Sustainer Program allows for growth of Green Party

By Emily Citkowski
Operations Director

The Green Party of the United States (GP-US) is in the position to do great things over the next few years. If the result of the presidential election tells us anything, it's that progressives are ready for a party that represents our interests and values rather than settling for the lesser of two evils. We are ready to vote for peace, living wages, health care for all, voting rights, sustainability and genuine democracy.

Despite what many described as the "Perfect Storm" of a campaign year, the Greens ran stronger campaigns, elected new Greens, and registered more Greens than ever. New Green Parties have started in West Virginia and Puerto Rico. GP-US also ran a national ad campaign, created a more dynamic website and e-newsletter, improved the national database reporting system, and raised the profile on a national and international level through improved outreach and communication.

Much of this success is due to the hard work of our three new staffers at the national office in DC: Fundraising Director Kara Mullen; Political Director Brent McMillan; and Operations Director Emily Citkowski.

"Emily, Brent, and Kara are the hardest working people I know in the Green Party," said Susan Dridi, co-chair of the Virginia Green Party. "It's really great to be able to call on them for advice and to have a professional voice representing the party."

While Green party candidates, committee members and activists should be proud of everything they've accomplished this year, GP-US would not have been able to accomplish what it has in the past year without a national office and dedicated staff.

"The Green Party should have a national office in Washington, D.C. to ensure our commitment to social justice, the environment and political reform is represented in the belly of the beast," said Adam Eidinger, U.S. "Shadow" Representative candidate for the District of Columbia.

The national office plans to increase outreach efforts, and raise the Green's profile nationally and internationally. In 2005, the national office will organize through campaign schools and working with new locals and state parties.

In order to ensure that the national office remains open and that we continue to build on our successes, GP-US is asking all dedicated Greens to join the Green Sustainer Program. Sustainers promise to make a monthly donation to the Green Party in order to sustain the day-to-day operations of the Green Party. Sustainers provide the backbone for the national office operations and ensure that the office is kept open to continue to build efforts to grow the party.

A donation of $5, $10, or $25 a month makes a real difference in the future success of the Green Party. Sign-up to be a sustainer on our website, www.gp.org, call the office 1-866-41-GREEN. If you'd like to pay with a check, you'll receive reminders. If you decide to pay with a credit card, your contribution will be deducted at the same time every month.