Running for GPC Federal Council
My fellow Greens,
My name is Mark Taylor and I am running for a Councilor-at-Large position on this fall’s Federal Council.
I am running in this election on a platform of strengthening the grassroots core of this Party and this can only be achieved by focusing the Party’s limited resources into our current, and future, EDAs so that we can continue to grow this party through 308 independent and strong local teams rather than one central one. By having 308 teams working efficiently and effectively together, we have a better likelihood of not just electing one Green to Parliament but an entire Green caucus. This is what grassroots democracy is all about.
My history with the party started as a volunteer in Alberta several years ago. I formed the Macleod EDA (SW of Calgary) and served as the EDA’s founding CEO, Financial Agent and Official Agent. From my years of volunteer work in the area assisting other EDAs in forming and training their volunteers, I was lucky enough to be elected as the Alberta Representative to Federal Council in 2007 though resigned shortly before moving to Saskatchewan in 2008. This year I formed the Cypress Hills – Grasslands EDA (very SW of Regina) and currently sit as their founding CEO.
In my non-political life, I work as an engineer for an agricultural machine manufacturer. Part of my duties are to find more efficient and effective ways of using limited resources to maximize production and the process of doing this is called Lean Manufacturing. Those familiar with Lean recognize that it’s application extends outside of manufacturing into every facet of our lives including politics and government. These Lean skills are what I want to apply to the Green Party not to mention my experiences with budgeting, forecasting, supervision and project management.
I encourage all members reading this to visit my blog (http://ReportonGreens.blogspot.com) where you can read more about my vision for the party as well as read the endorsements I have received from former GPC Leader Jim Harris, Alberta Greens Leader Joe Anglin, Guelph GPC candidate Mike Nagy and Macleod GPC candidate Larry Ashmore.
Mark Taylor
CEO, Cypress Hills – Grasslands EDA
Candidate for Councilor-at-Large, GPC Federal Council
http://reportongreens.blogspot.com
- Mark Taylor's blog
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Lean Political Activism?
Ever since Toyota pioneered Lean methodology, Process flow innovation, and the systematic elimination of wastee resources, labour, time, materials etc. have dramatically improved the lives of billions of people on this planet. It has been succesfully applied in manufacturing, services, hospitals, and local government in countless places. If you are succesful in 'Leaning' council, or especially the administration of the GPC, then we can expect stellar results from our Party. I wish you the best of luck in acheiving this objective. As someone who has deployed Lean methodologies in the past, I for one don't need convincing. After all, reducing the waste of limited resources is pretty fundamental to what most Greens are all about, no?
Vote in in the elections
Please research all the candidates and make your vote count.
Ard Van Leeuwen (Dufferin-Caledon, ON)
The views I express on this blog are purely my own and should not be construed to represent the official position of the Green Party of Canada.
Learning from our opponents
I applaud this blog entry by Mark, spoken like a fellow engineer:
http://www.greenpartystrategy.com/articles/learning-our-opponents
I agree with bullet points 1 through 4. Bullet point 5 is laughable, and here's why:
I have fundamental problems with the GPC's current approved policy, and feel that the GPC lacks sufficient moderation of its priniciples. Any GPC candidate, regardless of the "greenness" of his/her riding who becomes a threat to other parties might want to consider re-reading the approved GPC policy. It will, no doubt be brought out, dog-eared and highlighted for all to see.
There is a plethora of policy that is not in line with public expectations, and it is possible that it never will be. Here are just two examples of how Green support can be cut-off at the knees during an election:
The term "non-violence" sounds nice when people hear it. When people are told that the GPC policy reflects the most extreme form of non-violence, absolutist pacifism, which starts with dismantling the military, as well as leaving NORAD and NATO, then people reject it. I reject it, anyone I've ever spoken to rejects it. It would be laughable if not for the peril it would lead to. Russia has no qualms about taking our northern territory if we cannot defend it. The US would have no qualms with taking our water or other resources. Our rights don't have to be stolen from us through military means. And the UN is no place to decide controversial matters.
Water, shelter, food, and clothing are defined as primary needs. Do people have a right to primary needs? Conservatives would strongly favour this statement instead: People have a right to the opportunity to earn primary needs. There is a huge difference, a bridge not easily crossed. And the difference between the two statements can be prohibitive for even small-c conservatives or blue liberals.
The GPC policy also includes approved articles that are contrary to religious orthodoxy of several mainstream religions. I believe the policy makes no mention of science at all, instead it says "education". I don't know what "education" means. It could mean memorizing religious texts. There is also more than one instance where the wording of approved policy is childish or obnoxious.
This is not inclusive policy, and it is unprofessional. The policy is clearly motivated by those who disapprove of anyone who is mildly capitalist, or who believes in the right of a sovereign defense, or who believes in nuclear technologies, or who is only a casual environmentalist, or who abhors urban living, or who is a devout Catholic. The list goes on and on.
Who here believes that this is inclusive? We could get our leader elected tomorrow if only our policy would be moderated. I hate to say it, but Jacques Parizeau is a smart politician, and he made a statement about incrementalism, and he's right. If only we could take heed.