Socialist Party USA

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Meeting of the Socialist Party USA
National Committee
June 13-14, 2009
Gay & Lesbian Center Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Attending (all or part of the NC meeting): Andrea Pason, Susan Dorazio, Eric Chester, Doris Lake, Peter Diamondstone, Matthew Andrews, Matt Erard, Marc Luzietti and Jerry Stastny.
Observing (all or part of the NC meeting): Jim Sanders, Darius Engle and Brian Moore.

Saturday June13, 2009

Meeting called to order at 10:25 am by Andrea P. who chaired

National Office Report
Greg reported that the National Office was mostly on budget. There was a slight drop in membership in good standing and membership renewals, but dues revenue was near budget despite less members renewing over the first five months. The office could use more support for on dues collection and fundraising. He reported that fundraising was far behind schedule and that he would report on that during the Finance/Fundraising part of the meeting.

Follow-up on past directives: The National Office helped coordinate for the March 21st anti-war action in DC and had a literature table supported by eight members (NJ, NYC and Virginia). The N.O. also helped coordinate a SP contingent for the April 3rd and 4th Wall St. actions with the support of the NYC Local. At the April 3rd event, Al Jezerra news attempted to do a story with the SP contingent but the event was mostly rained out and the story as well. The April 4th had much better weather and the SP contingent was approx 15 people, all of which helped staff the Party literature table at the “peace fair” afterward.

Greg also reported that he was on two organizing trips on 2009. The first trip was in April to Minneapolis to meet with the Minneapolis Local and then to the Wisconsin State Executive Committee meeting in Madison. He was on another trip to Charlottesville, VA in May. The Minneapolis/Madison trip allowed him to help the Minneapolis local work on reorganizing their LEC and the Madison trip was a long planned trip to discuss strategy and answer questions from the Wisconsin party. The Charlottesville trip was to help coordinate a local meeting an charter request, which will be presented at this meeting.

Greg reported that he has stuffed and mailed two issue of The Socialist, one issue of Socialist Women and one issue of H&T with the help of volunteers. During the next few months the office will focus on dues renewals, mailings of The Socialist, Socialist Women and Hammer & Tongs as well as pre-convention work and any directives from this NC.

Pre-Convention Discussion
Marc L., Susan D. and Greg P. reported that the planning committee has not formally met, but needs to start meeting and planning for the convention.

The committee discussed what they thought the NC should do, the planning committee should do and what the Local should do. The NC agreed to start the planning process and asked the planning committee and National Action Committee follow-up.

The committee discussed the roles of the convention committees and general planning for the first convention day (Friday October 9, 2009).

Constitution Revisions
Motion (Susan D.): To recommend to the National Committee of 2009-2011 that an NC sub-committee be formed to continue the work of the Convention Constitution Committee to review and refine the current
document.   Motion passed: 7 yes (Susan D., Doris L., Peter D. Eric C. Greg P., Marc L., Jerry S) 1 no (Matthew A.)

Motion (Eric C.): To create a sub-committee of three (3) National Committee members to pick three (3) constitutional refinements. These suggested refinements will be included in the pre-convention discussion bulletin.

Amendment (Peter D.): To include “The sub-committee will get direction from the NC on how we want changes to read or the intention of the changes. Amendment failed 2 yes (Peter D. and Greg P.) 7 no (Matt E., Doris L., Jerry S., Eric C., Matt A., Marc L. and Susan D.)

(Original) Motion: passed unanimously

The committee will be: Matt E., Marc L and Susan D. Approved unanimously

Motion (Susan D.): To include as a National Convention agenda item a Friday night forum on sexism, racism, and heterosexism as related to SP-USA principles and practice. A discussion will follow brief presentations by representatives of the People of Color Commission, the Queer Commission, and the Women's Commission. This forum will be scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. To assure that all members can attend, all convention committees will meet from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and not reconvene after that time. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion (Greg P.): The deadline for submission to the pre-convention discussion bulletin is to be August 15, 2009. All submission must be received at the National Office no later than that date to be included in the bulletin. Motion passed unanimously.

Marc L. chaired

Publications
The Socialist/ Socialist Women
The NC read the Editorial Board, Editor and EB minority report (available from the N.O.) and the committee discussed vacancies in the Editorial Board.

Motion (Susan D.): To table discussion of filling Editorial Board positions. Motion passed unanimously

Marc L. gave a report on the Editorial Board. He reported that the EB was not always responsive to requested input by the Editor and that Tina Philips and Courtney Campbell have both asked to be replaced as EB members.

Motion: To enter committee of the whole. Motion passed unanimously
The NC went into Committee of the Whole at 1:49 pm and came out of Committee of the Whole at 2:25 pm.

Motion (Susan D): To establish list of job requirements of the Editor of The Socialist.

Amendment: To change point #1 to “Actively solicit materials (articles, poetry, book reviews, commentary and graphics) particularly from women, people of color, LGBTQ and radicals, people both within and outside the SP-USA, via general calls for submissions and personal contact with individuals and organizations who are willing and able contributors.” Amendment passed 6 Yes (Eric C., Susan D., Greg P., Matt E., Marc L., Andrea P.) 2 no (Matthew A, Peter D.) 1 abs (Doris L.)

Motion (as Amended): The Editor of The Socialist – the national publication of the Socialist Party USA, a democratic socialist feminist organization, will consistently fulfill the following job requirements:
1.    Actively solicit materials (articles, poetry, book reviews, commentary and graphics) particularly from women, people of color, LGBTQ and radicals, people both within and outside the SP-USA, via general calls for submissions and personal contact with individuals and organizations who are willing and able contributors.
2.    Make sure that a democratic socialist feminist orientation is maintained by reaching out to radical feminists within and outside the party, and by publishing material that brings attention to women’s issues as identified in the SP Statement of Principles and platform.
3.    Write editorials that reflect the position of the Party in its statement of principles, platform and resolutions.
4.    Promote written communication around the principles and program of the Socialist Party USA and the global democratic socialist movement by welcoming contributions from new writers and by encouraging their efforts through a supportive, respectful, editing process.
5.    Since TS is the SP’s primary print-media means of outreach, the editor will publish statements as directed by the NC, and quotes from those sections of the Statement of Principles and platform that are relevant to the theme of the issue or to particular articles.
6.    Communicate regularly with and share responsibilities with the Editorial Board; communicate regularly with the National Committee.
7.    Meet publishing and distribution deadlines so that issues are in circulation during the first week of January, March May July, September and November – for consistency and to accommodate the IWD and May Day issues that are time sensitive.
8.    Participate in an annual review of job performance with members of the National Committee and the Editorial Board (both self and peer evaluations). Motion passed 8 yes (Eric C., Marc L., Susan D., Jerry S., Greg P., Matt E., Andrea P., Doris L., and Peter D.) and 1 abstention (Matthew A.)

Motion (Peter D.) As the official journal of the Socialist Party and thus one of its primary means of outreach, The Socialist will on an ongoing basis present:
a)    material that does not conflict with the principles of our party
b)    statements and resolutions as request d by the National Committee
c)    in the event and article contradicts the party platform or policy statements, it shall be preceded by the positions of the party. Motion passed unanimously

Matthew Andrews chaired as Marc Luzietti left the room for the election of the EB convener.

Motion (Eric C.): Since the Editorial Board convener is the main liaison between the Editorial Board and the National Committee, the NC will accepts as our responsibility electing the Editorial Board convener. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion (Peter D.): Upon confirmation by Mary Alice Herbert of her resignation as convener of the Editorial Board, the National Committee names Marc Luzietti as the Editorial Board convener. Motion passed unanimously.

Marc Luzietti returned and resumed as chair

Motion (Greg P.): The National Committee confirms that Socialist Women must abide by all of the same mandates and directives as The Socialist while replacing The Socialist during the publication schedule, including all resolutions passed at this NC meeting. Motion passed 6 yes (Andrea P., Greg P., Doris L., Jerry S., Eric C. and Matthew A.) 3 no (Peter D., Matt E. and Susan D.) 1 abs (Marc L.)

Hammer & Tongs
Greg reported that the next deadline for H&T is July 15th, as confirmed by the January NC.

States/Locals
Central Virginia
Greg passed around a charter request by SPUSA members in Central Virginia.
Motion: To charter the Central Virginia Socialist Party based on the application received. Motion passed unanimously.

California
Greg reported that Maggie Phair recently sent the N.O. paperwork and materials from the Southern California Local with a letter stating that the local was no longer active or functioning and confirming the state party was without an active SEC.

The committee also discussed recent correspondence with Tina Philips confirming that the Bay Area Local was not active and without a LEC.

Greg reported that Stewart Alexander called the office with an offer to work on reorganizing the Local and state Party. The committee agreed with Stewart being the point person in Southern California and discussing ways to reorganize the state and allow California members to serve as convention delegates while the state was without state or local executive committees, the following resolution was moved.

Motion (Jerry S.): The National Committee suspends the charter of the California state SPUSA organization until such time that it is reorganized and a new executive committee is elected. The NC de-charters all locals in the state. Motion passed 7 yes (Jerry S., Greg P., Matt e., Eric C., Matthew Q., Susan D. and Andrea P.) 1 no (Doris L.) and 1 abs (Peter D.)

The committee agreed to the National Office working with Stewart Alexander, as a Party organizer, to begin the reorganization of the California state organization.

State Reports
Matthew A. gave an update on the work of the Boston Local, including its new organizing framework and coalition work.

Matt E and Greg P. reported on a recent ballot access victory in Ohio and the need to reorganize the state since the Party now has ballot access.

Greg P and Andrea P. reported on the work of the Northern NJ Local including coalition work, monthly arts/culture events and the upcoming NJ/NYC organizing conference.

Meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm

Sunday June 14, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 9:45 am by Doris Lake who chaired

Editor/ Publication continued….
The committee discussed an e-mail resignation by Billy Wharton and the current status of the Socialist. The magazine is now one month behind schedule so the NC discussed re-visiting the appointment of new Editorial Board members.

Motion (Greg P.): To accept the resignations of Tina Philips and Courtney Campbell from the Editorial Board and to name Kristin Schall and Sally Joyner to the Editorial Board. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion (Greg P.): The national committee hopes that Billy Wharton will reconsider his resignation as Editor of The Socialist during the next seven days. If Billy does not withdraw his resignation in the next seven days, the Party will start the process of looking for a new Editor. Motion passed unanimously.

Convention continued...
Registration
The committee discussed the convention budget and registration fees.

Motion (Eric C.): To set convention registration fees for the 2009 SPUSA national convention between $35 and $100. The $100 registration fee will only apply to delegates and alternates who live in the convention area Northern NJ and greater NYC, who will commute to from the convention and are not staying at the convention hotel. The National Action Committee will set the rest of the registration fees based on the region of the country which delegates and alternates belong. Motion passed 8 Yes: Andrea P., Greg P. Peter D., Susan D., Eric C., Jerry S., Matt E and Marc L. 1 No Matthew A.

Credentials
The committee discussed credential forms for the 2009 convention. Specifically because of confusion with lists submitted in the past that were challenged by both state/local parties and delegates along with multiple lists submitted for chapters in the 2005 and 2009 conventions.

Motion (Greg P.): All delegates will need to submit a form with the following language; “I (name of delegate) have been elected to serve as a (delegate/ alternate) to the 2009 Socialist Party USA National Convention by (name of local or state party). As a representative of my state or local Socialist Party organization, I affirm that I subscribe to the Socialist Party USA SPUSA Statement of Principles and abide to constitution as it pertains to the national, state and local organizations” The form will need to be signed by the delegate/alternate and a state officer. The National Office will be directed to create credentials forms and provide them to all state and/or local parties and at-large electors. Motion passed 7 Yes (Greg P., Andrea P., Peter D., Doris L., Jerry S., Eric C. and Mathew A.) 1 No (Matt E.)

Finance/Fundraising
Treasury
SPUSA Treasurer reported that the Party had approx. $108,000 in the Treasury and funds have improved.

The committee discussed possible investment opportunities.

Motion (Susan D.): To allocate money from the Calvert Equity account is to be converted to cash and invested in Euros. Motion passed unanimously.

Fundraising
Greg P. distributed the Fundraising Committee minority report (available form the National Office) with suggestions from three committee members; Jerry Stastny, Greg Pason and Kristin Schall.

Motion (Greg P.): The National Action Committee is directed to recruit and elect a fundraising coordinator. The coordinator will be given a 7percent commission on all funds he/she directly raises. Motion passed 8 Yes (Greg P., Andrea P., Doris L., Peter D., Eric C., Matthew A., Susan D. and Marc L.) and 1 abs (Jerry S.)

Anti-War Movement Work
The NC discussed the Party’s role in the broader anti-war movement, specifically our membership in United for Peace & Justice and possible affiliation with the new National Assembly.

Motion (Matthew A.): Whereas, UfPJ has made official statements praising Obama and compromising their independence from the capitalist war-making Democratic Party,

Whereas UfPJ has played a divisive role in the wider anti-war movement, including but not limited to, failing to organize mass actions on the anniversary of the ground invasion and occupation of Iraq for two years running,

Whereas, the expansion of the US war on the middle east in Palestine and Pakistan, and the transfer of power to a wholly Democratic Party government in the US, will necessitate a militant and massive anti-war movement that is politically independent from the Democratic Party and that recognized the interdependence of U.S. imperialism and the global economic crisis in order to achieve its goals,

Whereas, mass participation in UfPJ has failed to broaden its perspective away from a handful of controlling organizations that prevent necessary action critical of the Obama Administration and the Democratic Party,

Whereas, other forces in the anti-war movement have already begun to orient toward the National Assembly to address the need for a new structure based on non-exclusion, transparent and democratic decision-making, and mass action independent of the Democratic Party.

Be it resolved that:
1) The SPUSA disaffiliates from UfPJ and ceases funding for participation. A public statement will be issued emphasizing our total opposition the foreign policy being pursued by the Obama Administration, and our unwillingness to continue to be associated with an organization that initially praised his election with
uncritical enthusiasm and continues to equivocate in opposing his policies.
2) The SPUSA encourages state affiliates, and locals where they lack statewide organization, to elect representatives to the National Assembly Continuation Body and to both the SPUSA Anti-Imperialism
Committee and the SPUSA War at Home Committee.
3) SPUSA locals are encouraged to participate in their local anti-war movement with whoever they can in a principled way as socialists advocating non-exclusion, transparent and democratic decision-making, direct action and mass protest independent of the capitalists' political parties to defeat US imperialist war efforts and to defend the working class against attacks on employment, programs, and services in the name of economic recovery.
4) The SPUSA endorses the National Assembly to end the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupations, to be held July 10th in Pittsburgh, PA. We encourage locals to form Organizing Committees with all other
National Assembly supporters in their communities to ensure maximum attendance and participation.
5) The Anti-Imperialism Committee and the War at Home Committee shall work together to coordinate SPUSA activity after the National Assembly meets. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: The National Committee shall establish an ad hoc committee of Socialist Party members who will be attending the National Assembly in Pittsburgh July 10-12th in order to coordinate our participation.
Motion passed unanimously.

Marc Luzietti and Jim Sanders volunteered to write a statement on the Party’s disaffiliation from UfP&J for review by the National Committee.

Media Relations
Literature
Motion (Eric C.): To retire the pamphlet titled “A Lot of What’s Best…”. Motion passed unanimously

The committee discussed changes to the “Who We Are” pamphlet proposed by Matt E, specifically outdated sections, but was in general agreement that the changes proposed were unclear and should be submitted in writing before being considered.

Motion (Peter D.): To suspend the distribution of the “Who We Are” pamphlet unil revisions are made. Motion failed 1 Yes (Peter D.) 8 No (Greg P., Andrea P., Doris L., Matt E. Eric C. Matthew A., Marc L. and Susan D.)

Motions on the responsibilities and restrictions of members speaking for the Party were discussed.

Motion: To table the discussion. Motion passed 5 yes Greg P., Andrea P., Doris L., Matthew A. and Marc Luzietti. 4 no Susan D., Peter D., Matt E. and Eric Chester.

Jerry Stastny chaired

International Discussion
Eric Chester gave a report from the International Committee and his international contacts. Eric reported that he will not be serving as the IC Chair after the National Convention.

Motion (Eric C.): The national committee shall seek to obtain observer status for the SPUSA at the network initiated by the French New Anti-Capitalist Party and the network initiated by the CNT-F. The International Commission shall transmit this resolution and will report back to the national convention on these matters. Motion passed unanimously

Commissions/Committees
The committee discussed Party commissions.

Motion (Matt E.) Resolution on SP Commission Membership: The applications of all SP members which indicate interest in joining particular Party commissions will be forwarded to the pertaining commission convener or secretary for purposes of applying to be added as members of such commissions. States and local organizations are strongly encouraged to inform the Commission of any checked commission boxes on SP membership applications that are sent to state and local organizations directly. All SP commissions are strongly encouraged to establish and maintain online for internal discussion. The email addresses of new SP members who are added to the membership of a Party commission from indication on their party membership applications should be sent to the Commissions so that they might be added to the pertaining commissions’ list-serves whenever applicable. All SP and YPSL members may at any time apply join or decide to resign from a Party commission by contacting the commission convener. SP commissions may drop inactive and unresponsive members from commission membership no sooner than one year following their date of joining the pertaining commission. Under no circumstances will any member who is dropped from commission membership face any resulting barrier to re-joining a commission at any future point upon his/her request. Motion passed 8 Yes (Greg P., Andrea P., Doris L., Jerry S., Eric C., Matthew A., Susan D. and Marc L.) 1 abs (Peter D.)

Motion (Marc L.) Socialist Correspondence Committee: Whereas, the global economy is in an economic crisis of a scale not seen in nearly seventy years, and
Whereas, twenty percent of Americans believe the socialism is superior to capitalism, and
Whereas, twenty seven percent of Americans have doubts as to the superiority of capitalism, and
Whereas, the objective and subjective conditions for the growth of the socialist movement are greater today than at any time in the preceding three decades,
Therefore, be it revolved that the Socialist Party of the United States of America hereby creates a Socialist Correspondence Commission to carry out dialogue and explore the possibility of joint action with other socialist organizations within the United States and its territories and dependencies.
The National Committee may designate specific socialist organizations as outside the scope of the Commission's scope.
No agreements may be reached between the Commission and any other organization without the National Committee's ratification. Motion passed 6 yes (Greg P., Andrea P, Matt E., Peter D., Doris L. and Susan D.) 2 no (Eric C. and Matthew A.)

Future Meetings
Motion: The National Committee adopts the following new policy on meeting locations.
The Party will prioritize the following meeting locations:
1)    non-profits, union halls or university campuses
2)    inexpensive unionized hotels
3)    inexpensive hotel which are not unionized
Motion passed 6 yes Peter D., Doris L., Jerry S., Eric C., Marc L and Matthew A.

Greg & Andrea left the meeting but a quorum was still present (Doris L., Susan D., Peter D., Matt E., Matthew A., Jerry S. Eric C. and Marc L.)

Reproductive Rights/ Murder of Dr. George Tiller
The committee discussed producing a statement on the murder of Dr. George Tiller. Susan D. reported that the Women’s Commission is working with the Kansas state organization on putting together a statement.

Motion (Matthew A.): The National Committee encourages local party organizations to hold marches on Rosie Jimenez Day (October 3, 2009) honoring the martyr’s of the reproductive rights movement, including Dr. George Tiller. Motion passed unanimously

SNC/ Electoral
Motion (Eric C.): To contribute $300 to the Pason for Governor and $150 the Luzietti for Congress campaigns form the Socialist National Committee. Motion passed unanimously

E-Mail List
Motion (Marc L.) To name Karen Englehart as a member of the members-only e-mail list moderation board. Motion passed unanimously.

Bea-Hermann Travel Fund
Motion: To allocate $600 from the general fund to the Bea Hermann Travel Fund to subsidize travel to the upcoming convention by women, people of color and youth. Some of the money will be returned to the general fund from registration fees. It is understood that those chosen for these subsidies will receive the money once they arrive and register for the convention. Motion passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 4:45 pm

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