LA Greens General Meeting - September 20, 2006 7:17pm
notes: Michael Rochmes / vibes: Denise Robb / Timekeeper: Dave English
1. Introductions: Derek Iversen, Erin Scmidt, Michael Rochmes, Denise Robb, Lisa Taylor, Dave English, Jim Bean, Allie, Louise, Shari Myers, Alex Walker, Cathy Duffy, Eugene Hernandez, Mike Sandler
2. Sheri Myers & OH 2004
Bob Fitrakis is the Green Party candidate for Governor of Ohio. He was part of the Gore Vidal fundraiser. Sheri Myers is working on his campaign. She went to Ohio after 2004 election. Created graphic novel w/ daughter ("Cheated") about what happened in Ohio election & recount. Great story for Greens. Book costs $10, can be used as a fundraiser. Also "Help America Vote on Paper" DVD (18 min), Robert Kennedy Rolling Stone article about election. Bob Fitrakis, writing for the Free Press, investigated what happened with the election fraud in OH in 2004. Running because Democrats refuse to talk about election fraud. Dem is up by 20 percent right now, but GOP can still steal it. Fitzrakis is going to UN to call for international inspectors for Ohio elections.
3. Life can be so Car-free
Event on Sat. 9/30 5-10 PM at new state historic park in downtown LA (formerly Not A Cornfield). Promoting car free or car light lifestyle. Meeting point for bikes in Santa Monica at 3:30 and in Culver City at 4. Posting at bikeboom.org calendar. Information at Bike Now and CICLE.
4. Tabling Update
Erin and Lisa tabling at RAWA event on Oct. 7.
Lisa and Denise tabling at Ani DeFranco concert this weekend
Problem: a lot of organizations don't want political groups to table at their events, or even do voter registration
Doo Dah parade coming up again in November
Jim has been tabling at Cal Plaza Grand Performances for prop. 89
5. Ballot endorsements -- Select Committee
Denise takes names. She will assign propositions to people and meet in 10 days (oct. 1, location tbd) to go over research. Information about the initiatives can be found at the state Green Party website, Easy Voter, and the Secretary of State's office.
6. Eugene Hernandez & Green outreach
Eugene noticed that the LA Greens and San Fernando Greens fundraisers did not have very much attendance. He believes either the messenger or the message is being rejected. Sometimes it is the message: "I donŐt think the issues we are talking about (IRV, voting), are that important to most people in this city. Most people in this city are Latino. They care about schools, immigration, etc. Look at what happened in Mexico. They are willing to stand up to their government. We need to that. DonŐt think by supporting the SCF, you are reaching the Chicano community. We need to focus on voter registration, and also more issues that people care about"
Zack-- we need a strong anti-war, anti-corporate message when we are tabling. IRV is a tactic
Jim -- Todd Chretien is running against Diane Feinstein with no [serious] Republican on the ballot. No spoiler issue, we should really get behind Todd.
Eugene -- Instead of spending money to get into doo dah parade, we should spend money to get into the Sept. 6th parade.
Derek -- we are all active, working on doing things, not just sitting around talking
Eugene -- We need to diversify, reach out to minorities to bring them into the party before the Democrats get them
Bean -- we are working hard but could be working smarter
Erin -- we need to not lose our community aspect
John -- we are too diffuse and we arenŐt making press announcements, but that would require us to come to consensus more quickly, so maybe we need an online thing. We should talk about corporate welfare, and how that effects the immigration and economic issue ( money to Archer Daniels Midland company goes to economic warfare against farming class in Mexico )
7. Candidate update
Congressional candidate Byron De Lear: campaign blogging at valley news your hub. Also using in Kitchen Table Democracy, local cable, video online.
Secretary of State candidate Forrest Hill: there is a funny ad on his website that he is trying to get on tv
Question about getting donor lists from GPCA for candidates.
8. Treasurer's report
got deposit back from the Heather (for fundraiser), paid for website, bought green pages, reinbursment for party, $605 gross from party, over $200 profit from the party, need to create option for donators to become a sustainer of Petra Kelly scholarship, need press release for scholarship winners
9. Party for Peace wrap up
About 200 people there, raised money for candidates, need more small parties, house parties
10. Speak out:
Alex: convinced Democratic Party is hopeless. Interested in School Reform, wants to get in contact Sarah Knapp.
Cathy: organizer for National Organization of Working Women.
Mike Sandler: from Sonoma, new to Southern California.
Come to BeanŐs No on 85 Party! Teaming up with progressive Democrat to put this event on.
We need a secretary. Linda has had to step down. Would you like to be our secretary? What you do is, you type up notes like this. Dave English is interested!
Zack: LA County Bike Coalition Ice Cream Bike Ride. Sunday, September 24, Culver City Park, 1:00 pm.