Hi,
I'll be out of town until August 6. If others can meet at our
regular time next Wednesday, go ahead. Otherwise, let's reschedule
sometime after I get back. We might discuss a change to our regular
meeting time as well.
JMC
--
John-Marc Chandonia (jmc(a)sfgreens.org)
http://sfgreens.org/
Here's language based on discussion at the CC meeting, and other
county bylaws:
A member will be automatically removed from the Council in the event that the member:
a) Moves out of the county; or
b) Registers with another political party or Decline to State; or
c) Is absent from at least three out of any six consecutive regularly scheduled
County Council meetings, without being excused by the CC. Absences may be excused
by the CC (business decision) in advance of a scheduled absence or at the next
CC meeting following an absence.
Note that this language places an additional restriction on registered voters
(b), but does not prevent us from appointing CC members who can't register to vote.
JMC
--
John-Marc Chandonia (jmc(a)sfgreens.org)
http://sfgreens.org/
Hi,
I just posted a partial GM agenda to the website; a couple more
proposals are still forthcoming.
Please look over the list of Rules Cmte proposals and straw
polls before the meeting. We are in the process of changing the
bylaws to allow more autonomous locals (currently described in the
bylaws as neighborhood groups), and there are a lot of issues there to
consider. One intriquing idea is to give each chartered local a spot
on the CC, as is done by the Riverside Co GP. This should allow
better cooperation and communication between the GM and locals,
without much change in the current balance of power. There is also
the idea of defining SFGP caucuses to have power and autonomy that
would make them more like Locals than like Working Groups (as FIG is
currently defined, and as Mixed and Lavender Greens were). Of course,
FIG could elect to remain a WG if they choose. We would like to take
straw polls on these issues at the GM to see people think.
JMC
--
John-Marc Chandonia (jmc(a)sfgreens.org)
http://sfgreens.org/
The new CC has nominated a new Rules committee... same as the
current one. Bruce, are you still willing to serve? Do you want
to change the meeting time to a more convenient one?
JMC
--
John-Marc Chandonia (jmc(a)sfgreens.org)
http://sfgreens.org/
Here's my quick summary of issues we're interested in (CC attendance
requirements and locals). I didn't look at all the smaller counties.
For the more complex bylaws, I did cut/paste of the relevant sections.
Alameda:
3.3 Locals and Associations
Locals are community or municipality-based clubs composed of GPAC
members for the purpose of addressing local issues and providing for
greater participation in GPAC activities.
Associations, also known as caucuses or circles, are groups of GPAC
members united by a particular interest or concern, i.e., gender,
ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation or political
issue.
Locals and associations may be certified or uncertified. To be
certified, locals and associations must meet the requirements given
herein and be confirmed by the County Council.
5.3 Locals and Associations
5.3.1 Certification Locals and associations desiring certification
should present a written proposal to any Councilor. The proposal shall
include a statement of purpose, any membership requirements, a
decision-making process, and an endorsement process for specifically
listed local elections. Within six (6) weeks of receipt the Council
must determine whether or not to certify. If the Council decides not
to certify it must send written notice to the local or association as
to why certification was not granted. The Council may grant variances
for the requirements for certification. The Council may also decertify
locals and associations.
5.3.2 Membership There must be at least eight GPAC members who claim
membership in the local or association and at least three quarters of
the organization's membership must be GPAC members.
5.3.3 Points of Contact Certified locals and associations shall have a
phone number where outgoing and incoming messages may be left and a
mailing address.
5.3.4 Existing Locals and Associations
The following existing locals and associations shall be considered
certified. The County Council reserves the right to decertify these
locals and associations.
Alameda Greens (City of)
Berkeley Greens
Fremont Greens
Hayward Greens
Oakland Greens
San Leandro Greens
The GPAC Women's Caucus
Locals/assoc get to 1) submit proposals to CC, and 2) decide on local
endorsements (GPAC decides on endorsements outside locals).
Attendance requirement: can't miss 2 meetings in a year without setting
a proxy (somebody from same district).
Butte:
Attendance: can't miss 3 meetings in a row without designating an
alternate (written notice).
CoCo:
The County Council shall certify or decertify local chapters of the
GPCC. A certified local must meet the following requirements:
1. Define their geographical boundaries
2. Adopt By-Laws in accordance with the By-Laws of the Green Party of California
3. Comply with regulations of the California Fair Political Practices Commission and the Federal Election Commission
4. Select a Treasurer
Fresno:
Attendance: Miss 3 w/o alternate (written proxy for each meeting) -> gone.
Humboldt:
Attendance: Same as Fresno.
Locals:
5 active members, basically a distributed GM meeting.
LA:
CC recognizes locals
Attendance: same as Fresno, but w/ notice.
ARTICLE 13 ACTIVE GREEN LOCALS
An "Active Green Local" is a group of Green Party members in Los
Angeles County, recognized by the County Council and organized on a
geographical basis.
Section 13.1 Recognition
In order to be recognized as an Active Green Local by the County
Council a local must submit
13.1.1 Its bylaws, membership requirements,
decision-making process and mission statement
13.1.2 A description of its local activities
13.1.3 A proposed geographic boundary
13.1.4 A petition requesting recognition. The petition
must be signed by at least as many registered Greens
within the proposed boundary area, as would be
required to run for County Council from the same
area. If a local exists over the boundary of more
than one State Senate District, then the number of
petition signatures required shall be the largest of
any of the Districts.
13.1.5 A 3/5 vote of the County Council is required to
recognize a local.
Section 13.2 Resources
Active Green Locals shall receive information directly from the GPLAC
about GPLAC matters, as provided for in these bylaws, and will be
listed upon the GPLAC web site.
Section 13.3 Responsibilities
13.3.1 Active Green Locals are encouraged to conduct voter
registration drives, organize local Greens, meet on a
regular basis, be involved in local Green issues,
develop and support Green candidates, and facilitate
participation in the GPLAC of its members
13.3.2 Active Green Locals must submit minutes of its
meetings to the County Council, and include a record
of attendance, votes cast and decisions made.
13.3.3 Active Green Locals must follow all applicable
laws.
13.3.4 Active Green Locals may use "Greens" in their
name, but may not use "Green Party".
Section 13.4 Review
13.4.1 The County Council shall regularly review the
status of Active Green Locals every two years,
starting from the original date of recognition.
Additional review may be scheduled upon a 2/3 vote
of the Council.
13.4.2 Recognized Active Green Locals shall retain their
status with a simple majority vote. The Council
County may also agree to continued recognition, but
only within changed boundaries.
Mendocino: same as Fresno
Napa:
Attendance: miss 3 consecutive w/o notification and approval -> gone
Locals: same as CoCo
Nevada: same as Fresno
Orange: same as Fresno
Section 7. Local Meetings
7.1 A "local" is a geographic grouping of Green Party of Orange County
members.
a. It may be defined by city boundaries, postal zip codes,
supervisorial districts, State or Federal legislative districts, or by
naming streets or other landmarks to define the local.
b. If any of the boundaries used to define a local change, the local
must submit a notification to the County Council within 30 days to
maintain its recognized status.
7.2 To be recognized as a local, a group of registered Greens must
present a petition signed by one half of one percent of all registered
Green voters in Orange County, and describing the geographic area to
be included in the local. All signers of the petition must reside
within the geographic area proposed to be covered by the local. The
petition must also describe a method by which it proposes to elect a
liaison to the County Council.
7.3 The local must have its own name. Recognition of a local is not
not to be construed as authorizing it to use the name "Green Party of
Orange County" without express permission from either the County
Council or a County Assembly for each instance.
7.4 If a local engages in activities under its own name other than a
local County Assembly, it takes full responsiblity for them as a
separate organization from the Green Party of Orange County.
7.5 The local must, by the procedure described in its originating
petition, elect a liaison to the County Council. The local's liaison
shall have the following responsibilities:
a. Ensure that the local's agenda in a local County Assembly covers
all items on the county-wide agenda.
b. Inform the County Council of all decisions reached by the local,
and the results of any votes
c. Forward copies of all attendance sheets from meetings of the local
to the Secretary of the County Council. This will allow meeting
attendance at a local meeting to count toward fulfilling Article III,
Section 1.2 a. for participation in a County Assembly.
7.6 A local may choose to hold its own County Assembly at a time and
place of its choosing so long as it has convened within thirty (30)
days after the county-wide County Assembly.
7.7 In order to take part in the County Assembly decision-making
process, a local must agree to address all proposals contained in the
draft agenda of the county-wide County Assembly.
7.8 If not all locals reach consensus on a given proposal, each vote
of each active member present at a local meeting shall be counted as
if he/she had been present at the county-wide County Assembly. If a
local reaches consensus, all active members present shall be assumed
to have voted in favor of the proposal.
7.9 No decision of the County Assembly is complete until all
recognized locals have had the opportunity to address the proposal.
If a local fails to address a proposal circulated in the draft agenda,
the members of that local shall be considered to have taken no part:
they are not counted as "yes", "no", or "stand-aside" in the decision
making process for that proposal.
7.10 While an active member may attend any and all local meetings of a
County Assembly, he or she may only hold an "unresolved concern" or
vote (should one become necessary) once per proposal.
7.11 If a local County Assembly wishes to vote on election of County
Council members, it must only vote on the candidates already nominated
and seconded at the county-wide County Assembly. It may not make
nominations.
ARTICLE VI: PETITION FOR COUNTY ASSEMBLY
Section 1
1.1 Upon being presented with a petition signed by a number of active
members of the GPOC equal to one half of one percent of the total
number of registered Green voters in Orange County, the County Council
must call a County Assembly within 60 days of the presentation.
1.2 Such a petition must include all of the following in its text:
a. one or more agenda items which the petitioners feel a need to treat
in a County Assembly.
b. suggested time allotments for each item.
c. the names of one or more presenters willing to present any
proposals mentioned in item "a" above. If the only agenda item
mentioned in "a" above is the election of County Council members, no
Presenters are necessary.
Placer: same as Fresno
Riverside:
ARTICLE IV - CHAPTERS
A "Chapter" is an active affiliation of at least five registered Green
Party voters who are members of the GPRC organized to promote Green
values. Chapters have no legal responsibility to the GPRC except as is
required by California Law and the GPCA bylaws for participation in
the GPCA. To the extent Chapters choose to be actively involved in
the GPRC, their involvement will be in accordance with these Bylaws.
They must also adopt their own "Chapter bylaws" and submit the
ratified bylaws to the Council.
The Council shall offer an opportunity for input on all issues before
the GPRC to the Chapters that are active with the GPRC. Each GPRC
member may only vote with one Chapter on such issues, although GPRC
members may be part of multiple Chapters.
The Council shall offer Chapters non-financial assistance to the
extent it is available, such as treasury and bookkeeping assistance,
facilitation and consensus training and other basic support.
Chapters that choose to be active with the GPRC may designate one of
their members as a non-elected member of the Council.
Article V - the council
1.04 The Council shall have elected and non-elected members. The
elected members shall be elected by Countywide ballot in the manner
and for the terms designated by the Election Code. Elected and
non-elected members shall have equal voice in the deliberations and
decisions of the Council. However, to the extent this provision is
in conflict with applicable California law, the decisions of the
elected members shall control.
The vote of the elected members shall be recorded with respect to each
decision made by the Council. In the event it shall be determined
that California law required a decision to be made by elected Council
members only, the decision as determined by the recorded vote of the
elected members shall govern and shall be implemented.
Sac: same as Fresno
SD:
Article 4 - Locals & Clubs
Section 4-1 - Descriptions
4-1.1 Local Organizations and Clubs, hereafter referred to as Locals,
are charged with fostering community empowerment and Party growth
within their borders. There are three general types of Locals;
Area-Based, Issue-Based, and Tribal/Ethnic Group Based. These
classifications do not necessarily preclude other types of Locals from
being recognized by the GPSD.
4-1.2 The membership of Area-Based Locals shall be the Green Party
registered voters in the appropriate neighborhood or geographic area
of the County.
4-1.3 The membership of Issue-Based Locals shall be based on
participation.
4-1.4 The membership of Tribal/Ethnic Group Based Locals shall be that
by which the Tribe or Ethnic Group currently defines itself in matters
separate from the Party.
4-1.5 Only Locals officially recognized by the GPSD, as described in
Section 4-2, are authorized to claim Green Party
affiliation. Officially recognized Locals may select a representative
to the County Council as described in Paragraph 3-2.2.
Section 4-2 - Certification & Recognition
4-2.1 A newly-formed or an existing Green organization within San
Diego County with at least five active members may become recognized
as a Local of the GPSD by first requesting certification from the
County Council then requesting recognition from the General
Membership.
4-2.2 A Local seeking certification must submit a request through the
County Council secretary, accompanied by its mission statement and a
description of its organizational structure and decision-making
process. After confirming that these documents conform to recognized
Green values and the goals of the GPSD, the Council shall appoint a
volunteer among its membership to perform a site visit. This Council
member shall attend the next available meeting of the Local and report
back to the Council. The Council may request more information or
submit concerns to the Local before deciding on certification. After a
positive certification, which requires at least a "high threshold"
vote, the County Council must submit a 'Proposal For Recognition Of A
Certified Local' to the General Membership at the next available
meeting. Recognition requires prior notice and at least a "high
threshold" vote of the General Membership for approval.
4-2.3 Any uncertified Local may attempt to bypass the certification
proceedure and submit a 'Proposal For Recognition Of An Uncertified
Local' directly to the General Membership at the next available
meeting. Such a proposal is submitted as 'information' during the
first available meeting and decided during the following meeting.
4-2.4 Recognized Locals must remain active to retain their affiliation
status. Any Local which fails to maintain an up-to-date membership
list and a calendar of its meetings and events with the Membership
Coordinator OR which fails to meet at least once within the past six
months OR whose membership falls below five persons for the same
period shall be considered to be inactive. The County Council shall
remove any inactive Locals from the affiliation list and notify the
General Membership.
SLO:
5 people
Recognized by CC or GM
Contact person
Must present yearly report at GM.
Can't take position on county issues contrary to SLO or GPCA.
SM:
ARTICLE 7: LOCALS
7.1. Organization
Any two or more members of the Green Party of San Mateo County
residing in the same area may create a Green Party Local by
submitting the following to the County Council:
1. A statement of the name and purpose of the organization;
2. A description of the area to be included in the local;
3. A list of names of the members;
4. The name, address, phone, and other contact information for a person who will serve as liaison to the County Council.
7.2. Continuance in good standing
The Local shall continue to be recognized as long as it maintains
regular communication with the county council and adheres to Green
values and the requirements of these bylaws. The Local shall
provide copies of all meeting agendas and minutes to the county
Secretary. If the county Secretary has received no communication
from the local liaison for a period of three months, the Secretary
shall send a letter to the local liaison to determine if the local
is still in existence. If the local liaison does not respond to
that letter, the Secretary shall inform the county council that
the Green Party Local is no longer in good standing.
7.3. Meetings
The Green Party Local shall adhere to the same requirements for
meeting notification, agendas, and minutes as the County Council.
7.4. Fundraising
7.4.1. The Green Party Local may raise or expend funds for the
cost of meetings and publicity so long as such funds and
expenditures do not constitute campaign donations or
expenditures as defined by the Political Reform Act of 1974
as amended.
7.4.2. Should the Green Party Local wish to raise and expend funds
that would constitute campaign donations or expenditures as
defined by the Political Reform Act of 1974 as amended, the
Local shall proceed as follows:
1. Turn all receipts over to the county Treasurer along with
all documentation needed to comply with requirements of the
Political Reform Act of 1974 and submit requests for
expenditures to the County Council; OR
2. Appoint a Treasurer and register as a political action
committee in accordance with the Political Reform Act of
1974.
7.5. Public Statements
7.5.1. The Local may not make public statements on behalf of the
Green Party without prior approval of the County Council.
Santa Clara:
ARTICLE 5 COUNTY LOCALS
5.1 Consistent with Green Party values supporting decentralization and
personal responsibility, individual members may form locals of the
Green Party of Santa Clara County in the various subregions of the
county.
5.2 To be duly recognized as an official GPSCC Local, such a group
must:
a) Be approved as a County Local -- either by the County Council or at
a general meeting of the GPSCC -- after submitting a written request
signed by at least five (5) Members describing their intent to form a
Local and the boundaries of the proposed Local.
b) Minutes will be recorded for all official meetings and a copy will
be made available to the County Council on request.
c) Duly elect a contact person who will facilitate communication
between the local and the county organization.
d) Have clearly defined geographic boundaries and notify the Council
in writing of any subsequent changes of those boundaries.
e) Conduct Local activities in accordance with the spirit and intent
of the Green Party's 10 Key Values.
5.3 A GPSCC Local shall not take any public position on county-wide or
state-wide issues contrary to that taken by the GPSCC or the
California Green Party, without receiving consensus at a County
general meeting. A Local shall not assert any authority expressly
reserved to the GPSCC in these Bylaws or to the California Green
Party in the state party's bylaws.
JMC
--
John-Marc Chandonia (jmc(a)sfgreens.org)
http://sfgreens.org/
