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December 2019 Working toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government represents all of us.
Working Toward Sanity and Democracy
Here we are again; finishing up another year of the Green Star Newsletter and nearing the end of my second year as Co-Chair. I’ve been honored to work with amazing volunteers and supporters across the state whose belief in the Four Pillars and 10 Key Values has given strength to our cause. I’ve shared in their frustrations at the enormous and seemingly insurmountable obstacles that continue to block us (and other alternative parties and independents) from the political arena, silencing the voices of anyone who would challenge the corruption and dominance of the powers that be. But I’ve also shared in the excitement and satisfaction of many victories. I’ve watched the hope and courage of these champions faithfully chip away at the foundations of corruption, waiting for the day when people realize they do have power and the flood of public support can wash away the rest. A big victory in this fight was the recent lawsuit, led by Jill Stein and several PA voters (including our Greens), which challenged unverifiable voting machines and processes in PA and led to a ruling that outlined specific requirements. The State has spent this past year replacing outdated and unverifiable machines. This win has helped to protect Pennsylvania votes in most counties, and the counties that did not follow the ruling are being challenged. The lawsuit also prompted other conversations in our Capitol regarding our Election Code. Sometimes these conversations are as important as the wins because they raise public awareness and lay the groundwork for future action. Green Party of Pennsylvania Action Teams have had an outstanding year! GreenWave was tremendously successful, as usual. We had several active, organized campaigns this year, four of which achieved ballot access for their candidates, keeping the Green Party and its values in the public eye all the way to November. Several other Green candidates ran vigorous write-in campaigns, also contributing to public awareness of the Green Party’s positions. Two candidates were victorious: Tim Runkle won his write-in campaign for Elizabethtown Tax Collector and Tara Yaney was elected to Edgewood Borough Council in Allegheny County. Tara and Tim are now making the transition from ‘running as a Green’ to ‘serving as a Green’ and are working with local party members to find creative ways to translate the Four Pillars & 10 Key Values to local office. Pennsylvania now has 19 elected officials in 10 different counties. See the list HERE Communications Team also kept the party in public view in 2019, posting statements and broadcasting press releases on more than 25 topics based on concerns or endorsement requests submitted by our members. The Green Star newsletter has grown over the past two years from a one-person project, to a team production, utilizing the efforts and expertise of copy editors, graphic artists, illustrators, and layout artists. Finance Team developed and implemented a budget for 2019 that was centered, for the first time, on our Action Teams and the work they do, providing for more autonomy and decentralizing the decision-making process in alignment with our values. The Finance Team also began a new outreach project through phone-banking leading to many conversations about Green values. This year we implemented our newly revised bylaws, which were developed through an open, participatory process last year. Among other things, the new bylaws changed the Chair position into two Co-Chairs and changed the terms for Co-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary to two years instead of one. This has been hugely successful: The extended, staggered terms have helped to provide consistency in leadership and the second Co-Chair has brought a complementary counterpart to the public face of the party. Our leaders and volunteers are amazing, AND we need more of them. The Green Party is a people-powered party and cannot function without volunteers. But it’s a two-way relationship. Volunteers spend from 2-20 hours per month to help grow the party and Team members learn skills from each other that are applicable to many other jobs. They also develop a reputation for reliability and follow-through and can enhance their resumes with the skills and experience they gain. Now is an excellent time to volunteer! With the climate crisis looming over us and rampant corruption gripping our government, paralyzing it from taking any actions except ones that produce corporate profits, the need for change is critical. That change needs to take place on many fronts and one of them is political. Greens in Canada, Europe, and other places, have suddenly increased in popularity after years of limited victories. By working diligently to remain a viable party and keeping a presence in their communities over the years, these Greens are well-positioned to step in and create change at a legislative level. The wave of environmental and economic awareness that is washing over Europe will eventually reach our shores. Will we be ready for it? If you want volunteer for one of our four Action Teams to help us maintain a strong party structure and work toward sanity and democracy in our country, visit our TEAMS PAGE Water is life and is a force that
cannot be stopped whether it comes in drops or in waves. Indeed, a
wave is just an assemblage of drops that comes together and builds
momentum over time; and it is one of the most powerful forces on
earth. For volunteer teams, a drop as little as 2 hours a month (or $4
a month if you can’t volunteer) can make a huge wave when there are
many. Whether you direct your efforts towards the Green Party or one
of the many It’s easy to be discouraged, but to
give you hope, I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes, which
history has shown to be true, time and again: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful
committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing
that ever has." ~Margaret Mead
GPPA News Highlightsedited by Chris Robinson GPPA Delegates Hold Virtual Meeting, 11/17 Nineteen elected delegates (and 2 observers) from PA county Green Parties held a virtual meeting. Among the many topics discussed and decided, a $12,000 budget for 2020, planning for nomination and election of GPPA officers, and a Growth Plan for 2020. To learn more about future meetings and initiatives, visit our website at: https://www.gpofpa.org/ PA Green Party candidates reflect on 2019 election PHILADELPHIA – County affiliates of the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) had four candidates on the ballot for local office in the 2019 General Election. There are many motives leading people to run for office, including the belief that they just might win. While one of the candidates actually did win her election, all four Green Party candidates have given us some insight into their rationale for running and what they learned from the experience. You may read more HERE PA Green Party calls Senate Bill 887 "an Act of Terrorism" By Timothy Runkle. PHILADELPHIA – On November 3, the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) Steering Committee voted to oppose Senate Bill 887 (SB 887), entitled "Critical Infrastructure Protection Act." GPPA Co-chair Alan Smith of Chester County was uncomfortable with SB 887. "If we are willing to make felons of prospective offenders then there must be a pervasive issue which is detrimental to the health and safety of the people of the Commonwealth," said Smith. "This bill however, is not about the safety of Pennsylvania's citizens or it's environment. The creation of this bill IS ITSELF the pervasive issue which is detrimental to the health and safety of the people of the Commonwealth." You may read more HERE Green Point Newsletter published by Allegheny Green Party The Green Party of Allegheny County (GPOAC), has been publishing an occasional newsletter, The Green Point, for their members and friends. The Green Point is edited by GPOAC Vice-chair Garret Wassermann. The first two issues of The Green Point were published on October 21 and on November 3. Please read them HERE If you find them valuable, please subscribe HERE
Campaign Updatesedited by Chris Robinson Support Our Green Candidates Green candidates provide choices to voters and bring a progressive voice to the political arena that doesn't end at the primary. To help us recruit and support 2020 Green candidates, donate to our newest GreenWave campaign: Sowing the Seeds.
Become a Green Candidate If you want to run as a Green candidate in 2020, you can be a recipient of the "Sowing the Seeds" initiative by working with local Greens to form a campaign team and then filing your campaign with the PA Department of State before the end of the year. For help on how to file, read the Green Party of PA's Guide to Starting a Campaign Committee.
Team UpdatesFinance Team by Tim Runkle
GreenWave Team by Jenny Isaacs
Green Wave has begun a “Sowing the Seeds: Time to Run Green” fundraiser. The Green Wave Team meets at 8:00 pm on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Sign up HERE to receive call info or email for more information! Communications Team by Chris Robinson
Core Team by Sheri Miller
If you are interested in helping on Core Team, sign up HERE.
National Green Newsedited by Gayle Morrow Lifelong activist Lisa Savage launches Green Party campaign to take on Senator Collins
Star Press Opinion by George Wolfe: Green Party growing in Indiana
Connecticut Rolf Maurer - a Green presence on the ballot for more than a decade!
NYC Scores Win for Democracy by Approving Ranked-Choice Voting Ballot Measure We will talk about the November elections next edition, but this happened in NYC and it is pretty important going forward in this country. NYC residents passed a measure approving Ranked Choice Voting! In 2018, Maine approved Ranked-Choice Voting statewide. As Ranked-Choice Voting becomes better known and spreads, third parties may start to make election gains. (show all)
Global Green Newsedited by Gayle Morrow
More good news... Switzerland’s Green Party has reason to celebrate after their parliamentary elections as well, making “landmark” gains. (show all)
Greens Being Green Richard Zurawski, Green Party candidate for the federal riding of Halifax West announced a hunger strike October 8 – October 21 to bring attention to the climate crisis and to get a taste of the experience of the food shortages that are sure to come. Zuranwski announced, “After last night's debate, I have come to realize that the other parties will do nothing to stop the climate crisis, and worse than that, will turn the scientific truth into a rhetorical pretzel of lies, obfuscation and misdirection. Elizabeth, during last night's debate, you were wonderful, again showing us all what a leader you are, to fight the climate crisis, showing us what can be, if we work together." (show all) New Zealand’s village of Dunedin claims perhaps the only mayor not afraid to put his feet where his mouth is. Thirty-five-year-old GP mayor Aaron Hawkins, in addition to being a vegetarian who cannot drive, hitchhikes to work. (show all)
GPPA Coming Eventsedited by Chris Robinson Green Party events are in GREEN. Other Movement events are in RED.
December 3, 6:00
pm
December 5, 6:00
pm
December 5, 6:00-8:30
pm
December 5, 7:00
pm
December 5, 7:00
pm
December 6, 11:00
am Noon: State College Municipal Building, 243 South Allen Street,
1:00 pm, Pittsburgh City County Building, 414 Grant Street,
December 6, 13, 20 and 27 at 11:30
am
December 6, 11:30
am
December 6, 13, 20 and 27 at
noon
December 8, 7:00-9:00
pm
December 9, 6:00-8:00
pm
December 9, 7:00
pm
December 14, 7:00
pm
December 16, 7:00
pm
December 28,
noon
January 7, 6:00
pm
January 2, 7:00
pm
GPPA Meeting Dates for 2020:
Web Conferences are online - RSVP to get connection information. The locations for in-person conferences are to be determined. In-person conferences can be hosted by counties, county groups or regions. These events are fundraisers. When hosted locally, the host group receives back half of the revenue after expenses. To apply for hosting, submit your info to our Application for Local Hosting of GPPA State Meetings or GPPA-Sponsored Events. We strive for geographic diversity in reviewing applications, however, all submissions are considered.
Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team & Media Committee Issue Credits: EDITORS:
Chris Robinson, & Gayle Morrow
Everything we do is based on our Four Pillars and Ten Key Values. If you find that you share these ideals, come and join the movement. You can support the Green Party in many ways; however, a monthly sustaining donation helps to fund a solid infrastructure to help local chapters coordinate candidates and provide resources to make their campaigns successful. As little as $3 per month can have a significant impact! Sustaining Donation Single Donation Purchase Green Merchandise Join us and help bring about a future where people and planet are valued over profits. We have a new, tiered membership structure that allows you to determine your level of commitment and support. And if you want to get more directly involved, consider joining an action team. Work with other committed progressives and activists in activities such as planning events, developing media content, or helping with campaigns. Let's join together to make 2019 the year of progressives!
The Green Star is an official publication of the Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team * 2019 |
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Green Party of Pennsylvania · PO Box 59524, Philadelphia,
PA 19102, United States
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by GPPA Co-chair
Sheri Miller
The Finance Team will have a
virtual meeting at 8:30 pm on the first and third Thursday of each
month. They have published their Mission and Goals for 2020, and they
have also published a GPPA Budget for 2020, showing income and
expenditures of less than $12,000.00. The Delegates’ Meeting agreed by
consensus to the Budget for 2020. Join 
The Delegates’ Meeting wished a
fond farewell to Jenny Isaacs, leader of the Green Wave Team for the
last three years. Several Green Party delegates have volunteered to
organize part of the task, but the Green Wave Team still needs a
leader to coordinate overall and regional leaders for the 2020
electoral campaign.
Your Communication
Team has posted 26 news releases in 2019 to the media, compared to 14
in 2018. The Communication Team is still looking for volunteers to
learn the Nationbuilder system, and to coordinate social media
platforms. Welcome to Dannee Schoepfer from Adams County, a new member
of the ComTeam helping with GreenStar. The Communication Team meets at
9:00 pm on the first and third Tuesday of each month. T
The Core Team needs anyone with
technical expertise who would like to help out. There is a team
rewriting our Platform. The Core Team meets at 8:00 pm on the second
and fourth Tuesday of each month. Core Team has created a Nominations
web page for the January election of GPPA officers. When going to the
Nominations page, please read the descriptions of responsibilities for
each position before you nominate yourself or another activist.
Although Team Leaders can be nominated or self-nominated through the
nominations page, they are appointed by the Steering Committee, not
elected. To nominate yourself or someone else, visit our 
For this year’s
election, there has been a surge of interest in the Green Party. We
now have SIX Green Party candidates running for local city council
positions in the state of Indiana, and all six will be on the ballot
in their communities. 
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