Meeting Minutes 03/30/2008

1. Introductions

   Attending: Ruth Gabey, Jon Olsen, Mary Beth, Jacqui Deveneau, Anthony Zeli, Anna Trevorrow, Lloukie Llofchie, Russ Christensen, Stan Llofchie, Jane Meisenbach

2. Fundraising report from national office on Maine donations to Cynthia’s campaign so far – Jacqui

   To become eligible for matching funds, Cynthia needs $5000 in donations from 20 states. The first $250 for each individual counts toward matching funds.

   The last reported figure for Maine’s contributions to Cynthia’s campaign was $700, but Jacqui feels it safe to estimate we’ve reached $1000 by this point. Many other states have already reached the $5000 marker. We really want the state of ME to achieve this goal, as we want to be leader in this initiative.

   We have envelopes for contributions to the Run Cynthia Run campaign. This way we can collect contributions directly to her campaign without having to route funds through our own committee.

3. FEC / PAC rules & regulations on the formation of our group and collecting donations – Tony

   As long as we keep our committee’s operational costs below $1000, we don’t have to report with the FEC at all, but as soon as we cross that $1000 line, we have to report with the FEC.

   At that point, we can either become an Associated Committee, which falls under the Run Cynthia Run umbrella like a sub-committee; or else we would form a PAC, but we’d no longer be able to use Cynthia’s name in our title.

   A discussion took place on which of the two types of committees to become. The Associated Committee was recommended. All are in agreement that when and if we raise $1000 we will become an Associated Committee.

   If contributions are under $50, we need to keep track of when and what event we received the money; between $50 and $200 we need name and addresses; over $200 we also need employer info.

   Donations for Cynthia’s matching funds will be routed through the Run Cynthia Run campaign; thus, the only contributions our committee will be dealing with are for operational costs for our committee itself.

4. Election of Treasurer

   Jacqui nominates Tony. Russ seconds the nomination. Tony accepts the nomination. All vote in favor.

5. Old Business:
   
   
   1. Local meetings – request for volunteers to set up local subdivisions of our group in other municipalities

      Some people live where it is not practical to commute to our meetings, so we are asking for volunteers to set up meetings in other municipalities. Russ has volunteered.

      Jacqui volunteers to send an email to her list of volunteers to see if others want to do this, as not everyone is present today.

      Stan volunteers to make some calls, if there are some specific names that people have in mind.

   2. News release & final results of Maine Caucuses

      Jane is still waiting for a few results. But Cynthia is still way out ahead. We did get caucuses in every county, but some things were sent in without voting results. Jane will get the result ASAP, and get results to Jacqui.

   3. Update on Maine speaking tour for Cynthia – Jacqui and Jon

      In order for Cynthia to travel, she needs funds because her campaign does not have the money. If we want her to come, we need to research the cost of a trip, and raise the funds for her. If anyone in our community has frequent flyer miles, they can be donated to her campaign.

      We have sent an invitation for all candidates to attend our convention. We should come up with a proposal to have her here the week before, and commit to raising the funds.

      Proposal to bring her here May 12 or 13 – Jacqui will contact the committee to see which is better. All agree.

   4. Update on artists around the state in support of Cynthia – Jacqui will report for Bruce

      Tabled until next meeting – Bruce has contacted some artists and is waiting to hear back. Jacqui suggests Kenny Cole.
      Robert Shetterly and Dahr Jamal are also suggested.

   5. Update on media plan for Cynthia’s travel to Maine

      Jacqui suggests Pat LaMarche for help with this. Jon mentions that WERU have committed to do an interview. Russ also suggests Lance Tapley.

      We’ll get the dates, and then put together a media subcommittee (Russ, Jon, and Stan volunteer).

   6. Brochure update – Jon will report for Bill and himself

      The tri-fold was passed around.

      Jacqui suggests we download the brochure from the RCR website and add our own touches.

      Jon doesn’t want to go back to the drawing board. If there are minor adjustments, that’s fine. But the words on the brochure are Cynthia’s own words from her Martin Luther King Day speech.

      Changes to the brochure were suggested; Jon took note. Jacqui suggests that we incorporate what is on her website.

      Jon will revisit this with Bill, and the final brochure will be tabled until next meeting.

   7. Advertising plans – request for volunteers to form a subcommittee

      Tabled until next meeting

   8. Website – volunteers needed

      Mary Beth reported that Bruce talked to Mr. Ellis at the VIP meeting. He has not committed yet, but it looks hopeful. Tabled to next meeting

   9. Update on college and university interest in having Cynthia speak – Anna and Tony

      Some contact names for local colleges and universities were suggested. Anna has agreed to pursue these, among others, to assess interest in having Cynthia speak at campuses.

      A tentative subcommittee comprised of Anna, Jacqui, and Jon, was established.

      Ruth volunteered to call Colby and Bates Colleges.

   10. Local issues for Cynthia to address when she visits – suggestions welcome

       Some local issues were suggested such as: Bath Iron works / conversion; Plumb Creek (suggestion to get input from Lynn); school consolidation (Jane); toxicity/ mercury pollution, incinerator, water quality; Baldacci’s cuts

       Jane suggests that we include the GP position on local issues in addition to just listing them.

       Jacqui suggests that everyone that has an issue, do a short write-up on it and bring to next meeting.

   11. Update on invitations of well known national supporters of Cynthia to speak / perform in Maine – subcommittee suggested, Anna will report

       Anna has contacted Jared Ball and Head-Roc, and has not heard anything back. She will follow-up with these invitations. Is there any interest in setting up a sub-committee? Pat LaMarche was suggested – Jane will contact her.

   12. Making a Mainers for Cynthia McKinney banner – request for group feedback on this topic

       Stan knows someone that can get banner material for very cheap, but then it is about doing the creative work, which can be very expensive if done professionally.

       We’d like to have a banner for the Common Ground Fair.

       Stan is willing to buy the material, if we can find someone to work on it.

       We’ll ask around for artists that are potential options, and bring back to next meeting.

   13. Letters to the Editor – request for volunteers to write about Cynthia

       Russ suggests someone writing an op-ed article confronting the issue of Greens stealing votes from Democrats. Russ volunteers to do this himself, and requests that anyone that has ideas on this topic contact him at 779-1163 within the next few weeks.

       Mary Beth suggests that every one of us write articles to the newspapers.
       
       

6. Update on MGIP Convention, May 18

   The Convention will be from 9 am to 5 pm at the Log Cabin on Main St in Yarmouth. A luncheon will be served.

   We’ve sent invites to all candidates, and have gotten 1 definite from Kat Swift. Candidates are looking for donations for travel, frequent flyer miles, etc. Jesse Johnson will be here.

7. Update on GPUS Convention, July 10 – 13

   We are taking a van. Including gas, the price will be $175/ person with 10 people in the van. We already have about 7 people committed. If we end up with more delegates than the van can accommodate, we have two people who have volunteered to drive their Priuses caravan-style.

   We are looking for places to stay in Buffalo (where we will stay overnight both ways as a half-way point) as well as in Chicago. Bruce has contacts that he has been working with, but if others know people, please contact.

   Jacqui read the list of names of committed delegates, for a total of 15. We are still hoping to carry our full delegation with 22 people.

8. Other important up-coming dates for Maine Greens
   
   
   1. April 12 MGIP Board Meeting, conference call 9:00 a.m.

      For a dial in number, contact Jane Meisenbach or Jacqui Deveneau, or await further info on Jacqui’s Big Green list.

   2. April 13 American Blackout film screening @ Meg Perry Center

      We will be showing this film with a suggested $5 donation to raise funds to cover our registration fees for the National Convention

   3. April 18 & 19 Mid-coast Green Collaborative, Green tabling

      This is the second annual Sustainable Energy Expo of the Mid-coast Green Collaborative, which drew a crowd of 2000 + last year. Jon, Anna, Tony, and Jane will be tabling.

   4. April 20 Hope Festival, Green tabling

      This is the annual celebration of Help Organize Peace Earth-wide, in celebration of Earth Day; it will include all-day events and entertainment. Lynn, Jacqui, Betsy and others will be tabling.

   5. May 2 American Blackout film screening @ Adams-Melman House

      This is the second screening of the film. We will be collecting donations for registration fees for the National Convention.
      
      

9. Set a date for next meeting

   4:00 pm, April 13, in Portland at Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, 242 St. John St

   Another meeting will be held April 27th from 12:00 to 2:00 at the Adams Melman House, 212 Centre St, in Bath

10. The meeting closed with a passing of the hat, where we collected a total of $90 for the Mainers for Cynthia McKinney committee
    
    

Russ is running for Congress, on a platform that opposes the start of a new war with Iran. He will be writing a proposal of his campaign action: he will be organizing acts of civil disobedience modeled in the form of Gandhi. He will run as an independent because there are a more of them in his district. He is a registered Green, but running as an independent. He will be running against Mike Michaud.

Every Monday & Thursday Cynthia’s campaign does a phone call. If anyone interested in being on the call contact Jacqui Deveneau.

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