News & PRs
Delegate’s Report from the 2002 Green Party Convention
by Brent McMillan & Jody Haug GP-US Delegates
Table of Contents
(Click on an item to jump to it)
AC Caucuses Process
State Party Dues
IPPN Affiliation
CCC Elections
Steering Committee Election
Green Commitment Report
World Summit
ICC Treaty Ratification
Freedom/Peace Tax Fund
Peace Weekend
Free Air Time
Immigration
DC Statehood
Voting Rights Amendment
Green Democracy Campaign
The 2002 national convention for the Green Party of the United States was held July 18th through July 21st in Philadelphia. Washington was one of five new states approved unanimously for accreditation at the convention. They included: Alaska, Nebraska, North Carolina, Vermont and Washington. Washington is the 39th state to gain accreditation. Your elected delegates to the coordinating committee of the Green Party of the United States for the state of Washington are Brent McMillan (206) 784-7267 (WA1) and Jody Haug (206) 789-3620 (WA2). Delegates are assigned one for every four legislative districts or majority fraction thereof. The state of Washington has nine federal legislative districts and is therefore eligible for two delegates.
An identity caucus accreditation process was approved by vote.
54 yes
15 no
9 abstentions
WA1 yes, WA2 yes
(An identity caucus is a historically underrepresented group and is allocated one delegate if accredited.)
The first new caucus was also approved by vote, the Lavender Caucus (representing the issues of the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender community). As a result they now have a voting delegate on the coordinating committee.
63 yes,
5 no,
11 abstentions;
WA1 yes, WA 2 yes
The Green Party of the United States has opened an office in Washington D.C. in February 2002. It is located at 1314 18th St NW and is affectionately referred to as “the dungeon.” Contact info:
The Green Party
P.O. Box 57065
Washington, D.C. 20037
Toll Free: (866) 414-7336
Voice: (202) 296-7755
Fax: (202) 296-7799
The staff has increased from one field organizer, Dean Myerson, to include an office manager and a fundraising director, Jack Uhrich.
Donations have increased significantly from an average of under $800 per month in January 2001 to more that $41,000 per month today.
The current coordinating committee is composed of approximately 20 percent minorities and is a much better reflection of America than what was present at the national convention a year ago.
The Accreditation Committee of the Green Party of the United States currently requires that applicant state parties clarify that there is an exception to any dues requirement for low-income individuals. While states are free to require dues as a condition of membership, there should be some provision for low-income members. Some of the original member states don’t follow the same standard required from applicant states. PROPOSAL: GPUS urges all affiliated state green parties (1) to provide for a waiver of any dues or labor requirements (if the state green party requires dues and/or labor for full membership) for low-income members, and (2) to provide for such a waiver in the bylaws (if that state bylaws refer to dues or labor requirements).
If after July 1, 2003, any state requires dues or labor without pro-viding for a waiver, the Accreditation Committee shall make a recommendation for appropriate action to the Coordination Committee within 60 days using the same standard that is applied to new applicant state parties.
66 yes
8 no
10 abstentions
WA1 yes, WA2 yes
The coordinating committee also voted to affiliate with the Independent Progressive Politics Network (IPPN) with the stipulation that this is up for renewal in one year.
67 yes
6 no
11 abstentions
WA1 yes, WA2 yes
What may well be the most powerful committee at the national level is the Coordinated Campaign Committee (CCC). It allocates resources to key federal campaigns throughout the U.S. Members of the committee must receive the support of their state party in order to qualify for nomination. Rules for the Election of the CCC was approved by vote.
64 yes
6 no
13 abstentions
WA1 yes, WA2 yes
There was a Steering Committee Election: The results were that Tom Sevigny was replaced by Badili Jones of Georgia. Robbie Franklin did not run again as Treasurer. There was only one candidate for Treasurer, Jake Snyder, and the Coordinating Committee approved him.
There was also an election for the members of the CCC.
Masada Disenhose
Susan King
Dan Johnson-Weinberger
Juscha Robinson
Logan Martinez
Dan Kinney
Ben Manski
Penny Teal
Marnie Glickman
Joe Buchanan
The CCC presented the Green Commitment document. All Green Party candidates running for federal office have been asked to sign onto this document. More than 30 have. The Green Commitment to America includes the following topics:
-Security through peace and justice
-Health care coverage for all Americans
-Restoration of democracy
-Energy independence
-Corporate reform
-Fair trade, fair labor
-Preventive social spending and policies
-Preventive foreign spending and policies
-Survival of the planet
The coordinating committee was able to reach consensus on Global Greens Key Demands for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg August 26th – September 26, 2002.
Global Greens 5 Key Demands for the World Summit on Sustainable Development are:
DEMAND 1. 1 billion people do not have access to clean water and 2.4 billion lack basic sanitation. 3 million die annually from water-related diseases. The WTO GATS agreement for trade in services promotes private corporate control in place of public and governmental responsibility. Provide affordable access to clean water sources and basic sanitation. STOP WATER PRIVATIZATION.
DEMAND 2. One-third of the world’s population (2 billion people) does not have access to adequate energy services. Public investment in solar power and other clean energies will reach these people and take us away from our dependence on fossil fuels. Provide affordable access to clean and renewable energy sources. Set targets and timetables for a substantial shift to renewables and create an independent International Renewable Energy Agency to promote this policy.
DEMAND 3. 10 years after Rio, we have international treaties on climate change (Kyoto), control over trade in GMOs (Cartagena), exploitation of genetic resources (Convention on Biological Diversity and FAO treaty), access to environmental justice and information (Aarhus), control of fish stocks (UN/FAO Action plans). None of these is fully implemented or effective. Consolidate the environmental progress made since Rio. Ratify and implement these and other green treaties now.
DEMAND 4. The WTO has a powerful and secretive dispute settlement mechanism, which can over-rule environmental, social, and public policy decisions. It should be subject to a higher, comprehensive and independent judicial process. Place environmental and social rules ahead of trade rules. Transfer the final power of arbitration from the WTO to an independent Court.
DEMAND 5. Private corporations are not accountable for the public and social consequences of their business activities. Voluntary arrangements are not a satisfactory solution. Create a legal framework for corporate social and environmental responsibility and accountability of private corporations.
One of the most exciting developments at the convention involved Rep. Cynthia McKinney. She videotaped an address to the convention that was played at a luncheon on Thursday and then again at the Rally at Irvine Auditorium on Friday night. The individuals who were doing the taping asked her if she would be willing to run for president of the U.S. in 2004 on the Green ticket, to which she replied, “yes.” Stay tuned for further developments. (Word is within the Nader camp is that if she runs; Nader may back down from running in 2004).
The delegation of the Green Party of California proposed that the USGP publicly support the establishment of the International Criminal Court (the ICC) and call upon the Congress and the American people to support ratification of the ICC treaty. It was moved to continue discussion online.
The delegation of the Green Party of Texas proposed that the USGP endorse the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act. It was moved to further discussion online at this time.
PROPOSAL: We need your help to organize peace events in your community. The first anniversary of 9/11 is fast approaching. Let’s make it a time to put forth A VISION of a safer, more just world – a world free of war and violence, a world that rejects ethnic and religious divisions and celebrates diversity, a world that calls no nation “evil” but builds a global community, a world that cherishes the environment, a world where the needs of humans and other living things take priority over profits.
Our goal is to have hundreds of peace events happening throughout the country the weekend before September 11 and on September 11 itself…
The coordinating committee was able to reach consensus on this proposal. For further information go to www.unitedforpeace.org
Rabbi Michael Lerner addressed the convention at a luncheon on Friday. He is the editor for TIKKUN magazine. He had some very important things to say about the Israel/Palestine crisis and also about why the “right” has been so appealing to so many Americans and what progressives can do about it.
The delegation of the Green Party of Delaware proposed that the USGP affiliate with The Free Air Time Coalition. This issue was moved to continue discussion online.
The Green Party of Texas proposed that the USGP support and join the “One Million Postcards” campaign to modernize immigration laws so as to reward immigrants’ contributions. This will also facilitate the Green Party to build bridges with Latino and immigrant groups. The proposal passed with consensus.
The DC Statehood Green Party proposed that all states link to the petition on their Web sites (if possible) and commit to circulating the petition at events to make the District of Columbia a state and give its citizens the same democratic rights the rest of the nation enjoys.
This measure passed.
The delegation of the Illinois Green Party proposed that the USGP adopt and endorse a Voting Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It was move to continue discussion online.
The delegation of the Illinois Green Party proposed that a national Green Democracy Campaign be organized around a national public demonstration to held in Washington, D.C. in the year 2003.
This proposal had many problems with it and did not make it to a test for consensus, let alone a vote. Marc Loveless was the main advocate and he stated that he would consider the many issues that were brought up and consider redrafting the proposal for consideration at a later date.
Ralph Nader addressed the convention Friday night at Irvine Auditorium along with Medea Benjamin. One of the night’s entertainers was Dana Lyons from Bellingham, WA. He is interested in working on election reform issues and we corralled him as he was leaving the auditorium to connect him with greens here in Washington. (Also present in the audience was GPOS cofounder Sara Pralle who now lives in Princeton. Sara says, “hello.”)
Medea
The Washington delegation was joined by Brian and Gwenn Derdowski who stopped in on Thursday night while vacationing on the East coast.
Saturday and Sunday were spent attending workshops and sitting in on committee meetings.
Our workload as a state is about to increase. There are many issues that we will be exposed to now that we are affiliated. We will be actively recruiting people for committee positions. Are you up to the challenge?
National committees which are in need of more members, include Platform, Diversity, Accreditation, Personnel, and Presidential Exploratory. Other committees include Fundraising, Media, Communications, and International. If you are interested in the possibility of serving on one of these committees please contact one of your state delegates.
Submitted 08/07/02
Brent McMillan (206) 784-7267
Jody Haug (206) 789-3620