GPUS Bylaws Article V State Parties Caucuses Networks

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SUBJECT/TITLE: Bylaws amendment Article V State Parties, Caucuses and Networks

TYPE OF PROPOSAL, EXPECTED APPROVAL THRESHOLD: Bylaws Amendment, 2/3

REQUESTED PROPOSAL DECISION-MAKING TIMELINE: Four week discussion

BACKGROUND: This proposed Article V State Parties, Caucuses and Networks would locate in a single place, the definition and capabilities of state parties, caucuses or networks in the GPUS - as defined under GPUS rules documents (Bylaws, Rules and Procedures, Fiscal Policy and Presidential Convention Rules) — thus creating a ‘one-stop stop’ to understand each.

Currently there is no single place where this information is available for states and caucuses, and no information at all for networks (despite the NC directing the BRPP in 2004 to bring forward language to do just thathttp://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=78). This means one can not easily understand the role of state parties, caucuses or networks within the GPUS structure, without having to reference and search multiple sections in four different governing rules documents.

As part of this proposed Article V, this proposal establishes that all state parties, caucuses and networks accredited/recognized by the National Committee shall be listed in this Article as a matter of course, so that a review of these bylaws will reveal both the structure of the party and the identify of its key components, without having to reference other documents.

This proposal also more explicitly defines a caucus in 5-2.1, while retaining existing terminology describing it. The current GPUS Bylaw language doesn’t actually defines caucuses. Rather it defines a 'underrepresented group’, then references that a caucus would represent an underrepresented group. This proposal states that a caucus is a group of Green Party members who share a common identity as a member of that caucus, and then retains from the existing definition, terminology around 'disenfranchised', 'under-represented' and 'non-ideological'

PROPOSAL: That the existing Article V VOTING RULES of the GPUS Bylaws (which is to be combined and moved to Article II NATIONAL COMMITTEE in a separate proposal) be replaced with the following text:

ARTICLE V State Parties, Caucuses and Networks

5-1 State Parties

5-1.1 The terms 'state party' and 'state Green Party' shall refer to accredited Green Parties from any state, commonwealth, district or territory entitled to voting representation or non-voting delegate status in the United States House of Representatives.

5-1.2 State parties are accredited according to the process described in Article I of the GPUS Rules and Procedures. All accredited state parties shall be listed in this Article upon their accreditation, and removed if they lose accreditation.

5-12.3 Accredited state parties shall be entitled to National Committee voting delegates as defined in Article II; to Committee representation as defined in Article III; to convention delegates as defined in the Rules of the Presidential Nominating Convention; to make proposals to the National Committee as defined in Article VI of the GPUS Rules and Procedures; and shall be governed by GPUS Fiscal Policy.

5-1.4 The accredited state parties of the GPUS are Green Party of Alabama, Arizona Green Party, Green Party of Arkansas, Green Party of California, Green Party of Colorado, D.C. Statehood Green Party; Green Party of Connecticut, Green Party of Delaware, Green Party of Florida, Georgia Green Party, Green Party of Hawaii, Illinois Green Party, Iowa Green Party, Green Party of Kansas, Kentucky Green Party, Green Party of Louisiana, Maine Green Independent Party, Maryland Green Party, Green-Rainbow Party (Massachusetts) , Green Party of Michigan, Green Party of Minnesota, Green Party of Mississippi, Progressive Party of Missouri, Nebraska Green Party, Green Party of New Jersey, Green Party of New Mexico; Green Party of New York, North Carolina Green Party, Ohio Green Party, Green Party of Oklahoma, Pacific Green Party of Oregon, Green Party of Pennsylvania, Green Party of Rhode Island, South Carolina Green Party, Green Party of Tennessee, Green Party of Texas, Green Party of Virginia, Green Party of Washington state, West Virginia Mountain Party, Wisconsin Green Party.

5-2 Caucuses

5-2.1 Caucuses represent a grouping of Green Party members, not specifically ideological in nature, who share a common identity as part of an historically disenfranchised and significant sector of society; and which seek a representative voice in society, within the Green Party movement and within the GPUS, in order to advance the GPUS Mission and the caucus mission.

5-2.2 Caucuses are accredited according to the process described in Article I of the GPUS Rules and Procedures. All accredited caucuses shall be listed in this Article upon their accreditation, and removed if they lose accreditation.

5-2.3 Accredited caucuses shall be entitled to National Committee voting delegates as defined in Article II; to Committee representation as defined in Article III; to convention delegates as defined in the Rules of the Presidential Nominating Convention; to make proposals to the National Committee as defined in Article VI of the GPUS Rules and Procedures; and shall be governed by GPUS Fiscal Policy.

5-2.4 The accredited caucuses of the GPUS are the Black Caucus, Lavender Green Caucus, National Women's Caucus and Youth Caucus.

5-3 Networks

5-3.1 Networks bring Greens together who play a primary role in realizing the party's primary functions (as defined in Section 1-4) and who are not otherwise organized as a committee or caucus, in order to network with each other and with state parties and the GPUS.

5-3.2 All accredited networks shall be listed in this article upon their accreditation, and removed if they lose accreditation.

5-3.3 Accredited networks shall be entitled to National Committee non-voting delegates as defined in Article II; to Committee representation as defined in Article III; and be governed by GPUS Fiscal Policy.

5-3.4 The accredited network of the GPUS is the Green Officeholders Network.

RESOURCES: Bylaw change would become effective upon passage.

REFERENCES: GPUS Bylaws

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP AND THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Existing text of ARTICLE II "The term "underrepresented group" as used in these bylaws shall refer to any grouping of Greens, not explicitly ideological in nature, that has historically failed to attain adequate access to power in society at-large and/or within the Green movement, as determined by the National Committee."

GPUS Rules and Procedures

ARTICLE I ACCREDITATION http://gp.org/rules-and-procedures-of-the-green-party-of-the-united-states#01

Existing text of 5: Criteria for Identity Caucus Membership in the GPUS - the Caucus must: "5.h. Represent a historically disenfranchised or underrepresented and significant sector of the population”

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP AND THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE http://www.gp.org/bylaws-of-the-green-party-of-the-united-states#02-01

Existing text of 1. Definitions, "The term "underrepresented group" as used in these bylaws shall refer to any grouping of Greens, not explicitly ideological in nature, that has historically failed to attain adequate access to power in society at-large and/or within the Green movement, as determined by the National Committee.