator.  

The GPMN has an Instagram account. There is only one post on the page, a photo of Dave’s building. 

5) Rebuilding / Healing 

Discussion points: “Greens Are Rebuilding”

- We need to engage our members in the rebuilding process, and do outreach to organizations and groups not currently in the Green Party. Invite all to join a conversation.

- The CC agreed to make a visioning survey to email to our members and supporters, with questions about priorities, issues, the goals and future of the Green Party, revisiting the 10KV, demographic and geographic info, and maintaining anti-racism work as part of the GP identity. The survey should include a list of ways to get involved. Adam volunteered to work on this survey.

- The CC agreed to make a second survey to give to outside organizations with the hope of involving our allies in the discussion. Cam volunteered to work on this survey.

- The CC agreed to host an online visioning meeting, to be held in the spring, to encourage input from members outside the metro area.

- Note that the GPMN Annual Meeting will need to be held in June or July, and that the CC should begin planning for that.

6) Endorsements

The CC endorsed the following issues, legislation and campaigns by consensus:

a. East Phillips Neighborhood Institute’s efforts to stop the demolition of the Roof Depot, as well as their plan to turn it into an urban farm, community space, and small business hub.

b. The bill to bring Ranked Choice Voting to state and federal elections.

c. The MN Environmental Justice Table’s effort to phase out and shut down the HERC (The GPMN will be a signed endorser for this campaign).

d. Opposing efforts to raise the bar for getting political party status (SF1827).

Next CC meeting will Saturday, April 8 from 1-3 at Bottineau Library.

— minutes submitted by Holle Brian 

Green Party of Minnesota Coordinating Committee Meeting Minutes

August 18th, 2018

Members present : Andy Hamerlinck, Carol Mellom, Brian Mueller, Emma Matthies, Jake Cassidy, Bryce Lange

Guests: Diane Peterson, Kenneth Conan, Amber Garlan, Becca Lange

Andy H. - facilitator

Brian M. – note taker

A special election was held to fill out the open at-large seats on the coordinating committee. Jake Cassidy, Bryce Lange, Emma Matthies, and Samantha Pree-Stinson were elected unanimously.

CC Meeting Minutes from July were approved

A proposal was made by Andy H. to pay $287 for the theme banner for the state fair booth from the Highland Check-off funds account. Proposal approved by consensus.

Treasurer's report – we are depleting our funds due to the state fair expenses. Andy H. inquired whether our basic recurring monthly expenses are covered by our current sustaining donations. It appears so, but Brian M. will make a full analysis and send it out on Slack. We continue to monitor the monthly sustainers spreadsheet and will contact anyone whose sustaining donation is interrupted.

The CC began organizing and committing to work on our five operational committees:

Finance/Fundraising – Brian M. (chair), Carol M., Andy H., (Samantha P-S.)

maintaining finances, planning and executing fundraising plan, should consider how we will operate after Julie Madden (treasurer) retires

Technology (was Membership Support) – Emma M. (chair), Jake C. (chair), Carol M., (Jim Ivey), (Addy Free), (Eric Gilbertson)

database management, website management, internal communications, pulling email lists, video production, document hosting and updating, project management software, technology and security policies

Outreach – Carol M. (chair), Brian M.

locals development, education, tabling at events, person-to-person follow-up, office tasks (ooma, email, mail, etc)

Communications – Adam S. (chair), (Samantha P-S.), Jake C.

traditional media, social media, spokesperson, develop party lit, mass mailings, email blasts, GPUS opportunities

Politics – Andy H. (chair), Bryce L. (chair), Jake C., Emma M., Carol M.

electoral strategy, candidate identification and recruitment, candidate support, lobbying, interparty strategy, GPUS delegate oversight

Executive Committee- to be selected via online decision-making process before September meeting

should include party chair and finance chair, 3-5 members, assemble agenda for meetings, orientation with Julie Madden (treasurer) and Jim Ivey to familiarize with Campaign Finance Board and Secretary of State requirements, should we appoint an advisory member to the executive committee to provide continuity? legal advisor – David Schultz (pro bono)

We need to update policies document

Each chair should develop a committee plan and estimated budget (budgeting process occurs at December planning meeting, budget proposals due in November)

Carol M. will develop an office clean-up plan and propose it on Slack

Technology Committee Report – Emma M. presented a proposal to migrate documents and provide official email addresses to Google G-Suite, Cost is $5 per account, projected cost would be $55 - $85 per month depending upon number of CC reps seated. Hat was passed to fund it for the first month. Proposal approved. Emma M. will provide more details and submit a policy proposal for technology at the September CC meeting.

Outreach – due to the resignation of the 6^th CD representative, we need to determine if the 6^th CD local should be shut down for now or re-launched. Carol M. and Brian M. will reach out to contacts in the 6^th CD.

Communications – Facebook page has 5,200 likes, Twitter has 3,030 followers

Politics – Andy H., Jake C,, and Paula Overby have met three times and have sketched out four main responsibilities of the politics committee (see above)

1^st CD – Bryce Lange survived the primary, has secured support of closely aligned opponent who was eliminated, did well in western Winona County will focus general election efforts on support in eastern Winona County, phonebank event in two weeks

4^th CD – the trip to the wastewater treatment plant will be rescheduled, the local si donating $300 to the Green Party of MN, Rhoda Gilman was honored by the St. Paul City Council.

5^th CD – Les Lester launched his write-in campaign for the 5^th CD seat being vacated by the DFL incumbent, Tori Johnston's memorial will be September 6^th, she donated her collection of Green Party memorabilia to the Green Party and it could be used to fundraise, Brian M, will reach out to Becki Smith to coordinate.

6^th CD – we need to decide if the 6^th CD local will be decertified or re-launched. Carol M. and Brian M. will contact Steve Laitenen and Kaleb (Josh Fisccher) to evaluate.

GPUS – 3 delegates currently (Andy Schuler, Dee Murphy, and Kaleb (Josh Fischer)

We are in need of booth staff for the state fair. Paula Overby will be at the booth every day of the fair. Our three most critical time slots to fill are August 23^rd from 5-9 pm, August 26^th from 5-9 pm, and September 3^rd from 5-9 pm. The orientation sessions went well. We will have a state fair debrief at the September CC meeting.

Green Party information/education sessions have been tabled until September meeting.

Discussion of how we can migrate away from NationBuilder and save on expense, which currently costs $268 per month. Technology committee will propose technology policies at September meeting.

Green Party of Minnesota Coordinating Committee Meeting Minutes

July 14^th, 2018

Members present : Andy Hamerlinck, Carol Mellom, Adam Schneider, Brian Mueller (quorum requirement met)

Brian - notetaking

Adam - timekeeper

State Summer Meeting Minutes from June were approved

CC Meeting Minutes from May were approved

Treasurer's report – while we are facing financial hardship, we have enough to cover current expenses, and we do have access to checkoff funds for any party-building expenses. Brian will monitor the monthly sustainer spreadsheet and contact any member whose donation lapses.

Member Support - Emma Matthies expressed an interest in helping with membership support committee and joining the CC committee. We need to provide NationBuilder training sessions for CC members and others.

Communications – Andy and Adam have been keeping up with Twitter and Facebook. The Facebook page has 5,213 likes and 5,174 followers, and Twitter has 3,021 followers. In order to maximize quality engagement, we are focusing on MN-specific content. In order to handle Green Party MN day-to-day communication, Andy H will be checking emails. Brian/Carol/Adam/Andy will be contacted when there is a phone message, and Carol will check the mailbox at 4200 Cedar. Brian will contact Jim Ivey about setting up phone notifications.

Politics – Andy and Adam met with Paula Overby, Chris Dock (Libertarian candidate for Auditor), and William Denney (Independence Party candidate for Secretary of State) to discuss common issues. Andy proposed and received agreement on common issues that all three will promote and brand as Purple Movement to advance third party ideals. They would like to use this opportunity to unify on these specific issues and present real alternatives to what has not been working in politics. We will focus on promoting our own candidate but this will also promote grassroots, non-corporate-influenced democracy of all minor parties without cross-endorsing.

Megan Kuhl Stennes, running for Hennepin County Board, has lawn signs available. Bryce Lange, running for Winona County Board, has a booth at the Winona County Fair, and a League of Women Voter's candidate forum on July 25^th.

CD1 – Bryce Lange's campaign is going well, confident he will survive August 14^th primary. We had two new members join us from Lanesboro at our local meeting last Wednesday. Gauging interest in organizing as CD1 Greens to be able to connect Greens across our large geographic area and fill the CD1 vacancy on the CC.

CD4 – Nature walk with David Crawford and Diane Peterson last week. Planning a wastewater treatment plant tour and Zero Waste education opportunities.

CD5 – endorsement meeting today consindering Les Lester for US Representative

Other CDs – The Green Party of House District 17B submitted their bylaws and officers for approval as an official local. Their treasurer can get free training from the MN Campaign Finance Board . Approved by consensus.

GPUS – Barb Huning resigned as GPUS delegate. Current delegates – Andy Schuler, Dee Murphy, Kaleb (Joel Fischer). There are three unfilled slots. We need to explore improved coordination between delegates and CC.

CC Orientation – We will convene separate organizational meeting once CC is better filled out,

State Fair – Lots of activity. Committee met several times. Chelsea Palmer is coordinating recruiting (72 shifts available - 9am-1pm, 1pm-5pm, 5pm-9pm each day). Training dates for volunteers will be Wednesday, August 15, 6:30pm-7:30pm, and Saturday, August 18, 11am-noon, at 4200 Cedar Ave downstairs room. CC proposes one literature piece and one sign for each Green endorsed candidate be allowed at the booth. Approved by consensus.

Four open seats for at-large CC openings – Samantha Pree-Stinson, Emma Matthies, and Bryce Lange are currently interested. We will try to have elections concurrent with the August CC meeting (8/11) starting at 1:30 (tentatively) Brian will contact Bryce, Andy will reach out to Samantha, Adam will reach out to Emma. Carol will talk to Dave about availability of the downstairs room at 4200 Cedar. Brian will set up webpage and email on NB announcing special election. Will need blank paper for ballots at special election. Carol Mellom will serve as interim party chair until after the special election and will contact the SoS and Campaign Finance Board to notify them of the change.

Adjourned 3:20pm

Meeting Minutes here.

Meeting Minutes Here.

Meeting Minutes Here.

Meeting Minutes Here.

Meeting minutes here.

Meeting minutes here.