Northwest Indiana Greens
Minutes of North West Indiana Greens
April 19, 2003
Jim Coplen
Meeting opened 2:00 pm in the meeting of room of the LaPorte Public Library, LaPorte IN
Individual introductions were made around the table. In attendance were Sean Napier, Jesse Cohn, Jim Coplen, Karren Cooper, Jim Plenus, Robert Bailey, Tom Brown, John Billings, Rich Herr, Kathleen Breitinger, and Lesley Sturger.
Richard Herr, Coordinator for this month's meeting, read the minutes of last month's meeting. Approved and accepted.
Jim Coplen, Chairman of the Media Committee, reported on results their meeting in Valparaiso earlier in the month. Karren Cooper demonstrated materials under consideration for publication by the committee.
Jesse Cohn report on the Education and Outreach Committee. Members had discussed points by email, but held no formal meeting as of yet.
Lesley Sturger suggested ways to get the NWIG name before the public; such as adopting a LaPorte City planter in the downtown area, or getting involved in the Adopt-A-Highway program.
Karren suggested more information in general be disseminated at the beginning of meetings for the benefit for those attending for the first time.
A dues structure was discussed. Tom Brown advised the group on that subject as it pertains to the State Greens Party. It was generally agreed by the body that Dues Standards and Party Application were required in order to collect dues.
Karren presented a motion to work up a membership application. Motion approved and carried. Sean suggested we ask members to take part in such an application and with bylaws to be written.
A Bylaws Committee was formed with Lesley, Sean, and Robert Bailey.
An election of officers was suggested by Jesse, but the membership consensus was to have no election for now, but to assess membership for upcoming printing costs of promotional materials.
Karren agreed to bring to the mext meeting a general cost of printing for membership perusal.
State affiliation was discussed and it was decided by consensus to handle that issue after the NWIG had formally organized and drafted bylaws.
Local issues were discussed as part of old business. Robert discussed police brutality in Hobart as an issue. Jesse suggested, we as a group, collect information on the purported abuse. Various formats for action were discussed.
Jesse brought up urban sprawl as an overall issue for NWIG. Sen talked of a scheduled execution at the Michigan City prison on May 1st.
John Billings reported on progress of NWIG's own website. Jim Coplen suggest Karren and John coordinate on the web format and input.
Oversight of local council meetings was discussed as a way to to find out just how county government conducts its business.
A date of May 10th was agreed on for the next meeting, with Robert Bailey agreeing to ask for space at the Portage library. Karren was nominated as the next meeting coordinator, and the vote carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned 4:00 pm.
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