Ten Key Values

There are many voices present in the community to create a more just and sustainable world. The Ten Key Values of the United States Green Movement are listed here. There may not be a tangible measurement of a value system, but the steps we take each day measure the distance we have come.

GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY
We will work to increase public participation at every level of government through public campaign financing, proportional representation and other election reforms, to ensure that our public representatives are fully accountable to the people who elect them.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE
All persons should have the rights and opportunity to benefit equally from the resources afforded us by society and the environment. We must consciously confront in ourselves, and in society at large, barriers such as racism and class oppression, sexism and homophobia, ageism and disability, which act to deny fair treatment and equal justice under the law.

ECOLOGICAL WISDOM
Human societies must operate with the understanding that we are part of nature, not separate from nature. We must maintain an ecological balance and live within the ecological and resource limits of our communities and our planet. We support a sustainable society which utilizes resources in such a way that future generations will benefit and not suffer from the practices of our generation.

NONVIOLENCE
It is essential that we develop effective alternatives to society's current patterns of violence. We will work to end institutional violence including war, the production of weapons of mass destruction, police brutality, the death penalty, hate crimes and poverty.

DECENTRALIZATION
Centralization of wealth and power contributes to social and economic injustice, environmental destruction, and militarization. We support a restructuring of social, political and economic institutions away from a system which is controlled by and mostly benefits a powerful few. Decision-making should, as much as possible, take place at the individual and local level, while assuring that the environment and civil rights are protected for all.

COMMUNITY-BASED ECONOMICS
We recognize it is essential to create a sustainable economic system that can create jobs and provide a decent standard of living for all people while maintaining a healthy ecological balance. We support local economic development that assures protection of the environment and workers' rights. We support community-based businesses which are socially responsible, as well as co-operatives and public enterprises that distribute resources and control through democratic participation.

FEMINISM AND GENDER EQUITY
We call for the replacement of the cultural ethics of domination and control with more cooperative ways of interacting that respect differences of opinion and gender. Values such as equity between the sexes and interpersonal responsibility must be developed with moral conscience.

RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY
We believe it is important to value cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity, and to promote the development of respectful relationships across these lines. We acknowledge and encourage respect for other life forms than our own and the preservation of biodiversity.

PERSONAL AND GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
We encourage all people to work to fulfill their individual potential, and, at the same time, to enhance ecological balance and social harmony. We seek to join with people and organizations around the world to foster peace, economic justice, and the health of the planet.

FUTURE FOCUS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Our actions and policies should be motivated by long-term goals. We seek to protect valuable natural resources, while developing a sustainable economy that does not depend on continual expansion for survival. We need to assure that economic development, new technologies, and fiscal policies are responsible to future generations who will inherit the results of our actions.

History

St. Paul was the birthplace of the Green movement in the United States. In 1984 the founding conference of that movement was held at Macalester College.

Ten years later, in 1994, the Green Party of Minnesota was formed.

In 1998 some St. Paul members began to hold regular meetings in the basement of the Merriam Park library at Marshall and Fairview. Candidates for state and national offices were supported. Within a year St. Paul became officially a local chapter of the state party. It included Greens from all of Ramsey and Dakota counties until Dakota Greens formed their own chapter.

In 2000 Greens became a major party in Minnesota. and in March, 2002 caucuses were held in each state senatorial district. Many new people signed up, and with the temporary closing of the Merriam Park library, the St. Paul Greens moved their meeting place to the Cherokee Park United Church.

In the elections of 2002 four of the five statewide Green Party candidates were from the St. Paul area -- Rhoda Gilman, Dave Berger, Andrew Koebrick, and Ray Tricomo. The campaign of that year also saw a series of "issue forums," organized by Dave Shove of Roseville and held at Black Bear Crossings on Como Avenue. Topics included education, health care, and IRV.

In 2003 the Green Party of St. Paul endorsed and supported two local candidates -- Elizabeth Dickinson for City Council in Ward 2, and Richard Broderick for school board.

In 2004 it adopted bylaws and elected a steering committee and officers. The GPSP also endorsed and supported Jesse Mortenson in 2006 as a candidate for state representative in district 64A.

In 2007 the Green Party of St. Paul meets in the community room above Mississippi Market at Dale and Selby on the first Saturday of every month, 12:00 - 2:00pm. It has several active committees that work around issues like health care, housing, election reform, and support of small, locally owned business.

For more on the history and values of the Green Party in Minnesota, see About GPMN.

Bylaws

Click here to download a pdf of our most current bylaws.