The meeting was called to order at 7:02pm
Facilitated by Paul Colbert
Notes taken by Chris Stafford.
Attendance: (15 people):
Steps to Freedom/Sean Bagley, Chris Stafford, Isabel Piedmont, Colleen Briggs, Adam Lederer, Nick Hansen, Jeff Melton, Craig Harvey, George R. Brooks, Peter Drake, Heather Drake, Julie Roberts, Paul Colbert, Larry Meehan, Danyell Dahn
The meeting agenda, and the minutes from the previous meeting were
both approved.
Announcements:
Coordinator Reports
Treasurer:
Isabel Piedmont said that we have $475, with $136 stillowed to Chris for merchandise. She also resigned as Treasurer so that she could assume her newly-appointed position as Secretary of the Indiana Green Party.
Technology:
Peter Drake also resigned, as he was elected Co-coordinator of the IGP.
Media:
Jeff Melton reported that Steps had sent in the 2nd Stoney Springs statement, but nobody had seen it appear in any form. Jeff will give a version of it on "Speak your mind" on WFIU public radio.
Peter and Heather sent out a statewide Press Release concerning the events of the IGP Convention.
Green Liaison:
Steps had nothing to report.
Secretary:
Chris Stafford said that currently there were 24 full members, and 300+ supporting members, with about 30 yet to be added to that number (from recent farmers' markets.)
Working Group Reports:
Canvassing:
Julie Roberts said that she's been too busy to do much canvassing, and with school getting ready to start up she'll be unable to lead any canvassing efforts the next couple of weeks. Those interested in canvassing should contact her, however, because they can certainly continue to canvass.
Shadow Government:
Julie said that she needed a replacement for the next County Commissioners Meeting.
Isabel said that once the Citizens' Academy started up, she would need somebody to replace her at the Bloomington Environmental Commission meetings.
Heather attended the City Council Meeting and reported that the city agreed to bail Buskirk-Chumley out of financial difficulties, and also read proposals to annex two areas around Bloomington, to be voted on at the next meeting in September.
Steps reported that the County Council had received a one-time tax-refund of $648,000, to be used in a special project fund. Also, Steps brought a report of Tax Abatement Compliance in Monroe County, pointing out that most developments that receive tax abatements do not fill the guidelines.
Nick Hansen reported that the Transportation Board meeting approved their budget, and agreed to increase salaries by 3%.
Julie said that the County Commissioners meeting reported that the Rural Transit Buslines were successful in the county.
Ecological Wisdom:
The Forum for this group is set for September 25th at 7pm, and we are still looking for more speakers. The Eco-group will meet at Julie's house on Thursday, Aug. 9th, at 4:30pm to finalize plans. Julie reported that Mark Stoops had agreed to help find forum speakers. Isabel recommended people read "Suburban Nation" if they wished to catch up on perspectives of "sprawl."
Newsletter:
Isabel reminded folks who had agreed to submit articles that the deadline is this Friday. Isabel, upon receiving the articles, will finalize the layout of the newsletter. The group will meet on Thursday, Aug. 16, 7:30pm, where Heather and Chris will take the mastercopy, make the necessary copies for distribution, stuff the envelopes, apply the labels (that Chris is preparing) and stamps, and mail them.
Nonviolence:
Jeff said that he and Marge were the only ones in the group, and Steps agreed to help out.
Social Justice:
Heather said that she would join George in working on the Social Justice issues.
Reports from Green Government:
Heather said that the Utility Services had nothing to report.
Old Business
Disorientation:
Peter said that the brainstorming for this project was done, but they needed people to help with the grunt work. A Benefit concert will be held this Thursday at the Cellar Lounge. Disorientation will last from Sep. 3-9, and Peter suggested that the Greens make a strong presence, hopefully staffing a table for most, if not all, of that time. He also suggested that those who know of other groups or bands that might be interested in participating should pass along the appropriate contact information.
Progress on work with Democrats:
Last Saturday, Craig Harvey attended a meeting at which Democrats addressed the problem of the Green Party. Many of the progressive democrats felt that the Democrats should move to the left to recapture many of those who had turned to the Green Party.
New Business:
GPUSA Report:
Steps said that he had sent out a comprehensive set of emails describing the details of the Congress, and those interested should consult the emails.
IGP Report:
Isabel reported that the IGP had approved their working by-laws, which are on the website, and public input is requested. She also said that officers were selected and Green Party candidates were nominated. The charter working group is now working on incorporating the suggestions made at the IGP Congress. Isabel also reported that The IGP is no longer soliciting input for its charter, except for the glossary because the IGP didn't reach this point of the discussion. Comments about the charter's glossary should be sent to the ingreens e-mail list.
Steps reported that the IGP had affiliated with both Common Bonds and ICFEL, and had also created an energy working group. Peter relayed the information that the IGP needs a technology coordinator.
Filling MCGP positions:
Craig Harvey was appointed as the new Treasurer, and Larry Meehan was chosen as the new MCGP Technology Coordinator. Peter suggested that Nick Hansen, who had also expressed an interest in helping with technological aspects of the party, could work as the Tech coordinator for the IGP.
Creating a Canvassing office position:
Several weeks ago it was suggested that the Canvassing Coordinator should be a member of the Coordinating Council, and many agreed with this. At the meeting, however, several people expressed an interest in also creating a "Campus Coordinator" position to head up campus-wide Green efforts. Chris agreed to draft these two proposed amendments to the MCGP charter, submit them for discussion on the discuss-list, and then submit them to the full members for a vote, to be reported at the next MCGP meeting.
Rail Issues:
Steps reported that Mayor Fernandez was considering turning an abandoned switch yard into a series of bike paths, but others had suggested a light-rail system up to Indianapolis. Heather said that we should all keep our eyes and ears open to find out what exactly is going on with the property.
Breshaun Joyner's firing:
Marc Haggerty had previously alerted the group, via email, that local poet/activitst Breshaun Joyner had been fired from Girls Inc., and there were undertones of racism in the firing. There will be a protest next Monday to protest this action by Girls Inc.
Campus Greens Convention:
Chris announced that this upcoming weekend would be the founding conventions for the national Campus Greens organization. Chris and Nicole Hallett were interested in going but were without a ride. Julie expressed an interest in going.
Craig Harvey was selected as the facilitator for the next meeting.
For the Farmers' Market, George and Isabel agreed to take the 8/11/01 shift, and Steps and Craig will work on 8/18/01, the following week.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:53pm.