Green Party of Nevada: Executive Council
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Meeting Minutes
September 17, 2005

I. Introductions
An overview of the meeting and the consensus process, along with the introduction of members took place. In attendence were Chairperson Jason Halprin, Secretary Charles Imboden, Treasurer Barb Ewing, Members At-Large Bob Giaquinta and Kimberley French, as well as Craig Bergland via phone from Reno, NV and one guest. Roles were assigned as follows: Facilitator - Jason Halprin, Notetaker - Charles Imboden, Timekeeper - Barb Ewing.

It was added to the agenda that a vote be taken and consensus reached to add Jason Halprin, Charles Imboden, and Barbara Ewing as signers to the Green Party of Nevada checking account. Added item: It was approved by consensus to add Jason Halprin (Chairperson), Charles Imboden (Secretary), and Barb Ewing (Treasurer) to the Green Party of Nevada checking account.

II. Contact Information
Fax Number: The issue of obtaining a fax number was first discussed. Bob offered the use of his fax number and machine. Jason suggested using a fax service. Charles wondered if a fax number was required information by the Secretary of State or other election departments - no it is not. The concern of getting everything in order and as "official" or "formal" as possible before the Party really starts to take off was discussed, followed by a short discussion on the logistics of getting a dedicated fax line for the GPNV versus using the line and/or equipment of one of the Executive Council members. It was approved by consensus to use Bob's fax machine and number.

Phone Number: The issue of obtaining a dedicated phone number for the Green Party of Nevada was discussed. Options for phone numbers included using Jason's personal cellphone number, getting a dedicated landline, or setting up a voicemail account. Charles presented some preliminary companies and prices for a voicemail account and 800-number. It was decided by consensus to obtain a voicemail account for the GPNV and he was assigned the duty of obtaining one with a deadline of Friday, September 23. A budget of $40.00 for six months of voicemail service was alotted.

PO Box: Obtaining a post office box to serve as the mailing address of the GPNV was discussed. Barb presented the option of obtaining a small box for $10/month from a private company. Charles presented rate information for post office boxes direct from the Post Office for $35 for six months, plus $1 per key. It was decided by consensus to secure a small PO box from the Henderson Post Office (on Boulder Highway), and $38 was alotted to cover the cost of six months of box rent ($35 + $3 for three keys). Kimberley and Charles were assigned to open the box for the GPNV sometime in the next week. (The PO box has since been opened, with the new address being: Green Party of Nevada, PO Box 90533, Henderson, NV 89009-0533)

III. October 15 General Meeting
The upcoming general meeting was discussed at length. Communication between Washoe and Clark counties during the meeting was discussed. It was suggested that the phone lines at the meeting places should be tested before hand. It was also suggested that cellphones be used for backup. Barb offered her speakerphone for use during the meeting. Using landlines at the facilities would require the purchase of a phone card with at least 180 minutes. It was discussed that most cellphone plans get free minutes on weekends. Bob offered to look into finding a cellphone peripheral that would make the speakerphone function on a cellphone more viable for a large group. Craig, Bob, and Scott Brown (Washoe County, not present) would handle the communication between counties.

Items that were approved by consensus and added to the agenda were: 1) a call for candidates for 2006, 2) overview, status report, vacancies on the Executive Council, 3) presentation to form an outreach committee (Kimberley), and 4) attendees vision of the Green Party (why are they here, what do they expect, where do they want the party to be going). Charles offered to research the specific requirements for running for office and will have that information for the meeting. Bob volunteered his overhead projector and offered to make transparencies if needed. Barb was assigned to draft a press release for approval by the Executive Council to announce the general meeting. Craig volunteered to give the General Meeting information to different community calendars throughout Washoe County. Barb will call to confirm the meeting place in Clark County. Bob (Clark County) and Craig (Washoe County) will serve as public relations contacts.

The voting process during the general meeting will be consensus-based. Failing a consensus, a 70% super-majority vote will be considered official. As always, the General Meeting is open to the public. Voting priviledges are only available to those verifiably registered as Green Party members within the state of Nevada.

IV. Meetings
It was agreed upon by consensus to keep the GPNV Executive Council meetings and Clark County Green Party meetings separate, to allow for more time for each meeting, avoid confusion, and accomodate as many Executive Council members as possible.

It was also agreed upon by consensus to hold the next Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, October 11 at 5:30PM.

V. Executive Council Decision-Making Via Email
After a lengthy discussion it was decided by consensus that between Executive Council meetings, a councilperson may submit a proposal via email to the Executive Council, which would then be given 48 hours for questions and comments before being put to a vote. If at the end of the 48 hours there is no response, the proposer of the item submitted may call the council via telephone. As with the actual Executive Council meetings, these decisions will be consensus-based.

VI. Announcements/Comments
Kimberley suggested a newsletter that could be mailed out to those without a computer to keep them abreast of the current status of the Green Party of Nevada. Craig suggested everyone vote via absentee ballot, in an effort to reject the unnaccountable paper-less voting machines. The anti-war rally Saturday, September 24 was mentioned. It was decided that it would be nice for Kimberley to bring her Green Party banner to display at the October General Meeting.

Adjourn