Monroe County Green Party Meeting October 9, 2000 Monroe County Public Library, Bloomington, IN 7:00-9:00 PM Attendance: Heather Drake, Peter Drake, Milton Fisk, Ken Rogers, Michael Berndt, Mike Strezewski, Chris Stafford, Barnaby Aaron, Lindsey Helms, Bety Mills, Jeff Melton, Paul Colbert, Joseph Osborne, Greg Abbott, Christopher Batson, Banjamin Loudermilk, George Brooks, Steps to Freedom (Sean Bagley), Danna D'Esopo Jackson, Julie Roberts, and Mark Haggerty. Facilitator: Michael Berndt Scribe: Ken Rogers The meeting was called to order at 7:12. Introductions: Everyone present introduced him/herself and indicated his/her interest in the Nader/LaDuke campaign. Agenda: The agenda was distributed and approved. Minutes of the September 26, 2000 meeting: the minutes were approved without modification. Treasurer's Report: Treasurer absent. Coordinators' Reports Media: Peter Drake had a letter to the editor of the Herald-Times published since the last meeting. Milton Fisk has submitted one for publication in the H-T. Heather reported having run into a Democrat who said she was persuaded by Peter's letter to vote for Nader, rather than Gore. A discussion ensued regarding the potential persuasiveness of letters to the editor, which are seen by thousands of people who read the newspaper. The suggestion was made that each person present submit one letter each between now and the Election, to either the H-T or to the Bloomington Independent. Benji Loudermilk reported that radio WFHB was doing a series of third party issues programs, and Jeff Melton reported that he has done WFHB interviews on the Green Party's positions on health issues, which will be aired from this Friday, October 13 through Wednesday, October 18. Legal: Paul Colbert reported that he has applied to the IRS for forms for the MCGP's application for non-profit status. He stated that he should have the forms prior to the next MCGP meeting. Website: Joseph Osborne had not yet arrived at the meeting. Michael informed those present how to access the MCGP's website by going to www.freespeech.org/mcgreens. Listserves: Peter Drake reported that there are now 45 subscribers to the announcements list (btowningreens@egroups.com) and 17 subscribers to the discussion list (btowningreens-discuss @egroups.com). He said that anyone wanting to subscribe can go directly to egroups.com and indicate the list, or one can contact him at pedrake@cs.indiana.edu and he'll subscribe one. Michael then pointed out that the state Greens list is found at ingreens@egroups.com Voter Registration: Michael reported that he and Bethany Hays in Indianapolis have been coordinating the state-wide voter registration effort, and that Tuesday, October 10, is the deadline for voter registration for the 2000 election. Registration forms must be in the hands of County Clerks by close of business on Tuesday or post-marked by midnight, 10/10. IUB Campus: Chris Stafford reported that approximately 30 people attended the meeting of the IUB Campus Greens on Sunday, October 8. He said that the most discussed topic was the IDS exclusion of Green Party and other third party positions on election issues, but the inclusion of Republican and Democrat positions. He said that a meeting between the IDS and the IUB Greens has been scheduled for Thursday, October 12, at 6:30 PM at a location he will post to the btowningreens lists. The Campus Greens have also tentatively scheduled another general meeting for Sunday, October 12, at 7:00 PM in Ballantine Hall Room 109. Lindsey Helms reported that the Campus Greens are in the process of raising $660 for the rental of a billboard in the downtown area, and said that contributions from individuals and groups will be appreciated. She will post the proposed content of the billboard this week, she said. Old Business Leaflets: Peter Drake reported that he and Heather had produced 1,000 leaflets supporting Nader's candidacy, which had been distributed at the Farmer's Market, at an IU football game, and at other events in Bloomington. Heather, Peter, Jeff, Paul, and Ken Miller had done most of the work on leafletting at those events. It was suggested that the IU Homecoming Game on October 21 would be another good opportunity to leaflet, and Chris Stafford said he would try to recruit people for that at the next Campus Greens meeting on Sunday. The Bonnie Raitt Concert at 7:30 PM on October 17 at the IU Auditorium was pointed out as another good opportunity to leaflet, particularly as Raitt has publicly endorsed Ralph Nader for President. Danna suggested creating a leaflet with Raitt's name and Nader endorsement on it, and Heather offered to coordinate the whole Raitt Concert effort. Peter brought up the MTV-sponsored "Invasion Tour" on campus and Lindsey volunteered to check into it as another leafletting opportunity. Press Release Project: Jeff agreed to write a press release regarding Nader's write-in candidacy for distribution to as many media outlets as can be identified, as soon as possible. Heather and Julie volunteered to coordinate its distribution. Write-In Flyer: Ken reported that he is working on a write-in flyer which has why to vote for Nader on one side and how to vote for Nader on the other side. The meeting was adjourned for a five-minute break. New Business Chicago Super Rally: Ken reported that he will rent and drive a 15-passenger van to Chicago, leaving the Memorial Union Building at 2:30 PM Tuesday, October 10, and returning Tuesday night. The cost of the van will be defrayed by contributions of $10.00 each from the riders. Chris Stafford will also drive his car from the same location at 2:30 PM on Tuesday. Ken stated that tickets may be purchased online at votenader.org, by phone at 1-866-NADER4U, or at the ticket office on arrival. They are $7.00 & $10.00 each. Louisville Nader Appearance: Michael shared a flyer which showed that the Louisville Greens are sponsoring a Nader speech in Louisville at the Clifton Center at 2117 Payne Street, Loiusville, KY from 2-3:00 PM on Wednesday, October 11. New nader/LaDuke Flyer: Ken handed out several copies to those present of the new flyers provided by Nader HQ in Washington. Reading Group: Jeff reported that the Solidarity and MCGP reading groups have combined, and that the next meeting is at 7:00 PM on October 19 at the Secret Sailor Bookstore. The redaing will be Howard Zinn's "Representative Government: The Black Experience." Copies are available at the MCPL and at the Secret Sailor. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the MCGP will be at the Elletsville Branch of the MCPL from 7-9:00 PM on Wednesday, October 25. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.