GPCA Bylaws Revision Spring 2012 Article 12 Green Party of the United States
Background: This revision reorganizes the content of the existing "Article 11. Delegates to the Green Party of the United States" to be consistent with the format utilized in the January and March 2013 bylaws revisions to Articles 3-10, 12; and makes these five additional revisions:
- Separates the existing text about GPCA/GPUS affiliation into its own Section 12-1 Affiliation, rather than burying it within another Section that covers multiple topics, as it is currently.
- Reflects that the Standing General Assembly (SGA) will elect future GPUS Delegates and Alternates (which was already also established in Article 7, but is also referenced here), and explains the procedure and timing for this, which mirrors that of electing the Coordinating Committee, as it has in the past. Regarding removal for cause of an elected Delegate or Alternate, the existing language provides for the Coordinating Committee to be able to remove an elected Delegate or Alternate by a 4/5 vote, upon a recommendation by the delegation. This proposal preserves that option, but also gives the option for removal to the GA/SGA.
- Changes the requirement that the Delegation Co-coordinators be elected at the General Assembly after the GPUS Annual National Meeting, because there is rarely quorum there for the Delegation. Additionally, the the date of such a General Assembly varies widely and thus conflicts with the requirement that the Co-Coordinators terms be 'staggered, two-year terms'. Instead this proposal would simply asserts that there shall be staggered two-year terms and that the timing for these elections shall be contained in the Delegation's Internal Procedures, leaving it up to the Delegation to establish what would be the regular timing for such an appointment. That allows some flexibility over the years, without requiring the state party to go through a bylaws revision just to accomplish this.
- Adds a reference in this Article, to the place in the GPCA Rules and Procedures where the Policies and Procedures for Selection and Conduct of GPCA Delegates to the GPUS Presidential Nominating Convention are defined.
- Consolidates in one place in the bylaws, what it means for Delegates and Alternates to represent GPCA positions. The existing language is splintered among different places in the bylaws, such that a reading about it in one place without the other, leaves an incomplete understanding of the process.
For example, in (11-1), the existing bylaws state "These delegates are authorized by the GPCA and recognized by the GPUS to cast the full number of votes allocated to the GPCA to represent GPCA positions on matters before the GPUS." But it doesn't state how a GPCA position on matters before the GPUS might come about.
Then later in a different Section (11-3.2(b)), it states how a GPCA position on GPUS matters might come about. "The GA may bind the delegation to represent a particular position. When bound in this manner, the delegation shall modify its positions to reflect this intent. Between General Assemblies the delegation shall report to the GPCA Coordinating Committee (CC) and the CC may bind it on behalf of the GA. If it does so, the CC shall report upon its actions to the next GA."
The proposed revision would combine the content from these two Sections into one place (12-2.1), such that "Each Delegate may cast one vote and shall represent official GPCA positions taken by the General Assembly on matters before the GPUS, or the Coordinating Committee in between General Assemblies, on behalf of the General Assembly."
Proposal: That the following text be approved
Article 12. Green Party of the United States
Section 12-1 Affiliation
The GPCA is affiliated with the Green Party of the United States (GPUS). No decision of the GPUS is binding upon the GPCA without its consent.
Section 12-2 National Committee Delegates
GPCA Delegates to the GPUS National Committee shall be elected by the Standing General Assembly. The number of Delegates is established by the GPUS, and Alternates may be elected in number equal to the number of Delegates. Delegates and Alternates shall serve staggered two-year terms. Half of each shall be elected annually, except where there is an odd-number of Delegates and Alternates. In such cases, the extra Delegate shall be elected in even-numbered years and the extra Alternate in odd-numbered years. Only GPCA members as defined in 3-1 are eligible to be Delegates and Alternates.
12-2.1 Authority
Delegates, individually and collectively, serve at the pleasure of and are responsible to the General Assembly. Delegates are authorized by the General Assembly and recognized by the GPUS to cast the full number of votes allocated to the GPCA. Each Delegate may cast one vote and shall represent official GPCA positions taken by the General Assembly on matters before the GPUS, or the Coordinating Committee in between General Assemblies, on behalf of the General Assembly. Where there is no official GPCA position, Delegates shall represent the GPCA as best they can and cast votes as they think represent the interests of the GPCA and the GPUS.
12-2.2 Responsibilities and Expectations
12-2.2(a) Delegates shall take part in the discussions and votes upon proposals before the GPUS National Committee, and shall make a good faith effort to collectively discuss GPUS matters as a Delegation before voting. Alternates are encouraged to participate in the same activities as Delegates, and vote according to the Delegation’s procedures for Alternates.
12-2.2(b) Delegates shall participate in Delegation teleconferences, and are encouraged to attend Delegation meetings at General Assemblies and in person meetings of the GPUS National Committee. Delegates and Alternates are encouraged to serve on GPUS committees.
12-2.3 Elections
12-2.3(a) Elections shall be conducted each year by the Standing Green Assembly using Ranked Choice Voting with a No Other Candidate option, with the six week discussion period beginning on the first Monday of May and the one week voting period commencing immediately thereafter.
12-2.3(b) Candidates must submit an application to the Coordinating Committee by the last Monday of April to be eligible. Applications must include a biography, along with what they wish to accomplish on the Delegation.
12-2.3(c) Candidates may apply for Delegate or Alternate, but not both at the same time. However, a sitting Alternate may apply to be a Delegate and if elected, vacate the position of Alternate; or a sitting Delegate may be apply to be an Alternate and if elected, vacate the position of Delegate.
12-2.3(d) The election as it is posted to the Standing Green Assembly shall include Each candidate's application; a full and detailed explanation of Ranked Choice Voting, an explanation of the No Other Candidate option, and an encouragement that delegates make their choices seriously and a reminder that they do not have to fill all seats unless they feel there are enough qualified candidates.
12-2.3(e) Candidates shall be given time to present themselves and respond to questions on a Standing General Assembly teleconference during the Standing General Assembly discussion period in 7-6.3. Where General Assemblies or Gatherings occur after the close of the submission date in 8-4.2, and before the close of the voting period in 7-6.3, candidates shall be given time to present themselves to any General Assembly or Gathering occurring this period.
12-2.3(f) The Delegation may recommend candidates to the General Assembly and shall be made with attention to gender, ethnic, and geographic balance.
12-2.3(g) Upon a mid-term vacancy occurring on the Delegation (but not a vacancy occurring as a result of seats not being filled during an annual regular election), the Coordinating Committee shall publish a Notice of Vacancy and Call for Candidate Submissions to the active County Organizations. The Notice shall contain the timing of the submission, discussion and election process, and the time remaining in the term for which a vacancy has occurred. The Notice shall be published within two days of the vacancy occurring. The submission deadline shall be 21 days from the publishing of the Notice. The discussion period shall begin on the first Monday after the close of the submission period. No vacancy shall be noticed to be filled, if from the resultant timeline above, the seat would be filled after the first Monday of the April before the end of the vacated term.
12-2.4 Removal for Cause
12-2.4(a) Any person elected to the GPUS Delegation may be removed from office by the General Assembly or Standing General Assembly upon a 2/3 vote, or the Coordinating Committee by a 4/5 vote, in response to a Removal for Cause petition from the Delegation.
12-2.4(b) When a delegate habitually fail to perform their duties, the Delegation co-coordinators shall discuss the situation with the delegate. If the situation continues or recurs without the delegates resigning, the Co-coordinators shall bring the matter to the Delegation, to decide whether to submit a Removal for Cause petition to the General Assembly/Standing General Assembly and/or the Coordinating Committee. Such a petition must contain the written basis for removal, be approved by the Delegation and submitted to the Coordinating Committee. The written basis must be failure to perform the duties of a Delegate as defined in this Article and the GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures, and malfeasance.
12-2.4(c) Upon receipt of such Removal for Cause petition, the Coordinating Committee shall schedule a Removal for Cause vote. If the petition is intended for Coordinating Committee consideration, it shall be placed upon the next Coordinating Committee agenda. If it is intended for the General Assembly/Standing General Assembly, ff an in-person General Assembly is scheduled to occur within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee shall place the vote on the draft agenda and any agenda approved by the General Assembly must include the vote. If an in-person General Assembly is not scheduled to occur within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee shall submit the petition to the Standing Green Assembly at the next regular starting date. The individual subject to a Removal for Cause Petition shall have the right to submit a written response to the petition for inclusion with the agenda item, when the agenda item is released.
Section 12-3 GPUS Delegation
12-3.1 Duties and Authority
The GPUS Delegation is charged with generally facilitating communication and representation between the GPCA and GPUS, including to:
12-3.1(a) Sponsor and submit proposals on behalf of the GPCA to the GPUS National Committee;
12-3.1(b) Appoint GPCA representatives on GPUS committees, where GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures provide for state party-appointed membership; or otherwise make recommendations or nominations for GPUS committee eligibility as provided for by GPUS Bylaws, Rules and Procedures and Fiscal Policy.
12-3.1(c) Provide a forum for Delegates and Alternates to collectively discuss and seek common understanding and consensus around proposals before the GPUS National Committee.
12-3.1(d) Prepare an annual Work Plan and submit it along with any budget requests.
12-3.1(e) Establish Internal Procedures of the GPUS Delegation, that are not in conflict with these Bylaws, as necessary to facilitate these tasks.
12-3.2 Coordinators
12-3.2(a) There shall be two co-coordinators of the Delegation, with gender, ethnic and geographic balance preferred. The coordinators shall facilitate the Delegation, coordinate its activities and communicate on its behalf with the Coordinating Committee and General Assembly and the GPUS Steering Committee and National Committee.
12-3.2(b) Co-coordinators shall be elected by the Delegation to staggered two-year terms, the timing of which shall be established in the Delegation's Internal Procedures. Delegates and Alternates are eligible to be elected. Elections shall be by Instant Run-Off Voting.
12-3.3 Meetings
The Delegation shall establish a meeting schedule so that it may address GPUS business in a timely manner. For any delegation meeting including teleconferences, a quorum shall be equal to a majority of Delegates, but participating Alternates shall count towards quorum.
12-3.4 GPUS Committees
Any GPCA member as defined in 3-1 may be appointed by the Delegation to serve on a GPUS Committee, unless otherwise prohibited by GPUS Bylaws, Rules and Procedures and Fiscal Policy.
12-3.5 GPUS Presidential Nominating Convention
The Policies and Procedures for Selection and Conduct of GPCA Delegates to the GPUS Presidential Nominating Convention shall be defined in the GPCA Rules and Procedures.
Reference: Text from Existing Bylaws
Article 11. Delegates to the Green Party of the United States
Section 11-1 Purpose
The Green Party of California (GPCA) is affiliated with the Green Party of the United States (GPUS). No decision of the GPUS is binding upon the GPCA without its consent. The GPCA selects delegates who are voting members of the GPUS National Committee (GPUS NC). These delegates are authorized by the GPCA and recognized by the GPUS to cast the full number of votes allocated to the GPCA to represent GPCA positions on matters before the GPUS.
Section 11-2 Number, Eligibility and Alternates
The number of delegates is established by the GPUS and each may cast one vote. .Any member of the GPCA as defined in 3-1.3 is eligible to be a delegate to the GPUS. Alternates may be elected equal in number to the number of delegates.
Section 11-3 Responsibilities and Expectations
11-3.1 Representing GPCA to the GPUS
GPCA delegates shall take part in the discussion and votes upon proposals before the GPUS NC. Votes shall be submitted to the process established by the GPUS.
Delegates shall participate in monthly teleconferences and are encouraged to attend delegation meetings at GPCA General Assemblies and in person meetings of the GPUS NC They are encouraged to serve on GPUS committees. Alternate delegates are encouraged to participate in the same activities as delegates and vote according to the delegation’s procedures for alternates.
11-3.2 Serving the GPCA General Assembly
a) GPCA delegates, individually and collectively, serve at the pleasure of and are responsible to the GPCA General Assembly (GA). Delegates are authorized to represent the GPCA as best they can and cast votes as they think represent the interests of the GPCA and GPUS. As a whole, the delegation shall make a good faith effort to collectively discuss GPUS matters before voting.
b) The GA may bind the delegation to represent a particular position . When bound in this manner, the delegation shall modify its positions to reflect this intent. Between General Assemblies the delegation shall report to the GPCA Coordinating Committee (CC) and the CC may bind it on behalf of the GA. If it does so, the CC shall report upon its actions to the next GA.
Section 11-4. Elections
11-4.1 Regular Elections
At each GA, delegates and alternates shall be elected for two-year terms. Elections shall be by 7-1.8 Choice Voting. The delegation may recommend candidates to the GA. Recommendations shall be made with attention to gender, ethnic, and geographic balance.
11-4.2 Filling Unscheduled Vacancies
If delegate and alternate seats become vacant in the middle of a term the GA may elect replacements at its first meeting following the vacancy and at subsequent meetings until the end of the term. Elections shall be by 7-1.8 Choice Voting and those elected in this manner shall serve the remainder of the term.
Section 11-5 Resignations and removals
The CC may remove a delegate by an 80% vote. The only reasons for removal are failure to perform the duties of a delegate as defined in this Article and the GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures, and malfeasance. When delegates habitually fail to perform their duties, the delegation co-coordinators shall discuss the situation with those delegates. If it continues or recurs without the delegates resigning, the Co-coordinators shall bring the matter to the delegation to decide whether to ask for resignations and refer the matter to the CC.
Section 11-6 Coordinators
11-6.1 Role
There shall be two co-coordinators of the delegation, with ethnic, geographic and gender balance preferred. Cocoordinators shall be selected by and serve at the pleasure of the delegation.
11-6.2 Responsibilities
The coordinators shall facilitate the delegation, coordinate its activities and communicate on its behalf with the CC and GA and the GPUS Steering Committee and National Committee.
11-6-3 Elections
Co-coordinators shall be elected by the delegation to staggered two-year terms at the first GPCA General Assembly after the annual national meeting of the GPUS NC. Delegates and alternates are eligible to be elected. Elections shall be by 7-1.9 Single Seat Election: Instant Run-Off Voting.
Section 11-7. Meetings, policies, and procedures.
11-7.1 Meetings
The delegation shall establish a meeting schedule so that it may address GPUS business in a timely manner. For any delegation meeting including teleconferences, a quorum shall be equal to 50% plus one of the number of elected delegates, but participation by both delegates and alternates shall count towards achieving quorum.
11-7.2 Policies and procedures
The delegation shall create whatever policies and procedures are necessary, that are not in conflict with this Article, to fulfill its responsibilities as defined in this Article and in the GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures. The delegation shall provide written report of these policies and procedures to the next GA as they are created or amended.
Section 11-8. GPUS Committees
Where GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures provide for state party-appointed membership, the delegation shall determine who shall be the GPCA’s representatives on GPUS committees, or shall otherwise make recommendations or nominations for GPUS committee eligibility as provided for by GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures. Any GPCA member as defined in 3-1.3 is eligible to be on a GPUS committee, unless GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures state otherwise.
