Policy conference
The Greens are away up north this weekend for their policy conference.
Over the next few days Green members from all over the country will be gathering to talk about what the Greens think about all sorts of things - from organic food to international relationships and trade.
Unfortunately Frogs don’t travel long distances well, so I won’t be able to report back on the day to day events, but watch out forJeanette’s speech tomorrow - it’s about leadership and what it takes to be a Green Co-Leader.
It will be up on the website at around 11am.
Media coverage of the event is also likely to focus on leadership and it will be interesting to see whether there’s any speculation about who is likely to be a frontrunner for filling Rod’s shoes.
Sue Bradford will be launching her campaign to encourage the party to get out and get active on the fight to ditch youth rates.
Then of course there will be lots of fabulous organic food.
Sigh, sometimes it’s not very cool being a frog.
[POSTSCRIPT: Jeanette’s speech is now available in text, audio soon]
January 28th, 2006 at 12:14 pm
i would have liked to have been there too, frog!
January 28th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
I slightly disagree with Jeanette about slogans, not withstanding that i think Jeanette is a very fine and wonderful person. Here are some views that i would have loved talking to people about with at the conference…
1)Media/propaganda-SLOGANS
The right privatising interests are represented by over 90% of the media yet they still failed to get a majority. Their greed, hypocrasy and diviseness needs to be punched in the nose head on by simple slogans with repetative themes(theirs are privatisation, anti-govt, division and corporate sports).
Slogans also need to appeal to our commonality for that is inherent in the green viewpoint, and by doing so effectively makes people feel ALIVE, for our spirit is most awakened when CHARACTER is put ahead of MATERIALISTIC values.
“New Generations, or Degenerations?”
“More Privatisation, More Wealth Inequality, More Corruption”
“Corporate Media Kills:Envy, Greed, Divisiveness, Buy Buy Buy,
Corporate Media Kills”
“Corporate Sports, Corporate Drugs or
Community Sports, Community Spirit”
“Living Societies or Dying Ones?”
“Co-operation or Competition?”
Most of all the masses must be taught that LIFE IN ITS FULLNESS IS MOTHER NATURE OBEYED.
2)Media/Propaganda Distribution:
The values of the greens are representative of the majority of the population i think, but they need a strong banner in constant view to rally around. This will not happen through mainstream media.
Is it possibly to upgrade the multi-media services on the websight, with constant audio and video of green viewpoints, activities, interviews with different people, alternative newsview points etc etc Something that is a constant reinforcement and rallying centre, with flyers and mayby weekly papers etc Basically something that people can turn to and substitute for Corporate Media and build up green communities with. This is what is really needed to get the population properly mobilised and moving.
2)Recruitment: How about activley seeking out peoples of the community like teachers etc especially those of the sciences. I imagine there is a rich source of wise talent who teach science and other subjects, who intuitivly disapprove of the breakdown of communities etc and think society is not living in accordance with nature.
January 28th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
Oh, if anyone is there and reads this, feel free to use these talking points if agreeable!!
January 29th, 2006 at 10:23 am
Even
“The invisible hand also kills”
respectfully
BJ
January 29th, 2006 at 10:29 am
slightly off-topic maybe..but not really..given jeanettes speech…frog would do well to alert green party members to the interview this morning on the national radio sunday morning show..
jonothan porritt was interviewed by chris laidlaw..and he touchs firmly on issues that should be of great concern to all green party members…who will be voting for the next green party co-leader…
(it should really be required listening…eh..?..)
and in an interesting example of syncronicity..this interview came on the radio just as i penned the final words of a (longish) piece on the greens co-leadership question..(titled..d’yawannajob?..)
where i write on the same concerns as those articulated by porritt..but from our/the new zealand perspective…
phil(whoar.co.nz)
January 30th, 2006 at 9:49 pm
I would just like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the SPC.
No other Party welcomes/invites its members to have the level/extent of input in party policy development as the Greens do. This was an observation made by many, especially from young and newly interested individuals. Additionally, I could gather that the overall impression they gleaned from this experience was one of awe and admiration at the way the Greens relate to their fellow members, regardless of status (in life) or position (in the Party). Many attested to the warmth felt at being welcomed into the ever-growing Green family. Kudos to everyone who made this Conference a success as well as a wonderful memory to cherish. 
Looking forward to the next Policy Conference.