First Issued: 1978.
Transcription, Editing and Markup: Paul Saba
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Conference commenced at 10:30 AM
CHAIR: PSO
SECRETARY: DMLO
Reading of the Agenda by the Chair:
1. Report from the Committee of Five
2. Summary of Unity: Responses to the I.C. Proposal
3. Concrete Proposals
4. Implementation of Majority Proposal
At the January meeting of the committee agreement was reached on the following: The conference would exclude from participation any organization or individual who held a position in contradiction to any of the 18 Principles of Unity.
The Committee of V expressed general agreement with the criticism raised by the BOC (criticism of method of preparation for the August, 1977 conference – see BOC paper, “Forging a Leading Ideological Center”). The Committee had not yet had the time to do a thorough summation and criticism/self-criticism, and before doing so would like to solicit evaluations from other organizations about this particular criticism. A full reply by the Committee of Five will follow.
Main discussion centered around whether to again open debate on the Principles of Unity, specifically Point 18. The Chair ruled that this was not to be on the agenda for the conference since it would only duplicate the work of the August meeting. Questions then arose as to the process involved with ratification of the re-draft of the Principles of Unity following the August meeting. In response, the following resolution was offered by C.N.:
Be it resolved that this body move to adapt the circulated Principles of Unity as an accurate reflection of the resoluution of the discussion at the August 1977 meeting.
VOTE:
For 17
Against 0
Abstain 4
Two errors in transcription of the Principles of Unity were brought to the floor – one in Point 13 and the other in Point 18.
El Comite and PWOC formally accepted criticism for these transcription errors.
On participation on the Organizing Committee the following motion was offered:
As long as an organization does not have a consolidated position in disagreement with the Principles of Unity (meaning either they are not sure they agree with all of the 18 Points OK do not agree that certain points should be a line of demarcation), they should be allowed to continue to participate in the OC as long as they agree and uphold the spirit of unity of the embryonic trend.
VOTE:
For 23
Against 0
Abstain 1
It was the Sense of the Body that if an organization cannot uphold the principle embodied in the above motion, it is incumbent on the organization to state such and formally withdraw.
The Group of Four’s Concrete Proposal for the establishment of an Ideological Center was put forward by C.N. with the following introduction:
The Concrete Proposal reflects three fundamental principles:
1. The national should lead the local, i.e., our perspective should be national in character;
2. The basic thrust must be around theoretical unity – there can be no step forward on common program unless theoretical unity is arrived at first;
3. Any rectification program must be built from the center out, i.e., must avoid “federationism.”
El Comite replied that they could not agree with Point #1 above, but did agree with #2 and #3. They see the key task as cadre development at the local level, not nationally, yet there should be a national character to our work. They believe that there has already been developed enough ideological unity.
Amendments to the Proposal:
1. By addition under III of Proposal (offered by SUB): “To figure out a method and a mechanism to do a thorough investigation of the state of the trend [local organizations, groups, and individuals, etc., throughout the country) in order to:
a) see how the national center can best facilitate local development and figure out what we can take up nationally [Or where appropriate on a regional or local basis] in terms of theoretical and practical work, and to provide analysis for the embryonic trend which will allow it to make sound tactical decisions on how to consolidate itself.
VOTE:
For 17
Against 1
Abstain 3
2. The following three items were decided on by the body without a vote:
a.) The Steering Committee will take up the question of which information collected as part of the investigation of the Trend will be shared broadly with organizations within the Organizing Committee.
b.) The criteria for individual’s membership in the Organizing Committee shall be deferred to the Steering Committee.
c.) The following will be the approach used by the S.C. in proposing criteria for membership: “Organizations or individuals must demonstrate in their practice their commitment to Marxism-Leninism.
3. The following motion was proposed by the Guardian as an addition to #1: “On the basis of the 18 Points of Unity, the organizations assembled...” The motion was withdrawn with the “idea of consideration at a future time.”
4. On how to organize the ideological struggle: By addition to III of the Concrete Proposal (submitted by SUB):
c) consolidate its unity on why the 18 points are the proper basis for its activity, focusing on their significance to party building in this period and highlighting the importance of Principle 18, and prepare an OC position paper which reflects this unity;
d) on the basis of this document, organize a broad discussion [primarily external) on why the 18 points are the proper basis of unity for a step forward in the development of our emerging trend, particularly highlighting the importance of Point 18.
VOTE:
For 6
Against 12
Abstain 5
5. By addition within the parentheses in III b. of the Concrete Proposal (offered by SUB):
[internal and...)
VOTE:
For 9
Against 8
Abstain 6
6. Motion in addition to the Concrete Proposal:
A task of the Steering Committee will be to clarify the meaning of ’spirit of unity’ in relation to the 18 Principles of Unity.
VOTE:
For 17
Against 1
Abstain 6
7. By addition BOC proposed that the following precede a.) of II of the Concrete Proposal:
it should further clarify and develop a conception of the goals, tasks, and nature of an ideological center for the tendency.
This motion passed with a clear majority – no official count was taken.
8. By addition, the following was proposed by AWP to be included in a. of II of the Concrete Proposal:
and take as a key task the development of the need for political struggle on the essential questions of our movement.
VOTE:
For 1
Against 18
Abstain 5
9. By addition, BOC proposed the following language to f) of III of the Concrete Proposal:
The bulletin should systematically focus on the discussions called for in this proposal. It should also make a special attempt to provide a forum for those forces within the tendency, but not in the OC, to make their views known to the OC.
VOTE:
For 6
Against 7
Abstain 9
10. Following motion was offered (by substitution):
The Steering Committee shall consist of 5-7 members.
VOTE:
For 9
Against 10
Abstain 0
11. BPO proposed the following by addition:
All 5 Steering Committee members shall act as public representatives of the Organizing Committee.
VOTE:
For 3
Against 16
Abstain 5
12. Before the vote on the Concrete Proposal as amended above was taken, the following statements were made to be included in the record of the minutes:
a. The Guardian stated that they supported adoption of the proposal but that this did not necessarily mean that they will be joining the O.C. Decision to be made after conference.
b. El Comite said that they disagree with the proposal based on the previous points made earlier in the day (see pg. 2 of minutes).
c. BPO said that they would abstain because there is nothing stated on the rights of the minority.
13. Motion:
To accept the Concrete Proposal on the Ideological Centex as amended.
VOTE:
For 19
Against 1
Abstain 5
The body asked for specific explanations of the abstentions:
a) WUO – Needs clarification on the meaning of “unitary spirit” before joining the O.C. No opposition to the proposal itself.
b) NOWC – Still a very primitive group and do not know yet whether they would be able to join O.C.
c) LWC – No complete unity in their organization on this question and will have to notify the S.C. at a later date.
d) CUO – Agrees with WUO above and want to discuss organizationally before making commitment. They also indicated agreement with El Comite.
e) BPO – Need clarification on role of minority before joining O.C.
1. Proposal for the Election of a Steering Committee as proposed by the Committee of Four was put forward for a vote.
VOTE:
For 18
Against 0
Abstain 3
2. There was a consensus that the balloting for the Nominating Committee be secret.
3. Motion was put forward by PWOC:
Slots on the Steering Committee be filled by individuals and not organizations.
VOTE:
For 5
Against 10
Abstain 8
4. Motion put forward by PSO:
Organizations and individuals who are not members of organizations may be elected to the Steering Committee.
VOTE:
For 19
Against 0
Abstain 1
5. Motion made by PWOC:
Leadership should consist of the people that can best move forward the Organizing Committee as a whole.
VOTE:
For 18
Against 0
Abstain 4
6. Motion put forward that:
The Nominating Committee will draw up the criteria for membership on the Steering Committee and then chose the slate based on that criteria.
VOTE:
For 18
Against 0
Abstain 1
Results of the voting on Nominating Committee (9): SUB, PSO, PWOC, BOC, SEATTLE, DMLO, WUO, LAWG, Bruce
Meeting adjourned at midnight!
* * *
I. An “Organizing Committee for an Ideological Center” (hereafter referred to as “OC”) is constituted.
II. The primary task of this body is the development of a political and organizational plan for building an ideological center. The plan should have four Parts:
a) it should further clarify and develop a conception of the goals, tasks, and nature of an ideological center for the tendency;
b) it should clearly identify the basis of unity necessary to place an ideological center on a firm foundation and set forth the manner in which that unity can be prepared;
c) it should identify any intermediate steps that may be necessary;
d) it should specify the required resources, including literature, that would have to be prepared prior to the development of a center.
III. Secondary and related tasks of the OC are:
a) organize a widespread discussion (internal and external) on the need to centralize the ideological struggle in our emerging trend;
b) organize a broad discussion (internal and external) on why the 18 points are the proper basis of unity for a step forward in the development of our emerging trend, particularly highlighting the importance of point l8;
c) publicize the constitution of the OC and its activities;
d) take preliminary steps towards the actual centralization of the ideological struggle by publishing an internal OC discussion bulletin regularly;
e) initiate a discussion (primarily internal) on the nature of the ultra-left line in the party-building movement. This discussion should encourage the presentation of the views of participants on party-building strategy;
f) draw new forces into its ranks based upon their agreement with the principles of unity and the perspectives of the OC as they develop. Particular attention should be focused on developing concrete initiatives to strengthen the OC in its prime areas of weakness: oppressed nationality Marxist-Leninists, the West, South and Southwest;
g) figure out a method and a mechanism to do a thorough investigation of the state of the trend (local organizations, groups, individuals, etc., throughout the country) in order to:
i) see how the national center can best facilitate local development and figure out what we can take up nationally (or where appropriate on a regional or local basis) in terms of theoretical and practical work, and
ii) provide analysis for the embryonic trend which will allow it to make sound tactical decisions on how to consolidate itself.
IV. The OC should meet every six months, making all basic policy decisions.
V. In order to implement OC decisions a steering committee should be constituted. That body should be composed of five persons elected for one year terms by the OC. It should meet at least twice in the interim between OC meetings.
VI. Of the five elected steering committee members, the OC should designate one as Chairperson and one as Secretary. The Chairperson should be responsible for calling and organizing steering committee meetings, and should act as the primary public representative of the steering committee. The Secretary should handle all correspondence, and should be responsible for taking and distributing minutes of steering committee meetings.
VII. Finances should be drawn from equal contributions from each of the organisations participating in the OC. The amounts should be set by the OC.
VIII. Local and regional committees should also be organized of OC adherents where practicable. These committees should serve to complement the national OC’s work.