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@sfgreens.org) http://sfgreens.org/