General Membership Meeting Joyce Beers Community Center March 17, 2002 Attendees: Aaron Lipke, Jodi Beebe, Jim Bazelon, Rocky Neptun, Jim Beckett, Larry Rockwood, Ted Muga, Tony Zugates, Ric Newbery, Tammy Tatum, Lupita Jimenez, Nelisse Muga, John Delehanty, Muriel (Micki) Adams, Magali Offerman, Karine Megerdoomian, Matthew Bell, Robyn Ardez, Craig Fite 1. Agenda was changed and approved 2. Nomination and Election of new County Council member Robyn Ardez was the only candidate for this seat. She was elected by a vote of 13 out of 14. 3. Nomination and Election of upcoming Fresno plenary delegates The following delegates were elected: Aaron Lipke, Robyn Ardez, Matthew Bell, Karine Megerdoomian, Jodi Beebe, Magali Offerman Alternate delegates: Larry Rockwood, John Delehanty, Michele Delehanty, Lupita Jimenez Lupita Jimenez volunteered to head the delegate group It was agreed that there will be a meeting for delegates (open to general membership) for state issues on the plenary agenda. There will be prior notification and understanding that the general membership can voice their opinion on agenda items at this meeting. 4. Green Party Susan Davis opponent A discussion on whether the Green Party of San Diego County should run a candidate against Susan Davis, who has been voting along Republican lines. There was no decision, only the beginning of the discussion. Magali Offerman summed up the meeting held with environmental groups, labor, EHC, etc. when Susan Davis voted for Fastrack. Larry Rockwood said he would be interested in running against Davis. He mentioned that Susan Davis counts on the progressive vote by default so the Greens could make a difference. He also mentioned that redistricting would affect her turf. Some members present felt that we should focus on smaller and local winnable elections. Some rather focus on issues at this point rather than elections because they feel the GPSD will not be ready by 2004 for such a race. Others however felt that the GPSD should run a candidate since we are a political party. It would help our visibility - this campaign could be used even just to make a statement or just to be present at the debates and talk about Green issues and positions. Micki Adams felt that there is enough anger against Susan Davis right now, so it is a good time to run a Green. If nothing else, it will send a message to the Dems. To the concern that the GPSD activist group is very small and this will draw from our other resources, Magali said that this is something to consider and that we should do some more research and see if it is possible or not. Discussion should continue through the campaigns committee. 5. GPSD Strategic Plan Karine Megerdoomian announced that a strategic plan is being developed which will be taken to the council and general membership for approval. This would help us focus and work towards our goals in a more efficient manner. Help is needed. The General Membership voted to establish an ad hoc group that will draft the strategy proposal and present it to the County Council for consideration. The proposal will also include the creation of a standing committee for the strategic plan. (Approved by consensus) 6. Announcements - Clean Elections petitions - Update on expanding Green Party tabling efforts and volunteer recruitment drive - Indymedia center needs help for cataloguing their tapes; GPSD gave them a volunteer - Fall hell-raiser: Robyn said that a fundraiser is being planned for September with bands, etc. - Liaison with other organizations such as Sierra Club, Think Tank, etc. requested. No decisions made. - Some future events were announced The establishment of the media working group was postponed to the county council meeting.