GCM Meeting Minutes 9.10. 22

Governor’s Council Check-in

Some words from Paul DePalo: He is running for re-election to Governor’s Council (District 7) in November and has a Republican opponent. The Governor’s Council advises the governor regarding judicial appointments, warrants for the state treasury, and pardons and commutations, so is quite important. He is requesting help, in whatever form you can contribute (www.pauldepalo.com/volunteer-form). On Thurs 9/15, 5:30-7 pm, there’s a fund-raiser at Worcester Beer Garden; please come if you can. If you have older yard signs, you can re-use them or contact Dylan Clark who will be distributing yard signs over the next few weeks. Paul’s campaign also mails postcards in micro-targeting campaigns so GCM might help with that.

Events and Announcements

1. Brookfields Fight Fear hosts an Indivisi-Gather event on Oct 2^nd  at Eric’s house or at/around W Brookfield tavern (they will cater). It will be a ticketed event. This is more of a meet-and-greet. They’re hoping for good weather so it can be held outside. Let’s get fired up for the midterms! More information to come on this event.
2. Regional DTCs regroup. Eric is now chair of the West Brookfield DTC wants to get together with other chairs of local DTCs (he has been in touch with Barbara Portal of the West Brookfield DTC). Danielle agreed that this would be helpful. She said the area DTCs have had recent successes; for example: there are 3 new DTCs in the area; and the DTCs did an extensive yard sign campaign for Biden-Harris for the 2020 election.
3. Changes to the Grassroots Central Mass website: Bob edited a shorter version of the video “How we rooted and sprouted.” All agreed it is important to keep current news on our page to show how active we are as a group. Sherry suggested that when people post resources to the groups.io mailing list, we can incorporate these. 

Political Action Updates

1. Primary results. Dylan reported in an email that Progressives did okay in the primary held this past Tuesday: Robyn Kennedy of Worcester won her state senate primary; 2 of Incorruptible Mass’s 13 candidates advanced past the primary; Tara Jacobs won the Governor’s Council race in District 8 (west of us). Jeff also feels positive about many of the results. We don’t think Sam Biagetti (5^th Worcester-D) has made it onto the Nov ballot. Danielle made stickers for him but she isn’t sure how many got used; she will follow up on the Brookfield votes.
2. Victory for North Brookfield. Hooray that Brooke Canada won a seat on the Select Board in North Brookfield.
3. Special Election in Brookfield. We need to find and support two progressive candidates for the Brookfield Select Board (special election for 2 of 3 seats on Nov. 8 but papers to run need to be pulled by Sept. 20). Brookfield DTC will meet soon and try to find people to run. Jeff said that throughout the town, it’s hard to get people to volunteer. For example no one is on the Cable Access Committee. Jeff plans to stand out at the Brookfield dump to talk to people about volunteering for Town positions. Jeana wondered if high school students would be interested in volunteering as a way of seeing how our towns are run – Sherry will call the guidance counselor at the high school and ask about this topic.
4. Get out the vote postcard projects are ongoing.

Updates on Climate Concerns

1. Next Climate Committee meeting is scheduled for this coming Friday; note that issues discussed and actions proposed in these meetings are usually posted as discussion items on the groups.io mailing list or in notes that come to the leadership group in the form of minutes.
2. Friday gatherings at the Tip Top organized by Sherry are suspended for now as we move into colder weather.
3. Protecting public lands. DCR has requested comments on their plans for managing public lands, including forests. Note that a lot of logging happens on public lands, but many Massachusetts citizens want this to stop. Public meetings (listening sessions) are being held, and it’s important to send comments to the DCR about removing cutting as a management approach by September 28^th.  Many involved want forests on public lands to be protected forever and to have park status. Janet will re-send us the information for us to take action, including a link to a recording of a Zoom meeting featuring Bill Moomaw and other eminent scientists, speaking on the importance of forests. Several important groups are involved in this issue including Save the North Woods and Save Mass Forests.
4. Climate book donations. Sherry is working with the Worcester Literacy Project regarding books that they would like; Jeff will check our balance and let Sherry know how much can be spent on these books. In our last GCM meeting Jasmin added that it might be good to connect with the Southbridge Literacy Volunteers to see if they might want some of the books the Worcester Literacy Volunteers are receiving. Jeana wondered if the publicity we discussed for this book purchase project, especially with photos, was happening. Such publicity would emphasize our group’s commitment to the local communities. She suggested including photos from West Brookfield as well.

Racial and Social Justice Committee Report

1. Repatriation of Native American artifacts. The Barre Museum sent out a press release on Aug 22^nd with an update on the activities that they anticipate “will lead to the repatriation of part of its Native American collection in the spirit of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).” The process is complicated because of the need for professional assessment of condition and authentication of items and ownership.
2. Exploring bias. Racial and Social Justice Committee will meet Sept. 11 at 10:30AM. Eric will be a presenter on issues of personal biases and inadvertent micro-aggressions with a special emphasis on the book Neither Dog nor Wolf.
3. Diversity in schools. The report by Jasmin’s intern on curriculum and diversity in local high schools (Tantasqua and Quaboag) is still scheduled to be presented later this month. Jeana continues to receive email updates from Shaw Yang’s group (CARE: Coalition for Anti-Racism & Equity in Education). They are a very active group.
4. Jeff reported on the work of a federal committee in the Department of the Interior which is examining racist names, such as “Squaw” (we have some in Massachusetts) and removing them.
5. Anti-racist workshop. Eric is working with Jasmin and Ann Toomey-Doane on an anti-racist workshop for Brookfields Fight Fear. Jeff mentioned that an effective first step for him has been to ask others how they want to be known/to be named; Jeana said it’s also important to accept being corrected.
6. Question 4 on November Ballot: A “yes” vote will uphold House Bill 4805, which prohibits RMV registrars from inquiring about an applicant’s citizenship or immigration status. A yes vote allows all of driving age and who pass the driving test to obtain a driver’s license. Sherry wants to write a Letter to the Editor regarding the importance of this legislation.

Our next meeting was scheduled for Oct. 1 at 9:30AM via Zoom.