Here's my draft of language for locals and caucuses, for consideration
at our meeting on Wednesday (7-9). Please read this and email
proposed changes before them so we don't spend a lot of time at the
meeting.
Thanks,
JMC
Old bylaws:
Article 5: Neighborhood Groups
Neighborhood Groups are Working Groups of the San Francisco Green
Party based in a particular San Francisco neighborhood, and focusing
on issues concerning that locality.
Any group of registered greens may start a Neighborhood Group. Once
they have at least five ongoing, active members, they may submit a
mission statement and a proposal of responsibilities to the County
Council. The Council will be responsible for making sure that the
proposals and activities of the new group reflect green values and are
in accord with the goals and purposes of the San Francisco Green
Party; once it is confident of that, it shall recommend to the General
Meeting/Plenary that the new group be recognized.
Responsibilities, financial accountability, and other aspects of the
relationship of each neighborhood group with the rest of the SFGP will
be negotiated separately by each Neighborhood Group and the County
Council, according to the needs and abilities of a particular
neighborhood. Each Neighborhood Group will have a mission statement
and decision-making structure, both of which must conform to
recognized green values and the goals of the San Francisco Green
Party.
Neighborhood Groups must remain active to retain their status.
In all matters pertaining to a Neighborhood Group not governed under
this article, or under the terms by which the Neighborhood Group was
recognized by the San Francisco Green Party, the rules set down for
Working Groups under Article IV shall apply.
New bylaws proposal:
Change Article 2 from "Neighborhood Groups" to "chartered Locals and
Caucuses"
Article 5: Locals and Caucuses
5.1. Locals are groups of Green Party members based in a particular
San Francisco neighborhood, and focused on issues concerning
that neighborhood. Caucuses are groups of Green Party members
who share a common identity (e.g., gender, age, race, sexual
orientation, or culture). Locals and Caucuses are permitted to
restrict their membership to Green Party members meeting these
qualifications.
5.2. Any group of Green Party members may start a local or caucus.
Once they have at least five ongoing, active members, they may
apply to the County Council or General Membership to be
chartered. Chartering a local or caucus is a business decision.
Once chartered, another business decision by the CC or GM is
required to revoke a charter. Charters are valid for two years,
and automatically renewed unless the membership of the local or
caucus falls below five members.
5.3. Chartered locals and caucuses must use the consensus process for
decision making. A minimum quorum of 3 members is required to
make decisions. Locals and caucuses may write bylaws governing
their own internal processes, provided the bylaws and any
changes to them are approved (policy decision) at two
consecutive meetings of the local or caucus.
5.4. Locals and caucuses may make endorsements and raise funds for
campaigns in accordance with FPPC regulations. The SF Green
Party will help inform locals and caucuses about these
regulations. If a local or caucus wants to make endorsements or
raise funds for any campaign not endorsed by the SF Green Party,
they must choose their own treasurer and follow all FPPC
regulations. If a local or caucus raises funds exclusively for
SF Green Party-endorsed campaigns, they may comply with FPPC
regulations by providing the SF Green Party treasurer with the
appropriate documents.
5.5. Locals and caucuses may nominate one of their own members to the
County Council for the duration of the current CC's term. The
consent of the GM (business decision) is required to appoint the
nominee to the CC. If appointed, the size of the CC is
increased by one for the duration of the current CC's term. If
this position becomes vacant, or if the nominee is rejected by
the GM, or if a new CC takes office following an election, the
local or caucus may nominate another (or the same) member. CC
members representing locals and caucuses are otherwise
equivalent to CC members appointed to fill vacancies, and all
rules and bylaws regarding CC members apply to them. No person
may simultaneously hold more than one seat on the County
Council.
JMC
--
John-Marc Chandonia (jmc(a)sfgreens.org)
http://sfgreens.org/
