SJVGreens Minutes
Minutes of St. Joe Valley Greens
August 11, 2003, Tom Brown, recorder
Present: Vicki W., Lance Howard, Dave Vollrath, Tom Brown
Guest Speaker: Craig Fritts, Child's Play Organic Lawns
IUSB Fest - Greens were invited to participate in IUSB Fest. Dave V. will fill out the setup form. Dave will ask for two tables and electricity. Tom offered to bring 1 or more computers to demonstrate computer recycling and reuse by Free Geek Michiana. Lance suggested that we register voters at the table and see if the League of Women Voters want the completed forms -- IUSB Fest coincides with the LWV voter registration drive (see below).
Political Platform - The IGP Coordinating Committee has asked local chapters to frame local political platforms and report them to the CC. GPUS requires affiliate state parties to develop political platforms and make a good faith effort to achieve ballot access. Tom said the IGP needs platform ideas that are generated by local chapters. Locals are encouraged to reach out to potential coalition partners and ask them what issues concern them. Vicki noted that nobody has proposed platform ideas on the IGP listservs, and there has been no discussion of platform ideas.
Cable Access - Vicki has the first show booked. She will visit members to get signatures for the required application which is designed to demonstrate support by local citizens. She only needs a half dozen or so signatures. Vicki has not connected with Dave K. to finish the production schedule for the first show. She will go to Dave's house for a face-to-face meeting.
League of Women Voters - The LWV voter registration drive planning meeting is this coming Wednesday afternoon at 4:00. Dave V. volunteered to attend the meeting and represent the Greens. Tom reminded us that the LWV considers Greens partisan and will not recognize us as an organized group. So Greens will be participating as individuals. We may not be able to wear clothing or buttons which announce that we are Green members. Lance suggested we register voters at our table at IUSB Fest (see above).
NAACP - Tom reported that he contacted Trina Robinson, president of the NAACP, re a voter registration drive or some other joint project. Trina said she would get back to us. There is nothing planned presently.
Labor speaker - Vicki asked who we should invite to speak to us next. Lance and Dave V. suggested Paul Mishler from IUSB Labor Studies. Paul said he would speak on the topic "What is wrong with Greens", based on his experience with New York Greens. Mishler has been at IUSB for a year or less and would like to meet the SJVGreens. Tom made some jokes about Greens who are indeed difficult to get along with.
Next meeting - Monday, Sept. 8, 7:00 pm., in the Pokagon room in the basement of the St. Joseph County Public Library downtown South Bend. There will not be a speaker as we need to prepare for the upcoming IGP Congress.
St. Joe Valley Greens, South Bend, IN