Meeting Minutes
8/21/01 7:00pm
Bloomington
Environmental Center
116 S. College Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47401
Facilitator: Craig Harvey
Notes taken by Chris Stafford.
Attendance:
Chris Stafford, Jeff Melton, Chris Sapp, Eric White, Steps to Freedom (Sean Bagley), Milton Fisk, Linda Windforest, George R. Brooks, Heather Drake, Peter Drake, Nick Hansen, Julie Roberts, Isabel Piedmont, Benji Loudermilk, Steve Gardner, Larry Meehan, Tim Grome, Craig Harvey, John Gusan
At 7:08, because the facilitator was not yet present, introductions were made.
Coordinator Reports:
Media:
Jeff reported that he had presented a condensed version of the Civil Disobedience statement on “Speak your Mind” on WFIU, and that at the time slot, 40,000 listeners were estimated. The CD statement had not been published by any newspaper yet.
The Bloomington Independent had run a story about the first volume of “Greenspace,” the MCGP Newsletter.
Isabel will read the BEDC statement at the City Council meeting, and Peter read it at the County Council meeting.
Jeff wanted to know how we plan to get statements published more often and effectively. It was decided that future statements would be divided up into Letters to the editor and “Speak your Mind” segments to at least get something in the public.
Technology:
Larry has the WFHB interview on the website.
ca. 264 on the announcement list, 37 on the discussion list.
Secretary Report:
ca. 320 supporters.
34 full members.
Treasurer:
$16.99 in Petty Cash.
Green Liaison:
Nothing to Report.
Craig Harvey (the facilitator) arrived at 7:30, thinking that the meeting started at that time. Upon his arrival, the minutes from the 8-7-01 meeting were approved.
Announcements:
Linda Windforest announced that the “Keep Space for Peace” group was sponsoring a talk on September 26 at 7:00 by Bruce Gagnon, and was pursuing MCGP co-sponsorship, which was approved.
Jeff announced that Sept. 29-30 there would be a demonstration in D.C. with regards to the IMF/World Bank. People interested in attending should contact him.
The Ecological Wisdom Group’s forum will be Sept. 25.
Several items were added to the Agenda for the remainder of the meeting, that was then approved.
Working Group Reports:
Canvassing:
Nothing to report.
Shadow Government:
Julie needs someone to take the County Commissioners’ meetings on alternate Fridays at 9am due to her teaching job resuming.
Steps said that the County Council meeting was confusing as there were many numbers and audience members had not been given a sheet to look at. Heather suggested contact the clerk to get an extra copy of the documents ahead of time, as this was often done for regular attenders of meetings.
Nick Hansen said that the Bloomington Transit will be free next week, and that they plan to increase their fleet size by 3 buses, but no mention of more “environmental” buses.
Craig said that the Ambulance budget, which had been cut by the County Council, had been reapproved.
Ecological Wisdom:
Still looking for speakers.
The Forum (concerning Sprawl) will be Sept. 25 at 7:00pm in the MCPL.
Newsletter:
The first volume of the newsletter had been distributed.
It was suggested that it be put on the web, so Isabel will send it to Nick Hansen, who is helping Larry with technology issues.
It was suggested that in future volumes, a glossary of the abbreviations and acronyms be included for clearer understanding.
Nonviolence:
Eric White joined Jeff Melton, who was previously the only member of this group. Nothing else to report.
Reports from Green Government
Utilities:
Nothing to report.
Old Business:
Rail/Greenway Project
Julie thanked Craig for his informative email post on the subject.
Work with progressive Democrats
Nothing to report
Disorientation:
Peter said that Disorientation needed people to help fold the thousands of copies of their 60-page booklet. People will be at his house all day on Thursday Aug. 23, so those interested in helping could come by all day.
Peter also said that the MCGP ought to have a table set up pretty much full-time at Disorientation. He called out time-slots, and was able to fill every one of them with people from the meeting.
Vote on CA1 (Charter Amendment #1: to add two new members to the CC)
Chris reported that the vote was not yet completed due to a lack of quorum. Therefore the vote will close as soon as the 23rd vote comes in.
Proposed vote on altering the wording of our Ten Key Values. There was much discussion on this issue, and it was decided that a proposed CA was not possible at this time. Therefore, the group agreed to continue the discussion on the discussion email list.
Proposed vote on modifying the definition of “Quorum.” Chris said that as soon as the vote on CA1 was completed, he would begin this vote as CA2.
Creation of Election Committee:
Craig will set up the first meeting, and post to the announcement list.
New Business:
Gun range on Bottom Rd.
Craig reported that a contentious debate was underway regarding a proposed gun range on Bottom Rd. The group said that they would like more information from both sides before getting involved.
Co-sponsorship of a concert:
Jeff proposed that MCGP co-sponsor a concert featuring Anne Feeney and Chris Chandler. Jeff said that both musicians were very much worthy of MCGP sponsorship. They will be coming October 14th.
Bloominghours:
Steps proposed accepting Bloominghours for memberships, pointing out that there were many locations where they would be useful. Heather was concerned about how we, as a political party, would declare Bloominghours for tax purposes. Steps agreed to get more information.
Personalized License Plates:
Benji reported that the money paid for vanity plates was split between the BMV and the two political parties. He agreed to get more information for the MCGP, including how we would attempt to change this.
Heather agreed to facilitate the next meeting.
Farmers’ Market
Aug. 25 George Brooks and Jeff Melton
Sept. 1 Heather Drake, Isabel Piedmont, Julie Roberts
Steps said that we ought to get MCGP-specific T-shirts, and many agreed.
After a review of commitments, the meeting was adjourned at 9:16.