GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETIING MINUTES
					    NOVEMBER 24, 2002

The meeting was called to order at 1:15 p.m.
Aug. 25th Minutes were accepted by consensus.

Justin Dawe spoke concerning the Solar Bond Initiative. He stated that there is a need to increase the support for the initiative. Thirty groups have endorsed this initiative so far and Justin asked for Green Party endorsement. It will require the sale of revenue bonds on the part of the city of San Diego. Clean energy is one of Mayor Murphy's top 10 goals for the city and this initiative can replace 1/3 of the energy costs now paid by the city. The endorsement from the Green Party was given by consensus.

An Actiing Treasurer's report was given by Karine who spoke of our need for a Treasurer. She stated that $1000 was left after the recent campaigns. We spent $14,000 for campaign materials and in support of Peter Camejo, Donna Warren and Laura Wells.

A review of election results followed. It was noted that the national growth rate is 27%. Seventy Greens were elected to office nationally, 26 Greens were elected to office in California. Total Greens in office nationally is 171. The percentage of California Greens registered is 156,000 (in round numbers). The California vote for Peter Camejo was 379,798. showing a large cross over vote in the gubernatorial race. The percentage of vote for Mr. Camejo in San Diego county was 2.6 as contrasted with a percentage vote in Humboldt county of 7%, Mendocino 5.85% and Santa Cruz, 5.02%.

A review of the structure of the Green Party followed. The Coordinating Committee structure was described showing how San Diego and Imperial counties were treated as one region. The statewide Plenary meeting was discussed as were Working Groups. Further information can be obtained from the website Cagreens.org.

Information about the establishment of an office sustainer effort was described. Volunteer support is the only way we maintain the office and pay bills. A Sustainer Pledge form was circulated to all. Cash donations were solicited. An accounting will be given at the next General Membership meeting. Solicitation for Sustainer Pledges will continue either by personal contact or by phone. Volunteers are needed for this effort.

A general overview of Plenary meetings was given by Gary Waayers. The next plenary will be held at Stanford university in Palo Alto, Santa Clara county. San Diego should send 6 delegates and 2 alternates to the meeting which will take place on January 11 and 12th.  The following persons wished to attend the Plenary: Kariine, Magali, Tom, Colleen, Kevin, Jacqueline and Janet and Michael. A subsequent meeting will formalize the acceptance of delegates and provide further detailed information as to procedures for attendance.

A discussion of issues and campaigns the Green Party of San Diego County would like to focus on followed. Instant Runoff Voting, and campaign finance reform were determined 
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as the issues reflecting the most interest of the membership. Additional issues brought forth in the wide-ranging discussion included Anti-war work, anti FTAA work, affordable housing, focusing on improving the internal structure of the Green Party, and improving the image of the Greens. All agreed the issues need to be chosen carefully. Issues do not matter if there are no Greens in office to carry them forward to implementation. More work and volunteers will be needed.

Karine followed describing her work on creating and establishing the Green website. The website now offers donation capability through Pay Pal, a local calendar of events which is kept updated, and a listing of Green merchandise for sale. Meeting minutes are also posted. She stated that 940 persons received the Announce list. She is hoping in the future for more focus on issues and possible links to other information. It was brought out that the Green website is one of the outstanding, if not the outstanding website of the Greens in California. Volunteers are needed for this work.

On Oct. 22 Superintendent Bersin made a recommendation to the San Diego School Board that the "district enhance its partnering with the military"! and offered several ways in which he hoped this could be accomplished. The items were mentioned and a letter protesting these actions was drafted and read to the membership. A vote was taken as a member objected to the use of the word"nazi" in the letter. The sentence will be modified and letters will be sent to individual Board Trustees. Also a press release stating the Green Party's opposition to the militarization of all high schools in San Diego will be sent as well as a letter to the Editor of the San Diego Union Tribune.

An invitation was sent to the Co-Chair of the County Council requesting Green presence at the Inauguration of new City Council members Lewis and Zucchet. Volunteers were requested to attend on December 2, 10 a.m., Golden Hall.

Further announcements concerning a demonstration scheduled for Tuesday by a group supporting the disabled and more accessible sidewalks in San Diego was announced, as well as a request for Green Focus (newspaper) articles reporting on local issues, party activism, or book reviews to be turned in for editorial consideration prior to publication.

The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

A Campaign Committee meeting followed adjournment.
(Notes taken by Alli Craig, transcribed by Lupita Jimenez