The Green Party of Virginia

Local Representation Bylaw Change Proposal

G. Each Local, through an inclusive democratic process, shall elect or appoint up to two representatives (Local Representatives), and any number of alternates, to the GPVA in advance of the meeting. An affirmation of such election/appointment signed by three members of the Local shall be required at each meeting for the Local Representatives to be recognized by the GPVA.

The new text of the proposed Article IV.H:

H. The GPVA strongly encourages its locals to promote gender balance and diversity in the selection of its Local Representatives.

The previous text of Article VI:

A. Decisions shall be by consensus of those GPVA members present. For major decisions, there must be a quorum which consists of at least one of the Chairs or the Treasurer, and at least one member each of 50% or more of the affiliated locals. Locals which have no representative present and have not sent representatives to either of the two preceding business meetings of the GPVA will not be counted for purposes of the 50% quorum requirement. If consensus cannot be achieved, a vote of three-quarters or more shall affirm a decision. Minor decisions (Article VII.B.) shall require a simple majority for affirmation.

B. Consensus and voting are recorded according to the wishes of GPVA members attending a GPVA meeting. Decisions of Green locals will be considered in the process but do not directly affect consensus or voting.

C. Participants in meetings of the GPVA are expected to treat each other with gentleness and consideration. Persons who violate this standard may be asked to remain silent and/or leave the meeting.

D. The Chairs of the GPVA (Article VIII.) may call an unscheduled meeting of the GPVA with the concurrence of ten other GPVA members. A good-faith effort must be made to publicize this meeting to all GPVA members.

E. A future meeting date or continuance of a meeting may be set at any meeting of the GPVA, and will be publicized to the contact person for each local.

The new text of Article VI:

A. For major decisions, there must be a quorum which consists of at least one of the Chairs or the Treasurer, and at least one local representative each of 50% or more of the affiliated locals. Locals which have no representative present and have not sent representatives to either of the two preceding business meetings of the GPVA will not be counted for purposes of the 50% quorum requirement.

B. Decisions shall be by consensus of those GPVA members present, unless it is determined that consensus cannot be achieved. If consensus cannot be achieved, a vote of three-quarters or more of local representatives and GPVA officers shall affirm a decision.

C. Minor decisions (Article VII.B.) shall require a simple majority by the local representatives and officers for affirmation.

D. Participants in meetings of the GPVA are expected to treat each other with gentleness and consideration. Persons who violate this standard may be asked to remain silent and/or leave the meeting.

E. The Chairs of the GPVA (Article VIII.) may call an unscheduled meeting of the GPVA with the concurrence of ten other GPVA members. A good-faith effort must be made to publicize this meeting to all GPVA members.

F. A future meeting date or continuance of a meeting may be set at any meeting of the GPVA, and will be publicized to the contact person for each local.

The new text of the proposed Article VI.G:

The agenda and any proposals to be presented at a GPVA meeting must be distributed to the Local Contacts at least 31 days prior to the meeting. Items which have not been distributed 31 days prior to the meeting may be placed on the agenda by consensus or a majority vote. Agenda items added in this way which regard Bylaw amendments are subject to the requirements for Bylaw amendments in article XVI and will be placed on the agenda for discussion only."

Platform Committee Proposal

The GPVA shall have a Platform Committee, accountable to the GPVA and responsible for proposing changes in the GPVA platform.

B. Composition

1. Membership on the GPVA Platform Committee is open to all GPVA members.
2. The Platform Committee shall choose a Chairperson from among its members. The Chairperson shall be approved by the Interim Committee.
3. GPVA Locals are encouraged to discuss the platform and submit platform proposals.

C. Responsibilities

1. The Platform Committee shall meet at least quarterly.
2. The Platform Committee shall formulate, discuss, and recommend to the GPVA membership proposed changes to the GPVA platform.
3. The Platform Committee shall coordinate its activities with the GPVA Locals.
4. The Platform Committee shall report its activities at each GPVA quarterly business meeting.

Bylaw Change - Delete References to Technology in Bylaws

Remove the word "mail" from the following sentence in IV. F.:
The GPVA may disaffiliate a Green Local for valid reasons by passing a motion to conduct a mail ballot of all locals of the GPVA.

Change this sentence in IV. F.:
From:
Ballots will be counted at the next meeting which occurs 31 or more days after the latest postmark date of the mailing.
To:
Ballots will be counted at the next meeting which occurs 31 or more days after the beginning of the ballot process.

Remove the word "mailing" from the following part of VIII. C. 6.:
Maintain a mailing list of all current members, contact persons and alternates for all Virginia Green locals.

Change X. D.
From:
The contact person's local will ensure that the Chair has the contact's address for GPVA business mailings.
To:
The contact person must ensure that the Co-Chairs have up to date information on how to reach the contact person.

Change XVI. C. 3.:
Change the phrase "data base" to "list."

Remove this sentence from XVII. A.:
It is highly encouraged that all members of the Interim Committee have daily access to email as this is currently the most cost-efficient, accurate, and democratic medium of communication available and will be the main avenue of communication and decision-making.

Change XVII. F.:
Strike the phrase "may request to be placed on the interim committee email list and" from the following:
All discussions of the interim committee are open to any member of the GPVA. Any member of the GPVA may request to be placed on the interim committee email list and may participate in discussions unless the committee finds such participation to be disruptive.

Change XIX. A. 2.:
Change the word "mailed" to "made available."

Change XIX. A. 3.:
From:
Returned ballots will be tallied 30 days after the mailing by a person or persons designated by a meeting of the GPVA.
To:
Ballots will be tallied 30 days after the beginning of the polling process by a person or persons designated by a meeting of the GPVA.

Reorganize Bylaws

Read the text version of the reorganized bylaws.