Complete Agenda

Bylaw Change - Membership Requirement for Decision Making Presenter: Jim Polk Modify XII. Meetings and Decision Making B. Major Decisions Old text of bylaw: 1. Major decisions shall be made by consensus of those GPVA members present. Text for new bylaw: 1. Major decisions shall be made by consensus of those GPVA members present who have joined the GPVA at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. If the local rep proposal passes, then this would be C1, not B1. Bylaw Change - Local Representation Presenter: Susan Dridi Modify XII. Meetings and Decision Making as Follows: Add this section: A. Local Representation 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. The GPVA strongly encourages its locals to promote gender balance and diversity in the selection of its Local Representatives. 4. The GPVA will recognize only one Local Representative if the Local has not sent a gender balanced or diversity balanced delegation. A. Quorum becomes B. Quorum Change B. Quorum Item 2 from: 2. At least one member each of 50% or more of the affiliated Locals. to: 2. At least one Local Representative each of 50% or more of the affiliated Locals. B. Major Decisions Becomes C. Major Decisions Change C. Major Decisions Item 2 from: 2. If consensus cannot be acheived, a vote of three-quarters or more shall affirm a major decision. to: 2. If consensus cannot be acheived, a vote of three-quarters or more of local representatives and GPVA officers shall affirm a major decision. Drop: 3. Consensus and voting are recorded according to the wishes of GPVA members attending the GPVA meeting. (NOTE - the CoChairs are already responsible for the minutes.) C. Minor Decisions becomes D. Minor Decisions Change D. Minor Decisions from: Minor decisions shall require a simple majority for affirmation. to: Minor decisions shall require a simple majority of the local representatives and officers for affirmation. E. Scheduling becomes F. Scheduling Change 1 from: 1. The Chairs of the GPVA 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. to: 1. The Co-Chairs of the GPVA may call an unscheduled meeting of the GPVA with the concurrence of a majority of the GPVA local contacts and GPVA officers. A good-faith effort must be made to publicize this meeting to all GPVA members. Change Item 2 from: 2. 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. to: 2. A future meeting date or continuance of a meeting may be set at any meeting of the GPVA with the concurrence of a majority of the local representatives and GPVA officers, and will be publicized to the contact person for each local. Add this section: G. Meeting Agenda 1. 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. 2. Items which have not been distributed 31 days prior to the meeting may be placed on the agenda by consensus or a majority vote of the local representatives and GPVA officers. 3. Bylaw amendments added to the agenda at the meeting will be placed on the agenda for discussion only. Complete New Text of XII. Meetings and Decision Making: A. Local Representation 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. The GPVA strongly encourages its locals to promote gender balance and diversity in the selection of its Local Representatives. 4. The GPVA will recognize only one Local Representative if the Local has not sent a gender balanced or diversity balanced delegation. B. Quorum For major decisions, there must be a quorum which consists of: 1. At least one of the Chairs or the Treasurer. 2. 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. C. Major Decisions 1. Major decisions shall be made by consensus of those GPVA members present. If the 48 hour requirement in the previous bylaw change passes, then C1 will be: 1. Major decisions shall be made by consensus of those GPVA members present who have joined the GPVA at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. 2. If consensus cannot be acheived, a vote of three-quarters or more of Local Representatives and GPVA officers shall affirm a major decision. 3. Decisions of Green Locals will be considered in the process but do not directly affect consensus or voting. D. Minor Decisions Minor decisions shall require a simple majority of the Local Representatives and officers for affirmation. E. Conduct 1. Participants in meetings of the GPVA are expected to treat each other with gentleness and consideration. 2. Persons who violate this standard may be asked to remain silent and/or leave the meeting. F. Scheduling 1. The Chairs of the GPVA may call an unscheduled meeting of the GPVA with the concurrence of a majority of the GPVA Local Contacts and GPVA officers. A good-faith effort must be made to publicize this meeting to all GPVA members. 2. A future meeting date or continuance of a meeting may be set at any meeting of the GPVA with the concurrence of a majority of the Local Representatives and GPVA officers, and will be publicized to the Contact Person for each local. G. Meeting Agenda 1. 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. 2. Items which have not been distributed 31 days prior to the meeting may be placed on the agenda by consensus or a majority vote of the Local Representatives and GPVA officers. 3. Bylaw amendments added to the agenda at the meeting will be placed on the agenda for discussion only. Original text of XII. Meetings and Decision Making Proposal - Petition Drive for Presidential Candidates Presenter: Kirit Mookerjee Proposal - Selection of Delegates to the GP-US Nominating Convention Presenters: Chris Fink & Kirit Mookerjee Whereas : The Green Party of the United States (GPUS) will be holding its 2004 Presidential Nominating Convention in Milwaukee from June 23-28, 2004, and Whereas : Part of the purpose of this convention will be to select a nominee for President of The United States, and Whereas : The Green Party of Virginia (GPVA) is the institution recognized by the GPUS as representative of the State of Virginia, and Whereas : The Green Party of Virginia has been allotted 14 delegates to the GPUS convention, the priviledge of whom will be to cast votes for a presidential nominee at this convention, and Whereas : The GPUS has allowed the GPVA the right to select these delegates according to the GPVA's own rules, as long as such delegation that reflects the diversity of the people of that state, and Whereas : The GPVA has not yet formalized rules for the selection of such a delegation, It is proposed that The Green Party of Virginia adopt the following rules for selection of a Delegation to a National Green Party Candidate Nomination Convention, and follow them in 2004 to represent the people of Virginia at the GPUS convention in Milwaukee: 1. Definitions : a. A Delegate is a GPVA member who has volunteered to cast one or more votes for pre-selected candidates at the convention in question, has been selected via the rules of this article to do so, has agreed to be present at said convention in order to cast these votes, has sworn to cast his or her votes according to their assigned candidates, and has sworn to abide by all other rules of this article as regards delegate behavior and responsibilities. b. An Alternate is a GPVA member who fulfills all the requirements to be a delegate, with the possible exception of the requirement that he or she be selected via the rules of this article, but with the added requirement that said alternate shall, at the convention, act in place of a delegate in the case when said delegate cannot fulfill his or her duties personally, and then only those actions shall be performed which the replaced delegate was obligated to do. c. A Delegation is a set of Delegates of number not exceeding that allowed by the national party, a set of Alternates of arbitrary number (including zero), and a set of votes for candidates, these votes being pre-assigned to candidates according to the rules of this article, and of number not to exceed that allowed by the national party. 2. The GPVA states for the record that neither its Presidential Nominating Convention delegates nor its Presidential electors will work in active opposition to the Presidential Slate nominated by the Green Party Presidential Nominating Convention. Delegates shall swear to uphold this code of behavior. 3. The GPVA shall recognize its elected GPUS representatives and alternates as the Delegation Selection body, and require it to fulfill all obligations necessary to ensure that a Delegation for the convention in question is assembled, that it follow the rules of this article, and that it cast its votes at the convention in accordance with GPVA and GPUS policies. 4. Members requesting selection as Delegates shall submit to the GPVA Delegation Selection body their name, date of birth, residential address, phone and fax number (if any), email address (if any), the party with which they are registered to vote (where that is possible), and any other information as may be required of Delegates by the national party. Such members shall also submit in writing their agreement to abide by the rules specified in the above definition of a delegate, and any rules required of Delegates by the national party. 5. Delegate Selection : At least two weeks prior to the GPUS deadline for Delegation Accreditation, the Delegation Selection body shall have completed selection of a set of Delegates which satisfies the Delegation definition above. a. The Delegation Selection body shall publish to the GPVA membership in paper and/or electronic form a solicitation for Delegates no later than one month prior to the Delegate selection deadline, such solicitation which shall provide all reasonable information necessary for a member to decide upon his or her candidacy as a Delegate, to include at least (1) the location and date of the convention, if known, and (2) the rules and responsibilities of a Delegate as described in this article. b. The Delegation Selection body shall collect the names of all eligible GPVA members who have submitted to the Delegation Selection body their request to be Delegates and the information required in section 4 above. No later than two weeks before the Delegate Selection deadline, the Delegation Selection body shall count the number of potential Delegates in this pool, and if this number exceeds the maximum allowed by the national party, the Delegate pool shall be diminished via the selection process of section 5a below. If the number of potential Delegates does not exceed this maximum, or if there is no stated maximum, the Delegation Selection body is not under the obligation to follow this selection process. c. Such selection will be made via application of a system of proportional representation to a paper or electronic ballotting process. Participation in said balloting process, notification of its existence, and clear details of the proportional representation system by which the ballots will be tallied, shall be made available to all members of the GPVA no later than two weeks prior to application of the Delegate selection deadline. The ballot shall contain the names of all eligible GPVA members who, no later than 24 hours prior to publication of the ballot, have submitted to the Delegation Selection body their request to be Delegates and the information required in section 4 above. 6. Candidate Vote Selection : At least two weeks prior to the GPUS deadline for Delegation Accreditation, the Delegation Selection body shall have completed selection of the set of votes to be cast at the convention, and the candidate for which each vote shall be cast. This set of votes shall satisfy the Delegation definition above. Such vote selection will be made via application of a system of proportional representation to a paper or electronic ballotting process. Participation in said ballotting process, notification of its existence, and clear details of the proportional representation system by which the ballots will be tallied, shall be made available to all members of the GPVA no later than two weeks prior to application of the Candidate Vote Selection deadline. The ballot shall contain the names of all candidates listed on an official national party document as eligible and willing, at the time the ballot is drafted, which shall be no earlier than one week prior to publication of the ballot. The ballot shall also allow for the designation of at least one write-in candidate. Affiliation of "Independent Greens of Virginia" Presenters: Carey Campbell & Joe Oddo Bylaw Change & Proposal - Local Bylaws Requirement Presenter: Jim Polk 1. Bylaw Change: Add the following line after item 3 in section VII. Locals of the Green Party of Virginia B. Affiliation: As a requirement for affiliation, each local shall prepare a set of written bylaws. 2. Proposal: The GPVA requires that all affiliated Locals have written bylaws by the time of the second quarterly business meeting in 2004. These bylaws should be in keeping with Green principles and the Ten Key Values. There is no need for the GPVA to approve each Locals bylaws, but representatives from the GPVA are available to help with the crafting of said bylaws. Election - State Associate to the GP-US Coordinated Campaign Committee Presenter: Susan Dridi If one of the GP-US Delegates or Alternates wishes to take on this role, that is their right under GP-US bylaws and they would need to inform the GPVA so that the position could be posted on the website as an official position with contact information. Otherwise, here is the job description: 1. Keep elections database updated with information on current and future races, including election results. 2. To enter election results with 12 hours of the election. 3. To submit reports to CCC quarterly (or more often, as desired) to keep it updated on events and things of note in the respective state party (these can be brief - don't worry). 4. To keep respective state party and campaigns updated on resources and programs available through CCC. 5. To respond to information requests from CCC members. CCC Web Pages Winter/Spring Fundraising Dinner Presentation Presenter: Jim Polk Proposal - Defer the replacement of the Female Co-Chair until the Second Quarterly Business Meeting Presenter: Jim Polk Defer the election of a new Female Co-Chair until the Second Quarterly Business meeting, which is the normal election time for new GPVA officers. Elect a Female Co-Chair to a two year term at the second quarterly business meeting. Bylaw Change - Co-Chair Term of Office Presenter: Jim Polk The proposal will stagger the terms of office of the Co-Chairs so that there are never two people in office at the same time who have not held office before. Amend XVI. Chair Positions C. from: C. The Chairs shall be elected for a term of one year. to: C. Terms of Office 1. The Co-Chairs shall be elected for a term of two years. 2. The Female Co-Chair shall be elected in even years. 3. The Male Co-Chair shall be elected in odd years. Proposal - Extend the Current Male Co-Chair Term of Office for One Year Presenter - Jim Polk Continue the term of office of the current Male Co-Chair for one year at the second quarterly business meeting. Proposal - Modify IC Decison on NOVA Greens Presenter: Charlie Jordan Revise Interim Committee decision of December 2003 to endorse Section 1 and withdraw Sections 2 and 3. Background: In December, 2003, the IC met and voted as follows: Sixty-four percent of the Locals have voted, establishing a quorum. Of the 7 locals, 6 voted yes to the entire resolution, or 86%. The resolution as written passes. Arlington Courthouse Yes Richmond Yes NOVA Yes Virginia Beach Yes Loudoun Yes New River Valley Yes Rockbridge No Co-Chair Polk Yes Treasurer Yes The following is what they voted on: Dear Greens, Making decisions regarding the lives of people and their actions is never easy. Recently, a group of individuals attending a NOVA Green Party meeting, staged a coup for lack of a better word, which ousted the previous leader/chair of NOVA and replaced that person with a new chair and set of officers. This was done suddenly and took a great many Green Party members in Virginia by surprise. This takeover understandably upset many people, especially those taken from power. Discussions with those who attempted to take over the NOVA local reveals that they felt their intentions were good, that they were trying to energize the party and get things done. While the IC respects this, it does not approve of the way in which that takeover was attempted. The IC met on this matter and has decided that the Green Party of Virginia shall not recognize the results of that meeting, as is outlined below: (1)The IC of the Green Party of Virginia has convened on the matter of a Northern Virginia Green Party (NOVA) which occurred on Thursday, December 4th, because it is felt that those procedings violated the GPVA Key Value of Grassroots Democracy: Citizens have the right and responsibility to participate in the environmental, political, and economic decisions that affect their lives. Interviews with the NOVA Chair and GPVA Treasurer, both of whom the IC has immense trust in their honesty, have revealed that not all attendees at the meeting were given adequate time to express their displeasure in the agenda being changed from the one which the NOVA Chair has emailed to members, nor were they given the opportunity to be heard in regards to a surprise vote being made to oust the chair and to vote on a new chair. The IC also feels that something as significant as changing of a local's chair, should have been advertised in advance and the entire roster of members of NOVA should have been given some notice and the opportunity to show up to the meeting to vote if they desired. It has been brought to the attention of the IC that Carey Campbell is an at-large GPVA member, and is also registered as a "Rail Now" Green. There is no existing documentation to show that Mr. Campbell was or is a NOVA Green. It is against GPVA bylaws for someone to belong to more than one local at a time. It has also been brought to our attention that at least two of the individuals who voted to elect Carey Campbell to Chair of NOVA, were not members of GPVA or NOVA, nor were they elected to NOVA before they participated in voting. Therefore, GPVA-IC has decided to not recognize the voting which occurred during the NOVA meeting on December 4th, 2004. GPVA recognizes Jim Lowenstern as the Chair of NOVA, and does not recognize Carey Campbell as chair, nor does GPVA recognize any of the new officers or positions that were created or voted on during that meeting. (2) The GPVA-IC is formally requesting that NOVA create a set of written bylaws, by which the business of NOVA shall be conducted. This needs to occur within fourteen days. GPVA also requests that NOVA elect a female co-cochair, with this position being filled before the next GPVA business meeting on February 8th, 2004. GPVA also requests that that NOVA make it a practice to bring a written copy of their business meeting agenda to their business meetings. These conditions are being requested as a condition of NOVA continuing to be affiliated with GPVA, because it is felt that without these conditions being met, NOVA would not be serving the best interest of the individuals in their community who desire to be part of a Green local. The GPVA-IC recognizes that it's bylaws do not now require a local to have a set of written bylaws, but given the ease with which their local was taken over, we do not feel that merely having oral bylaws will protect the interests of those individuals who live in the catchment area of NOVA, and do not adequately assure they will have a functioning local. The GPVA-IC also is requesting this so that another hostile takeover does not occur again. Given that NOVA has no written bylaws and there are still individuals living in their area that would like to gain control over their local, time is of the essence in protecting the interest of those who live in the catchment area of NOVA. (3) The GPVA-IC invites Carey Campbell, or any other individuals who sought to be part of the new NOVA local (i.e.steering committee,treasurer, etc) to attend the next GPVA business meeting on February 8,2004 and seek affiliation as a new Green local. GPVA bylaws afford this right to any individual who is part of GPVA. GPVA encourages the formation of Green locals that adhere to its bylaws and who seek to advance the causes of good and Green values. GPVA would like nothing more than to see many more locals flourish. The Interim Committee realizes that not everyone will be happy with this decision, but feels it is the best solution according to our bylaws. The IC wishes everyone the best and hopes all parties involved can work together to grow the Green Party and make this a better world. Interim Committee Green Party of Virginia December 25th, 2003 Proposal - Process for Getting Petition Signatures for Congressional Candidates - Recruitment of Workers Presenter: Jim Polk Bylaw Change - Membership Review Presenter: Charles Murn Amend Section IX. D. as follows: 1. Amend Paragraph 3 to read: 3. If either or both Chairs believe that the charges are warranted, or if half of the affiliated locals vote to formulate a committee, they will formulate a fact finding committee of three persons composed of: a. one person chosen by the Chairs or named in motions adopted by a majority of affiliated locals b. one person chosen by the accused c. a third person chosen by mutual consent of the first two committee members. 2. Amend Paragraph 7 by inserting the words "or any member of the fact-finding committee" after the first usage of the word "Chair" in that paragraph. 3. Amend Paragraph 8 the following sentence to the end: If half of the affiliated locals vote to do so, the matter shall be placed before the next meeting of the GPVA to seek a final resolution. Paragraph 6 is deleted. Existing Paragraphs 7, and 8 are renumbered as Paragraphs 6, and 7 respectively. Original text of IX. D. Membership Review Process Bylaw Change - Interim Committee Presenter: Charles Murn Amend XXI. B. 6 Interim Committee - Composition by adding the following sentence at the end: If the representatives from half of the affiliated locals with designated representatives to the Interim Committee so request, the convenor must convene the Interim Committee. If any convenor fails to do so within three days after receiving the request, the requesting representatives may appoint another convenor, who may be any IC member in good standing, to serve for the duration of the requested meeting of the Interim Committee. Presenter: Tom Yager New text of Article XXI.D.3 If consensus is not achievable, then approval by 75% of Interim Committee members present shall affirm a decision. Proposals & Bylaw Changes from Charlie Jordan Geographic locals Consider affiliation of geographic locals in parts of the state where most Greens are either at-large members or non-members (such as Patrick County). Charge the Steering Committee with researching GPVA's relationship to the Hampton Roads Green Alliance and the Potomac Valley Green Network. Nomination for vice president Arrange to (1) poll preferences of GPVA members for vice president; and (2) publish the preferences for vice presidential nomination of each candidate for convention delegate. Fratriarch (Big Brother) Act Direct Information Technology Committee to research and initiate appropriate legal action to lift any secret gag orders or subpoenas that may prevent our officers or their agents from exercising their duties in the manner we have a right to expect. Such action may include class-action civil rights litigation on behalf of Virginia Greens. [Note: Civil rights lawyers have handled many cases on a contingency basis.] Archives Create an ad hoc committee to retrieve and catalog GPVA archives. Identification Add names and locals to e-mail addresses of mailing list subscribers at . Meeting Location Include in past minutes the names of buildings where quarterly business meetings have been held. Bylaw Change - One Hat per Head Add: XXI. B. 9. Any officer holding a seat by virtue of office on the Interim Committee shall be ineligible to simultaneously hold a local seat. Add: XXI. D. 5. All decisions of the Interim Committee shall be published, including the votes cast, the name of the member who casts each vote, and the seat for which that vote is cast. Bylaw Change - Local affiliation Add VII. B. 5. No affiliation shall be permanent until reviewed by the Steering Committee. Add XXIII. C. 9. The Steering Committee shall report to GPVA on the legal, theoretical, and practical basis of applications for affiliation of new locals, with consideration given to the following factors: membership, history, organizational integrity, adherence to Green values, need, and relationship to other locals. Bylaw Change - Central Committee Add: XX. B. 7. At the time that the Central Committee is elected, an alternate shall be elected for each seat. If a member leaves the committee, the alternate shall assume the seat. Add: XX. C. 1. The Central Committee shall, in a timely fashion, certify nominations and endorsements that have been approved according to GPVA bylaws. Bylaw Change - Board of Appeals Board of Appeals A. Definition The GPVA shall have a Board of Appeals, accountable to the GPVA and responsible for the grievance and appeals process. B. Composition 1. Each member of the Board of Appeals must be a member of the GPVA. 2. No member of the Board of Appeals may simultaneously serve as an officer of the GPVA. 3. Members of the Board of Appeals shall be elected to a one-year term by single transferable vote at a GPVA meeting between April and September, at least two months after the passage of this bylaw. 4. The Board of Appeals shall choose a Chief from among its members. The Chief shall be approved by the Interim Committee. C. Responsibilities of Board of Appeals 1. The Board of Appeals shall meet as necessary. 2. The Board of Appeals shall appoint a Clerk of Appeals by consensus. 3. The Board of Appeals shall promulgate rules to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest in its process. 4. The Board of Appeals shall promulgate rules to protect the privacy of individuals. 5. The Board of Appeals shall consider grievances regarding rules and decisions within the GPVA. 6. The Board of Appeals shall convene hearings when appropriate to receive evidence and testimony. Unless there is reason to close hearings, they shall be open to the public. 7. The Board of Appeals shall issue decisions. 8. Members of the Board of Appeals shall issue opinions, singly or jointly. 9. Decisions shall be directed to the officer or committee responsible for acting on them. It shall be up to the officer or committee to act. 10. Decisions and opinions of the Board of Appeals shall be filed for reference. 11. The Board of Appeals shall report its activities at each GPVA quarterly business meeting. 12. Decisions of the Board of Appeals may be overruled by a major decision at a GPVA business meeting. D. Responsibilities of Clerk of Appeals 1. The Clerk shall make records of Board action on private matters available as necessary to balance the right to privacy and the right to know. 2. Except when necessary to protect privacy, the Clerk shall make records of other Board action available to all GPVA members in good standing. 3. The Clerk shall provide access to specific files to parties having legitimate interest for research or preparation of petitions to the board.