[GREN-Exec] Decision process

[Susan Koswan]

The Proposal: 

 

For GREN to co-sponsor and partially fund an author event with Fair Vote
Canada and  other appropriate co-sponsors. The speaker, Michael Harris, is
author of Party of One:  Stephen Harper and Canada's Radical Makeover. He
currently writes for ipolitics.ca and is an award-winning investigative
reporter and you can read about him here:
http://www.ipolitics.ca/author/mharris/ He does not charge a speaking fee,
but his travelling expenses from his home in Halifax need to be covered for
a local speaking engagement (date and location still to be determined based
on his availability) Flights are about $600 total plus accommodations and
meals and facility rental. If GREN does not co-sponsor, I will be actively
seeking other partners. 

 

The Rationale:

 

Michael Harris's book is a well-documented summary of how Stephen Harper has
changed Canada, in too many ways to list here. The impact on our natural
environment, alone, is huge. From destruction of the fishery, ocean and
environmental libraries materials, to delisting thousands of protected lakes
and rivers from environmental protection, to continued investments and
development of non-renewable fuels and little to no investment in clean,
renewable energy, there is little doubt that our environment is of the
lowest priority for this government. Even if the only people attending are
"the choir", our intent is to maximize media exposure and inform our members
of the facts in preparation for this year's federal election. It would be a
natural follow-up to the success of GREN's collaboration with other local
environmental groups for the municipal election, and a high-profile lead-up
to the federal election this year.  

 

I strongly believe that we are living in desperate times where a great deal
of damage originates in the Prime Minister's Office and we must exercise
stronger measures to restore our democratic system. We are a politically
active  group and this is not an indictment of the Conservative Party - it
is an indictment of Harper. 

 

Here, again, is my review of the book:
http://www.guelphmercury.com/whatson-story/5265590-an-election-year-must-rea
d/

 

I appreciate what Kevin is saying, but I think GREN needs to take a stand
against the kind of bullying tactics and deceit that are the hallmark of
"Harper's Canada". I see no opportunity for working with this government
with this leader to make any headway in protecting our environment. 

 

Susan K

 

 

 

From: Executive [mailto:executive-bounces at gren.ca] On Behalf Of John Jackson
Sent: January-27-15 5:29 PM
To: GREN Executive
Subject: [GREN-Exec] Decision process

 

On the basis of input received this afternoon, I plan to proceed as follows:

1.	send out an e-mail to the paid members tomorrow morning with 3
parts: 

*	the proposal for the meeting (Susan K: can you revise your first
paragraph to describe the proposal without the reasoning behind it. It needs
a bit about who the person is and a couple of line description of his book
with a link to your book review as well as the description of the actual
event, possible co-sponsors, etc. 
*	Susan K's original reasoning behind the proposal: Can you combine a
couple of the e-mails that you have sent us explaining why you think it is
something we should do - a few paragraphs 
*	Kevin's statement of concern: Kevin could you send me a few
paragraphs to put in


Step 2: Give people 24 hours to make comments to the whole membership group
if they so wish

Step 3: Cut off discussion and call for a vote. To keep some confidentiality
around the vote, only send their vote to me and I will be sworn to not tell
others how individuals voted. I won't participate in the discussion over the
previous 24 hours to make them more comfortable with sending their vote to
me.

Does that sound fine to everyone? How long should we give people to vote?

I need to look up our minutes from our early meetings to check on what
percent vote in favour has to be achieved to pass. I think it was around
2/3rds, but don't quote me on that. I have to check it.

John

-- 
John Jackson
17 Major Street
Kitchener, Ontario N2H 4R1
519-744-7503

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