The North Carolina Green Party (NCGP) statewide Spring Gathering will be Friday evening May 18 through Sunday afternoon May 20 in Asheville and will be held at The Block Off Biltmore, 39 S. Market St., Asheville. NCGP members and nonmember supporters are both encouraged to attend.
This event is free and open to the public. Donations to the NCGP are welcome at our Donate Page to help cover expenses.
RSVP BELOW.
WHAT IS THE SPRING GATHERING?
The Spring Gathering is one of our two annual gatherings of Greens and supporters across North Carolina. There is both a social aspect and a business aspect to the gathering, and the business meeting is where NCGP members elect new officers; vote on platform, bylaws, and other proposals; and decide which issues to focus on at the state level. The gathering is also an opportunity to meet other Greens and supporters and share what we’ve been working on in our local chapters.
Here is our tentative schedule of events:
• Friday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Drinks and Socializing at The Block Off Biltmore, 39 S. Market St., Asheville. Please join us for drinks and some informal conversation the evening before our business meeting on Saturday! This is a great time to build relationships with other Greens and supporters.
• Saturday, May 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
NCGP Spring Gathering Business Meeting at The Block Off Biltmore, 39 S. Market St., Asheville. Below is our agenda at a glance. We’ll send out a more detailed agenda a few days prior to the meeting.
- Breakfast (courtesy of NCGP)
- Reports from Locals
- Nominations for Officers
- Lunch (courtesy of NCGP)
- Voting on Proposals and Officers
- Green Candidates Forum
- Committee Rodeo
- * 5:30 p.m. – March Against Monsanto Rally. Right after our business meeting, join us for the March Against Monsanto nearby The Block in downtown Asheville. More info to come.
• Sunday, May 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Strategy Session and Visioning at The Block Off Biltmore, 39 S. Market St., Asheville. Join us for coffee and brunch and a structured conversation about building the NCGP across the state. (Coffee and brunch courtesy of NCGP.)
There is no cost to attend the Spring Gathering, though you may need to provide your own lodging accommodations. The NCGP prints itineraries, copies of proposals, and other materials for attendees, and catering is provided Saturday and Sunday courtesy of the NCGP. The Block Off Biltmore will accept cash and credit Friday evening during our informal Drinks and Socializing event (as well as Saturday and Sunday if attendees wish to make extra drink orders). If you plan to attend, please do RSVP to give us an accurate headcount. If you change your mind, please make sure that you also change your RSVP.
When RSVP'ing, please check the boxes below to indicate whether you're coming to Saturday's business meeting and Sunday's brunch and discussion, or whether you can make only one of those days. We need this info to plan for food. (We do not need to know if you plan to come to the The Block Friday evening to socialize, since that's an informal gathering.)
MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Although all three days of the Spring Gathering are open to all people, only members of the NCGP may vote during Saturday’s business meeting. Nonmember supporters are encouraged to attend as observers. The membership of the North Carolina Green Party voted to become a dues-paying organization in December of 2016. Although people may now register to vote Green in North Carolina as of March 2018, voter registration and party membership are separate, and attendees will be able to vote on bylaws proposals, platform amendments, officers, and other party business only if they have officially joined the NCGP and paid dues. You can learn more and join the NCGP at our Membership Page.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There are many affordable lodging options in Asheville. Hotel and Airbnb/VRBO rooms are plenty. There are a handful of hostels downtown. Sweet Peas Hostel (http://www.sweetpeashostel.com) is an 8-minute walk to The Block and has a good reputation.
Whether you can join us at the gathering or whether you have to pass this time, your contribution will help us cover the cost of the gathering and our other organizing around the state! Can you make a contribution by donating or by becoming a dues-paying member?
We hope to see you in beautiful Asheville May 18–20 for our Spring Gathering!