Media Committee Spokesperson Rules & Procedures
GPCA Media Committee Spokesperson Rules & Procedures
Job Descriptions and Biographies
GPCA Spokesperson
Spokespersons shall be:
Experienced in working with the news media in some manner, either as a candidate, a staff person for a candidate or other work that provides the background necessary for this position Vetted by the Media Committee to see how they will respond to news media questions and inquiries, and if those responses are professional and effective. Members of the Media Committee, including the Press Secretary (as a former daily newspaper reporter and editor), determine if the applicant will represent the party in an appropriate manner Familiar with the Green Party platform, ten key values, and candidates serving in and running for office Active in the Green Party at the local and/or state and/or national level Available to accept press calls via cell phone at any time day or evening Spokespersons are ex-officio members of the GPCA Media Committee.
The term of a spokesperson is not defined; spokespeople may serve as long as they stay active in the Green Party and are available for press correspondence.
If a spokesperson is running for or elected to government office, he or she must step down as spokesperson for the duration of their campaign and/or term in government office. This applies only to those running for government office such as school board, Congress, Assembly, etc. and does not include those running for or serving in internal positions within the Green Party, such as on a County Council or Coordinating Committee. A former spokesperson shall be automatically re-instated as spokesperson once an unsuccessful campaign for government office has ended.
GPUS Bylaws - Spokespersons/Leaders amendment
ARTICLE X Spokespersons/Leaders
10-1 Purpose
To effectively promote its message, support Green Party candidates and build the Green Party across the United States, the GPUS shall have two internally elected public Spokespersons/Leaders, who shall be empowered to represent the GPUS as described in this Article.
10-2 Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Spokespersons/Leaders on behalf of the GPUS shall be to:
10-2.1 present and publicize GPUS platform and policy
10-2.2 promote electoral activity and campaigns of Greens in member state Green Parties, but not those of other parties, except where authorized by the National Committee
10-2.3 appear on television, radio, in print and other media
10-2.4 appear at public events
10-2.5 participate in GPUS fundraising
10-2.6 write opinion pieces and editorials
10-2.7 write a public blog that will be linked to on the GPUS web site
10-2.8 work with the Media Committee, Outreach Committee and other GPUS committees as necessary to carry out these duties and responsibilities
10-2.9 carry out these duties and responsibilities in keeping with the Ten Key Values of the GPUS
10-3 Term of Office
The spokespersons/leaders shall be elected in odd-numbered years, at time of Annual National Meeting.
10-4 Criteria for Qualification
10-4.1 Candidates for Spokesperson/Leader must be a member of a member state Green Party for at least 365 days previous to their Declaration of Candidacy. During this time the Candidate cannot also hold membership in, and/or be registered to vote, in any other political party.
10-4.2 The Candidate cannot be a declared candidate for the GPUS Presidential nomination nor for any public office. If the Candidate declares for the GPUS nomination after becoming a Candidate for Spokesperson/Leader, or for any other public office, the individual shall be considered disqualified as a Candidate for Spokesperson/Leader.
10-4.3 The Candidate cannot be a member of the Steering Committee.
10-4.4 The Candidate may be a spokesperson for a state Green Party, but must include as part of her/his Declaration of Candidacy (as described in the Rules and Procedures), that if elected GPUS Spokesperson/Leader, it would signify their resignation as state spokesperson, effective upon their election as GPUS Spokesperson/Leader. If after having qualified to be a Candidate, the Candidate becomes a spokesperson for a state Green Party they must file a letter with the Secretary within seven days after becoming a state Green Party spokesperson, declaring that if elected GPUS Spokesperson/Leader, their election signifies their resignation as a state Green Party spokesperson.
10-4.5 Submitted a completed Declaration of Candidacy and satisfied the Qualification of Candidacy provisions as specified in the Rules and Procedures.
Other Policies and Procedures needed to enact Strategic Plan Section 4: Spokesperson Policy
GPCA Bylaws establish a general framework for the Media Standing Committee to facilitate GPCA communications with media outlets, while qualifying that the Media Committee serves under the direction of the General Assembly (GA) and the Coordinating Committee (CC).
Given this direction, a Draft Spokesperson Policy to be approved by the GA and implemented by the CC has been under discussion by the Media Committee, with the objective of bringing forward a draft for approval by the Fall General Assembly, for use starting in 2008.
Draft GPCA Spokesperson Policy
- The GPCA spokespersons shall have four, gender-balanced spokespersons
- Two spokespersons, one male and one female, shall be appointed each year.
- Spokesperson terms shall be for two years, and will run from December 16th to December 15th every two years.
- Spokespersons shall be appointed by the Coordinating Committee, using the Single Transferable vote, with a minimum quorum of 2/3 of the Coordinating Committee members participating in any vote, and a majority threshold of the number of Coordinating Committee members voting necessary for approval
- The Media Committee may make nominations for GPCA spokespeople to the Coordinating Committee; and the Coordinating Committee shall include in its vote, any individual recommended by the Media Committee, as long as that individual is a GPCA member
- In addition to recommendations from the Media Committee, additional individuals may be nominated for consideration by the Coordinating Committee, provided their nomination is supported by at least three Coordinating Committee members
- For a person to be eligible for consideration for Spokesperson, in addition to the criteria above, they shall first submit a Statement of Qualifications for the position of Spokesperson - to the Media Committee, if nominated by the Media Committee; or to the Coordinating Committee, if nominated by the Coordinating Committee
- In the event of an unscheduled vacancy in any of the four Spokesperson positions, the same process shall be followed to fill the seat and the person appointed shall serve for the remainder of the term
Appendix: Bylaws Section 7-7. Media Standing Committee
7-7.1 Duties and Authority The Media Standing Committee is charged with facilitating all GPCA communications with media outlets. The Media Standing Committee shall develop and distribute media releases that express appropriate GPCA positions in accordance with the GPCA platform; coordinate press conferences around significant party figures and issues; draft and distribute notifications of significant, newsworthy events relevant to party figures, platforms and growth. The Media Standing Committee serves under the direction of the General Assembly of the GPCA and the Coordinating Committee. The Media Standing Committee assists local chapters of the GPCA to develop media resources. 7-7.2 Membership The Media Standing Committee is a standing committee with up to 8 members, in accordance with bylaws 6-1.4. Co-Coordinators are selected in accordance with bylaws 6-1.9. 7-7.3 Ex Officio Members The Green Party of California's Press Secretary and designated Spokespeople are non-voting ex officio members of the Media Committee.
