July Meeting Information

Hello Green Caucus! We are on for a meeting Thursday July 14 at 6:00 pm. You can join the meeting by teleconference and video conference. We are broadcasting the meeting from WFSE HQ.

• If you'd like to join via teleconference and video-conference and have not received an email with the link and login information, please call WFSE HQ by 5:00 pm Thursday and ask for the Green Caucus video-conference login information.

• If you'd like to join via teleconference, call 1-866-921-2203 at 5:30 pm. To enter the room respond with *1651542* (include the stars).

• The WFSE HQ and Spokane Field offices will be open for caucus members to attend in person.

TENTATIVE AGENDA
• Approval of June 2011 Minutes
• Chair Report
• Subcommittee reports
o Convention Planning
• Sustainable Practices
• Political Action and Networking

Green Caucus Minutes - 6/9/11

WFSE/AFSCME Green Caucus

June 9, 2011

6:00 – 7:30 PM

DRAFT Meeting Minutes

Legislative Conference:

Kerry Graber and Dan Petruso reported on their participation in the recent Legislative Action Conference in Washington, D.C. Notes from this conference are posted on the AFSCME Web site, http://www.afscme.org/.

The main topic at the conference was how to react to the recent, coordinated national attack of newly elected state officials on labor rights. The conference developed a strategy that focuses on claiming the middle of the political and economic debates for America’s middle class. It will be important to stress that unions are pro-worker, pro-family and pro-middle class.

An important piece of the strategy is to recognize that the opposition is highly organized and very well funded and has been organizing this current attack for years. Kerry recommended members visit http://www.thinkprogress.org/ for a list of the sponsors of the current anti-union campaign, which is organized through the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), which organizes “information” seminars and “legislative packets” for newly elected conservatives, mostly at the state or local level. The ALEC connection to the current anti-union, anti-public worker campaign is clear in the nearly identical phrasing of union-busting legislative proposals across several states now led by conservative governors and legislators who have attended ALEC workshops after their elections.

Dan and Kerry noted that one of the major takeaways from the conference is that AFSCME Councils and Locals needs to reach out to Progressive organizations at work in communities all over the U.S. and work with them to educate voters about the detrimental consequences for America’s working middle class of allowing the ALEC legislative agenda to advance.

Jim Wavada noted that Local 1221 already has been approached by the Spokane Alliance, a union and church-based Progressive organization of community activists who put people first. Local 1221 has invited the Spokane Alliance to make a presentation to the July meeting of the Local. Wavada encouraged members of other locals, particularly Local 443, to invite members of their community’s Alliance organization to do the same as Local 1221. The Spokane Alliance is part of a national organization that has chapters throughout the Northwest, including Puget Sound and the Tri-Cities. They have offered to do training in effective community organizing in Spokane and elsewhere.

Kerry and Dan also encouraged members to start or increase PEOPLE contributions, as this is the only money we have working for us to fight the financial largesse of the national Chamber of Commerce and ALEC and other organizations with anti-worker agendas.

Morton Alexander commented that he thinks the time and money we put into political endorsements every year is a “waste of money,” that could be better spent increasing our membership and mobilizing it. Dan Petruso added that sometimes it’s more effective to select and volunteer for candidates who are willing to support labor than it is to just give money to campaigns because that volunteering creates a personal relationship and can open doors when we need to get a clear communication on a particular issue to key legislators.

Green Caucus Governance:

Kerry reported that she has received no direction from Carol Dotlich on the permanent leadership of the Green Caucus. She did indicate that leadership of the Council’s caucuses is usually delegated by Carol to a Council Executive Board member. Kerry agreed to give a list of nominations developed by our group to Carol for her consideration. In the interim, Kerry proposed that she and Bob Overturf agree to co-chair the Green Caucus. Those attending agreed that this would be an acceptable interim solution to Caucus governance.

Steering Committee:

Kerry proposed that we plan a face-to-face meeting of the steering committee that assembled originally to organize the Caucus. With the group’s permission, she will prepare a proposal to take to the Council Executive Committee along with a budget request for travel and per diem.

Convention Planning:

Kerry agreed to talk to Carol Dotlich and the annual convetion planners about getting some podium time at the Convention to introduce the Council to the Green Caucus and encourage members to join it. She also thinks we should be hooking up with the Washington State Labor Council to advocate for green jobs programs in Washington state. She would like to see retirees and someone from AFSCME get some podium time to voice support for the Green Caucus.

Debbie Haighe reported that the contract we currently have for the Spokane Convention Center is, in fact, their “green contract,” which includes recycling for meeting rooms, and other green measures related to food and beverage service.

She also relayed that our original proposal to adapt the convention badges of Green Caucus members who are delegates or alternates at the convention won’t work, and we will have to consider perhaps doing separate badges to identify Green Caucus members.

Kandy Kraig encouraged the Green Caucus to put together a gift basket for the PEOPLE fund-raising auction that will be part of the Convention. The group agreed to put together a wine and cheese basket with a sustainability theme. Jim Wavada will research wineries that may have certified sustainable practices in place. Kerry Graber will do the same for cheese providers. Debbie Haighe will coordinate the selection of baskets and decoration of them.

Jim Wavada proposed that we invite the Alliance (see earlier notation in these minutes) to conduct a mini-seminar on community organizing. Laura Reisdorph noted there may be a problem with finding time of the agenda this close to the convention; but she will check out the possibility.

Laura requested Jim Wavada send her his Outlook distribution list for Green Caucus members so that she can compare that with the list she has of those who signed up through the Council Web site and consolidate the two lists into a single master list.

Sustainable Practices:

It was agreed we need to have another meeting of those specifically interested in WFSE sustainable practices to outline what needs to happen next. Greg Devereux, executive director, has indicated he will strongly support whatever measures we recommend to make the Council 28 a more environmentally sustainable organization (within budgetary constraints, one assumes). Kerry Graber will notify John Miller and request that he organize this interim meeting.

Political Action and Networking:

Jim Wavada agreed to begin working on a list of groups to which the Green Caucus should reach out in order to leverage our influence on earth-friendly, worker-friendly policy and practice.

Next meeting. July 14th, 6:00 PM. Videocast to Spokane field office, conference call available to other locations.

ADJOURN.

June Meeting Information

Hello Green Caucus! We are on for a meeting Thursday June 9 at 6:00 pm. You can join the meeting by teleconference and video conference. We are broadcasting the meeting from WFSE HQ.

• If you'd like to join via teleconference and video-conference and have not received an email with the link and login information, please call WFSE HQ by 5:00 pm Thursday and ask for the Green Caucus video-conference login information. 

• If you'd like to join via teleconference, call 1-866-921-2203 at 5:30 pm. To enter the room respond with *1651542* (include the stars).

• The WFSE HQ and Spokane Field offices will be open for caucus members to attend in person.

TENTATIVE AGENDA

• Approval of May 2011 Minutes 
• Chair Report 
• Subcommittee reports
  
• Convention Planning
• Sustainable Practices
• Political Action and Networking
• Report on the State Battles Summit
  

Green Caucus Mintues - 5/12/11

Reviewed minutes of 4/14/11. Send revisions and updates to Kerry Graber (cgrabers2@comcast.net) or Liz Larsen (lizl@wfse.org).

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.

Convention Planning (Debbie Haigh):

• 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.

Sustainable Practices (John Miller):

• 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.

Political Action and Networking Committee:

• 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.

Organization Leadership:

• 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)

NEXT Meeting June 9th.

Green Caucus Minutes - 4/14/11

Meeting Logistics:

The group decided that it is not necessary to use videoconferencing for every meeting. Many meetings can be done with telephone conference calling, as was this meeting. Other options discussed included using Go To Meeting ™ or Webinar services, particularly when the group is working on document drafts.

The group also decided to move meeting start times back to 6:00 PM, beginning with the next meeting on May 12. Regular meeting date will be the second Thursday of each month.

Anyone wishing to add items to the next meeting agenda should send an email request to add the item to that agenda by the Tuesday prior to the meeting to Liz Larsen, lizl@wfse.org, at the WFSE HQ office AND to Kerry Graber at cgrabers2@comcast.net.

Convention Planning:

Debbie Haigh was not available to report on convention planning. Jim Wavada reported that the Convention Center in Spokane does have a “green conference” package that includes recycling and other sustainable practices. He believes it actually cost less than normal food and meeting room services. Jim will work with Debbie Haigh and Laura Reisdorf to determine if the current contract for the convention will allow a change to a green conference package.

Sustainable Practices:

First task is to define what sustainability is in the context of union operations. John Miller reported that some initial steps are being taken. Disposable water bottles will no longer be provided at Council 28 meetings. Kerry Graber reported the Women’s Committee will stop making multiple print copies of meeting materials, relying instead on computers and projectors.

John Miller and Jim Wavada encouraged the group to consider having a comprehensive sustainability audit of WFSE Council 28 done to establish a starting point and identify and prioritize opportunities to introduce more sustainable practices to the union in all of its locations and practices. Jim Wavada knows a professional who is qualified to perform sustainability audits and help organizations draft sustainability management systems. He will refer this person to John Miller for follow-up.

Political Action and Networking:

Stan Leja is putting together an issues list as a starting point for a list of Green Caucus recommended actions. Green Caucus should be able to look at this list by next meeting. Priority will be given to identifying which items resonate most with members.
Elections:

Group decided to try to have permanent officers elected by this summer. Right now the officers are President, Vice President and Secretary. The group decided we need to determine if we even have the authority to elect officers, or whether the bylaws call for these officers to be appointed to the President of Council 28. If there is an option for elections to these offices, we decided to consult with the Conservative Caucus about the proper process for electing officers.

The Council has authorized three Green Caucus delegates for the June 5-8 AFSCME Political Action Caucus in Washington, D.C. Several members of the group expressed an interest in being named a delegate to the national caucus. Kerry Graber reported that Local 443 authorized travel for an additional two delegates representing the Green Caucus. Graber will investigate what the process is for requesting to be a delegate and for naming delegates and relay that information back to all members of the Green Caucus.

Other Business:

The group agreed we should have a presence (at least a table with handouts) at the May 19-21 Council 28 Stewards Conference. John Miller agreed to talk to the organizers of the Steward Conference about a Green Caucus presence at the Stewards Conference in May.

Attendance was very low at this meeting. Members agreed to redouble their efforts to increase participation at the next meeting, 6:00 PM May 12th. Liz Larsen will investigate the best technology to use for the next meeting.

May Meeting Information

Hello Green Caucus!  We are on for a meeting Thursday May 12 at 5:30 pm.  You can join the meeting by teleconference or video conference. We are broadcasting the meeting from WFSE HQ.

• If you'd like to join via video-conference, send an email to Liz Larsen by 5 PM on Wednesday, May 11. You'll receive an email on Thursday with the link and login information.

• If you'd like to join via teleconference, call 1-866-921-2203 at 5:30 pm. To enter the room respond with *1651542* (include the stars).

• Only WFSE HQ and Spokane Field offices are open for caucus members to attend in person. Please RVSP to Liz Larsen.

TENTATIVE AGENDA (tba)

April Meeting Information

Hello Green Caucus!  We are on for a meeting Thursday April 14th at 5:30 pm by conference phone instead of video. WFSE is changing web conferencing vendors and is not ready to support us with a web meeting. We will therefore dial in and do our best by phone. Liz Larsen is our resource and she will send out (or append to this message) the numbers.

• To join the meeting, call 1-866-921-2203 at 5:30 pm. To enter the room respond with *1651542* (include the stars).

The Headquarters, Spokane and Seattle offices will be open for members to join the call. Or join the meeting from your cell or home phone.

I look forward to hearing you all there!  Kerry

TENTATIVE AGENDA

Dial in and introductions/welcome new members at 5:30 pm

Logistics planning for future caucus meetings

Subcommitee reports

•    Convention planning
•    Sustainable practices
•    Political action and networking

Elections

•    Delegate nominations for AFSCME political action conference in DC
•    Planning for election of caucus officers/timing

Steward conference flyer/poster for green caucus?

7:00 pm.  Wrap up/action items