Difference between revisions of "GPCA Budget FY2011-2012 Expense Narrative"

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'''0. INTRODUCTION'''
 
'''0. INTRODUCTION'''
 
The GPCA's FY2011-2012 Budget occurs amidst during a deep national and international economic crisis that became manifest in October of 2008. That crisis has made it challenging for non-profit organizations and other not-for-profit entities like the GPCA that survive primarily or exclusively on grassroots donations and fundraising. The economic crisis also came on the heels of the politically difficult period for the Green Party when it suffered the blowback of being blamed for the 2000 Bush presidency. Combined its own internal self-inflicted  wounds over 2004 presidential strategy and other internal divisions, the cumulative effect of those trends led to a significant downturn in GPCA fundraising compared to the growth period the party experienced at the beginning of the last decade.
 
 
In FY2011-2012, prospects are looking up for the GPCA. The political climate is favorable in light of a disappointing Obama administration combined with a far right fringe Tea Party movement on the federal level, combined with the lack of real answers by either Democrats or Republicans to the structural problems of our state. At the same time internally within the Green Party, there has been a growth in new activists interested in becoming involved, along with a return by many long time party activists. 
 
 
With this potential, the GPCA FY2011-2012 Budget seeks to establish a baseline of core expenses to ensure the maintenance of the party's basic, ongoing operations, based upon the same minimal level of fundraising experienced in the last few years, along with a plan to invest in growth opportunities that would bring in more money to fund more organizing.  This Budget also seeks to establish a manner in which increased revenue will be dedicated to additional organizing in a predictable, transparent manner that will minimize the need for mid-year discretionary choices by either the General Assembly or the Coordinating Committee, yet correspond realistically to expected cash flow and political deadlines, along with provide enough flexibility to adapt to unpredictable circumstances.
 
 
On the income side, the FY2011-20122 Budget contains a plan to raise up to $163,750 -- with $60,500 projected between May and September 2011 and $103,250 between October 2011 and April 2012. The plan would expand the GPCA's fundraising capability by hiring a fundraiser to manage a fundraising campaign, along with creating a new GPCA contact relationship management (CRM) database to ensure high quality management functions such as donation tracking and GPCA supporter communications.
 
  
 
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'''1. BYLAWS COMMITTEE (T-1 $0, T-2 $100, T-3 $200)
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'''1. BYLAWS COMMITTEE (Tier I - $0, Tier II - $100, Tier III - $100)'''
  
There was no FY2011-12 budget requeset submitted by the Bylaws Committee and there are no active members on the Bylaws Committee. In FY2010-11 $100 was budgeted and not spent for the Bylaws Committee. The FY2011-12 budget sets aside $100 for Tier II and $200 for Tier III in the event that the Coordinating Committee makes appointments to the Bylaws Committee and the Bylaws Committee submits a work plan to cover the use of the funds.
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No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Bylaws Committee and there are no active members on the Bylaws Committee. In FY2010-11 $100 was budgeted and not spent for the Bylaws Committee. The FY2011-12 budget sets aside $100 for Tier II in the event that the Coordinating Committee makes appointments to the Bylaws Committee and the Bylaws Committee submits a work plan to cover the use of the funds.
  
 
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'''2. CAMPAIGNS & CANDIDATES WORKING GROUP (CCWG)'''
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'''2. CAMPAIGNS & CANDIDATES WORKING GROUP (Tier I - $5,880, Tier II - $11,980, Tier III - $18,580)'''
  
Tiered approach to budget for CCWG due to contingency of success of Marnie Glickmans's Green2012, first stage voter database set-up, analysis, and outreach to raise funding.  
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The Campaigns and Candidates Working Group FY2011-12 budget contains standard annual expenses like the Campaign Support Fund, recently added expenses associated with the voter database project (that was authorized in FY2010-2011) and new Green 2012-inspired for FY2011-2012.  
Tier 1: worst case scenario, minimum funding needed
 
Tier 2: moderate success, moderate funding requested
 
Tier 3: best case scenario, funding appropriate to successful fundraising
 
  
 +
The Campaign Support Fund is budgeted at $7,000 in Tier I, $7,000 in Tier II and $10,000 in Tier III. The Voter Registration File data base software is budgeted at $1,080 in Tier I ($90/month) in a contract with CAVoterConnect authorized in the Budget Approval Resolutions. In conjunction with the data base software, there is a two month continuation in Tier I of the independent consultant arrangement the CCWG established in January 2010 to perform Voter Registration File data base work ($400) and Volunteer recruitment and coordination ($400). This would maintain these efforts while providing time for the party to conduct a formal hiring process for an independent contractor to perform these services on an ongoing basis. The Coordinating Committee is directed to conduct this process in the Budget Approval Resolutions. For Voter Registration File data base work $2,400 is budgeted in Tier II and $3,000 in Tier III. For Volunteer recruitment there is $1,200 is budgeted in Tier II and $2,400 in Tier III. For campaign trainings, $200 is budgeted in Tier II and $2,000 in Tier III.
  
GENERAL GOALS OF CCWG 2011 / 2012
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• Continue to meet via teleconference every 2nd Wednesday of the month.
 
• Continue to discuss ongoing issues relating to our mandate via email.
 
• Maintain updated and useful CCWG webpage.
 
• Create documented set of criteria to use when considering candidate funding recommendations
 
• Determine which ONE candidate questionnaire to use as standard, or create a new one.
 
• Recruit new Campaign Fund Support Committee, AND IF THEY DO NOT CONVENE, SEEKS STEPS TO CHANGE OUR BYLAWS TO DISSOLVE THE COMMITTEE REQUIREMENT THEREBY REVERTING THE RESPONSIBILTY OF FUNDING ALLOCATIONS BACK TO CCWG.
 
• Recruit new CCWG Co-Coordinators, as the current term(s) are over as of March 2012.
 
• Recruit potential candidates and make certain they are endorsed by their local for funding purposes.
 
• Provide tools, resources, training, and funding recommendations for candidates.
 
• Conduct County Polling during State Proposition cycle.
 
• Keep informed and share information regarding status of Proposition 14 legality and repercussions if not over-turned.
 
• Continue to work with GROW, Media, IT, and ByLaws Committee(s) to improve GPCA.
 
• Participate in on-going Stragetic Planning with GPCA as a whole.
 
  
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'''3. CLEARINGHOUSE COMMITTEE (Tier I - $1,860, Tier II - $2,860, Tier III - $2,860)'''
  
APRIL THROUGH JUNE 2011
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No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Clearinghouse Committee. There are no active members on the Clearinghouse Committee. In FY2010-11 $2,510 was budgeted and $1,110 was spent on clearinghouse related expenses. In lieu of a committee request, the FY2011-12 budget contains $1,000 for Tier I and $2,000 for Tier II for merchandise expenses for t-shirts, buttons, stickers, bilingual materials and shopping bags. An equivalent income projection for these amounts is provided in the income narrative. In addition there is $550 in Tier I for the phone and $110 in Tier I for the post office box and $200 for shipping.
• Assess the success of Marnie Glickman's Green2012 Proposal implementation pertaining to use and results of the CAVoterConnect data management system.
 
• Launch candidate recruiting drive, training for candidates, and assist in voter registration drive launch at Plenary.  
 
• Stay in communication with GPUS Delegates as to names for Presidental Primary.
 
• Consider creating a Candidate Sustainer Form for neighborhood canvassing.
 
• Continue to work with other committees on improving GPCA.
 
• Assist in formation of Personnel Policy as it relates to this working group.
 
• Continue assessment of Prop 14 status.
 
• Continue to work on the GPCA Strategic Action Plan.  
 
  
JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011
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One of the associated resolutions that recommended for approval in conjunction with the FY2011-2012 budget is that the party adopt a standard prioritization of the party's core operating expenses and legal obligations. Paying for the phone and post office box are among those highest prioritizations.
• Continue candidate recruitment and training, Deadline for filing is March 9, 2012.
 
• Make certain that the Candidate Fund Support Committee is in process of formation.
 
• Make certain we have created and have documented a set of criteria for CCWG to use in its funding support recommendations on behalf of candidates.
 
• Propose types of and trainors for Candidate and Campaign related training sessions at Stragetic Gathering to be held in Ventura in (potentially) August.
 
• Continue assessment of Marnie Glickman's Green2012 Proposal(s).  
 
• Form and propose any CCWG break-out sessions for Fall / Winter Plenary
 
• Start recruiting new Co-Cos for CCWG
 
• Continue communication with GPUS regarding status of Presidential nominee(s) process.
 
• Continue assessment of Prop 14 status.
 
• Continue to work on the GPCA Strategic Action Plan.  
 
  
OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER 2011
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• Continue candidate recruitment throughout the Fall.
 
• Make certain that either the Campaign Fund Support Committee or CCWG is in consistent contact with Candidates and following through with THE Questionnaire and following the criteria established for endorsing / funding candidates.
 
• Create various means and tools for candidate training and support.
 
• Continue assessment of Prop 14 status.
 
• Continue communication with GPUS regarding status of Presidential nominee(s) process.
 
• Continue working on the GPCA Strategic Action Plan.
 
• Start working on goals for CCWG next WorkPlan & Budget.
 
• Continue assessment of Marnie Glickman's Green2012 Proposal
 
• Continue assist in creating Personnel Policy.
 
 
 
JANUARY THROUGH MARCH 2012
 
• Start working on the new WorkPlan and Budget.
 
• Continue candidate recruitment and training.
 
• Form and propose any CCWG break-out sessions for the Spring Plenary
 
• Continue assessment of Prop 14 status.
 
• Continue communication with GPUS regarding status of Presidential nominee(s) process.
 
• Continue working with other committees to improve GPCA.
 
• Continue assessment of Marnie Glickman's Green2012 Proposal
 
• Continue assist in creating Personnel Policy if still applicable.
 
• Continue working on the GPCA Strategic Action Plan.
 
 
 
 
 
- Campaign Support Fund  Tier 1: $5,000 Tier 2: $10,000 Tier 3: $20,000
 
- Strategy Meetings/Retreats
 
- Candidate Training Sessions
 
- Copying for meetings
 
- Teleconference Reimbursements
 
- Co-Cos Retreat Travel/Lodging
 
- Voter Database Project
 
    (Subtotal CCWG)
 
- Campaign Support Fund Tier II
 
- Field Organizer Tier II    Volunteer recruitment, volunteer coordination and administrative support (Field organizer)
 
Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $1,200 Tier 3: $3,600
 
 
 
-  Campaign training/consulting for candidates, staff, volunteers (Executive director)
 
Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $1,200 Tier 3: $3,600
 
 
 
- Voter file database management (Executive director)
 
 
 
Voter file database management (Executive director)
 
Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $1,200 Tier 3: $3,600
 
 
 
- Miscellaneous Operational Expenses
 
 
 
Misc Operational Expenses
 
Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $100 Tier 3: $200
 
    (Subtotal CCWG Tier II)
 
- Campaign Support Fund Tier III
 
 
 
- Field Organizer Tier III  Volunteer recruitment, volunteer coordination and administrative support (Field organizer)
 
Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $1,200 Tier 3: $3,600
 
 
 
- Campaign training/consulting for candidates, staff, volunteers (Executive director)
 
- Voter file database management (Executive director)
 
  
 +
'''4. COORDINATING COMMITTEE (Tier I - $6,475, Tier II - $7,075, Tier III - $7,075)'''
  
Voter file database software: (non-tiered) $3,600
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The Coordinating Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains standard annual costs associated with party insurance, GPCA general assemblies and the operation of the Coordinating Committee. Tier I includes $1,150 for insurance and $750 for note taking at the general assemblies. It also budgets $4,500 to cover the expenses of hosting the general assemblies (and projects an equivalent income of $4,500 from registration fees in the Coordinating Committee income narrative to pay for them.) Tier II includes $250 and Tier III $500 for Plenary Administration (THIS NEEDS CLARIFICATION BY THE CC AS TO WHAT THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR). Tier II also contains$300 for a Coordinating Committee retreat. Such retreats have been held in many but not all past years.
*due to a contractual agreement with CAVoterConnect, this is required spending.  
 
 
 
- Miscellaneous Operational Expenses 
 
 
 
Misc Operational Expenses
 
Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $100 Tier 3: $200
 
    (Subtotal CCWG Tier III)
 
- Executive Director
 
 
 
Campaign training/consulting for candidates, staff, volunteers (Executive director)  
 
Tier 1: $0.00 Tier 2: $1,200 Tier 3: $3,600
 
 
 
 
 
- Field Director
 
- Online Director
 
    (Green 2012)
 
  
 
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'''3. CLEARINGHOUSE COMMITTEE  (no FY2011-12 budget draft submitted)'''
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'''5. ELECTORAL REFORM WORKING GROUP (Tier II - $100, Tier III - $100)'''
  Office Rent
 
  Post Office Box
 
  Fax-Phone-Printing Machine
 
  Phone
 
  Office Supplies
 
  Postage/shipping
 
  GPCA merchandise (old "paraphenalia")
 
  New materials and merchandise
 
    (Subtotal Clearinghouse)
 
 
 
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'''4. COORDINATING COMMITTEE (CC)'''
 
Insurance
 
Legal
 
CC Retreat
 
Phone
 
Office Supplies
 
Recordings of CC meetings
 
Bank Charge
 
Other CC
 
General Assemblies
 
  Hosting Costs
 
 
 
 
 
- Site Rental
 
- Damage Deposit lost (if applicable)
 
- Equipment Rental (Microphones/Sound System/Power Point/Projection,
 
Video Cameras, other)
 
- Food
 
- Travel Expense Subsidies
 
- Lodging Expense Subsidies
 
- Minutes taker(s)
 
- Video tapes (has been paid separately by state party)
 
- Honoraria for speakers or workshop leaders or music
 
- Administrative (copies, other)
 
- Friday CC meeting (food, copies, space rental)
 
- Repaying GPCA loan
 
  
 
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No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Electoral Reform Working Group. In FY2010-11 $200 was budgeted and not spent for the Electoral Reform Working Group. The FY2011-12 budget sets aside $200 for Tier II in the event that the Electoral Reform Working Group submits a work plan to the Coordinating Committee to cover the use of the funds.
 
 
  Participant Payments for Plenaries
 
  CC Plenary Dinners
 
  Plenary Administration
 
  Plenary Travel Support (Hardship)
 
  (Subtotal CC)
 
  
 
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'''5. ELECTORAL REFORM WORKING GROUP (ERGS) (no FY2011-12 budget draft submitted)'''
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'''6. FINANCE COMMITTEE  (Tier I - $34,695, Tier II - $78,645, Tier III - $81,245)'''
  Materials
 
  Media (cds, etc)( Old "Co-co retreat participation")
 
  Postage(Old " Education Workshop")
 
    (Subtotal ERWG)
 
  
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No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Finance Committee. The FY2011-12 budget contains funding for standard, annual GPCA expenses in Tier I such as FPPC reporting software ($1,250), Mail permits ($185), and merchant fees ($1,500), although its possible that the GPCA may achieve a better price in merchant fees during the course of FY2011-2012 based upon further research of options available.
  
'''6. FINANCE COMMITTEE'''
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The FY2011-12 Finance Committee budget contains funding for more aggressive GPCA fundraising in FY2011-12 than has transpired in recent years. As the Finance Committee did not submit any detailed income projections for the FY2011-12 budget, the income projections in the Income Narrative and budget spreadsheet correspond to those inspired by the Green 2012 plan. In turn the fundraising expenses budgeted for in FY2011-12 correspond to the efforts necessary to reach those income projections. They include traditional party expense categories like Prospect mailing, including printing and postage ($11,250 in Tier I, $27,500 in Tier II) and Resolicitation mailings, including printing and postage ($15,000 in Tier I and $33,000 in Tier II). They also include Customer Relationship Management contact database software which is necessary to handle the increased volume of contacts that will accompany increased fundraising. This cost is reflected in Tier II ($4,600) and includes $1,000 to set up and $300/month thereafter.
  Fundraising Coordinator
 
  FPPC Software
 
  Mail house
 
  Bulk mail permit
 
  Prospect Mailings
 
  Printing
 
  Postage
 
    (Subtotal Finance Committee)
 
  Prospect Mailings Tier II
 
  Donor Mailing Coordinator  Tier II
 
  Treasurer  Tier II
 
  Treasurer Assistant  Tier II
 
    (Subtotal Finance Committee Tier II)
 
Fundraising events, donor prospecting materials, postage and travel costs
 
    (Green 2012)
 
  
TREASURER  (no FY2011-12 budget draft submitted)
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The FY2011-12 Finance Committee budget also contains funding for a fundraiser. In Tier I that funding ($3,000) is projected to cover May through July 2011 and go to an independent contractor with the title of Interim Executive Director, who shall have fundraising as part of his/her responsibilities. The Interim Executive Director shall be hired via a no bid contract as specified in the Budget Approval Resolutions. Afterwards $10,000 is budgeted in Tier II and $12,000 in Tier III for an independent contractor Executive Director who shall also have fundraising as part of his/her responsibilities. The person filling that position shall be hired in an open, transparent and competitive process as described in the GPCA personnel policy approved by the Spring 2003 GPCA General Assembly.
  Bank Charges
 
  Data Entry Assistance
 
  Legal
 
  Merchant Fees
 
  Post Office Box
 
  Postage
 
  Printing
 
  Software
 
    (Subtotal Treasurer)
 
 
 
 
 
There is a fee that we pay each year for the software to file with FPPC.  It is true that FPPC has free on-line software.  If the GPCA chooses to use the free software, in which each donation has to be listed by scratch, then you will definitely have to find another treasurer. Craftware, our software vender, gives us a special discounted price, which has remained $1250 for some time. That is 50% of the regular price.
 
  
 
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'''7. GREEN ISSUES WORKING GROUP (GIWG)  (no FY2011-12 budget draft submitted)'''
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'''7. GREEN ISSUES WORKING GROUP (Tier I - $0, Tier II - $500, Tier III - $500)'''
  Coalition Building/Project Initiative Costs
 
  Green Actions (replaces Convergences)
 
  Printing, Copying, Mailing - General Office
 
  Teleconferences
 
  Research
 
  Formatting and Distributing Proposals
 
  Writing and Distributing Notices and Minutes
 
  Update Organizing Webpages
 
  Retreat
 
  (Healthy Community Alliance)
 
  Requested for all efforts
 
  (Rural Organizing)
 
    (Subtotal Green Issues)
 
  
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No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Green Issues Working Group. In FY2010-11 $500 was budgeted and not spent. The FY2011-12 budget contains $500 in Tier II for "Coalition Building/Project Initiatives" and $500 in Tier II for "Misc/General Office.This funding is contingent the Green Issues Working Group submitting a work plan to the Coordinating Committee and the Finance Committee to explain these expenses.
 
 
'''8. GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING WORKING GROUP (GROW)'''
 
  Green Focus
 
  Green Focus Bulk Postage
 
  Green Focus Printing & Shipping
 
  Registration support (Old " Voter Registration Drive")
 
  Volunteer Coordinator
 
  County Council Support
 
  County Organization Grant Program
 
County State fundraising (Prospect Mailings)
 
  Campus Greens
 
  Diversity Outreach
 
  Rural Outreach
 
  General Grow Funding (Old "Additional Printing")
 
    (Subtotal GROW)
 
  Organizing and Voter Registration Materials
 
Organizing and Voter Registration Organizers
 
    (Subtotal GROW-related Green 2012)
 
  
 
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'''9. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GROUP (IT)'''
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'''8. GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING WORKING GROUP (Tier I - $300, Tier II - $1,920, Tier III - $25,200)
  Server Hosting
 
  Server Backup Services
 
  Voting/Polling Page
 
  Staff
 
  (Reserve)
 
Contribution to Open STV
 
  (Domain Name not expiring)
 
    (Subtotal IT)
 
  Web redeisgn/CMS Implementation/Misc. projects Tier II
 
    (Subtotal IT Tier II)
 
  
 +
No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Green Issues Working Group. The FY2011-12 budget contains funding for Green Focus in Tier II and includes $5,000 for printing and shipping, $1,000 for posting and $300 for layout/managing editor. Green Focus has been a standard, annual expense of the party so funding for it is included in the FY2011-12 budget even without a working group work plan. But according to the Budget Approval Resolution, the printing can not be authorized until a specific work plan containing specific costs is submitted to the Finance Committee by the layout/managing editor.
  
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The GPCA Voter Registration drive is funded primarily within the GROW Tier II and Tier III budget, other than $300 budgeted for tabling materials in Tier I. In Tier II there is $8,000 for local field organizers ($10,000 in Tier III), $2,400 for voter registration management and volunteer training and coordination ($3,000 in Tier III); $2,000 for tabling materials ($2,500 in Tier III), $800 for tabling fees at important events and festivals ($1,000 in Tier III) and $320 in legal compliance work ($400 in Tier III).
  
'''10. INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOL COMMITTEE (no FY2011-12 budget draft submitted)'''
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As part of the Budget Approval Resolutions, the Executive Director and GROW are directed by the General Assembly to further develop the details of this Voter Registration drive into a draft plan and to return to the Fall GPCA General Assembly to present the plan for comment.  
  
 
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'''11. MEDIA COMMITTEE'''
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'''9. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GROUP (Tier I - $5,900, Tier II - $5,900, Tier III - $5,900)'''
  
 +
The IT FY2011-2012 budget contains standard annual Tier I expenses of $660 for Server Hosting ($55/month) and $240 for Server Backup Service ($20/month). Approval of the associated resolution would authorize that the GPCA continue to use Godmoma Forge, LLC for serving hosting and the Green Internet Society for Server Backup Services. One of the associated resolutions recommended for approval in conjunction with the FY2011-2012 budget is that the party adopt a standard prioritization of the party's core operating expenses and legal obligations. Paying for the server hosting and backup among those prioritizations.
  
Mission
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The IT FY2011-2012 budget also contains expenses of $5,000 for web redesign/content management system installation/miscellaneous projects. However there was no work plan submitted for these expenses. Given the important role of the party's web site, the Budget Committee recommends that its evolution be considered by the General Assembly as part of its budget discussion. There was a work plan for these funds submitted as part of Green 2012, and it recommends that a web site upgrade be done as part of Tier I because of the need for an improved site to support increased fundraising efforts. That plan is as follows:
The Green Party of California Media Standing Committee seeks to promote and foster a positive image of the GPCA through media channels. We particularly want to increase our presence in online social media (facebook, twitter, etc.), but will continue to seek coverage in print and broadcast media. The Media Standing Committee seeks to garner the attention of and gain credibility with the mainstream and alternative media. The Media Committee issues press releases and provides spokespersons to help get the Green Party message out to the public through the media. 
 
Objectives
 
A. Research, write, solicit, edit and distribute press releases, advisories, op-eds, letters, articles, social networking sites, blog posts and press kits for media outlets in California.
 
a. press releases will usually be written or edited  by the GPCA Press Secretary
 
b. draft releases may also be submitted to the Media Committee by any registered Green; such a release will then be subjected to our Committee's editing and/or approval process: press releases require 2 persons to approve the release before dissemination. Current authorized approvers are Erika McDonald, Lisa Taylor, Bert Heuer, Mike Feinstein, Wes Rolley, Hank Chapot and any GPCA spokesperson, which includes Laura Wells, Chapot, Feinstein, Derek Iversen and Susan King
 
c. any registered Green may seek the advice of the Media Committee on where to place an op-ed/article written about any given issue; these are not subject to approval unless the op-ed/article claims to explicitly speak for the GPCA
 
d. press releases submitted by Media Committee members shall be posted to our Committee's list serve for editing/approval
 
e. press releases submitted by registered Greens not active in the Media Committee shall be submitted to a Media Committee Co-Coordinator and/or Press Secretary
 
f. the Media Committee may also solicit press releases/op-eds/articles by requesting that a Green "issue expert", official, or candidate write a draft
 
g. distribution of press releases via fax and/or email; this duty will typically be performed by our Press Secretary, but media committee members and local GP media contacts are welcome to assist with distribution and add contacts to our distribution list.
 
B. Promote Green blogs such as California Greening and green social networking sites such as GreenChange.org.
 
C. Post thoughts on the news of the day/week/month on the cagreens.org home page. Use a Twitter account for the Green Party of California for microblogging.
 
D. Build relationships with editors and reporters through phone and personal contact with our spokespeople, media committee members, press secretary and local media contacts
 
E. Organize press conferences and media events as needed
 
F. Provide resources, training and support to local GP media contacts and candidates; this may include advising local Green candidates about media relations by phone and/or in person; participating in candidate training workshops; providing media lists to candidates and local Green Party chapters
 
G. Maintain effective Media Committee organization; conduct quarterly (at least) conference calls; post press releases and articles on the web site at cagreens.org.
 
H. Recruit and develop spokespeople for the Green Party of California.
 
  
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- Redesigning GPCA website and migrating to an open source team-focused content management system
  
The Media Committee acknowledge monies are not yet available to fund the bulk of the Visibility Campaign – which is crucial to our fundraising, voter registration, candidates and overall visibility – and will be willing to adjust spending as the monies become available.
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120 total hours of staff/consultant time and five phases of implementation as follows:
  
- Fax & email distribution
+
Phase 1: Needs and Audience Analysis (10 hrs)
- Phone & fax allowance
+
• Assist identification of 3-4 goals for the website (e.g. "to enhance the organizational identity of GPCA", "to inform Greens of the latest news, actions and events in California.")
- Press Secretary/Communications Director Compensation and Expenses - $3600
+
• Assist I.D. of 3-5 user types (e.g. "First Time Visitors" or "Press") and their needs
 +
• Target user actions and outcomes desired for each user type. Rank in priority
 +
• Build site map based on desired outcomes and audience needs
  
Press Secretary compensation and office allowance: $300 monthly, the same as 2010-11, and nearly half what was charged in 4 previous years: includes phone/fax distribution costs, travel and misc. expenses. In addition to writing and disseminating news releases statewide, and coordinating media for GPCA, NEW additional duties will include: Writing, creation, design and coordination of the GPCA fundraising appeals (in conjunction with Finance Committee) and writing, editing and design of Green Focus, and scripting and production responsibility for "Visibility Campaign" as noted below. Press Secretary will also be lending his assistance to GPCA candidates on statewide, and local ballots, including helping formulate all earned and paid media strategic planning, writing and disseminating releases when possible.
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Phase 2: Current Content Assessment (10 hrs)
 +
• Audit current GPCA content and cross reference with site map
 +
• Assess content gaps (or required edits)
 +
• Schedule content for migration, beginning with items necessary for site launch
 +
• Gather necessary account data for any existing 3rd party web services that need to be integrated
 +
with the new website (donation processors, social media feeds, YouTube, etc)
  
- Green Party Visibility Campaign (Television and Video Spots) $25,000
+
Phase 3: Wireframe and Branding (30 hrs)
 +
• Draw wireframe illustrating rough layout of site elements
 +
• Decide 1st draft color scheme, logo implementation and font choices
 +
• Create site mockup and accept revisions
  
This project will benefit the party in its presence to the voting public, which  will assist GPCA candidates, fundraising and major donor campaigns and a plan to launch a massive voter registration drive. The 15 and 30 second television spots – to run on CNN, Headline News, MNBC and other cable networks - will be placed in strategic geographic areas, and will seek to take advantage of voter apathy with the current Dem and GOP parties. It will reinforce the GPCA name, enabling us to raise more monies, register more voters and expose our candidates and campaigns to the voter. The spots/ads could also be used as active content for our online presence. We spent $3,300 in 2010-11 on this program.
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Phase 4: Test Installation (60 hrs)
 +
• Install Drupal and required modules on test domain and hosting space provide by client
 +
• Apply theme, module, and custom configurations
 +
• Begin transfer of content from current site
 +
• Begin training GPCA members on content input
 +
• Invite GPCA members for user and audience testing
  
LENGTH OF AD: 15-30 second spots.
+
Phase 5: Site launch (10 hrs)
WHO: Comcast Cable (they have active advertising programs unlike Direct TV, etc.)
+
Schedule launch date
WHAT SHOW: Recommend targeting as follows:
+
Identify key existing URLs for redirection to corresponding pages on the new site
News Shows (regular voters): CNN, Headline News, Fox News, MSNBC, etc.)
+
Back up old site to a subdomain, verify functionality
Shows for people of color (varies)
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• Take Drupal installation live at cagreens.org
Shows for those who are Dems but should be Greens: Comedy Channel, etc.
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• On call troubleshooting for first week
FREQUENCY: What we run is based entirely on budget.
 
MARKETS: Suggest 2-3 zones in SF Bay Area, LA, Sacramento, and others as strategy dictates. We could focus on zones where we have, or will have, active voter registration efforts and/or viable candidates around this.
 
SMALLER MARKETS: We could, in above and in smaller markets, work a deal with local Greens in any market - the state will pay HALF of the cost of  running the spots if matched by locals. This would work well in rejuvenating counties.
 
COSTS: Depends on zones. SF zones (there are at least 8 in the Bay Area) cost as little as $5 per 30 second spot for prime-time CNN (the most  expensive of the news shows. Average probably about $15-20 per :30 spot. *We could double our buys by having a shorter : 15 second spot. It  increases frequency but not the cost. - which I believe we could do with this campaign
 
TOTAL BUY: $25,000 could hit most of California, especially the coast, inland, SoCal and NoCal, including Sacramento (which would reach political  reporters, etc. at the Capitol). We could also do a SPECIAL MAILING to our donor list to pay for all or part of it and use that for a second round.
 
ADDITIONAL: When we put together the campaigns we should be able to get free media (example: In Alameda recently 5 TV stations, radio, etc. covered the unveiling of a spot where the total buy was only $800).
 
  
- Online Media Advertising
+
----
  
3. $5,000 Green Party Visibility Campaign - Online. Similar to the television campaign, this budget item will do much as the same but will be focused only on online advertising, such as Google and Facebook.
+
'''10. INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOL COMMITTEE ($0)'''
Work Plan  2011-12
 
  
 
+
No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the International Protocol Committee.  There are no active members of the committee and there have been one in recent  years. No funds are included in the FY2011-12 budget for this committee.
- CMS System
 
- Letters to Elected Officials/Candidates
 
- Videotapes
 
- Backdrop for Press Conferences
 
- Teleconference Expenses
 
- GPUS List Service
 
  (Workshops)
 
    (Subtotal Media)
 
  
 
----
 
----
  
BUDGET LINE ITEMS: 
+
'''11. MEDIA COMMITTEE (Tier I - $3,600, Tier II - $11,800, Tier III - 15,100)'''
Donations to campaigns
 
  
----
+
The Media Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains a continuation of the Press Secretary position in Tier I at $3,330 ($275/month) plus $300 ($25/month) for phone/fax distribution costs, travel and miscellaneous expenses. The Press Secretary position will continue to involve working in conjunction with the Media Committee to write and disseminate news releases statewide, and coordinate media for GPCA. It will also involve scripting and production responsibility for the Visibility Campaign.
  
12. GPUS DELEGATION
+
The Green Party Visibility Campaign is budgeted for $7,000 in Tier II and $10,000 in Tier III. Its objective is to assist GPCA candidates, fundraising and major donor campaigns and the party's voter registration drive by featuring 15 and 30 second television spots to run on CNN, Headline News, MNBC and other cable networks. The GPCA spent $3,300 in FY2010-2012 on this program. A complementary Green Party Visibility Campaign - Online is budgeted for $1,200 in Tier II and $1,500 with the same objectives as the Visibility Campaign except that it will be focused only on online advertising, such as Google and Facebook.
GPCA Delegate Support to GPUS ANM (National Meeting Travel Support)
 
  Advance Discounted 2010 ANM Registrations
 
  Advance Discounted Repayments
 
  Presidential National Nomination Convention Registration
 
  GA Plenary Travel
 
  ANM subsidy for 2010 (Old "Polling Software")
 
  QPNC Subsidy for 2012
 
  Planning Honorarium for Web Page Assistance
 
    for all GPCA Committees and Working Groups
 
    (Subtotal GPUS)
 
  
 
----
 
----
  
'''13. PLATFORM STANDING COMMITTEE'''
+
'''12. GPUS DELEGATION (Tier I - $2,000, Tier I - $2,000, Tier I - $2,000)'''
  
 +
The Platform Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains $2,000 in Tier I for travel and registration subsidies for GPUS delegates to attend the GPUS Annual National Meeting, scheduled this year for Alfred, New York, August 5th-7th (http://nygreenfest.org/). If any of these funds are not used, this will be clear by August.
  
PLATFORM  WORKPLAN FOR 2011-2012
+
----
A.  Platform Planks to be Submitted
 
1. California Tax Reform
 
2. Revision of GPCA platform planks as needed, for example, the language of the Disabled  and Violence in Society planks
 
3. New planks as these arise.
 
 
 
B.  Other Anticipated Activities
 
1. Revision of the election brochure for any 2011 elections. This will not require funding.  Making copies will.
 
2. Participation in monthly Co-Co telephone conference calls.  Funds may need to be allotted for this activity
 
3. Participation in any Strategy Retreat.  This may require funding
 
4. Production of brochures on platform topics.  The creative effort will not require funding but producing copies may.  One request is already fulfilled: Earth Day 2011.
 
5. Participation in any prioritization of 2011-2012 election issues
 
6. Respond to Platform list serve requests
 
7. Increase Platform Committee membership and participation
 
C.  Requested Budget/Justification
 
      1.  Updating Full Platforms and Platform Summaries
 
The reserves hold  258 copies of full 2002 platforms, 258 copies of the 2005 addendum to the full platform, 158 copies of the 2006 platform summaries,  545 copies of the 2008 platform summaries, and 800 copies of the Addendum to the 2008 Platform Summary. 
 
      1. 258 copies of updated full platforms should be sufficient in the form of 258 updates from 2005-2011 at a cost of $200.  The 2002 platforms would need a page indicating which planks in the 2002 platforms were revised and where to find them in the updates.  This alternative is much less expensive than getting 258 full 2011 platforms as one volume. 
 
        2.  Transport costs to Co-Cos’ Strategy Retreat    $100.
 
      3.  IT costs for posting and maintaining Platform Website:  $200. 
 
Grand Total Requested:  $500
 
  
 +
'''13. PLATFORM STANDING COMMITTEE (Tier I - $200, Tier II - $300,  Tier III - $300)'''
  
  Printing and Supplies (Old "Full Platform printing")
+
The Platform Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains $200 in Tier I for printing platform updates. The platform reserves hold 258 copies of full 2002 platforms, 258 copies of the 2005 addendum to the full platform, 158 copies of the 2006 platform summaries, 545 copies of the 2008 platform summaries, and 800 copies of the Addendum to the 2008 Platform Summary.  The Platform Committee projects that 258 copies of updated full platforms should be sufficient in the form of 258 updates from 2005-2011 at a cost of $200. that the 2002 platforms would need a page indicating which planks in the 2002 platforms were revised and where to find them in the updates, and that his alternative is much less expensive than getting 258 full 2011 platforms as one volume. 
  Platform Summaries
 
  Updating Full Platforms and Platform Summaries
 
  IT costs for posting and maintaining Platform website
 
  Travel to Retreats
 
    (Subtotal Platform)
 
  
 +
The Platform Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains $200 in Tier II for IT costs for platform updates and $100 for transport to a Platform Committee retreat.  The Platform Committee did not provide information about who would receive this money. 
  
 
----
 
----

Latest revision as of 16:36, 22 April 2011

0. INTRODUCTION


1. BYLAWS COMMITTEE (Tier I - $0, Tier II - $100, Tier III - $100)

No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Bylaws Committee and there are no active members on the Bylaws Committee. In FY2010-11 $100 was budgeted and not spent for the Bylaws Committee. The FY2011-12 budget sets aside $100 for Tier II in the event that the Coordinating Committee makes appointments to the Bylaws Committee and the Bylaws Committee submits a work plan to cover the use of the funds.


2. CAMPAIGNS & CANDIDATES WORKING GROUP (Tier I - $5,880, Tier II - $11,980, Tier III - $18,580)

The Campaigns and Candidates Working Group FY2011-12 budget contains standard annual expenses like the Campaign Support Fund, recently added expenses associated with the voter database project (that was authorized in FY2010-2011) and new Green 2012-inspired for FY2011-2012.

The Campaign Support Fund is budgeted at $7,000 in Tier I, $7,000 in Tier II and $10,000 in Tier III. The Voter Registration File data base software is budgeted at $1,080 in Tier I ($90/month) in a contract with CAVoterConnect authorized in the Budget Approval Resolutions. In conjunction with the data base software, there is a two month continuation in Tier I of the independent consultant arrangement the CCWG established in January 2010 to perform Voter Registration File data base work ($400) and Volunteer recruitment and coordination ($400). This would maintain these efforts while providing time for the party to conduct a formal hiring process for an independent contractor to perform these services on an ongoing basis. The Coordinating Committee is directed to conduct this process in the Budget Approval Resolutions. For Voter Registration File data base work $2,400 is budgeted in Tier II and $3,000 in Tier III. For Volunteer recruitment there is $1,200 is budgeted in Tier II and $2,400 in Tier III. For campaign trainings, $200 is budgeted in Tier II and $2,000 in Tier III.


3. CLEARINGHOUSE COMMITTEE (Tier I - $1,860, Tier II - $2,860, Tier III - $2,860)

No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Clearinghouse Committee. There are no active members on the Clearinghouse Committee. In FY2010-11 $2,510 was budgeted and $1,110 was spent on clearinghouse related expenses. In lieu of a committee request, the FY2011-12 budget contains $1,000 for Tier I and $2,000 for Tier II for merchandise expenses for t-shirts, buttons, stickers, bilingual materials and shopping bags. An equivalent income projection for these amounts is provided in the income narrative. In addition there is $550 in Tier I for the phone and $110 in Tier I for the post office box and $200 for shipping.

One of the associated resolutions that recommended for approval in conjunction with the FY2011-2012 budget is that the party adopt a standard prioritization of the party's core operating expenses and legal obligations. Paying for the phone and post office box are among those highest prioritizations.


4. COORDINATING COMMITTEE (Tier I - $6,475, Tier II - $7,075, Tier III - $7,075)

The Coordinating Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains standard annual costs associated with party insurance, GPCA general assemblies and the operation of the Coordinating Committee. Tier I includes $1,150 for insurance and $750 for note taking at the general assemblies. It also budgets $4,500 to cover the expenses of hosting the general assemblies (and projects an equivalent income of $4,500 from registration fees in the Coordinating Committee income narrative to pay for them.) Tier II includes $250 and Tier III $500 for Plenary Administration (THIS NEEDS CLARIFICATION BY THE CC AS TO WHAT THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR). Tier II also contains$300 for a Coordinating Committee retreat. Such retreats have been held in many but not all past years.


5. ELECTORAL REFORM WORKING GROUP (Tier II - $100, Tier III - $100)

No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Electoral Reform Working Group. In FY2010-11 $200 was budgeted and not spent for the Electoral Reform Working Group. The FY2011-12 budget sets aside $200 for Tier II in the event that the Electoral Reform Working Group submits a work plan to the Coordinating Committee to cover the use of the funds.


6. FINANCE COMMITTEE (Tier I - $34,695, Tier II - $78,645, Tier III - $81,245)

No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Finance Committee. The FY2011-12 budget contains funding for standard, annual GPCA expenses in Tier I such as FPPC reporting software ($1,250), Mail permits ($185), and merchant fees ($1,500), although its possible that the GPCA may achieve a better price in merchant fees during the course of FY2011-2012 based upon further research of options available.

The FY2011-12 Finance Committee budget contains funding for more aggressive GPCA fundraising in FY2011-12 than has transpired in recent years. As the Finance Committee did not submit any detailed income projections for the FY2011-12 budget, the income projections in the Income Narrative and budget spreadsheet correspond to those inspired by the Green 2012 plan. In turn the fundraising expenses budgeted for in FY2011-12 correspond to the efforts necessary to reach those income projections. They include traditional party expense categories like Prospect mailing, including printing and postage ($11,250 in Tier I, $27,500 in Tier II) and Resolicitation mailings, including printing and postage ($15,000 in Tier I and $33,000 in Tier II). They also include Customer Relationship Management contact database software which is necessary to handle the increased volume of contacts that will accompany increased fundraising. This cost is reflected in Tier II ($4,600) and includes $1,000 to set up and $300/month thereafter.

The FY2011-12 Finance Committee budget also contains funding for a fundraiser. In Tier I that funding ($3,000) is projected to cover May through July 2011 and go to an independent contractor with the title of Interim Executive Director, who shall have fundraising as part of his/her responsibilities. The Interim Executive Director shall be hired via a no bid contract as specified in the Budget Approval Resolutions. Afterwards $10,000 is budgeted in Tier II and $12,000 in Tier III for an independent contractor Executive Director who shall also have fundraising as part of his/her responsibilities. The person filling that position shall be hired in an open, transparent and competitive process as described in the GPCA personnel policy approved by the Spring 2003 GPCA General Assembly.


7. GREEN ISSUES WORKING GROUP (Tier I - $0, Tier II - $500, Tier III - $500)

No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Green Issues Working Group. In FY2010-11 $500 was budgeted and not spent. The FY2011-12 budget contains $500 in Tier II for "Coalition Building/Project Initiatives" and $500 in Tier II for "Misc/General Office." This funding is contingent the Green Issues Working Group submitting a work plan to the Coordinating Committee and the Finance Committee to explain these expenses.


8. GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING WORKING GROUP (Tier I - $300, Tier II - $1,920, Tier III - $25,200)

No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the Green Issues Working Group. The FY2011-12 budget contains funding for Green Focus in Tier II and includes $5,000 for printing and shipping, $1,000 for posting and $300 for layout/managing editor. Green Focus has been a standard, annual expense of the party so funding for it is included in the FY2011-12 budget even without a working group work plan. But according to the Budget Approval Resolution, the printing can not be authorized until a specific work plan containing specific costs is submitted to the Finance Committee by the layout/managing editor.

The GPCA Voter Registration drive is funded primarily within the GROW Tier II and Tier III budget, other than $300 budgeted for tabling materials in Tier I. In Tier II there is $8,000 for local field organizers ($10,000 in Tier III), $2,400 for voter registration management and volunteer training and coordination ($3,000 in Tier III); $2,000 for tabling materials ($2,500 in Tier III), $800 for tabling fees at important events and festivals ($1,000 in Tier III) and $320 in legal compliance work ($400 in Tier III).

As part of the Budget Approval Resolutions, the Executive Director and GROW are directed by the General Assembly to further develop the details of this Voter Registration drive into a draft plan and to return to the Fall GPCA General Assembly to present the plan for comment.


9. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GROUP (Tier I - $5,900, Tier II - $5,900, Tier III - $5,900)

The IT FY2011-2012 budget contains standard annual Tier I expenses of $660 for Server Hosting ($55/month) and $240 for Server Backup Service ($20/month). Approval of the associated resolution would authorize that the GPCA continue to use Godmoma Forge, LLC for serving hosting and the Green Internet Society for Server Backup Services. One of the associated resolutions recommended for approval in conjunction with the FY2011-2012 budget is that the party adopt a standard prioritization of the party's core operating expenses and legal obligations. Paying for the server hosting and backup among those prioritizations.

The IT FY2011-2012 budget also contains expenses of $5,000 for web redesign/content management system installation/miscellaneous projects. However there was no work plan submitted for these expenses. Given the important role of the party's web site, the Budget Committee recommends that its evolution be considered by the General Assembly as part of its budget discussion. There was a work plan for these funds submitted as part of Green 2012, and it recommends that a web site upgrade be done as part of Tier I because of the need for an improved site to support increased fundraising efforts. That plan is as follows:

- Redesigning GPCA website and migrating to an open source team-focused content management system

120 total hours of staff/consultant time and five phases of implementation as follows:

Phase 1: Needs and Audience Analysis (10 hrs) • Assist identification of 3-4 goals for the website (e.g. "to enhance the organizational identity of GPCA", "to inform Greens of the latest news, actions and events in California.") • Assist I.D. of 3-5 user types (e.g. "First Time Visitors" or "Press") and their needs • Target user actions and outcomes desired for each user type. Rank in priority • Build site map based on desired outcomes and audience needs

Phase 2: Current Content Assessment (10 hrs) • Audit current GPCA content and cross reference with site map • Assess content gaps (or required edits) • Schedule content for migration, beginning with items necessary for site launch • Gather necessary account data for any existing 3rd party web services that need to be integrated with the new website (donation processors, social media feeds, YouTube, etc)

Phase 3: Wireframe and Branding (30 hrs) • Draw wireframe illustrating rough layout of site elements • Decide 1st draft color scheme, logo implementation and font choices • Create site mockup and accept revisions

Phase 4: Test Installation (60 hrs) • Install Drupal and required modules on test domain and hosting space provide by client • Apply theme, module, and custom configurations • Begin transfer of content from current site • Begin training GPCA members on content input • Invite GPCA members for user and audience testing

Phase 5: Site launch (10 hrs) • Schedule launch date • Identify key existing URLs for redirection to corresponding pages on the new site • Back up old site to a subdomain, verify functionality • Take Drupal installation live at cagreens.org • On call troubleshooting for first week


10. INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOL COMMITTEE ($0)

No FY2011-12 budget request was submitted by the International Protocol Committee. There are no active members of the committee and there have been one in recent years. No funds are included in the FY2011-12 budget for this committee.


11. MEDIA COMMITTEE (Tier I - $3,600, Tier II - $11,800, Tier III - 15,100)

The Media Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains a continuation of the Press Secretary position in Tier I at $3,330 ($275/month) plus $300 ($25/month) for phone/fax distribution costs, travel and miscellaneous expenses. The Press Secretary position will continue to involve working in conjunction with the Media Committee to write and disseminate news releases statewide, and coordinate media for GPCA. It will also involve scripting and production responsibility for the Visibility Campaign.

The Green Party Visibility Campaign is budgeted for $7,000 in Tier II and $10,000 in Tier III. Its objective is to assist GPCA candidates, fundraising and major donor campaigns and the party's voter registration drive by featuring 15 and 30 second television spots to run on CNN, Headline News, MNBC and other cable networks. The GPCA spent $3,300 in FY2010-2012 on this program. A complementary Green Party Visibility Campaign - Online is budgeted for $1,200 in Tier II and $1,500 with the same objectives as the Visibility Campaign except that it will be focused only on online advertising, such as Google and Facebook.


12. GPUS DELEGATION (Tier I - $2,000, Tier I - $2,000, Tier I - $2,000)

The Platform Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains $2,000 in Tier I for travel and registration subsidies for GPUS delegates to attend the GPUS Annual National Meeting, scheduled this year for Alfred, New York, August 5th-7th (http://nygreenfest.org/). If any of these funds are not used, this will be clear by August.


13. PLATFORM STANDING COMMITTEE (Tier I - $200, Tier II - $300, Tier III - $300)

The Platform Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains $200 in Tier I for printing platform updates. The platform reserves hold 258 copies of full 2002 platforms, 258 copies of the 2005 addendum to the full platform, 158 copies of the 2006 platform summaries, 545 copies of the 2008 platform summaries, and 800 copies of the Addendum to the 2008 Platform Summary. The Platform Committee projects that 258 copies of updated full platforms should be sufficient in the form of 258 updates from 2005-2011 at a cost of $200. that the 2002 platforms would need a page indicating which planks in the 2002 platforms were revised and where to find them in the updates, and that his alternative is much less expensive than getting 258 full 2011 platforms as one volume.

The Platform Committee FY2011-2012 budget contains $200 in Tier II for IT costs for platform updates and $100 for transport to a Platform Committee retreat. The Platform Committee did not provide information about who would receive this money.