Green party raising green
Last year was a record year for party fundraising
The P.E.I. Green party is out-growing its own expectations.
Members were told during the party’s AGM on Saturday that the party saw a surge of growth last year, which included the election of a second MLA in the legislature as well as a record year for donations.
Fundraising chair Jordan Bober said the party raised more than $48,000 in 2017.
“It was more than our previous two years combined, which (up until now) were our two best years,” said Bober, noting the District 11 byelection that resulted in Hannah Bell’s election and a fundraising campaign in December were major contributors.
“And there were 207 brand new first-time donors to the Green Party in 2017. Basically our fundraising base has almost tripled.”
It’s not only fundraising that has seen a major increase, said Bober.
He said the party’s provincial membership now includes more than 300 members and estimated that at least a third of those members joined in the last couple months.
“I’d say since October we’ve probably grown about 50 per cent in our membership,” said Bober.
“This is an exciting time to get involved in the party.”
Party president, Anna Keenan, said the momentum has caused the party to update its strategic plan in order to keep the growth sustainable.
“We are far exceeding all our expectations and plans for growth,” said Keenan.
The AGM also saw speeches from MLAs Peter Bevan-Baker and Hannah Bell, as well as a number of updates to the party’s constitution and bylaws.
Some of those updates included a motion to add electronic voting on new policies and constitutional amendments, as well as adding more clarity to the roles of the party’s provincial council.
There was also a motion passed directing the council to develop a code of conduct and ethics guideline for all party members, said Bober.
“We really want to live up to the values we have as a party so that’s an important addition,” he said.
There was also an update to allow for the emergence of new electoral district associations and identity-based caucuses. While the party currently has a women’s caucus, the update would allow other groups to form within the party with formal recognition.
The AGM also saw the election of Kyle MacDonald as a Kings County Representative and Sue Whitaker as treasurer of the party’s provincial council.