Minutes: GPUSA Congress June 29, 2008

Agenda was approved
Facilitator, Don Fitz
Note Taker, Barbara Chicherio
Through consensus, it was decided that voting would be based on one person one vote.

Clearinghouse report:

1. Postcard mailing advising of switch from print to electronic Green Politics went out.
2. Membership renewals are coming in regularly.
3. Trademark issue with GPUS seems to have been resolved.  We need a final report for confirmation.

Report from Coordinating Committee (CC):

1. River City Greens new local in Louisville KY.
2. Devin Ceartas continues to maintain the website.
3. Mary Jo Maroney does membership renewals.

Minutes of last congress (2006 at Washington Univ in St Louis):
Provisional approval pending review by Fitz, Elizabeth Fattah, Susie Parker and others.

Report from states:

1. St Louis MO:
   Reported on lead audit campaign in the City of St Louis.
   Black and Green Wednesdays still take place.
   Campaign for Recalling St Louis City Mayor Francis Slay is ongoing.
   Green Time continues to run on Double Helix TV in the city of St Louis. It has been on the air for 12 years.
   Compost Dispatch continues to be published regularly.
   Annual Pesto Feast takes place in September and is a major fundraiser for the Gateway Greens.
2. Kentucky:
   The River City Greens have three members one of whom (Tim Darst) is active in faith community.
   Wants to use the Louisville Sustainability Forum as the basis for organizing the Greens.

Future of G/GPUSA:

1. Support publications:
   Synthesis/Regeneration is not a G/GPUSA publication but is supported by the Greens.  GPUSA article about the Climate Change Roundtable will be printed in S/R. The Greens will continue to purchase S/R.
2. Roundtable June 27-29, 2008 in St. Louis:
   Have the G/GPUSA issue their own statement about issues brought up at the Roundtable as well as a statement in support of the Roundtable.
   Internet: Use the Internet and social networking sites such as myspace, facebook and youtube to promote the Greens. Put videos of the Roundtable up on youtube (which then can be put on people's myspace and facebook pages). There is a commitment to having Wes Jackson's presentation at the roundtable edited. Look into podcasting via i_Tunes or other podcasting sources.
3. Encourage new contacts to get involved.
4. Louisville will be considered as a possible site for a future GPUSA Congress meeting as well as Chicago.

Treasurer:
Finances are in pretty good shape. Will confirm with a more formal report.