Logistics and planning:
We are staying with second Thursday, of each month at 6:00 PM. Standing agenda items are: Chair Report, Subcommittee Reports (Convention, Walk Our Talk [Internal], and Outreach [External]. Liz Larsen will use email addresses from the minutes mailing to build the Green Caucus mailing list.
Chair’s Report:
- Washington, D.C. Legislative Conference: Carol Dotlitch as WFSE President selected Kerry Graber to represent the Green Caucus at the early June Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Dan Petruso has been selected with one other Conservative Caucus member to go on that group’s behalf. There was some confusion about exactly how many Green Caucus delegates the Executive Board authorized for the Washington, D.C. conference. Kerry will investigate and report back to the group.
- Sample pin for Green Caucus for Convention. Kerry Graber showed an example of a Green Union pin she suggested we might consider acquiring and distributing at the Convention and other union events.
- Debbie Haigh recommended using background from blog site as a graphic to work behind name tags for Green Caucus members at the upcoming convention. Liz Larsen will investigate feasibility.
- Liz Larsen will follow up with Convention planners on the availability of a green package for the convention and whether or not it can be added within the existing signed contract.
- Agenda planning. Green Caucus would like to do workshops. We will request two sessions at the convention. AFSCME International may be able to supply a packaged green program for the convention (table/workshop). At present, we are unsure if we have two sessions or one. Nonetheless, the Spokane group will develop and circulate its starter ideas for a working session at the Convention via email and invite everyone in the Green Caucus to use the new Caucus blog to add their own ideas for Caucus Session topics. The Spokane group will have separate meeting to start working up ideas for the session.
- Sue Keller will need to contact AFSCME International about sending someone to do a green package session for the Convention.
- Debbie Haigh reminded everyone that the hosting hotel for the Convention does have shuttles for moving people around town as well as runs to the airport. We need to let people know about shuttle service from hotel. The Spokane contingent will check on shuttle service frequency and conditions.
- Local 1488 is chartering a bus from Seattle. Debbie Haigh encouraged staff to look at some ways to make suggestions for alternative transportation to the Convention. Kerry Graber offered to take this suggestion forward to the Council Executive Committee.
- Electra ……. Asked if retirees have any green projects we could highlight. Electra recommended we approach them for input.
- John Miller wants to distribute Green Caucus information at Stewards Conference.
- Bob Overturf suggested we request access to speakers podium to greet attendees, introduce the Green Caucus and talk about the green aspects of this convention.
- Electra asked if we can we get something in the State Employee newsletter re: green transportation options and having a green convention? Also could we put it on the Hotline? Michele Stelovich suggested we also put notices on the Web site and utilize texting as another way of communicating about the green side of the convention.
- Debbie Haigh also noted that this year for the Convention, the hotel will not leave out the traditional complementary water bottle.
- John wants to work with Council leadership and staff in an informal way rather than through resolutions. Liz Larsen says there are a number of things the Council is already doing that would fit the definition of sustainability.
- Kerry Graber pointed out that the Council adopted a resolution to make the union greener; but Dotlich wants to see a list of ideas for further action from the Green Caucus.
- Electra described the involvement of residents from Lakeland Village in the recycling operation at the Spokane Field Office.
- Kerry wants to bring back potential partners and issues we can affiliate with after she comes back from Legislative Conference.
- Wavada will put together a starter list of potential partner organizations and working issues for external relations committee to consider at a future meeting.
- Nominations for Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary (Will be given to Carol Dotlitch for appointment:
- Bob Overturf for Chair
- Debbie Haigh and Kerry Graber for vice chair
- No nominations for secretary (Nominations for this office will remain open for other members of the Cauces until the June 9th meeting of the Caucus)
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