Organization

2024 Presidential Nomination

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Maine has two pathways for determining presidential preference of members, to be determined by the political party -- either a presidential primary, or through municipal caucuses held statewide.

The MGIP chooses to go with municipal caucuses instead of the presidential primary.
The presidential primary process requires each candidate to get 2,000 signatures of party members or independents for their name to be placed on the presidential primary ballot.
This process creates unnecessary extra work to our members to have to collect signatures (a daunting task that might not even be successful), and also limits the choices of our members to only those candidates on the ballot. There is also no mechanism in a presidential primary for our members to indicate a preference for "no nominee," which is a technical possibility within the GPUS presidential nomination process for which our members should be afforded an opportunity to express support for.
To not burden our members with extra work to collect signatures,  and to give our members freedom to vote as they wish without limits, we forego the presidential primary election and choose the municipal caucuses as our method of nomination. By not limiting the choices of our members, as would be the case under the presidential primary system, we get the most accurate representation of what our members desire since they can vote freely as they wish.
Municipal caucuses are held town by town across the state between Jan. 1 and March 19, on dates that are best for municipal caucus organizers. Votes for presidential preference are collected at the caucuses and reported to the state party.
If members do not get a chance to vote at a municipal caucus, or no municipal caucus is organized in their town, then they will get a second chance to vote at our statewide convention,  which will be held before Aug. 1. If members cannot attend the convention AND they were unable to vote at a municipal caucus,  they may submit an absentee ballot in advance of the convention by contacting the party directly.
We do not design a ballot. We allow our members to vote for whomever they wish and we accept "no nominee" as a valid option since it is provided for as an option in the GPUS rules. We recognize and count votes for candidates of any party enrollment, since GPUS rules provide for the possibility of nominating or endorsing other party candidates (albeit unlikely). Our process is an open slate where members are free to express their wishes for the GPUS nomination without limits.
At the convention,  we combine the tallies of both caucus and convention votes and apportion our delegates as closely as possible to the proportion of votes for each preference indicated. Votes for miscellaneous choices that don't each earn their own delegate apportionments are generally combined collectively into "uncommitted" delegates. 
The ultimate authority of delegate apportionment lies with the convention and in cases where the apportionment of delegates doesn't line up perfectly with the apportionment of votes,  the convention determines how to best allocate the delegates as fairly as possible.
 
2024 Candidates for Green Party of the United States Presidential Nomination
 
For more information on those candidates who are officially recognized by the Green Party of the United States as viable candidates for nomination, and candidates who are currently seeking official recognition from the national party, we encourage members to visit this link, where the national party's presidential nomination process is explained and links are provided to information about each candidate:
 
 
In summary, as of March, 2024, candidates seeking nomination and official recognition are as follows (this may change over time, so please refer to the link above for the most accurate listing):
 

Three candidates met "recognition" standards as as defined by GPUS Rules & Procedures, Article 10:

Jasmine Sherman | Jorge Zavala | Jill Stein

 

These candidates are actively seeking the Green Party nomination for president:  

Robert Cooke | Davi | Randy Toler 

 

Vote GREEN!

2021 Convention

 2021 Convention Welcome and Information Center

 

The purpose of the Maine Green Independent Party is to transform public policy
through the implementation of our 10 Key Values and be publicly visible as the

party that stands for the common good.

 

 

Welcome to the Maine Green Independent Party 2021 Annual Convention Welcome Center!

 

Table of Contents

 

Registration

Entry Fee

Preparation

Convention Program

Community Agreements / Convention Rules / Convention Officers / Guidelines on Zoom Chat 

Party Budget

Bylaws Amendments

Set Party Goals

State Committee/Officer Elections

Primary Eligibility

 

This will serve as the convention packet of materials registrants would normally receive at the registration table at an in-person convention.

 

REGISTRATION

This year's convention will be held over a two-day period. Our business will be done entirely on Sunday, May 23 from 9 AM to 4 PM. The day before, on Saturday, May 22 from 6 PM to 8 PM (possibly later) we have set aside time to allow Green Independents to socialize and interact in an informal setting, to compensate for the in-person face-to-face interactions that are lost when meeting by video conference.

Both events must be registered for separately. Only enrolled Maine Green Independents and our invited speakers may register for any convention events. All others will be able to observe the events live as they are streamed on our Facebook page.

To reduce confusion, our two events are titled differently. Register for both events if you wish to attend both. If you only wish to attend one day, please make sure you register for the correct event.

Direct Democracy Forum: Saturday, May 22 6 PM to 8 PM (possibly later).

To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvd-qvrD0vGtJ20pKY_qxRtuSWCrNHcvdL

Facebook Event: 2021 Maine Green Independent Party Convention: Direct Democracy Forum | Faceboo

We are accepting video submissions from enrolled Maine Green Independents, for presentation during the Direct Democracy Forum. Videos of five minutes or less may be forwarded to mainegreenindependent [at] gmail [dot] com by May 20.

Business Day: Sunday, May 23 9 AM to 4 PM.

To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqfuyvrTIsEtP6kwS4ZxYJYRMEEojjyNTo

Facebook Event: 2021 Maine Green Independent Party Convention: Business Day | Facebook 

Because our convention is only open to participation by enrolled Maine Green Independents, there may be a delay in processing registrations while we confirm each registrant's enrollment status. Last minute registrations may be denied if we are unable to confirm enrollment status with the voter lists available to us (updated as of April 2021). We encourage members to register immediately, even if they are still uncertain whether they can attend.

 

ENTRY FEE

This is important. Please donate a convention registration fee if you can afford to, at https://www.mainegreens.org/donate . Checks may also be mailed to Maine Green Independent Party, PO Box 10345, Portland, ME 04104.

The recommended donation is $20, but any amounts are accepted. Nobody will be denied registration for inability to pay.

Our annual convention accounts for the largest portion of our budget and your genorosity to help fund the party is appreciated.

 

PREPARING FOR CONVENTION BUSINESS

The first thing you will want to do to prepare for the May 23 business convention is to locate two emails that were sent to you at some point after you registered for the convention.

One email has your unique registration information for the Zoom conference, which was sent in a subject line titled "Maine Green Independent Party 2021 Annual Convention Confirmation."
The second email contains your unique registration information for Direct Vote Live, with a subject line titled "MGIP Convention Ballots - Do Not Forward."

Both emails will be sent again on the morning of May 23 at about 8 a.m. so that the information will be newer in your inbox.

We recommend that you first login to DirectVote Live and have your browser save the password, so that if you are logged out do to inactivity, it will be easy to log back in with a saved password.

Keep the DirectVote tab open and readily available in your browser. When necessary to vote in an election or on certain proposals, we will all be taking a few moments to go into DirectVote Live and cast our votes.

If you keep the tab available and open, so that you do not have to search for the link in your email again, the voting will be seemless and easy.

Once you have DirectVote Live set up in a browser tab, proceed to login to the Zoom conference using the unique registration information sent to you. When entering the convention, the name you entered on your registration form will be the name that is displayed during the convention.
Registrants will find themselves in a waiting room and will be allowed into the convention starting at 9 a.m.

During the registration period from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., microphones will be muted and registrants will be greeted by music, including music from local Maine Greens.

The chat board, which can be found by clicking a button titled "chat" on the Zoom screen, is where members will be communicting, socializing and providing guidance to each other on the peculiarities of using Zoom. Feel free to introduce yourself or ask any questions you may have about today's convention.

 

2021 CONVENTION PROGRAM 

9:00 Registration
9:55 Blessing by Dawn Neptune Adams

10:00 Community GuidelinesConvention Rules and Officers / Zoom Tutorial and Chat Guidelines

10:10 Welcome and introduction of officers by senior co-chair Linnea Maravell
10:15 Nominate/Elect convention secretary (1st), convention chair (2nd)
10:20 State of the Party by senior co-chair Linnea Maravell

10:25 Amend Bylaws

11:25 Set Party Goals
11:35 Approve Party Budget presented by Treasurer Allen Cooke (live stream will be discontinued for this section)

11:45 Featured Speaker: Dawn Neptune Adams

NOON: Lunch/Break

12:25 John Rensenbrink introduction of Pat LaMarche

12:30 Keynote Speaker: Pat LaMarche

1:10 Moment of Honor for Freddie Dolgon

1:20 Electoral Committee Report by Justin Beth

1:25 Green of the Year

1:30 Elect Party Co-Chair

1:50 Elect Party Secretary

2:00 Elect At-Large State Committee Members

2:20 Featured Speaker: Cheri Honkala

2:40 Maine Lavender Greens Caucus Report by Amanda Robbins Rowe

2:45 Determine Eligibility to Vote in 2022 Primary Election, presented by Justin Beth

3:15 Featured Speaker: Jill Stein

3:35 International Committee Report by Bahram Zandi

3:45 Elect Representatives to Mational and International Party Committees.

3:55 Closing Remarks by junior co-chair Jake Kulaw (soon to be senior co-chair at conclusion of convention!)

This schedule will be subject to change, including in real time during the convention proceedings.

 

 COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS

MGIP Community Agreements
● Speak with honesty, listen with humility
● We acknowledge that oppressions exist and that
not all voices carry equal weight. We strive within
our space to correct that.
● We acknowledge that inherent bias exists in each of
us and may give and receive acknowledgement of
that without offense.
● We value relationship building over being “right.”
● Assume good intentions but recognize that impact
is greater than intent.
● One Person at a time. Progressive Stack.
● Be fully present and listen.
● Build up, do not break down.
● We invest in each other’s growth.
● If you speak a lot, listen more! And if you are shy,
speak up!
● Use correct pronouns.

 

CONVENTION RULES

1. CONVENTION OFFICERS

    Convention proceedings begin by electing first a convention secretary, then a convention chairperson.

    The convention secretary will record all official decisions of the convention.
    The convention chairperson and two party co-chairs are convention facilitators.

    The convention committee may establish other convention officer positions as it deems fit. These other officers may be appointed by the committee in advance of the convention or appointed by the facilitators at the convention.

    A time keeper will keep facilitators informed of time apportionment limits.

2. FACILITATION

    Facilitators oversee a process aiming for consensus on all decisions of the convention. If consensus cannot be realized within reasonable time, facilitators may call for the decision to be made by majority vote.

    All motions for a decision require a second, except for motions made by the facilitator 'without objection.'

    A facilitator will not facilitate an election of officers when that person is a candidate for the office being elected.

    Facilitators will recognize speakers as equitably as possible to allow all people who want to speak an opportunity to do so.

    Facilitators may institute time limits for speaking when necessary.

3. ELECTIONS

    Elections that are uncontested may be decided by consensus or majority vote indicated by vocal expression or show of hands.

    Contested elections are determined by paper write-in ballot or online voting.

    Elections for one position shall be determined by majority vote using ranked choice voting when necessary, or, when online voting is unable to hande RCV, rounds of runoff voting with one candidate being removed in each round until a candidate attains majority.

    Elections with multiple candidates running for multiple seats shall be determined by ranked approval voting. Each vote for a candidate regardless of rank is an equal vote; candidates with the most total votes are elected to the number of positions open. When a tie exists for a remaining position, rank determines the winner. When online voting is unable to handle ranked voting, ties may be resolved with subsequent voting instead of rank.

    A ballot-counting committee may be appointed by the convention committee or the facilitators. Any participant of the convention may observe the counting of ballots.
OTHER CONVENTION OFFICERS FOR 2021 CONVENTION
Technical facilitator (Kelly Merrill): The technical facilitator will scan the video conference chat room and participant symbols for indicators of members wishing to be placed on stack and will communicate to convention facilitators at will and as needed of such requests. The technical facilitator may also monitor the chat and inform people if their comments are off topic or inappropriate.
Meeting technician (Alan Brown): The meeting technician will mute or unmute participants, enable or disable chat rooms, and perform other technical actions as necessary at the request of convention facilitators. 
Parliamentarian (Benjamin Meiklejohn): The parliamentarian will provide guidance and direction to convention facilitators on parliamentary process related to convention rules or when relevant, bylaws. 
 
GUIDELINES FOR ZOOM CHAT ROOM
  1. Right to disable. Convention facilitators reserve the right to disable the chat room at any time should conversation in the forum become disruptive or distracting.
  2. Stay on topic. Members are asked to use the public chat room only to discuss agenda items that are currently in process. Members may interact with each other privately but use of the public chat room should be restricted to commentary directly related to the agenda subject at hand. Members are welcome to debate and discuss the issue at hand in the chat room as much as they wish instead of requesting the floor, or if they have exhausted their available time on the floor. Just stick to the topic please!
  3. Community Guidelines. Our community guidelines apply to the chat room--be respectful and kind! Offensive/insulting commentary is not welcome!
  4. Warnings. Facilitators may notify members if they are participating in the chat room inconsistent with these guidelines. Please respect and heed warnings by facilitators. Continued refusal to abide by these guidelines may result in removal from the chat room and/or convention.
 
PARTY BUDGET
Approval of the party budget will be done in non-public session. The budget will be displayed and presented to attendees during the convention.
 
BYLAWS AMENDMENTS
The current bylaws may be viewed at https://mainegreens.org/organization/bylaws .
 There are eight bylaws amendments being proposed for approval:
 
AMENDMENT #1:
Amend Article IV, Section B. At-Large Seats, one sentence as follows:

There are five three at-large members of the state committee, elected at annual conventions for a term of … 

Amend Article IV, Section E. Meetings, one sentence as follows:

Quorum for a state committee meeting shall be either a majority of all active state committee members or a majority of the nine state committee members that comprise the executive and at-large seats.

Sponsored by Benjamin Meiklejohn

 

AMENDMENT #2:

Amend Article IV, Section E. Meetings, one sentence as follows:

Quorum for a state committee meeting shall be either a majority of all active state committee members or a majority of the nine state committee members (excluding vacant seats) that comprise the executive and at-large seats.

Sponsored by Benjamin Meiklejohn


AMENDMENT #3:
Amend Article IV, Section B. At-Large Seats, one sentence amended and one paragraph removed as follows:

There are five at-large members of the state committee, elected at annual conventions for a term of one to two years. A year term is defined as the time between two consecutive annual conventions.

After one year, at-large members with no more than three unexcused absences are entitled to a one-year renewal of their terms, which can be done by notifying the state committee at their last meeting before the convention. Only at-large members who were elected at a convention may renew their terms. Qualifying at-large members may only renew their term once, and after completing a two-year term, must stand again for election.

Sponsored by Jacqui Deveneau and Jake Kulaw

 

AMENDMENT #4:

Amend Article IV, Section G. Resignation, Removal and Replacement, one sentence removed and one paragraph added as follows:

Any state committee member may resign at any time by giving written notice to a party co-chair.

Resignations from the state committee or its sub-committees shall be effective immediately upon submission. Resignations may be submitted by email, phone, mail, verbally or any other means and shall be accepted and effective immediately upon timestamp and date stamp of the submission method.

Sponsored by Alan Brown

 

AMENDMENT #5:

Amend Article IV, Section G. Resignation, Removal and Replacement, to header renamed and paragraph added as follows: 

Article IV, Section G. Resignation, Removal, and Replacement and Inegibility

Any state committee member who has been censured, suspended or removed is ineligible to serve on the state committee for the following one-year term, including by appointment to a county seat or renewal of term.

Sponsored by Jacqui Deveneau and Jake Kulaw

 
AMENDMENT #6:
Amend Article IV, section G. Resignation, Removal and Replacement, one sentence as follows: 

Any at-large or executive member whose term has not expired, or who has not been removed for excessive absences as outlined in these bylaws, may be removed by a vote of two-thirds of the state committee upon recommendation from the ethics committee to remove as outlined in Article IV Section H, or by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at a party convention as outlined in Article V of these bylaws. 

Amend Article IV, Section H, Officers and Subcommittees, one paragraph added as follows:

The state committee will establish and maintain an ethics committee that amplifies and centers the voices of marginalized communities. The ethics committee will hold state committee members to standards of conduct and accountability established by the state committee. The ethics committee may recommend actions to the state committee, including moderation, censure, suspension or removal of members in accordance with established accountability standards

Sponsored by Jacqui Deveneau and Jake Kulaw

 
AMENDMENT #7:
Amend Article V. Conventions, one sentence removed as follows:

Setting the goals of the party, which shall be included as an addendum to these bylaws, titled, “Goals,”

Sponsored by Benjamin Meiklejohn

 
AMENDMENT #8:
Amend Article VI. Platform, one sentence as follows:

Near the end of each year term biennium leading to an even-numbered-year convention, the state committee shall review and compile position statements it made in the prior two years, and consider submitting to the convention platform positions proposals that reflect the positions taken by the state committee.

Sponsored by Benjamin Meiklejohn

 

SET PARTY GOALS

The current goals 2020-2021 goals of the Maine Green Independent Party can be found at Goals (mainegreens.org).

Proposals for goals will be received on the floor of the convention.

 

ELECTION OF STATE COMMITTEE AND PARTY OFFICERS

More information on the duties of the state committee and its officers may be found in Article IV, Sections B-D of the state party bylaws: https://mainegreens.org/organization/bylaws

Article IV, Section C, Part 1. Co-Chairs

The co-chairs shall represent the party's values, platform and positions to the public and media, organize and facilitate state committee meetings, and oversee and direct the state committee's fulfillment of duties.

Article IV, Section C, Part 2. Secretary

The secretary shall be responsible for keeping party records and archives and advising the party on communication matters. The secretary shall record vote tallies of decisions made by the state committee and executive committee, or designate another to do so.

The secretary shall be responsible for maintaining records of party officers and reporting to the secretary of state when officer changes occur.

Article IV State Committee, Section D. Duties

The state committee will manage all state-level party operations and facilitate the establishment and growth of local groups to oversee party operations in their jurisdictions.

Duties of the state committee include:

Assuring the party meets its statutory obligations to hold caucuses and conventions, maintain a minimum level of party enrollment, and fulfill all other statutory requirements,

Filing state and federal reports,

Organizing conventions and working to achieve goals set at conventions,

Recruiting candidates for state and national offices and supporting local group recruitment of candidates in county, municipal and other jurisdictions,

Maintaining a visible statewide presence, acting as the official voice of the party and taking timely positions on important issues,

Communicating and engaging with local groups about state party meetings and activities,

Administering state party assets including the party's website and state voter list,

Managing state party finances and overseeing state party fundraising efforts, and

Establishing offices and subcommittees to help the state committee fulfill all duties, and oversee the fulfillment of duties by the executive officers.

 

 PRIMARY ELIGIBILITY

Under Maine statute, qualified political parties may choose which voters are eligible to participate in that party's primary elections. If no notice is given to the secretary of state by Feb. 1 of the election year, the primary is automatically restricted to only members of that party. 

The Maine Green Independent Party is the only party in the history of Maine to willingly open participation in its primary to other voters who are not enrolled members. In 2016, 2018 and 2020, the Green Independent Party opened its primaries, allowing unenrolled voters (commonly referred to as "Independents") to participate.

Our bylaws require the convention on every odd-numbered year, to determine primary election eligibility for the following election year.

This year, both the state committee and electoral committee are recommending the convention to allow all registered voters to participate in the Green Independent Party 2022 primary election. 

 

This year's convention is dedicated to the memory and honor of Fred Dolgon.

 

fred.dolgon

 

“Freddie was a force, He was a little old man with white hair who loved to argue, but he was the sweetest person in the world. He just really cared a lot about everything. Freddie was always the person who kept us in humor. He had this amazing wit about him. He came to one of our meetings and brought this suitcase full of hats. He put on a hat and did a character. He put on another had and did a character. Everyone just loved him.” --Jacqui Deveneau

 

2022 Convention

 2022 Convention Welcome and Information Center

 nature banner

The purpose of the Maine Green Independent Party is to transform public policy
through the implementation of our 10 Key Values and be publicly visible as the

party that stands for the common good.

 

 

Welcome to the Maine Green Independent Party 2022 Annual Convention Welcome Center!

 

Our annual convention of the Maine Green Independent Party will be held Saturday June 4th as an online event using Zoom.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We previously publicized a "Save the Date" with a weekend-long convention. ALL business will be done Saturday, June 4. There will be NO convention events Friday or Sunday, as previously publicized. 
Speakers:
Pat LaMarche
Lisa Savage
Meg Osgood
Betsy Garrold
Time:
Saturday, June 4 -- 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM, 
 

 Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/2zRyD9reK

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Registration

Entry Fee

Preparation

Convention Program

Convention Rules / Convention Officers / Guidelines on Zoom Chat 

Party Budget

Set Party Goals

Platform Proposal

State Committee/Officer Elections

 

This will serve as the convention packet of materials registrants would normally receive at the registration table at an in-person convention.

 

REGISTRATION

This year's convention will be held on Saturday, June 4.  

Only enrolled Maine Green Independents and our invited speakers may register for the convention. 

WHEN REGISTERING FOR CONVENTION: Please use your legal name and address where you are registered to vote!

PLEASE ALLOW FOR UP TO 48 HOURS FOR US TO MANUALLY CONFIRM YOUR REGISTRATION. When confirmed, ,you will receive an email with the meeting link.

 

 

Maine Green Independent Party 2022 Annual Convention: Saturday, June 4 -- 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM

To registerhttps://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpduqpqDspHt1SKmU0PPd6Vd_2dJ8CcV74

Because our convention is only open to participation by enrolled Maine Green Independents, there may be a delay in processing registrations while we confirm each registrant's enrollment status. Last minute registrations may be denied if we are unable to confirm enrollment status with the voter lists available to us. We encourage members to register immediately, even if they are still uncertain whether they can attend.

 

ENTRY FEE

Please donate a convention registration fee if you can afford to, at 2022 Convention Registration Donation (mainegreens.org). Checks may also be mailed to Maine Green Independent Party, PO Box 10345, Portland, ME 04104.

The recommended donation is $20, but any amounts are accepted. Nobody will be denied registration for inability to pay.

Our annual convention accounts for the largest portion of our budget and your genorosity to help fund the party is appreciated.

 

PREPARING FOR CONVENTION BUSINESS

The first thing you will want to do to prepare for the business convention is to locate two emails that were sent to you at some point after you registered for the convention.

One email has your unique registration information for the Zoom conference, which was sent in a subject line titled "Maine Green Independent Party 2022 Annual Convention Confirmation."
The second email contains your unique registration information for Direct Vote Live, with a subject line titled "MGIP Convention Ballots - Do Not Forward."

Both emails will be sent again on the morning of June 4 at about 8 a.m. so that the information will be fresh in your inbox.

We recommend that you first login to DirectVote Live and have your browser save the password, so that if you are logged out do to inactivity, it will be easy to log back in with a saved password.

Keep the DirectVote tab open and readily available in your browser. When necessary to vote in an election or on certain proposals, we will all be taking a few moments to go into DirectVote Live and cast our votes.

If you keep the tab available and open, so that you do not have to search for the link in your email again, the voting will be seemless and easy.

Once you have DirectVote Live set up in a browser tab, proceed to login to the Zoom conference using the unique registration information sent to you. When entering the convention, the name you entered on your registration form will be the name that is displayed during the convention.
Registrants will find themselves in a waiting room and will be allowed into the convention starting at 10:30 a.m.

.

The chat board, which can be found by clicking a button titled "chat" on the Zoom screen, is where members will be communicting, socializing and providing guidance to each other on the peculiarities of using Zoom. Feel free to introduce yourself or ask any questions you may have about today's convention.

 

2022 CONVENTION PROGRAM 

 

[PLEASE NOTE: Times may shift during the course of the day. Agenda items may begin earlier or later than scheduled, depending on the convention's pace. If interested in a certain topic, be present well in advance in case it is taken up earlier than scheduled]
 
10:30 Registration
10:55 Land Acknowledgment by Jake Kulaw
11:00 Welcome/Introduction/State of the Party by co-chair Gil Harris
11:15 Nominate/Elect convention secretary (1st), convention chair (2nd) 
11:30 Convention Rules and Officers / Zoom Tutorial and Chat Guidelines
11:35 Approve Party Budget presented by Treasurer Allen Cooke
11:50 Set Party Goals
12:05 Speaker: Betsy Garrold -- Candidate for State Representative, House District 38
12:15 Speaker: Meg Osgood -- Greens Giving Back
12:30 Pass Platform
1:00  Green of the Year Award
1:15 Pat LaMarche Gives Hall of Fame Award
1:45  Keynote Speaker: Lisa Savage
2:00 Elect Party Co-Chair

2:10 Elect Party Treasurer

2:20 Elect 5 At-Large State Committee Members

2:50  Elect Representatives to national and international party committees. Report on openings on various Green Party of the United States subcommittees.
3:10  Elect County and District Committees/ County Committees to meet in breakout rooms
4:20 Closing remarks from co-chair Linnea Maravell
4:30  Adjournment

 

  

CONVENTION RULES

 

1. CONVENTION OFFICERS

Convention proceedings begin by electing first a convention secretary, then a convention chairperson.

The convention secretary will record all official decisions of the convention.
The convention chairperson and two party co-chairs are convention facilitators.

The convention committee may establish other convention officer positions as it deems fit. These other officers may be appointed by the committee in advance of the convention or appointed by the facilitators at the convention.

A time keeper will keep facilitators informed of time apportionment limits. 

 

2. FACILITATION

Facilitators oversee a process aiming for consensus on all decisions of the convention. If consensus cannot be realized within reasonable time, facilitators may call for the decision to be made by majority vote.

All motions for a decision require a second, except for motions made by the facilitator 'without objection.'

A facilitator will not facilitate an election of officers when that person is a candidate for the office being elected.

Facilitators will recognize speakers as equitably as possible to allow all people who want to speak an opportunity to do so.

Facilitators may institute time limits for speaking when necessary.

 

3. ELECTIONS

Elections that are uncontested may be decided by consensus or majority vote indicated by vocal expression or show of hands.

Contested elections are determined by paper or online write-in ballot.

Elections for one position shall be determined by majority vote using ranked choice or runoff voting when necessary.

Elections with multiple candidates running for multiple seats shall be determined by ranked or runoff approval voting. Each vote for a candidate regardless of rank is an equal vote; candidates with the most total votes are elected to the number of positions open. When a tie exists for a remaining position, rank or runoff determines the winner.

A ballot-counting committee may be appointed by the convention committee or the facilitators. Any participant of the convention may observe the counting of ballots.

If a person is unable to cast their votes using an online voting program, their vote may be counted by submitting their vote to a member of the ballot counting committee, who will then inform the facilitator to add the vote(s) to the online vote total.

OTHER CONVENTION OFFICERS FOR 2022 CONVENTION
Technical facilitators (Jake Kulaw, Alan Brown, Fred McCann): The technical facilitator will scan the video conference chat room and participant symbols for indicators of members wishing to be placed on stack and will communicate to convention facilitators at will and as needed of such requests. The technical facilitator may also monitor the chat and inform people if their comments are loff topic or inappropriate. The technical facilitator will mute or unmute participants, enable or disable chat rooms, and perform other technical actions as necessary at the request of convention facilitators. 
Parliamentarian (Benjamin Meiklejohn): The parliamentarian will provide guidance and direction to convention facilitators on parliamentary process related to convention rules or when relevant, bylaws. 
 
GUIDELINES FOR ZOOM CHAT ROOM
  1. Right to disable. Convention facilitators reserve the right to disable the chat room at any time should conversation in the forum become disruptive or distracting.
  2. Stay on topic. Members are asked to use the public chat room only to discuss agenda items that are currently in process. Members may interact with each other privately but use of the public chat room should be restricted to commentary directly related to the agenda subject at hand. Members are welcome to debate and discuss the issue at hand in the chat room as much as they wish instead of requesting the floor, or if they have exhausted their available time on the floor. Just stick to the topic please!
  3. Community Guidelines. Our community guidelines apply to the chat room--be respectful and kind! Offensive/insulting commentary not welcome!
  4. Warnings. Facilitators may notify members if they are participating in the chat room inconsistent with these guidelines. Please respect and heed warnings by facilitators. Continued refusal to abide by these guidelines may result in removal from the chat room and/or convention.
 
PARTY BUDGET
The budget will be displayed and presented to attendees during the convention.
 
 

SET PARTY GOALS

The state committee will forward a proposal for goals to be approved by the convention. The state committee's proposed goals are as follows:

 

1. Rebuild and support municipal and county party infrastructure by increasing the number and activity of municipal and county committees.

2. Increase candidate recruitment efforts, with a target to increase the number of candidates for municipal or state office in every county.

3. Expand signature eligibility requirements for Maine Green Independent candidates, through legislative or legal actions.

4. Pursue utilizing ranked choice voting in all elections in Maine.

 

 PLATFORM PROPOSAL

 

 The state committee has taken several political positions in the time since the party passed the 2020 platform. The state committee proposes adding the following three amendments to complete our 2022 platform:

 

Under Education plank:

[The MGIP is committed to ....]

 

Opposing legisltation that bans transgender students from participating in interscholastic sports in Maine's public schools and universities, including intramural sports.

 

Under Energy plank:
[The MGIP will pursue...]


Development of publicly-owned infrastructure for energy delivery.

 

Under Agriculture plank:
[To that end we propose...]


Supporting and defending Maine's constitutional right to food.

 

ELECTION OF STATE COMMITTEE AND PARTY OFFICERS

More information on the duties of the state committee and its officers may be found in Article IV, Sections B-D of the state party bylaws: https://mainegreens.org/organization/bylaws

 

Article IV, Section C, Part 1. Co-Chairs

The co-chairs shall represent the party's values, platform and positions to the public and media, organize and facilitate state committee meetings, and oversee and direct the state committee's fulfillment of duties.

 

Article IV, Section C, Part 3. Treasurer

The treasurer shall be responsible for keeping records of party finances including expenditures and revenue sources, reporting financial disclosures to state and federal entities as necessary, and advising the party on financial matters. The treasurer shall expend party finances only as authorized by the state committee or executive committee.

The treasurer shall ensure that expenditures are made in accordance with an approved budget, will inform the state committee when budget lines are nearing their maximum expenditure levels, and advise the state committee when it is necessary to amend the budget.

The treasurer may forward nominations for any state party offices or subcommittees relating to finances, including but not limited to positions related to budget development and fundraising.

The treasurer may nominate a financial officer for appointment by the state committee, to help the treasurer fulfill the financial requirements of these bylaws.

The treasurer shall oversee the development of a budget to be proposed for approval at the annual convention. The state committee may finalize the proposed budget or authorize the treasurer or a standing subcommittee to finalize the proposed budget.

 

Article IV State Committee, Section D. Duties

The state committee will manage all state-level party operations and facilitate the establishment and growth of local groups to oversee party operations in their jurisdictions.

Duties of the state committee include:

Assuring the party meets its statutory obligations to hold caucuses and conventions, maintain a minimum level of party enrollment, and fulfill all other statutory requirements,

Filing state and federal reports,

Organizing conventions and working to achieve goals set at conventions,

Recruiting candidates for state and national offices and supporting local group recruitment of candidates in county, municipal and other jurisdictions,

Maintaining a visible statewide presence, acting as the official voice of the party and taking timely positions on important issues,

Communicating and engaging with local groups about state party meetings and activities,

Administering state party assets including the party's website and state voter list,

Managing state party finances and overseeing state party fundraising efforts, and

Establishing offices and subcommittees to help the state committee fulfill all duties, and oversee the fulfillment of duties by the executive officers.

 

 

conventionsolo2022 

 

2023 Convention

2023 Convention Welcome and Information Center

thumbnail convention2023 qr 

The purpose of the Maine Green Independent Party is to transform public policy
through the implementation of our 10 Key Values and be publicly visible as the

party that stands for the common good.

 

 

Welcome to the Maine Green Independent Party 2023 Annual Convention Welcome Center!

 

Our annual convention of the Maine Green Independent Party will be held Sunday May 7th as an online event using Zoom.

Time:
Sunday May 7 -- 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
 
This year's convention is held in loving memory of our late founding father John Rensenbrink, who spent his life dedicated to advancing our party and values.
 
rensenbrink
John Rensenbrink, 1928-2022 
 

 Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1412635269509742

 

Table of Contents

 

Registration

Entry Fee

Preparation

Convention Program

Convention Rules / Convention Officers / Guidelines on Zoom Chat 

Party Budget

Set Party Goals

State Committee/Officer Elections

Fundraiser

 

This will serve as the convention packet of materials registrants would normally receive at the registration table at an in-person convention.

 

REGISTRATION

This year's convention will be held on Sunday, May 7.  

Only enrolled Maine Green Independents and our invited speakers may register for the convention. 

WHEN REGISTERING FOR CONVENTION: Please use your LEGAL NAME and ADDRESS where you are REGISTERED TO VOTE, even if you go by another name or live at a different address! Failure to do so may result in delay or denial of your registration. 

PLEASE ALLOW FOR UP TO 48 HOURS FOR US TO MANUALLY CONFIRM YOUR REGISTRATION. When confirmed, ,you will receive an email with the meeting link.

 

Maine Green Independent Party 2023 Annual Convention: 

To register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uGKj-nocRa2zzfvEqipJ-Q

 

Because our convention is only open to participation by enrolled Maine Green Independents, there may be a delay in processing registrations while we confirm each registrant's enrollment status. Last minute registrations may be denied if we are unable to confirm enrollment status with the voter lists available to us. We encourage members to register immediately, even if they are still uncertain whether they can attend.

 

ENTRY FEE

Please donate a convention registration fee if you can afford to, at 2023 Convention Registration Donation (mainegreens.org).

Checks may also be mailed to Maine Green Independent Party, PO Box 10345, Portland, ME 04104.

The recommended donation is $20, but any amounts are accepted. Nobody will be denied registration for inability to pay.

Our annual convention accounts for the largest portion of our budget and your genorosity to help fund the party is appreciated.

 

PREPARING FOR CONVENTION BUSINESS

The first thing you will want to do to prepare for the convention is to locate two emails that were sent to you at some point after you registered for the convention.

One email has your unique registration information for the Zoom conference, which was sent in a subject line titled "CONFIRMATION: You have been registered for the Maine Green Independent Party 2023 Annual Convention!"
The second email contains your unique registration information for Direct Vote Live, with a subject line titled "Direct Vote Live Login Info for 2023 MGIP Convention - DO NOT FORWARD"

Both emails will be sent again on the morning of May 7 at about 11 a.m. so that the information will be fresh in your inbox.

We recommend that you first login to Direct Vote Live and have your browser save the password, so that if you are logged out do to inactivity, it will be easy to log back in with a saved password.

Keep the DirectVote tab open and readily available in your browser. When necessary to vote in an election or on certain proposals, we will all be taking a few moments to go into DirectVote Live and cast our votes.

If you keep the tab available and open, so that you do not have to search for the link in your email again, the voting will be seemless and easy.

Once you have DirectVote Live set up in a browser tab, proceed to login to the Zoom conference using the unique registration information sent to you. When entering the convention, the name you entered on your registration form will be the name that is displayed during the convention.
Registrants will find themselves in a waiting room and will be allowed into the convention starting at 11:30 a.m.

.

The chat board, which can be found by clicking a button titled "chat" on the Zoom screen, is where members will be communicting, socializing and providing guidance to each other on the peculiarities of using Zoom. Feel free to introduce yourself or ask any questions you may have about today's convention.

 

 It will also help to keep the Convention Welcome Center and Information page open on a separate browser so you can follow along with the agenda and have all the relevant information for each agenda item readily available.

 

 

CONVENTION PROGRAM 

 

This is a tentative program schedule that is subject to change by the convention chair as necessary. 

Noon to 3:15 (may go to 4 if needed)

 
12:00 Blessing/Land Acknowledgment - Dawn Neptune Adams
12:05 Convention Rules / Zoom Guidelines / Using Direct Vote Live
12:20 Welcome/Introduction/State of the Party - Co-Chair Lyn Maravell
12:25 elect convention secretary
12:30 elect convention chair
12:40 elect party co-chair
12:55 elect party secretary
1:10   John Rensenbrink Memorial
1:25   elect state committee
1:55   Maine Green of the Year
2:05   elect GPUS and IC delegates
2:30   approve party budget -Treasurer Alan Brown
2:50   approve party goals

3:10   closing remarks - Co-Chair Fred McCann

 

  

CONVENTION RULES

 

1. CONVENTION OFFICERS

Convention proceedings begin by electing first a convention secretary, then a convention chairperson.

The convention secretary will record all official decisions of the convention.
The convention chairperson and two party co-chairs are convention facilitators.

The convention committee may establish other convention officer positions as it deems fit. These other officers may be appointed by the committee in advance of the convention or appointed by the facilitators at the convention.

A time keeper will keep facilitators informed of time apportionment limits. 

 

2. FACILITATION

Facilitators oversee a process aiming for consensus on all decisions of the convention. If consensus cannot be realized within reasonable time, facilitators may call for the decision to be made by majority vote.

All motions for a decision require a second, except for motions made by the facilitator 'without objection.'

A facilitator will not facilitate an election of officers when that person is a candidate for the office being elected.

Facilitators will recognize speakers as equitably as possible to allow all people who want to speak an opportunity to do so.

Facilitators may institute time limits for speaking when necessary.

 

3. ELECTIONS

Elections that are uncontested may be decided by consensus or majority vote indicated by vocal expression or show of hands.

Contested elections are determined by paper or online write-in ballot.

Elections for one position shall be determined by majority vote using ranked choice or runoff voting when necessary.

Elections with multiple candidates running for multiple seats shall be determined by ranked or runoff approval voting. Each vote for a candidate regardless of rank is an equal vote; candidates with the most total votes are elected to the number of positions open. When a tie exists for a remaining position, rank or runoff determines the winner.

A ballot-counting committee may be appointed by the convention committee or the facilitators. Any participant of the convention may observe the counting of ballots.

If a person is unable to cast their votes using an online voting program, their vote may be counted by submitting their vote to a member of the ballot counting committee, who will then inform the facilitator to add the vote(s) to the online vote total.

 

OTHER CONVENTION OFFICERS FOR 2023 CONVENTION
INFO WILL BE POSTED WHEN REGISTRATION OPENS
 
GUIDELINES FOR ZOOM CHAT ROOM
  1. Right to disable. Convention facilitators reserve the right to disable the chat room at any time should conversation in the forum become disruptive or distracting.
  2. Stay on topic. Members are asked to use the public chat room only to discuss agenda items that are currently in process. Members may interact with each other privately but use of the public chat room should be restricted to commentary directly related to the agenda subject at hand. Members are welcome to debate and discuss the issue at hand in the chat room as much as they wish instead of requesting the floor, or if they have exhausted their available time on the floor. Just stick to the topic please!
  3. Community Guidelines. Our community guidelines apply to the chat room--be respectful and kind! Offensive/insulting commentary not welcome!
  4. Warnings. Facilitators may notify members if they are participating in the chat room inconsistent with these guidelines. Please respect and heed warnings by facilitators. Continued refusal to abide by these guidelines may result in removal from the chat room and/or convention.
 
PARTY BUDGET
The budget will be displayed and presented to attendees during the convention.
 
 

SET PARTY GOALS

The state committee is forwarding the following goals proposal to the convention for approval:

 

The goals of the Maine Green Independent Party for 2023-2024 shall be to:

  1.  Rebuild and support municipal and county party infrastructure by increasing the number and activity of municipal and county committees.
  2.  Increase candidate recruitment efforts, with a target to increase the number of candidates for municipal or state office in every county.
  3.  Expand signature eligibility requirements for Maine Green Independent candidates, through legislative or legal actions.
  4.  Pursue utilizing ranked choice voting in all elections in Maine.

 

 

ELECTION OF STATE COMMITTEE AND PARTY OFFICERS

More information on the duties of the state committee and its officers may be found in Article IV, Sections B-D of the state party bylaws: https://mainegreens.org/organization/bylaws

 

This year, we are electing a co-chair, secretary and five at-large state committee members.

 

Article IV, Section C, Part 1. Co-Chairs

The co-chairs shall represent the party's values, platform and positions to the public and media, organize and facilitate state committee meetings, and oversee and direct the state committee's fulfillment of duties.

 

Article IV, Section C, Part 2. Secretary

The secretary shall be responsible for keeping party records and archives and advising the party on communication matters. The secretary shall record vote tallies of decisions made by the state committee and executive committee, or designate another to do so.

The secretary shall be responsible for maintaining records of party officers and reporting to the secretary of state when officer changes occur.

The secretary will keep records of the active or inactive statuses of state committee members as outlined in these bylaws, and compile and archive any minutes or bylaws of other party committees that have been submitted to the state committee in accordance with these bylaws. The secretary will work to make sure that all state party documents such as bylaws, the platform and other records are accurate and up-to-date.

The secretary may nominate individuals for state party offices or subcommittees relating to communication or record-keeping, including but not limited to positions related to website development, database management, media relations, correspondence, or maintenance of party records and archives.

 

Article IV, Section B. At-Large Seats

There are five at-large members of the state committee, elected at annual conventions for a term of one year. A year term is defined as the time between two consecutive annual conventions.

 

Article IV State Committee, Section D. Duties

The state committee will manage all state-level party operations and facilitate the establishment and growth of local groups to oversee party operations in their jurisdictions.

Duties of the state committee include:

Assuring the party meets its statutory obligations to hold caucuses and conventions, maintain a minimum level of party enrollment, and fulfill all other statutory requirements,

Filing state and federal reports,

Organizing conventions and working to achieve goals set at conventions,

Recruiting candidates for state and national offices and supporting local group recruitment of candidates in county, municipal and other jurisdictions,

Maintaining a visible statewide presence, acting as the official voice of the party and taking timely positions on important issues,

Communicating and engaging with local groups about state party meetings and activities,

Administering state party assets including the party's website and state voter list,

Managing state party finances and overseeing state party fundraising efforts, and

Establishing offices and subcommittees to help the state committee fulfill all duties, and oversee the fulfillment of duties by the executive officers.

 

 

 FUNDRAISER

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #1 "Untouched" 16×20

1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714781720

 

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #2 "The Love of Flowers" 12×12

2
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714811108

 

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #3 "Renewal" 9×12

3
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714826439

 

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #4 "The Tree" 8x10

4
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714816363

 

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #5 "In Bloom" 8×10

5

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714818640

 

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #6 "Veins of Gold" 8×10

6
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714829719

 

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #7 "Chaos" 8x10

7
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714830676

 

 

Art by Lyn Maravell, Maine Greens Series, #8 "Dandelion" 7x5 drypoint watercolor

8
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175715851525

2020 Convention

 

 

The purpose of the Maine Green Independent Party is to transform public policy
through the implementation of our 10 Key Values and be publicly visible as the

party that stands for the common good.

 

Welcome to the Maine Green Independent Party 2020 Annual Convention Welcome Center!

 

Table of Contents

Preparation

Convention Program

Convention Rules

Party Budget

Bylaws Amendment

2020 Platform Passage

Set Party Goals

State Committee/Officer Elections

Legislative Candidates

Endorsement of Lisa Savage for U.S. Senate

Presidential Nomination/Election of Delegates to National Convention

County Committees

District Committees

 

This will serve as the convention packet of materials registrants would normally receive at the registration table at an in-person convention.

 

PREPARING FOR TODAY'S CONVENTION

 

The first thing you will want to do to prepare for today's convention is to locate two emails that were sent to you at some point after you registered for the convention.

One email has your unique registration information for the Zoom conference, which was sent in a subject line titled "Maine Green Independent Party 2020 Annual Convention Confirmation."
The second email contains your unique registration information for Direct Vote Live, with a subject line titled "MGIP Convention Presidential Ballot - Do Not Forward."

Both emails will be sent again in the morning at about 8 a.m. so that the information will be newer in your inbox.

We recommend that you first login to DirectVote Live and have your browser save the password, so that if you are logged out do to inactivity, it will be easy to log back in with a saved password.

Keep the DirectVote tab open and readily available in your browser. When necessary to vote in an election, we will all be taking a few moments to go into DirectVote Live and cast our votes.

If you keep the tab available and open, so that you do not have to search for the link in your email again, the voting will be seemless and easy.

Once you have DirectVote Live set up in a browser tab, proceed to login to the Zoom conference using the unique registration information sent to you. When entering the convention, the name you entered on your registration form will be the name that is displayed during the convention.
Registrants will find themselves in a waiting room and will be allowed into the convention starting at 9 a.m.

During the registration period from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., microphones will be muted and registrants will be greeted by music, including music from local Maine Greens.

The chat board, which can be found by clicking a button titled "chat" on the Zoom screen, is where members will be communicting, socializing and providing guidance to each other on the peculiarities of using Zoom. Feel free to introduce yourself or ask any questions you may have about today's convention.

 

2020 Maine Green Independent Party Annual Convention Program

 

9:00 Registration
9:55 Blessing Dawn Neptune Adams
10:00 Nominate/Elect convention secretary (1st), convention chair (2nd)
10:10 Convention Rules and Guidelines / Zoom Tutorial
10:15 Welcome and introduction by senior co-chair Niomi Larrivee
10:30 Approve Party Budget, presented by Treasurer Allen Cooke
10:45 Amend Bylaws, Pass 2020 Platform, Set Goals
11:15 Speaker: John Rensenbrink
11:25 Elect Party Co-Chair
11:35 Elect Party Treasurer
11:45 Elect 5 At-Large State Committee Members
12:15 Speaker: Jake Kulaw of the Maine Lavender Greens
12:20 A Word from Our Legislative Candidates
12:35 Endorsement of Lisa Savage for U.S. Senate
1:00 Green of the Year Awards
1:10 Video Presentations from Presidential Candidates
1:30 Vote on Presidential Nomination
2:00 Speaker: Anna Trevorrow
2:10 Elect representatives to national and international party committees. Report on openings on various Green Party of the United States subcommittees.
2:30 Elect 12 delegates to GPUS national convention in proportion to presidential nomination votes
3:00 Elect four party electors (2 at-large, 1 from each Congressional district) [Ben]
3:10 Elect County and District Committees
3:30 Speaker: Closing remarks from co-chair Linnea Maravell
3:45 EXTRA TIME / SOCIAL TIME / ORGANIZING TIME

 

CONVENTION RULES

1. CONVENTION OFFICERS

    Convention proceedings begin by electing first a convention secretary, then a convention chairperson.

    The convention secretary will record all official decisions of the convention.
 
    The convention chairperson and two party co-chairs are convention facilitators.

    The convention committee may establish other convention officer positions as it deems fit. These other officers may be appointed by the committee in advance of the convention or appointed by the facilitators at the convention.

    A time keeper will keep facilitators informed of time apportionment limits.

2. FACILITATION

    Facilitators oversee a process aiming for consensus on all decisions of the convention. If consensus cannot be realized within reasonable time, facilitators may call for the decision to be made by majority vote.

    All motions for a decision require a second, except for motions made by the facilitator 'without objection.'

    A facilitator will not facilitate an election of officers when that person is a candidate for the office being elected.

    Facilitators will recognize speakers as equitably as possible to allow all people who want to speak an opportunity to do so.

    Facilitators may institute time limits for speaking when necessary.

3. ELECTIONS

    Elections that are uncontested may be decided by consensus or majority vote indicated by vocal expression or show of hands.

    Contested elections are determined by paper write-in ballot or online voting.

    Elections for one position shall be determined by majority vote using ranked choice voting when necessary, or, when online voting is unable to hande RCV, rounds of runoff voting with one candidate being removed in each round until a candidate attains majority.

    Elections with multiple candidates running for multiple seats shall be determined by ranked approval voting. Each vote for a candidate regardless of rank is an equal vote; candidates with the most total votes are elected to the number of positions open. When a tie exists for a remaining position, rank determines the winner. When online voting is unable to handle ranked voting, ties may be resolved with subsequent voting instead of rank.

    A ballot-counting committee may be appointed by the convention committee or the facilitators. Any participant of the convention may observe the counting of ballots.
 
PARTY BUDGET
 
Approval of the party budget will be done in executive session. The budget will be displayed and presented during the convention.
 
BYLAWS AMENDMENT
 
The current bylaws may be viewed at https://mainegreens.org/organization/bylaws .
 
 There is only one amendment proposed this year, changing Article III to explicitly include caucus groups alongside local groups as part of the state party's operating structure:
 

Article III. Local and Caucus Groups

 

Members of the party meeting a minimum of four times annually shall be considered a local group or caucus of the party. The local group officers may communicate local concerns, questions, proposals, etc. of the group to the state committee, as well as relay information from the state committee to the group.  ....

 

Article III, Section C. Access and Notice

 

Any municipal or county committee or otherwise qualifying local group may propose items to the state committee for consideration of action.

 

The state committee shall provide notice, agenda and minutes of its meetings to any municipal or county committee or other qualifying local group. The state committee will keep the committees and groups informed of its actions and pose questions to them, via each local group's officers or designated contacts who have email addresses.

 
PASSAGE OF 2020 PLATFORM
 
The current platform may be viewed at https://mainegreens.org/about/platform .
 
The 2020 platform of the Maine Green Independent Party is proposed with some edits to reduce duplication, remove outdated policy proposals and to add opposition to the Central Maine Power corridor and support for Ranked Choice Voting into the platform.
 
The 2020 platform of the Maine Green Independent in its entirety, as proposed:
 

The Platform of the Maine Green Independent Party envisions a future based on the Ten Key Values of the Green movement.

Our vision focuses on a peaceful and prosperous community life characterized by values-based grassroots democracy, equal treatment and access for all people, environmental and economic sustainability, fulfilling and gainful work and leisure, and interdependence of individuals and their environment.

This platform is an evolving document, originally envisioned by the Maine Green Party of 1996. The party shall use this document to develop strategies and policies for moving our values forward.

This 2020 platform of the Maine Green Independent Party sets forth our vision of a new democracy, one which recognizes ecological balance as a priority for the betterment of humanity.

As an affiliated member of the Green Party of the United States, we endorse the national platform as our own, offering this state platform as a specific green vision for the State of Maine. This platform focuses on state issues, deferring to the national platform on issues of national scope. The Maine Green Independent Party reserves the right to differ on particulars of the national platform, and will note such differences if they should occur.

Ten Key Values


Community-based Economics
Decentralization
Ecological Wisdom
Feminism and Gender Equality
Future Focus and Sustainability
Grassroots Democracy
Non-Violence
Personal and Global Responsibility
Respect for Diversity
Social Justice and Opportunity

The Maine Green Independent Party seeks to achieve:

A basic income
Jobs with living wages
Equitable pay for men and women
Health care and housing as human rights
Universal Childcare
Accessible regional/statewide energy-efficient public transportation systems
Nurturing care and stewardship of the environment and natural resource

 

Plank on Economic Development

 

The Maine Green Independent Party realizes that international trade agreements place corporate greed above human needs. We oppose agreements that do not enshrine environmental, labor, and human rights above profits or the rights of corporations. Economic measurements must include pollution and the depletion of resources into the full accounting of production costs.

If elected, Maine Green Independents will pursue:

Regional economic self-sufficiency
A state bank to hold all deposit dollars of Maine agencies.
Prevention of monopolistic practices and price gouging in essential markets such as heating oil, electricity, and gasoline.
Tax and incentive policies that reward businesses that provide living wages and employ sustainable resource practices.
Creation and retrofitting of industries that create jobs, spare the environment or save energy.
Tax penalties for businesses that create unsafe work places, low wages or increased automation that reduces jobs.
Safe, healthy living and working conditions for migrant laborers.
Employee buy-out and ownership of businesses.
Economic development and tax codes that favor Maine-owned and based businesses and self-employed persons.
Tax penalties for pollution and resource depletion.
Use of renewable and non-polluting heating systems and fuels.
Supporting community based cooperatives including agricultural ventures and daycare centers.
Rural economic development through production and consumption of locally produced organic food and products.
Hemp-based and other alternative-fiber industries; incentivizing the retrofitting and opening of closed paper mills to manufacture alternative-fiber products for an emerging eco-market.
Incentives to convert abandoned farms to produce fibers to supply a transitioning paper industry.
Development of rail and other transportation alternatives to car and truck use.
Purchase of equipment and materials whenever possible from within state of Maine.

 

Plank on Political Democracy

 

The Maine Green Independent Party believes that grassroots democracy is the best way to organize a civil and just society. We want:

The US Constitution amended to declare that money is not free speech and corporations are not people.
An end to corporate dominance and influence in politics.
A multiplicity of political parties in Maine.
Greater civic participation, especially among women and minorities.
A diverse legislature including women proportionate to their percentage in the population.

If elected, Maine Green Independents will pursue:

Appointing or electing women in leadership roles
Ranked choice voting for all statewide elections
Banning PAC, corporate and "soft" party contributions to all political campaigns in Maine.
Campaign spending limits.
Protecting the Maine Clean Elections law.
Easier ballot access
Protecting the referendum process.
Election Day in November as a state holiday.
Ratifying a U.S. constitutional amendment to allow national citizen initiatives and referendums.
Prohibiting contributions to initiative and referendum campaigns from entities that are not natural persons.
Amending the Maine Constitution to lower the voting age to seventeen.

 

Plank on Education

 

We expect public education to provide the following to all:

A learning environment free of corporate and military advertising.
Awareness of the individual's inherent rights as residents of the state, country and world.
Skills to use the tools and resources required to function in modern society.
Knowledge about the laws that govern communities.
Freedom to explore areas of interest.
A connection to the larger community.
A sense of personal, social and global responsibility.

The Maine Green Independent Party is committed to:

Alternative healthy eating options in public schools, including vegetarian/vegan, organic and locally grown foods.
Curricula and instruction equal to today's complex challenges.
Putting language on mandatory emergency cards to allow students and parents to opt-out from their contact information being provided to U.S. military forces.
Universal access and equity of education opportunity in a lifelong context.
Detracking school systems; ending the sorting of students based on perceived ability, which results in learners segregated by class and race.
Organizing schools as democratic educational institutions where students, teachers, administrators, parents, and the community, share responsibility.
Ending high stakes testing; funding schools based on need.
Community-based decision-making with neighborhood involvement.
Safe and healthy learning environments.
Universal access to state public post-secondary institutions for Maine residents.
Awareness in schools about gender-based societal pressures and their effects upon individuals.
Equitable distribution of public funds among public schools.
55% or more of the cost of elementary and secondary public education to be funded by the state.
Elementary school foreign language education.
Institute diversity, civil rights, and conflict resolution programs at all levels in grades K-12.

 

Plank on Health

 

The Maine Green Independent Party believes that the health of all people is both a personal and community responsibility. Human health is affected by our physical environment and personal behavior. It is the community's responsibility to support health maintenance for all and promote healthy behavioral patterns and preventative health practices. If elected, Maine Green Independents will pursue:

A state-funded single payer health care system with comprehensive healthcare for all, including vision, hearing, mental and dental health, regardless of ability to pay.
Financial support for public health, with an emphasis on community-based and preventive health care.
Eliminating toxins emissions and pollution.
Nutrition education.
Elimination of herbicide use.
Access to medical marijuana.
Dental services in rural areas.
A woman's right to choose whether or not to have an abortion; the availability of free abortion services.
Access to a broad range of services and complimentary therapies.
Supporting the training and services of alternative health care practitioners.
Individual access to regular monitoring of health, especially for individuals in high risk groups.
Mandatory labeling of all foods that have been genetically-engineered, irradiated, or to which chemical pesticides have been applied.
Access to prescription drugs, regardless of ability to pay.
Funding research into cause, prevention and treatment of disease, including the ways by which toxic chemicals cause disease.
The right to death with dignity.
Making Narcan and Narcan administration training freely available to save lives
Legalization of all drugs; making addiction treatment freely available without cost at point of service.
Free and comprehensive elder care services, including nursing care, death and dying counseling, physical and occupational therapies, orthotic care, and medical equipment and assistive devices

 

Plank on Energy

 

The Maine Green Independent Party believes in energy use that does not waste resources or cause environmental harm. In a world of finite natural resources, we cannot consume them without regard for conservation and sustainability. Individuals, communities, government and industry share the responsibility for making these changes. We believe in a no-waste policy of energy production and use. If elected, Maine Green Independents will pursue:

Preventing the construction of the Central Maine Power transmission line through the state from Canada to Massachusetts.
Standards for energy efficient buildings and appliance technology in new construction and retrofitting.
Primary reliance on renewable energy use in all public buildings.
Replacing the state fleet and public transport with hybrid, electric or fuel-efficient vehicles.
Incentives for homeowners and businesses who follow energy conservation practices and invest in new and retrofitted use of renewable energy sources.
Incentives for the purchase and use of fuel-efficient and fossil-fuel alternative vehicles.
Use of non-toxic materials, natural lighting in commercial and public buildings, and siting for optimum solar gain.
Alternative energy technologies, including active and passive solar, hydrogen, wind, low-head hydropower, alcohol, tidal, geothermal, bio-energy, methane and fuel cells.
Municipal access to Gulf of Maine wind energy turbines,
Ending subsidies for fossil fuel use and production.
Research efforts for increased efficiencies in wood and fossil fuel burning technologies.
Public transportation development and accessible and strategically arranged bike and walking paths.
Zero pollution, a healing ecosystem and clean and efficient renewable energy.

Plank on Natura Resources

 

The Maine Green Independent Party believes we must reassert our authority over what is allowed into our air and water. No individuals or companies should be allowed to destroy and poison our natural resources for any form or gain. We encourage stewardship of the Earth. The Maine Green Independent Party believes the following actions must be taken:

Eliminate toxic chemical emissions and solid waste pollution.
Develop ZERO TOXIC EMISSIONS for all businesses and forms of transportation.
Eliminate the production and use of pesticides.
Recycle all recyclable materials including batteries, compost all compostables, and forbid the importation of radioactive waste.
Manage wildlife and plant species based on biodiversity and the overall health of Maine's woods and waters, not on the pressures of special interests.
Phase out dragging, drift-netting and gill-netting.
Conserve and protect common fish-breeding and fishing grounds from coastal development.
Encourage training and hiring of out-of-work fisherman to patrol our shores and inland waterways for sources of pollution and illegal fishing.
Require accountable waste disposal from contained salmon farms.
Encourage sustainable, labor-intensive and chemical-free forestry practices.
Recognize Maine's offshore marine environment as a precious and threatened natural resource, and consider the risks imposed upon it by human development.
Publicly purchase available lands for the purpose of conserving it in perpetuity as an undeveloped natural resource.
Create a Maine Woods National Park and expand eco-tourism opportunities throughout the state.
Protect and conserve Maine's groundwater resources; regulate for-profit water extraction to prevent unsustainable depletion of groundwater.
Support access to clean water as a human right; support democratic control over decision-making on water control by local officials.
End all non-sustainable forest practices.

Plank on Sustainable Agriculture

 

The Maine Green Independent Party believes in supporting the use of locally grown food and supporting those small family farmers who provide us with this basic necessity of life. To that end we propose:

Supporting small family farms and eliminating bureaucratic paper work whenever possible.
Developing financial incentives to support the transition of farms from traditional farming to organic agriculture.
Legislating high end Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Markedly reducing the use of pesticides with mandated sales reports from the State Board of Pesticide Control.
Regulation and notification regarding the use of pesticides inside buildings, especially in rental properties and public buildings.
Outlawing the labeling of toxic industrial waste as "fertilizer"; authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to craft regulations on this subject.
Right-to-know labeling for all GMO containing food.
Banning persistent herbicides in fertilizer and compost.
Legislating a better system for chain of custody of those components of commercial compost.
Promoting agricultural diversification.

Plank on Social Justice

 

The Maine Green Independent Party believes in the equitable, respectful, and humane treatment of all people. The following actions must be taken:


Ensure meaningful access to the courts for low-income individuals; increase the availability of free and affordable legal representation, advice, and information materials.
Improve the response to child abuse and overhaul the foster care system.
Continue to oppose the death penalty in Maine.
Eliminate racial profiling.
Strengthen and enforce laws against hate crimes of all types, domestic violence and child abuse.
Create support systems that provide basic needs to the people of Maine.
Oppose prejudice and discrimination in all its forms and increase the awareness of, and sensitivity to, differences among people.
End discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities.
Support the sovereignty of the indigenous people of Maine, including the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy Nations and work with them to provide viable, cooperative economic ventures.
Advocate for the demilitarization of police and the implementation of citizen review or democratic oversight of police forces.
Support community policing and rapid response social work programs to replace traditional police use wherever possible.
Oppose the use of state National Guard forces being used in illegal foreign military operations according to international law, so that they can be available for emergencies.
Oppose the use of state National Guard forces being used against citizens exercising peaceful protests and freedom of assembly.

 

SET PARTY GOALS

 

The goals of the Maine Green Independent Party for 2020-2021 shall be to:

1. Support the development of municipal and county groups that will be equipped to recruit and support candidates, advocate for issues and be visible in their communities.

2. Recruit and support candidates for U.S. Senate and/or U.S. Congress, State Legislature and local offices, and inform membership on all the party's candidates.

 

ELECTION OF STATE COMMITTEE AND PARTY OFFICERS

 

For more information on the duties of the state committee and its officers, please review Article IV, particularly Sections B-D of the state party bylaws: https://mainegreens.org/organization/bylaws

 

LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES

 

Further information and links about our candidates may be found at https://mainegreens.org/elect/candidates .

 

ENDORSEMENT OF LISA SAVAGE FOR U.S. SENATE

 

Further information about the Lisa for Maine campaign may be found at https://www.lisaformaine.org/ .

 

PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION

 

The votes entered at our municipal caucuses earlier in the year and the votes made at this convention will be combined into a total that will be used to determine how many of Maine's 12 nationalo convention delegates will be awarded to certain candidates, no nominee or unpledged.

Every 8.33% of the total vote is equal to one delegate.

Our page on the presidential nomination will provide you with all the necessary links to learn more about the candidates: https://mainegreens.org/organization/caucuses/203-2020-presidential-nomination .

 

The tally from caucuses is as follows:

 

Howie Hawkins, 12

Dario Hunter, 25

Kent Mesplay, 1

No nominee, 10

 

The overall percentages to each candidate will be adjusted when convention votes are added to the tally.

 

COUNTY COMMITTEES

 

County committees for each of Maine's 16 counties are elected at this year's convention from nominations made at caucuses and nominations made on the convention floor.

 

Committees may be formed for counties with at least two nominations. Nominations from the convention floor will help us to fill vacancies. When there are less than two nominations in a county, forming a county committee will be deferred to the state committee for future action. Once county committees are formed, that committee may appoint additional members as it wishes.

 

The current standing nominations made from this caucuses earlier in the year are as follows:

 

Androscoggin

Andrea Winn, Mechanic Falls

(one more nomination needed)

 

Aroostook

Henry Bear, Houlton

Gwydion Griffith, Houlton

 

Cumberland

(at least two nominations needed)

 

Franklin

James Mitchell, Kingfield

(one more nomination needed)

 

Hancock

Cathy Kozaryn, Ellsworth

Benjamin Meiklejohn, Mount Desert

 

Kennebec

Lori Beaulieu, Fayette

David Dowdy, Fayette

Joseph Young, Fayette

 

Knox

(two nominations needed)

 

Lincoln

(two nominations needed)

 

Oxford

Peter Zack, Porter

(one more nomination needed)

 

Penobscot

(two nominations needed)

 

Piscataquis

Jaco Deertrack, Abbot

Samuel Swenson, Sangerville

 

Sagadahoc

(two nominations needed)

 

Somerset

(two nominations needed)

 

Waldo

David Gibson, Morrill

(one more nomination needed)

 

Washington

(two nominations needed)

 

York

Michael Barden, Limington

Alan Brown, Biddeford

Allen Cooke, Saco

Gil Harris, Limerick

Linnea Maravell, Saco

 
DISTRICT COMMITTEES

 

District committees for each of Maine's two congressional districts are elected at the convention. The sole statutory privilege given to district committees is to nominate a candidate for the ballot for U.S. Congress should a vacancy be created and a special election called for.

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