Policy for accepting donations

[B Sager]

Steering Committee Discussion, No action taken do to lack of quorm - An organization that advocates for geothermal power development on the Big Island and a undersea power transmission cable tying the power generation grids of the big Island and Maui to Oahu has generously contributed $1000 to the environmental Caucus to help us pay for the clean energy meetings. However, as we understand our obligations in accepting this donation we must display their banner, distribute their literature and publicly thank them for their support at each of our next clean energy workshops. The steering committee expressed a consensus with one dissenting vote that we can accept donations from any organization that wants to support our mission. However, we must not accept donations from any organization that wants to be a sponsor in return for appearing to endorse their program. In the present case, we must make sure that the donor understands that we are accepting his donation as support for the clean energy workshops and we are under no obligation to endorse the donors program or to distribute their literature.

The bottom line is we must avoid the appearance of endorsing any organization prior to the Caucus taking a position on the energy future we want to support.

[B Sager]

In my opinion, we should have a table where literature from any organization or business involved in clean energy can display their literature. We must make sure that we have invited as many businesses and organizations as we can reach to use this service. We do not have room to provide a table to representatives from each organization. I have no problem with publicly thanking those donors who wish to be recognized. However, that recognition should be extended to each donor without regard to the size of the contribution. That could become an extensive list and the best way to acknowledge contributors might be in a printed list of supporters.

[Anthony]

After speaking with legal at the campaign spending commission today; which said this was not a campaign spending commission issue, and speaking with a lawyer, Pablo(who I introduced at our last General Caucus meeting) off the record, he said that it could be an ethics issue. He suggested/advised; again off the record, that we provide groups or individuals the opportunity to share their views; whether we oppose them or not. That's what a round table discussion is about, to share views. If an opposing entity wants to donate to Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Parties cause, they should be able to, and they can even contribute to the round table discussion about their views, because again, that's what round table discussion are about, sometimes opposing views. It doesn't mean that the caucus endorses their views. Maybe having an disclaimer prior to the discussion stating that all views, pamphlets, material, etc.  that will be discussed or presented here are not endorsed by the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii. Also I think that everyone on the steering committee should review the Campaign Spending Commissions website on non-candidate committees, and review the donations statue. This way our policy is consistent with Hawaii's laws. I have; in the past, shared this information, maybe it's time to review it again, to refresh our memories.Aloha!