Meeting Minutes
9/4/01 7:00pm
Bloomington Environmental Center
116 ½ S. College Ave.

Facilitated by: Heather Drake
Scribe: Chris Stafford

The meeting was called to order at 7:01pm

Attendance (16 people):

Chris Stafford, Julie Roberts, Adam Lederer,  Heather Drake, Peter Drake, Rebecca Riall, Craig Harvey, Bill Mills, Eric White, Nick Hanson, Isabel Piedmont, Chris Sapp, Steps to Freedom (Sean Bagley), Kevin Sowders, George R. Brooks, Amy Countryman (sp? she didn't sign the attendance sheet).

Introductions were made, and the agenda was approved.  The minutes from the previous meeting were also approved, although Chris still had not posted the final version to the announcement list.

Announcements:

Bill Mills from the Great Lakes Nuclear-Free Action Campaign announced a meeting to start up a local group opposed to nuclear power and related issues.  It will meet on Monday, September 17 at 7:30pm in the Bloomington Environmental Center, at 116 ½ S. College Ave.

Craig Harvey announced an ANWR (Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge) presentation by Lauren Whitley, details to be announced.

Heather Drake announced that the League of Women Voters is starting its programming next Wednesday, September 12, at 7pm a the Monroe County Public Library. A newcomers' meeting will be next Monday, 7pm. Contact Heather if you are interested in getting involved with the LWV.

Peter Drake announced that the next day's City Council meeting would be vitally important, including discussion and votes on funding the BEDC, the Shooting Range, and the Buskirk-Chumley Theater subsidy.

Coordinator Reports:

Treasury Report:

Craig reported that the group has $644.89.

Secretary Report:

Chris had nothing to report.

Technology Report:

Larry reported that Nader's speech was now on the website. Isabel had some questions about the layout of the site, and Larry asked that people sending him stuff for the website should specify that in the subject line so that he can discriminate.

Media Report:

Isabel reported to the H-T about the Tax Rebate. The H-T ran Peter's SB329 letter.

Green Liaison:

Steps reported that the MCGP has picked up 30 new people from Disorientation so far; the ASGP officially changed its name to the Green Party of the United States. GPUSA filed a complaint with the FEC regarding this new name, and Steps reported that there was lots of squabbling and petty fighting between the groups.

Working Group Reports:

Ecological Wisdom Group:

Isabel reported that the upcoming forum would be Tuesday, September 25, 7pm in the MCPL; All four speakers have been found.

Shadow Government:

Isabel asked about the budgetary process for the shooting range. 

Election Committee:

Craig reported that notes and minutes from the first meeting of the Election Committee were being circulated on the discussion list. The next meeting is tentatively set for Sept. 17. Craig would like to focus the issues around the immediately pertinent races. Julie suggested canvassing to create the platform for candidates. 

Canvassing Report:

NOTE: in future minutes this report will exist under "Coordinator Reports" and will be given by the Canvassing Coordinator

Julie reported that people will be canvassing every Wednesday from 5:30-7:30pm, starting tomorrow, Sept. 5. People interested should contact either her or Chris Stafford. Generally, the canvassers will meet at Chris's house at 708 S. Washington.

Nonviolence Group:

Kevin reported that a victim of police brutality will be speaking at the following day's City Council meeting. 

Social Justice Group:

Heather reported that current members of this group are herself, Craig, George, Steve, and that they need to have their first meeting soon as their forum will be coming up in a couple of months. Possible topics include living wage and affordable housing. People with other suggestions, or who are interested in helping out should contact Heather.

Old Business:

Vote on Quorum:

Chris reported that the vote was not yet closed, and was, in fact a single vote short of reaching the 75% necessary to close the vote. 

Shooting Range:

Craig briefed the group with the pertinent details. He said that the issues around the proposed range include noise problems, both for residents and wildlife in the nearby preserve due to the geography of the area. He reported that City Utilities must deed the property directly over to the BPD, and Heather said she will let us know when that is occurring. People can object to the budget proposal at the next day's City Council meeting.

Adopt-A-Road:

Set for Sunday, September 16, 10am, at Isabel's house at 819 S. Washington. Craig will pick up the materials and bring them to Isabel's house. Kevin remarked that the Adopt-A-Road program was contrary to Green values since essentially we were only superficially helping the community. He said that the litter and cigarette butts on the street were garbage, but were "garbage on top of garbage." 

Farmers' Market:

Saturday 9/8/01:  Isabel, Peter
Saturday 9/15/01: Chris, Julie

Disorientation: 12-4 4-8

Wed. Nick Heather
Thu. Peter Benji
Fri. Jeff Isabel
Sat. Julie Steve

Anne Feeney Concert:

Jeff reported that the concert would be Sunday, October 14, and that he had commitments from Jeff Willsey and a representative of the AFL-CIO. The AFL-CIO was looking for financial help in sponsoring the event, and the group consensed to give $100 to the AFL-CIO for this purpose.

New Business:

BEC rental:

Heather suggested that we were mooching off of the BEC by using it for meetings without helping pay the rent. After much discussion, the group consensed to give $25/meeting to the BEC.

New Coordinators:

Julie was elected as the Canvassing Coordinator, and Chris Sapp was elected the Campus Liaison.

Coordinating Council report:

The CC met in late August to try to determine ways to shorten the meeting time. These suggestions included more careful training of new facilitators, more careful preparation of the agenda, and outlets for socializing and deep ideology discussion outside of the meetings to allow for "strictly business" at the meetings.

The two outlets that were suggested were a potluck dinner the weekend before the first meeting of the month, and a movie night the weekend before the second.

Some in the group were afraid that this would result in a small "clique" operating within the MCGP, and ways to undercut this tendency were discussed. 

Jeff Melton will be hosting the first movie night on Saturday,
9/15/01. They will be watching "Bulworth."

Amy Countryman (sp?):

Amy came to the meeting to announce Project Waverly which is designed to avoid the development of a large tract of land in Morgan County. She is working with the owners, the Sycamore Land Trust, and other entities and is looking for support from local organizations. An organizational meeting will be Sunday, September 16, at the MCPL from 3-5pm, in Meeting Room 1-B.

MCGP unanimously agreed to support Amy in her work, and will post a copy of the flyer on the website and distribute copies at Disorientation. People interested in getting involved should contact Amy at 339-4410.

Jeff agreed to facilitate the next meeting.

After a review of commitments, the group adjourned at 9:15pm.