Northern New Jersey Socialist Party General Membership Meeting Saturday February 16, 2008 Attending: Jerry C., Stephanie K.,   Andrea P., Greg P., Tessa S., Brian V., and Dave W. Observing: Greg M., John K., Jeanette L and Trevor P. Meeting called to order at 2:25 pm Members and observers introduced themselves. The agenda was adopted as amended. Secretary’s Report Greg reported that the local now has 30 members in good standing, with the largest numbers in Bergen and Passaic counties. Peace & Justice Conference Report The group discussed the second annual Peace & Justice conference held in Newark in January. Jerry said the Socialist Party had a good turnout but that the conference attendance (approx. 200) not as good as it could be. Andrea said that she felt the Peace & Justice Coalition’s didn’t do the outreach it should and many activists didn’t know the event was happening. Brian agreed and said most people didn’t know about the conference. Greg M. and Greg P. reported on some of the panels they attended including panels  on the prison industrial complex, counter recruitment and the connections between New Orleans and NJ inner cities. Greg reported that the Peace & Justice Coalition meets regularly and that since the SPNJ was a member, we could send reps to the coalition’s meetings. Brian V. volunteered to attend a future P&J Coalition meeting. Electoral Action The group discussed the Party’s presidential slate of Brian Moore and Stewart Alexander. Greg, Tessa and Dave reported that Greg P.  will be speaking for the Party at the upcoming Alternative Party Forum at Stevens Institute of Technology on February 20th. All members are encouraged to attend. The forum starts at 4:00 pm. The group discussed possible congressional campaigns and future campaigns for local office (including school board). Local Executive Committee Elections The group discussed electing a new Local Executive Committee and whether to elect it at the membership meeting (as announced) or by mail ballot. Motion: To elect the Northern New Jersey Local Executive Committee at this general membership meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Nominations were made from the floor. Motion: To elect Brian Valverde as Local chair, David Wreck as Local vice-chair, Greg Pason as Local secretary and Theresa Salo as Local treasurer. Motion passed unanimously. Upcoming Events Anti-War vigils/ 5th Anniversary of the War in Iraq Jerry, Greg M. and John gave a report on the regular Montclair anti-war vigils and Greg P. reported on the regular Wednesday vigils in Teaneck. The group discussed taking part in these actions, especially around the March 19th 5th Anniversary of the war and occupation of Iraq (and probably the 4000th US casualty). International Women’s Day Greg reported that March 8th is International Women’s Day. Members were given copies of the IWD issue of The Socialist and encouraged to take part in IWD events. Bergen County Peace & Justice Coalition Annual Meeting Greg P. announced that the Bergen County Peace & Justice Coalition (which the Northern New Jersey Socialist Party belongs) is holding their annual membership meeting on Saturday February 23rd. The event will be held at the Puffin Cultural Center in Teaneck and will begin at 9:00 am. All Northern NJ Local members are invited. General Discussion US relations with Cuba. Jerry proposed that the local get work on a campaign to improve US/Cuba relation, end the economic embargo and create a committee for this purpose. Motion: To create Cuba/US Solidarity Committee to increase the Local’s Cuba solidarity work, to educate the public about Cuba and to promote the Party’s Cuba solidarity work. Motion passed unanimously. Elected to the committee: John K. Jerry C., Brian V. and Stephanie K. North Jersey SP members are encouraged to take part in this committees work. Dave and Tessa discussed ways to do outreach around the Moore/Alexander campaign. Greg said he was working on organizing a state-wide phone conference to coordinate petitioning and outreach and that we need to name local contacts and organizers for the campaign. Dave & Tessa volunteered to work on coordinating Hudson & Essex county campaign work. Meeting adjourned at: 4:00 pm Northern New Jersey Socialist Party Home Page