Minutes

National Convention minutes

July 29 – 31, 2016

Hilton Garden Inn Hotel

Emeryville, CA

Friday, July 2

Convention opened. Welcome by Janet Tucker

Presiding committee introduced (Pat Fry, Carl Davidson, Paul Krehbiel)

Rules adopted

Agenda adopted

Election rules presented by Steve Willett

Political Time of Day –opened by Harry Targ with comments on the international situation

Pat Fry-National Co-Chair on the Progressive Majority Strategy, the 2016 Elections (attached)

Carl Davidson-National Co-Chair on The Next Left (available soon)

Afternoon workshops:: Elections, Labor, Climate Change, Democracy Charter, Police and the State

Friday Afternoon Plenary

Organizational and Financial report (ass prepared by Steve Willett) by Janet Tucker (attached)

Discussion of membership survey by Paul Krehbiel; (attached)

Presentation of Convention Resolutions in Plenary by Duncan McFarland (attached)

Banquet at Emeryville Senior Center

Evening program: “Building Solidarity with Social Movements”

Carla Wallace, Speaking Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Author of “An Indigenous People’s History of the United States”

Pennie Opal Plant, Indigenous People’s Movement Activist

Frank Chapman, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression

Saturday, July 30

9:00 – 11:00 AM Small Group Discussions

11:00 – 12:00 PM Credentials Report, Millennial Activist School Report, Small Group Discussion Reports

Saturday afternoon

Election Balloting for CCDS National Leadership

CCDS CONVENTION MINUTES SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION July 30, 2016

Steve Willett, Chair, Marilyn Albert recorder

2 REPORTS FROM SMALL GROUPS

RESOLUTIONS

Simple changes will be voted on by the body – more complex changes will have to be submitted in writing to the Resolutions Committee for finalization.

Resolution #1 “Socialist Education Today”

Amendment proposed by Lenny Potash – Page 2

Reconstitute as national left activist network committed to working with others, etc. Want to strike word “organization” and “maintain its issue committees”. Maker of resolution does not consider it a friendly amendment.

Speakers for and against the amendment.

Motion was defeated.

Motion SEP will collect oral histories of members who volunteer to participate from Tamara of Oregon.

Seconded.

Speakers against and for.

Motion was passed.

Speaker in favor of overall Resolution #1.

Resolution #1 adopted unanimously with motion on oral histories included.

Karl Kramer motivated the resolution – Motion passed.

Resolution #3 Resolution on Organizing

Paul Krehbiel motivated resolution – speakers in favor and against, and abstaining.

Vote – motion passed.

Resolution #4 from Peace and Solidarity Committee

Duncan McFarland motivated resolution.

Amendment from Georgia Wever – add a point on supporting the Agent Orange Relief and Responsibility Act. Amendment passed unanimously.

Friendly amendment by Gary Hicks. “We recognize that the international policies of our country is a historical, organic, all-sided extension of how our country treats its own citizens.” Unanimously passed.

END OF SESSION

Saturday afternoon public progam: Moderator Lisa Brock

Camila Piñeiro Harnecker on “Cooperatives and Socialism in Cuba”

Carl Davidson, CCDS and Solidarity Economy

Cinthya Muñoz, Left Roots

Q&A and Discussion

Saturday evening Plenary

Chair: Meta Van Sickle and Steve Willett

Recorder: Marian Gordon

-2-

(5) Resolution IV, Page 8, end of resolution: Add Section “6. Support efforts to get more sponsors and pass the Agent Orange Relief and Responsibility Act.”

(6) Resolution VII, Page 14, Section 5: Change to “5. the CCDS Labor Committee shall consider the above action plan”

(7) Resolution VIII, Page 14: Add to the title, “and Efforts to Stop All State Violence”

(8) Resolution VIII, Page 15: Add Section “5. We stand with Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Muslims, and all oppressed minorities[?] which are targeted by police.”

(9) Resolution VIII, Page 15: Add Section “6. We oppose private training of police” [wording is NOT exact]

(10) Resolution IX, Page 16: change to “BE IT RESOLVED THAT CCDS supports donating money to a fund to pay for books and other study materials for incarcerated members.”

Sunday, July 31

Chairs: Paul Krehbiel, Harry Targ, and Janet Tucker

Recorder: Meta Van Sickle

Much thanks to the Duncan McFarland, the program planning committee, and the N, CA chapter

Election Committee Report—Georgia, Ronald C., Mary Eliazor

First round NCC:: Carl Davidson, Duncan McFarland, Anne Mitchell, Courtney Childs, Mildred Williamson, Pat Fry, Steve Willett, Kathy Sykes, Marian Gordon, Ellen Schweartz, Karl Kramer Alex Krebhiel, Donna Dewitt, Randy Shannon, Barbara Blong

Steve Willett reminded everyone of the second round of balloting by mail for the additional 15 seats

Janet Tucker introduced the various CCDS committees (Peace and Solidarity, SEP, Police and the State, Labor , Climate change, and the new committee, Organizing committee). People are encouraged to join committees.

Resolution #11 introduced by Jonathon Nack

Resolution on Strategic Voting in the Presidential Election

by Jonathan Nack

WHEREAS, Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for President is a dangerous demagogue and must be defeated in the Presidential election of 2016;

WHEREAS, Hillary Clinton, the Democrats’ nominee for President, is the only candidate who can realistically beat Trump and be elected POTUS;

WHEREAS, There will be only a small number of swing states in this election that will be in play and that will be hotly contested between the Republican and Democratic nominees; and

WHEREAS, The winner of the small number of swing states will determine the outcome of the election and which candidate is elected POTUS;

WHEREAS, The great majority of voters do not live in swing states and will vote in states in which the winning candidate will be known long in advance of election day;

BE IT RESOLVED, that the CCDS goes on record as endorsing the strategy of strategic voting by socialists, leftists, environmentalists and progressives in this election. The CCDS calls on leftist and progressive voters who vote in swing states to cast their vote to ensure the defeat of Donald Trump. This means voting for Hillary Clinton.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the CCDS recommends that socialists, leftists, environmentalists, and progressive voters who do not vote in swing states, which will be the vast majority of left and progressive voters in this election, cast their vote for the candidate that most closely reflect their views, including consideration of The Green Party nominee and other minor party and write-in candidates for POTUS.

Discussion followed by vote. Resolutions fails.

Evaluation of weekend: Many thanks to the Convention planners and N.CA. Much thanks for the wonderful state4ments of support and for the attendance of the CP and DSA.

CLOSED WITH THE SINGING OF “THE INTERNIONALE” AND “SOLIDARITY FOREVER
National Convention minutes
July 29 – 31, 2016
Hilton Garden Inn Hotel
Emeryville, CA

Friday, July 2

Convention opened. Welcome by Janet Tucker
Presiding committee introduced (Pat Fry, Carl Davidson, Paul Krehbiel)
Rules adopted
Agenda adopted
Election rules presented by Steve Willett

Political Time of Day –opened by Harry Targ with comments on the international situation
Pat Fry-National Co-Chair on the Progressive Majority Strategy, the 2016 Elections (attached)
Carl Davidson-National Co-Chair on The Next Left (available soon)

Afternoon workshops:: Elections, Labor, Climate Change, Democracy Charter, Police and the State

Friday Afternoon Plenary
Organizational and Financial report (ass prepared by Steve Willett) by Janet Tucker (attached)
Discussion of membership survey by Paul Krehbiel; (attached)
Presentation of Convention Resolutions in Plenary by Duncan McFarland (attached)

Banquet at Emeryville Senior Center

Evening program: “Building Solidarity with Social Movements”
Carla Wallace, Speaking Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)
Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Author of “An Indigenous People’s History of the United States”
Pennie Opal Plant, Indigenous People’s Movement Activist
Frank Chapman, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression

Saturday, July 30

9:00 – 11:00 AM Small Group Discussions

11:00 – 12:00 PM Credentials Report, Millennial Activist School Report, Small Group Discussion Reports

Saturday afternoon

Election Balloting for CCDS National Leadership

CCDS CONVENTION MINUTES SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION July 30, 2016
Steve Willett, Chair, Marilyn Albert recorder

2 REPORTS FROM SMALL GROUPS
RESOLUTIONS
Simple changes will be voted on by the body – more complex changes will have to be submitted in writing to the Resolutions Committee for finalization.

Resolution #1 “Socialist Education Today”
Amendment proposed by Lenny Potash – Page 2
Reconstitute as national left activist network committed to working with others, etc. Want to strike word “organization” and “maintain its issue committees”. Maker of resolution does not consider it a friendly amendment.
Speakers for and against the amendment.
Motion was defeated.
Motion SEP will collect oral histories of members who volunteer to participate from Tamara of Oregon.
Seconded.
Speakers against and for.
Motion was passed.
Speaker in favor of overall Resolution #1.
Resolution #1 adopted unanimously with motion on oral histories included.

Karl Kramer motivated the resolution – Motion passed.
Resolution #3 Resolution on Organizing
Paul Krehbiel motivated resolution – speakers in favor and against, and abstaining.
Vote – motion passed.

Resolution #4 from Peace and Solidarity Committee
Duncan McFarland motivated resolution.
Amendment from Georgia Wever – add a point on supporting the Agent Orange Relief and Responsibility Act. Amendment passed unanimously.
Friendly amendment by Gary Hicks. “We recognize that the international policies of our country is a historical, organic, all-sided extension of how our country treats its own citizens.” Unanimously passed.
END OF SESSION

Saturday afternoon public progam: Moderator Lisa Brock
Camila Piñeiro Harnecker on “Cooperatives and Socialism in Cuba”
Carl Davidson, CCDS and Solidarity Economy
Cinthya Muñoz, Left Roots
Q&A and Discussion

Saturday evening Plenary
Chair: Meta Van Sickle and Steve Willett
Recorder: Marian Gordon
-2-

(5) Resolution IV, Page 8, end of resolution: Add Section “6. Support efforts to get more sponsors and pass the Agent Orange Relief and Responsibility Act.”

(6) Resolution VII, Page 14, Section 5: Change to “5. the CCDS Labor Committee shall consider the above action plan”

(7) Resolution VIII, Page 14: Add to the title, “and Efforts to Stop All State Violence”

(8) Resolution VIII, Page 15: Add Section “5. We stand with Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Muslims, and all oppressed minorities[?] which are targeted by police.”

(9) Resolution VIII, Page 15: Add Section “6. We oppose private training of police” [wording is NOT exact]

(10) Resolution IX, Page 16: change to “BE IT RESOLVED THAT CCDS supports donating money to a fund to pay for books and other study materials for incarcerated members.”

Sunday, July 31

Chairs: Paul Krehbiel, Harry Targ, and Janet Tucker
Recorder: Meta Van Sickle

Much thanks to the Duncan McFarland, the program planning committee, and the N, CA chapter

Election Committee Report—Georgia, Ronald C., Mary Eliazor
First round NCC:: Carl Davidson, Duncan McFarland, Anne Mitchell, Courtney Childs, Mildred Williamson, Pat Fry, Steve Willett, Kathy Sykes, Marian Gordon, Ellen Schweartz, Karl Kramer Alex Krebhiel, Donna Dewitt, Randy Shannon, Barbara Blong
Steve Willett reminded everyone of the second round of balloting by mail for the additional 15 seats

Janet Tucker introduced the various CCDS committees (Peace and Solidarity, SEP, Police and the State, Labor , Climate change, and the new committee, Organizing committee). People are encouraged to join committees.

Resolution #11 introduced by Jonathon Nack

Resolution on Strategic Voting in the Presidential Election

by Jonathan Nack

WHEREAS, Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for President is a dangerous demagogue and must be defeated in the Presidential election of 2016;

WHEREAS, Hillary Clinton, the Democrats’ nominee for President, is the only candidate who can realistically beat Trump and be elected POTUS;

WHEREAS, There will be only a small number of swing states in this election that will be in play and that will be hotly contested between the Republican and Democratic nominees; and

WHEREAS, The winner of the small number of swing states will determine the outcome of the election and which candidate is elected POTUS;

WHEREAS, The great majority of voters do not live in swing states and will vote in states in which the winning candidate will be known long in advance of election day;

BE IT RESOLVED, that the CCDS goes on record as endorsing the strategy of strategic voting by socialists, leftists, environmentalists and progressives in this election. The CCDS calls on leftist and progressive voters who vote in swing states to cast their vote to ensure the defeat of Donald Trump. This means voting for Hillary Clinton.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the CCDS recommends that socialists, leftists, environmentalists, and progressive voters who do not vote in swing states, which will be the vast majority of left and progressive voters in this election, cast their vote for the candidate that most closely reflect their views, including consideration of The Green Party nominee and other minor party and write-in candidates for POTUS.

Discussion followed by vote. Resolutions fails.

Evaluation of weekend: Many thanks to the Convention planners and N.CA. Much thanks for the wonderful state4ments of support and for the attendance of the CP and DSA.

CLOSED WITH THE SINGING OF “THE INTERNIONALE” AND “SOLIDARITY FOREVER”