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Ranked Choice Vote Details

Ranked Choice Vote ID	454
Ranked Choice Vote	Delegate Apportionment Committee Election for 2010
Type	Open Ballot
Number of Seats	8
Ranked Choice Vote Administrator	Jody Grage
Phase	Closed
Discussion	05/17/2010 - 05/30/2010
Voting	05/31/2010 - 06/06/2010
Result	Results
Presens Quorum	31 0.6666
Candidates	Audrey Clement, VA Tamar Yager, VA Darrel Armstrong, MT Roger Snyder, NY Warner Bloomberg, CA Hugh Esco, GA Craig Thorsen, CA Nicolas Freeman, TX David Strand, MN Write-In Write-In

Background

The GPUS National Committee adopted, on 10/9/05, Proposal #175 which would establish the creation of a Delegate Apportionment Committee (DAC).

"To facilitate the adoption of a more proportionate system or governance, the GPUS shall create a committee to develop a set of criteria for establishing the delegation size of each state. This committee shall be given six months to makes recommendations to the GPUS, at which time these recommendations shall be voted on by the NC.

"The criteria proposed by the internal committee shall constitute an amendment to the bylaws and therefore require a 2/3's vote for passage. If these criteria are rejected by the NC, the committee shall by given 6 more months to incorporate the concerns of the NC and come back with a new proposal for allocating delegates. All proposals must, however, adhere to the principle of
proportional representation."

This proposal was amended, as of 2/5/06, to allow for broader participation; and to allow the committee to be elected using the STV program and software currently in use on the GPUS voting page.

Proposal #175. II. Committee Structure, B. Election of Internal Committee.

"The members of the Internal Committee shall be elected by the NC using the current system of Single Transferable Voting employed by the Green Party website: Multi-Seat Ranked-Choice Voting http://lobitos.net/voting/

"The threshold a candidate must pass in order to be elected will be the total number of ballots cast minus the total vote value of the non-used portion of all exhausted ballots, all divided by one more than the number of seats being filled.

"All ballots that have reached a particular elected candidate shall have their remaining vote value multiplied by the candidate's surplus multiplier: the total vote value of all ballots that have reached that candidate at the point they reach that candidate, minus the election threshold, all divided by the total vote value of all ballots that have reached that candidate at the point they reach that candidate.

"All ballots cast, along with the name of the delegate casting each ballot, and a spreadsheet showing the vote-counting process, shall be publicized. The Steering Committee shall certify the results of the election no earlier than one week after the ballots and spreadsheet are publicized. The SC's certification may only be overruled by a resolution from the NC, passed by
simple majority, amending the certification. No motion for an amended certification may be offered more than 30 days after the SC's original certification."

Candidate Information

Audrey Clement, VA
Audrey Clement has served as National Committee delegate/alternate continuously since June, 2005. She currently co-chairs the Committee on Bylaws, Rules, Policies and Procedures (BRPP) and the Ecoaction Committee. She served on the 2008 Steering Committee Election Tabulation Committee (ETC) and on the 2010 Apportionment Standing Committee (ASC). She mastered the current NC apportionment process by recently updating the spreadsheet developed to operationalize the NC apportionment formula.

In addition Audrey has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Temple University, 1993 and helped the Green Party of Virginia put Cynthia McKinney on the presidential ballot in 2008 by garnering almost 6,500 signatures during an eight month petition drive.

Tamar Yager, VA
In this statement I have included my views on NC delegate apportionment,
my skills and abilities as related to serving on the committee, my GPUS
experience and a summary of my work/volunteer experience related to the
work of the committee. While it is not directly related, I have provided
some (adapted for DAC) excerpts from my bio from when I ran for Steering
Committee Co-Chair. I feel this information allows you to know a little
about me as a person and it also shows the breadth of my leadership
abilities and my involvement in social justice advocacy and politics.*

My position on delegate apportionment is fair representation for states of
all sizes. I would like to work for an equitable formula that encompasses
many elements of party representation, including but not limited to
general population, party strength based on activities like petitioning
for ballot access, number of greens in states with party registration,
number of candidates run in elections, and Presidential voting strength.
Even though I am a representative from a state party, I consider myself
_working for the entire party since that is who elected me_. I come to the
table with no pre-conceived notions and with a willingness to listen and
when necessary, compromise for the greater good of the party. I think the
current size of our National Committee is too large -- many states are
unable to fill the number of delegate slots they have; consequently people
often fill roles for which they have no time. However, I am not wed to
anything -- as I said before, I come to this with an open mind and a
willingness to consider all viewpoints. Many of you know from my posts on
the national list that I am level-headed and provide a sense of unity
instead of competition. Lastly, I realize this will not be an easy task.

I am good at bringing people with totally opposite positions on issues
towards the center. In a number of situations I have facilitated solutions
that brought such varying viewpoints to compromise. I worked behind the
scenes lobbying for the last apportionment formula because I thought that
while it wasn't perfect, it was fairer than the previous delegate
apportionment. I did this even though my state lost delegate
representation. I worked on the last Presidential Nominating Committee
Delegate apportionment proposal -- this also represented a compromise on
many fronts.

On a practical level, my work experience has been largely in the
non-profit sector mostly in fundraising and non-profit marketing for arts
groups and direct service providers. I currently work as Community/Office
Manager for my housing cooperative. In addition to the above listed skills
and abilities, I also have excellent computer skills and strong attention
to details. These skills will likely be important in serving on this
committee. I am extremely dependable and can be counted on to
follow-through on tasks when necessary.

Green Party Activities (Past and Present)

· Attended 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Annual National Meetings

· Served as a volunteer for the 2007 Annual National Meeting

· Served as an NC delegate or alternate in 2007 and currently serve as a
delegate

· Served as paid staff (Fundraising Manager) from 2008-2009 until layoff

· Served or currently serve on Fundraising Committee, Annual National
Meeting Committee and Finance Committee (as a volunteer or staff member)

· Served as Fundraising Director for Josh Reubner campaign in Arlington, VA

· Assisted in ballot access efforts in Virginia and currently in Arkansas
-- not a good petitioner so I do behind-the-scenes work like verification
and assisting volunteers.

Exerpts/adaptations from bio for past Steering Committee Candidacy

I am a life-long progressive. My work, volunteer and political experience
is broad and I can bring a moderate, balanced view to the Delegate
Apportionment Committee. Most of my work and volunteer experience has been
administrative and behind-the-scenes but I have also been in the trenches
at marches, organizing justice activities, licking envelopes and running
phone banks.

Besides my work with the local, state and national Green Party, most of my
recent activism has been working with a progressive, Catholic Church
reform group with a paid membership of 25,000 (Call to Action -
www.cta-usa.org). I became involved with CTA in 1996, formed a local
chapter in my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky and was named to the 12
member board of directors in 2001. I have or currently serve on several
committees including fundraising, personnel and finance and I currently
serve as Vice-Chair.

In the early 80s I was active in a number of local political endeavors
including an effort to defeat the merger of Louisville and Jefferson
County governments (we prevented the merger but it passed some 15 years
later). I also organized phone banks for several local Democratic
candidates during this time. (Note that Louisville is a pretty progressive
city in a red state and most of the Democrats there lean left rather than
center). There was not an active Green party and while I was a registered
Democrat, I found out several years later that I resonated more with Green
values.

I helped organize the Louisville Peace Action Committee and have been
long-involved in many justice organizations including Witness for Peace,
Bread for the World, Pax Christi, and Fellowship of Reconciliation. In
2003, I was instrumental in organizing and executing an event in
Louisville that was later replicated in a number of other cities; Imagine
America was a speaking tour headlined by Dennis Kucinich, Marianne
Williamson and John Robbins. It was largely through this speaking tour
that Dennis Kucinich's idea for a "Department of Peace" gained strength.

In 2005 I volunteered with the Coalition of Imokolee Workers on their
successful campaign to get Taco Bell (and subsequently all YUM Brands
restaurants) to pay a fairer wage to tomato pickers. Along with that
campaign I did volunteer work with Jobs with Justice.

I have also served on a number of boards of directors of non-profits and
trade associations in the past. These experiences have honed my leadership
abilities. Also largely due to this volunteer involvement, I have gleaned
significant experience in board and organizational development, meeting
facilitation and in public speaking. After graduating from college, I
served for two years as a VISTA volunteer doing community organizing in a
poor neighborhood of Louisville.

For those of you that are new, I ran for SC co-chair in Reading. Before
the election someone asked the candidates to answer the following
questions. I used these questions as a template for a candidate statement.
My answers to the questions most applicable to DAC are below.

Factionalism and where I stand?
I don't see myself as a member of a "faction". Factionalism has been
harmful and divisive to our party and to other progressive organizations.
If we want to be a national party that has a positive impact on our
political system, then we must unite. I think that I have the ability to
see both sides of an issue. This makes it easy for me to listen and
facilitate compromises. Most people know from my posts that I am
level-headed and provide a sense of unity instead of competition.

How can I serve you? How can I help the NC do its work better?
I have many years of experience serving on boards and working for
non-profits in the areas of fundraising and office management. I have also
been in the trenches licking envelopes and making phone calls, marching
for peace, and organizing justice events.

Detailed examples of how others you work with have become more effective
through your leadership of projects. How organizations have grown, become
more effective, found their voice, changed the world?

· Call to Action (www.cta.org) -- National Board Member I helped implement
a structure of working board committees. As treasurer of the board -
recommended several things that either saved us money or helped us
leverage more $$$ for grants (for example, I suggested itemizing expenses
that were not reimbursed from board meetings). Wrote or helped write
several grants for Anti-Racism project (all were funded). Instrumental in
organizing the Kentuckiana chapter of CTA (southern Indiana and Louisville
areas).

· Just Creations (non-rrofit fair trade store) - Founding board member

· Louisville Direct Marketing Association (LDMA) President and Chairman-
worked at cultivating and appointing new board members and re-organizing
the structure of the board so duties were more spread out. This resulted
in us having every leadership position filled and a number of volunteers
that were ready to take over as terms expired.

Can you work with presenters of resolutions to make them better?
I have worked with a number of organizations on proposals and by-laws.
Resolutions are similar to this so my past experience should help. Also, I
have the ability to take a step back and look at all sides of an issue.
This will help me craft resolutions that would appeal to many.

Are you willing to pick up the phone and call disputing parties, helping
them to work out their differences so they can come back to the NC with
something that moves us forward rather than driving wedges?
Absolutely and I've done that many times as an NC Delegate -- most notably
with 272 and 295. I was the primary presenter of proposals 332 and 336.

--
Tamar Yager
Virginia Delegate and DAC Candidate

Darrel Armstrong, MT
I've been a Green for about thirty years. My political involvement started with the opposition to the war in Viet Nam, and there seems always another war. I try to march against any those the United States is involved in.
I'm a native Montanan, as a Forest Service & NPS employee, I lived in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Colorado & Hawaii, and I had a wife in California's Mendocino County for a decade before lung cancer took her. With her I was active in the Redwood summer defense of the trees. Meadow protested almost 'til the day she died. I worked for USFS in wildland fire and archaeology. I returned home to Montana for more education in archaeology after loosing my wife and having more adventures trying to get the US Govt. to obey it's own resource laws. While pursuing more education at the University of Montana as a 'non-traditional' grad student, I continued my heritage efforts with Missoula's Historic Preservation Commission. It was there my committee work most evolved. I'm enjoy collective decission making, but wax long if rarely against parliamentry airs and language. It tends more to hide the issues and inflate egos than illuminate things. I am an advocate of the little guy and as a delegate from a small state the DAC is an important committee for my state's needs. I passionately seek adequate representation for all our states and caucuses.
Locally, I'm a member of the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center and like her encourage women to taking leadership in politics & of Students for Choice for reproductive rights. I have worked with the LGBT community successfully on Montana's first Gay Rights Ordinance and am engaged in resisting Alberta's Tar Sands oil development coming across the border. That will necessitate a City Hall struggle this evening I best prepare for...I don't want to have to sit down in front of giant trucks, but will if needed.
I am just a typical active Green. One wanting proportionality with the widest possible spectrum of our Party represented. I trust the NC to make the best choice.
Fight hard but fair for what you believe in,
Darrel
Missoula...early on May 10, 2010

Roger Snyder, NY
Bio for Roger Snyder

Warner Bloomberg, CA
This Statement consists of a short initial statement of position, a longer discussion regarding the purposes of the GPUS National Committee and the role of any delegate apportionment policy, and a summary of background and experience.

I have been a California GPUS Delegate since July 2007. I have participated in the votes email list and regularly participate in monthly teleconferences and in-person meetings of the GPCA Delegation. I find the current system of delegate apportionment mostly acceptable, although I think review of the issue of the minimum of delegates for any affiliated State GP should be reviewed. I opposed the "One Green One Vote" (OGOV) position advocated by Peter Camejo, Cat Woods, and Forrest Hill because I viewed it as unnuanced, impractical and organizationally self-defeating in the purist form it was presented by them, and I voted against it as a Green Party of Santa Clara County delegate to the GPCA General Assembly of Delegates to which it was presented.

The DAC develops and proposes a formula for apportionment of delegates to the GPUS National Committee (NC) from the GPUS affiliated state Green Parties (GPs) and recognized caucuses. The NC collectively functions first to approve policies, procedures, bylaws, Platform and budget, to elect internal offices and committee members, and to broadly serve as a communications network among its members, their own state GPs, and international GPs. As such, it is mainly an administrative body for a Federal Elections Commission (FEC) national political party structure, and, as such, is only one component of what can be more broadly referred to as the Green Party of the United States. Program and electoral activities occur within and from GPUS committees and the state GPs and their local units, with the GPUS serving as a national networking structure in its form of organization as a national political party.

Therefore, the GPUS/NC is a means to the end of coordinated electoral and political activity as part of the general U.S. progressive peace and justice social movement -- it is not an end unto itself. In this context, personality struggles and power tripping over NC delegate apportionment need to be seen as inconsequential except to the extent that they drain energies and distract from political and community building activities outside the limited forum that is the NC.

The purpose of seeking a balanced and reasonably proportional representation among state delegations to the NC is to honor our values for Grassroots Democracy and Decentralization.

But exact proportionality is not practically possible because of the different systems of political party recognition and voter registration that exist across the various states (themselves historically developed, often arbitrarily determined, organizational boundaries). Exact proportionality also could be contrary to building the GPUS organization to the extent that minimal representation or exclusion discourages leadership development and organizational affiliation among grassroots activists who could eventually assume leadership roles in the national party organization. A mostly proportional approach is needed for organizational legitimacy because that is part of our value system. So the NC needs to roughly reflect proportionality in the number of delegates assigned to its constituent member state GPs, with recognized caucuses given set numbers of seats for other purposes.

The thorny question then becomes how is "proportionality" defined. In some fashion it needs to reflect GP participation and activity in the affiliated states with some mimimum representation from each state GP. The criteria need to be flexible and allow for application of some but not necessary all criteria in creating a balance between the desire for proportionality and the need for organizational coherence.

The criteria cannot merely be an arbitrary recourse to general population or political structures -- since that ignores any kind of GP represenatation and amounts to members of other political parties being counted in the internal organization of the GPUS.

The current system that uses a combination of plausible criteria to interact towards creating a balnced apportionment of delegates seems to me appropriate. The first task of the next DAC is to review those criteria from a philosophical perspective that includes not only what is proportional but what also is needed for strengthening our administrative organization and party building objectives. To that end, I believe the minimum delegation number for small GP population or activity states should be reviewed and possibly modestly increased.

I am volunteering my time and energies to this work not because I have any extra to spare but because, as above indicated, I recognize the significance of this part of our administrative maintenance.

As indicated below, I have many other state party activities that could keep me busy without being a GPUS Delegate or being on the DAC. Frankly, I would rather be out tabling...

A partial summary of my background and experience is as follows:

Green Party Activities

1994-2010 Green Party of Santa Clara County activist
1998-2001 Green Party of Santa Clara County County Council
2000 GPCA Delegate to ASGP Presidential Nominating Convention (Denver, CO)
1998-2010 Participation in Campaigns and Candidates Working Group, including working on proposals re endorsement procedures (2003) and GPUS nominating convention delegates

(2003-2004)
2005-2009 Sole CCWG Coordinator
2001-2010 Participation in Electoral Reform Working Group (Elections Code subcommittee; Redistricting issues; Development of Presidential nominating convention delegates selection procedures (2007)
2002; 2004 Candidate for State Assembly District 23 (San Jose, CA)
July 4, 2007 to Present GPCA GNC member (delegate) -- Paricipate in monthly teleconferences and email discussions; Participate on GNC Votes email list and vote on various items considered by GPUS GNC; Prepared Delegation draft Work Plan and Budget for FY 2009 and 2010
May 2007 to Present Observer to GPUS Coordinated Campaigns Committee
July 2008 Attended Chicago GPUS ANM; Also GPCA Delegate to Chicago QPNC
September 2008 to May 2009 Present Participate in McKinney/Clemente State Volunteers Coordinators email list and teleconferences; Co-facilitated workshop at 2009 ANM
July 2009 Attended GPUS ANM in Durham, North Carolina
December 2009 Joined GPUS Presidential Candidates Support Committee; participating in email list and teleconferences

Education

University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois BA 1976 (Social Sciences)
Santa Clara University, School of Law, Santa Clara, California JD 1979
San Jose State University/CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, San Jose, California Certificate

Program in nonprofit management 1999-2001

Work Experience

1972-1976 Clerical worker, Joseph Regenstein Library, University of Chicago
1979-1980 Part-time office worker for the Santa Clara Valley National Lawyers Guild
1980-2010 General practice attorney
1999-2000 Interim Director for United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County

Volunteer Activities

1971-1972 Draft counselor, Quaker House, Chicago, Illinois
1972-1975 Clerical Workers of America, District 65, organizing campaign
1976-1978 Soledad Habeas Corpus Project (prisoner legal assistance)
1979-1980 (City of) Santa Clara Tenants Association
1983-1993 Santa Clara Valley New Jewish Agenda
1988-1998 Peninsula Peace & Justice Center, Coordinating Council
1990-1999 Jackson-Taylor Neighborhood Association
1994-1998 Jewish Arab Muslim Americans Association (JAMAA)
1994-1999 Board member and officer of United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County
2000-2010 Japantown Neighborhood Association
2002-2006 Southbay Jewish Voice for Peace
October 2007 - February 2008 Treasurer for Save BAREC No on Measures A and B Committee (City of Santa Clara ballot initiative to preserve open space)

I can respond to questions via email(s) to wsb3gpus@aol.com or by telephone at (408) 295-9353.

Hugh Esco, GA
I am a founding member (in 1995) of the Georgia Green Party, after
organizing since 1989 with the Atlanta Greens. I currently serve as
CoChair for the Party's Committee on Bylaws, and as Secretary of the
Georgia Party. I am General Manager and founding partner of YMD
Partners, LLC, doing business as CampaignFoundations.com to provide
hosting, database, application hosting and telephony services to Green
candidates and Parties.

I ask your support for my election to this Committee; and will read
such support as a mandate to bring back to this body an apportionment
formula which is simple and easy to understand, which honors the work
each member state party and caucus does to build this party, and the
disparate conditions under which we struggle to do that work.

A more complete biography is published at:
http://www.campaignfoundations.com/Partners/HughEsco

--
Hugh Esco

Craig Thorsen, CA
BIO for Craig Thorsen

GREEN PARTY MEMBER:

I became a Green Party member in 1999. Prior to 1992, I was a member of the
Democratic / Farmer Labor Party (the MN affiliate of the Democratic Party).
In 1992, I became involved with the Reform Party and worked to get Jesse
Ventura elected as Governor of Minnesota. I moved to California in August
of 1999 and with Pat Buchanan's takeover of the Reform Party I sought out
and found "soul mates" in the Green Party of the United States. I was
relatively inactive as a GP member from 1999 until 2006. After a few months
as an Alternate, in April of 2008, I asked to move from Alternate to
Delegate and was approved. California approved me in April 2010 to continue
for another two years.

COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION:

BRPP (Bylaws, Rules, Policy and Procedures): I became a member of the GPUS
Bylaws, Rules, Policies and Procedures Committee in 2006, and served until
June of 2010.

BA (BALLOT ACCESS): In February of 2008, I petitioned in Arizona for 9 days.
That was followed by a month of petitioning in Virginia (3 days per week, 12
days total) in May of 2008. CA approved me to be a member of the GPUS Ballot
Access Committee in July 2008. Subsequently, I traveled to Vermont and
worked for about twelve days petitioning, which included 4 days outside the
Vermont State Fair in Rutland. I have spoken with Richard Winger (owner /
editor of the Ballot Access News) and am subscribed to his monthly
newsletter. I was one of the plaintiffs in the AZ Ballot Access Law Suit,
that had a hearing on January 11, 2010, which AZ GP won (Yeah AZ!).

I am currently in Little Rock, Arkansas with Audrey Clement. We are spending
hours on the streets of Little Rock obtaining signatures for the AR Green
Party Ballot Access Drive.

I am a member of the Lavender Caucus.
OTHER VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PARTY:

GPUS HEADQUARTERS: I spent the month of May 2008 in Arlington, VA. During
that time I spent 2 days per week at the National Office, doing whatever
project or task was assigned. That included envelope stuffing for Fund
Raising mailings, calling individual Green Party delegates and Co-Chairs in
states without Ballot Access for a survey to update where the petitioning
stood in each State without Ballot Access. About 4 weeks before the Annual
National Meeting of 2008 in Chicago, I worked with and for the Meeting
Coordinator. I stayed in Chicago; running errands for the Coordinator, and
assisting with the Registration for the event.

LA COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE GP – In March of 2006, I collected signatures in
order to qualify to be appointed to an open seat on the LA County Council.
The individuals who were Co-Chairs in 2006 until 2008 refused to follow the
Bylaws which required them to verify my signatures and vote on whether to
appoint me to an open seat; and I attended many meetings sitting in and
representing individuals who had been elected but who were not able to
attend those meetings. In June 2008, while working in Chicago on the ANM, I
won election in a contested race for the Green Party of Los Angeles County
Council (7 people for 6 seats) and came in with the second highest number of
votes for my District. I have subsequently moved out of that CA Senatorial
District and so resigned the seat effective on my last day of residency
there, which was, Dec 31, 2009. I currently live in Signal Hill, California;
a town completely surrounded by Long Beach, California.

ELECTION TO STEERING COMMITTEE: Winning election in July 2008 has resulted
in a large amount of time spent addressing National Green Party concerns.
While I serve California as a delegate to the National Committee; I have
also been approved as a member of BRPP, Ballot Access, Merchandise and
Presidential Campaign Support Committees. I serve GPUS as Portfolio Manager
of the Accreditation, Annual National Meeting, Apportionment Standing,
Ballot Access, and BRPP Committees, and as Co-Portfolio Manager to the
Delegate Apportionment Committee, as one of my assigned duties as a Co-Chair
of the Steering Committee. I also observe on the Finance, Fund Raising and
Media Committees; primarily for background knowledge and to keep up with the
current situation, to assist in doing a good job as Co-Chair on the Steering
Committee.

EDUCATION: My degree is in Speech / Theater / Communication, so it involved
quite a bit of Public Speaking. I have spent the majority of my life in
different fields, rarely being in any starting position for more than 6
months before being promoted to a supervisory or management position. I have
supervised between 6 and 136 people at different times.

I am subscribed to the GPUS Votes List, the CA Delegation List, the Lists
for each of the Committees to which I am a member or observer, and
participate in the discussion and as many votes as possible on the lists
where I am a member. I attend every monthly teleconference possible.

In California, I attended the Plenaries in Moor Park (Jun '06), South Lake
Tahoe (Sep '06), in Venice, CA (2009). I attended the ANM in Tucson in 2006,
Reading in 2007, Chicago 2008 and in Durham 2009. I have been active in at
least one Committee of the GPUS since 2006.

I see the National Committee as the decision-making body of the Green Party
of the United States and my role of Delegate from California as an important
one. I take part in discussions and read the views of others in regard to
each Proposal in order to make the best decision that I can, in the
interests of the Green Party of California and the people of California and
the United States.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: I have been an Election Judge for over 20 years.
After the first year as a Clerk, I have been in the position of running a
precinct to ensure that every voter gets a chance to vote. The role of
Election Judge (in MN) and Inspector (in CA) is a job of responsibility to
ensure that all voters get equal opportunity to choose the individual to
which they want to give their vote.

PHILOSOPHY: I believe that individuals need to be Pro-active. Rosa Parks on
the bus in Selma, and the people in New York who protested the raiding of
the Stonewall Bar; showed us that if we, as individuals, don't make our
protests heard that many find it easy to ignore those on the fringe. It is
not often that Civil Liberties are given to individuals and groups who do
not "ask" for them.

There are many battles available. We cannot be everywhere, and we cannot do
everything. But together, we can find the times and places to most
effectively speak out and have our voices heard.

I believe that that the role of GPUS is many faceted. There is an
educational aspect to our involvement with the debates in our cities,
counties, and States; whether this is in the media, the classroom or on the
campaign trail. However, one of our primary roles is to train candidates
and their staff to run successful campaigns in electoral politics. I
believe our focus has strayed some from this, and I seek to keep GPUS
mindful to "keep our eyes on the prize".

Nicolas Freeman, TX
Bio for Nicolas Freeman

David Strand, MN
Bio for David Strand

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