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This is Proposal 005-16: Declaration of Co-Chair Position Vacancy Please read the proposal and keep comments on the topic of the proposal only.Designate your vote by using the following terms: AGREE, BLOCK, or STAND ASIDE. Any blocks will require a vote of the council.Per Section 5.9 of the GPCO Bylaws, "If any officer or national representative is found to be in contempt of the goals of the Green Party of Colorado, recall proceedings shall be invoked. A three fourths majority of voting members present at a state meeting and/or the Council is required to achieve the recall of an officer.”There are currently eleven ( 11 ) active voting chapters in the Green Party of Colorado. A vote of at least 60% quorum requires at least one response from seven ( 7 ) chapters.Active ChaptersJeffersonAdamsArapahoe CountyDenverDouglasGreater BoulderPikes PeakPoudre ValleySan MiguelSouthwestMesaThe floor is now open for one week of Agreement Seeking (September 29, 2016).Thank you,Sean Friend, SecretaryGreen Party of Colorado 1. Basic Info:Date proposed: September 22, 2016Name of the sponsor(s): Poudre Valley Green Party, Arapahoe Green Party2. Title: Declaration of Co-Chair Position Vacancy3. Text of the actual proposal:As of the date of the end of agreement seeking (September 29, 2016), as set by the Secretary of the Green Party of Colorado, one of two positions of Co-Chair is declared vacant.4. Background: This proposal would recall Bill Bartlett from his position as co-chair of the Green Party of Colorado. The sponsoring local chapters have directly experienced and witnessed significant negative interactions with Bill Bartlett, that are inconsistent with several of the 10 Key Values and with our bylaws. Some examples include:Bill’s view of racism is inconsistent with the 8th Key Value (Respect for Diversity). He holds a well-publicized belief in “reverse racism,” has expressed more than once that dialogue about racism equates to “anti-white racism,” and has exhibited considerable impatience, disdain, gaslighting and silencing when discussing racism with people of color and their allies. He has shown himself incapable of promoting “the development of respectful relationships across these lines,” by respecting the life experience of people of color or as contemplated in the 8th Key Value.Bill’s recent interactions with female rank-and-file Greens are inconsistent with the 7th Key Value (Feminism and Gender Equity). Both co-chairs and the secretary were recently sent an email that described an account of sexism that Bill exhibited online (see Example 1, References, below). Further, after the encounter, Bill posted on his own Facebook wall an account that was wholly demeaning to women (see Example 2 in References).As co-chair, Bill has failed to uphold the ideals of the 1st Key Value (Grassroots Democracy) by attempting to hurry a proposal on a particular potentially divisive issue on Amendment 69 without having followed a legitimate consensus-seeking process and without understanding that some locals were not in agreement. This lack of understanding results from Bill’s absence in the dialog and work of the party. He refused to accept a substitute statement that would project a public display of unity in favor of universal health care and respect for dissenting opinions and instead has taken to social media to attack the Green Party of Colorado itself.Bill has failed to exhibit the basic leadership requirements of the co-chair position as described in the bylaws, since at least 2013 (see Example 3). Bill has rendered no assistance when requested to help plan and conduct state meetings. Further, Bill has not offered assistance in any events of the state party, including the recent presidential candidate visits or in the formation of any new local chapter during his entire tenure as co-chair. He has never attended a meeting of the Poudre Valley Green Party, nor assisted in any of its work, while simultaneously declaring it his local. Additionally, since the time that a Facebook page was created for the Platte Valley Greens on March 28 2013, presumably his home local, no proposal for recognition has been presented to the state council.Finally, Bill has committed a grave offense against the 4th Key Value (Non-Violence) by physically threatening the female co-chair after becoming visibly intoxicated at the People’s Fair in June 2016, an outreach event the state party paid a sizeable sum to participate in.5. Justification/Goals: Our U.S. Senate candidate was excluded from recent multi-party candidate debates because the Green Party of Colorado’s voter registration numbers were too low. Even with the robust growth in registrations shown since 2015, it is reasonable to assume a tapering off after the November 2016 election. At that point, a focused, robust campaign to register new voters will become necessary so that we can properly support future candidates. This work cannot be done without leadership that supports the work of the local chapters by providing resources, guidance and strategies. Our growth as a party is severely hampered because one co-chair is shouldering the burden without any assistance from the other co-chair, and much of those responsibilities are currently being borne by local co-chairs and others.6. Pros and Cons: ProsThe division of work of the co-chairs can be equitably shared, so that the party can grow with sufficient support.A safe environment for people of color and women within our party can be achieved, and trust can be rebuilt, so that the party’s growth goals can be met.ConsThe position of co-chair may be left vacant for an excessive amount of time, thereby perpetuating an already imbalanced division of work between co-chairs.7. Alternatives to the proposal: Take no action.8. References: See attachments to this post, as well as additional supporting documentation here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-sKCIke8emqU1pxX1lwMUd4b3M?usp=sharingDesignate your vote by using the following terms: AGREE, BLOCK, or STAND ASIDE. Any blocks will require a vote of the council.
Is there any physical evidence of the threats of violence? I was not present, so I cannot attest to this myself.
I was there when the threats were made. His exact words were “I will fuck you up”. The second time he said it he moved into striking distance to Andrea. I then moved in between her and Bill. He then backed up.
Also, I request to know who took the screenshot of the “most people are cunts.” image from his page, as they liked the post themselves.
I took that screenshot and I certainly did not mean to like it. It was on my phone so I would like to retract that like officially.
I think this proposal should be withdrawn until we have heard all the facts and all sides and if appropriate have attempted other resolutions to the issues. This fast attempt to get the vote thru is exactly what Bill is accused of (one of the items). Far too often this forum has been used to just post a proposal without any discussion of how it should be worded, and not just by Bill. Michael HaugheyJC Greens
I would be open to possibly extending the discussion period on this proposal. I'm also open to rewording any sections as appropriate. Do you have any particular suggestions for rewording or modifying any sections, Michael?
Before this meeting, the one thing I will say is that some people that have responded to this proposal have had opportunities to discuss any issues they may have with me on any number of topics. My history in this party has always been one of inclusiveness, positivism, and sometimes off-color humor. The idea that a group of people could look me in the eyes, smile with me, hug me at events, and never open a dialogue on something that was apparently deeply troubling to them.. I'm not clear how that lines up with many of our Key Values, or even just simple human values.
I mean not to be an obstructionist by no means, but I wish to be sure that I am doing the right thing with my vote, so please forgive me if I am asking a great many questions on the matter, but why did no one report this incident in June of 2016 of Mr. Bartlett having threatened violence against the other CO Co-Chair ? Why wait almost 4 months to address it with any of us whatsoever? Why was this proposal not drawn up then?
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