GNC Delegate Introductory Packet and Manual
Contents
> PDF version
Preface
Third Edition, January 2007
*Updated April, 2007 [The delegate manuals and the GNC
page are undergoing revision. Please check back frequently for
changes]
"Building the Bike as we Ride It"
In other words, this is a work in progress. For years there had been talk
in the Green Party of the United States of creating a manual for delegates
to its Coordinating Committee (which is now actually the FEC approved
National Committee). The First Edition was posted on the Green party
website in the spring of 2003. As the National Committee has evolved, so
has the need to update this introduction, hence the Third Edition.
While mustering resources for this delegate manual, it also appeared that
much of the information could also be useful for State Parties so that
they might better understand what they are choosing delegates for, as well
as spreading an understanding of the national Green Party to a wider
audience.
Some things will be more relevant to delegates, and some things will be
more useful to state parties, but we hope that everything will contribute
to people¹s understanding of what is going on in the Green
Party.
Currently, we have this introduction, a philosophical piece on the reverse
hierarchy that enforces grassroots power in the Green Party and why that
is so necessary, and a technical piece on the Federal Election Commission
and how that may relate to the State Parties need to deal with it. Also
included are links to the National Committee Voting page, a description of
how the voting page and voting procedures work, links to the National
Committee listservs and listserv guidelines, and links and addresses for
general information.
An Introduction to the GPUS
The Green Party of the United States (GPUS) is a
federation made up of the State Green Parties of the various states - not
much different in theory from State Parties that are federations of local
and municipal/county parties. Greens convene themselves in fairly similar
organizations locally, at the state level, and nationally, discussing
issues of importance, figuring out how to effect the public debate,
getting candidates into the mix, and creating organizations. In every
case, there is a need for communication among and between the various
levels of the network in all directions, and with the growth of the Green
Party there are ever more people at the nodes of communication and
action.
Municipal/County/Watershed associations of greens, however they are
legally designated, designate representatives to, or are served by
individuals participating in, their State Party. State Parties send
delegates to the GPUS, and the delegates take part in the deliberations
and actions of the GPUS and might be expected to develop an analogous
relationship to their state parties as local delegates to the state party
develop with their local.
This communication in two directions, from the local groups to the State
Party to the GPUS, and from the GPUS to the delegates from the state
parties to the grassroots, is import to the growth and development of the
Green Party. Delegates to the GPUS National Committee (the NC) play a
crucial part in the communication system.
State Green Parties around the country have vastly different levels of
capacity. Some have a large membership, actively functioning committees, a
real presence throughout their state, victorious candidates, and a
functioning communication and decision making process. Others are barely
there, running on the will and energy of a small group of dedicated
greens. Most are somewhere in between. All Green Parties in the States
could use more resources and have way more to do at home than they could
possibly ever do.
We want to relate what delegates will face in their efforts to facilitate
the growth of the Green Party both at the national level and at the state
level, and a plea for the State Parties to develop communication systems
that facilitate the flow of information to and from their delegates and
others participating in the work of the national party. This will help
potential delegates as well as those elected, and might be useful for
state parties as they choose delegates and try to take advantage of the
synergy¹s that our networks create.
There is one in-person Green Party of the United States National Committee
meeting each year, usually in the summer, and therefore for most of the
year the GPUS NC delegates do nearly all of their business on line. Nearly
all official business is carried out on the "natlcomvotes"
listserve which is explicitly for NC business. The "natlcomaffairs"
is a list for discussion by NC delegates, though it
tends to be a conduit for a variety of information.
With most work taking place online, a NC delegate should plan on checking
the email list consistently, preferably on a daily basis. We know that
delegates are also going to be involved in all kinds of state and local
activity. Therefore, one things that state parties and potential delegates
might want to consider is how well a potential delegate handles their
email load. The other side of this might be how well the state party is
set up to respond to national communications in timely fashion and advise
their delegates.
Delegates should also plan to vote regularly, with votes coming 1, 2, or
maybe 3 times a month.
State parties may find it useful to set some guidelines for their
delegates as to which issues need to come back to the state party for
formal consultation and possibly a directed vote, which issues can be
completely left to the delegate, and what to do in the terrain in between.
Some states appear to leave their delegates out their on their own or
provide a minimum of assistance; some have very regular channels,
including things like a delegates listserve.
Regarding fundraising, not only is there a synergy between state and
national fundraising, but the national party is developing tools that
can/will contribute to the financial health of the grassroots and provide
some resources, both financial and from people power. State Parties should
be aware that delegates do see pleas for the State Parties to provide
financial assistance to the National Party, proposals for joint events,
plans for how to share resources, and similar things. It is recommended
that each State Party set up a system for receiving this information and
acting upon it in a way that makes sense for your state party.
Much of our work is done in the various working committees. Most committee
accept up to three members per state party. Delegates to the GPUS NC are
encouraged to explore the various committees and, in most cases, may join
whichever they choose, permission being inherent in their election as a
delegate.
Nearly all committees are also open to other members of State Green
Parties, and Greens are encouraged to participate if they have the
interest. Greens who are not delegates must have the permission of their
state party to serve on a committee. A list of committees and contact
information is available on the GPUS website.
A technical guide to what to do as a delegate: how to vote, what format
proposals should come in, and related information, is included in this
packet. A list of useful links and other information is included in the
"Welcome New Delegates" message. We hope this packet serves the
interest of both the delegates and the parties, and that we continue to
see growth and development in the Green Party.
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2. Welcome New Delegates!
Welcome to the National Committee of the GPUS! We're glad to have you with
us and hope your term of service as a delegate will be rewarding. To get
you started, we are providing you with some basic information and
resources in this e-mail.
A QUICK OVERVIEW OF DELEGATE DUTIES
In brief, delegates' obligations are fourfold:
1. To represent their caucus, state, territory, or district;
2. To inform state constituencies of GPUS proposals, votes, actions, and
other matters;
3. To vote on proposals;
4. To further the work of the GPUS by serving on committees, or help
provide a replacement volunteer from your state party or caucus.
VOTING
Voting takes place on line, via the voting page at
<http://green.gpus.org/vote>.
You will be signed up for voting and
issued a password to access your voting page. Please keep your password
and username in a safe place.
To contact the voting page administrator to get a
login id and password, or report bugs, send an e-mail to <voting@gpus.org>
.
Proposals are presented to the National Committee for
discussion and/or amendment on the "natlcomvotes" listserve.
Each proposal undergoes a discussion period and a voting period. During
the discussion period, the proposal is subject to revisions. Delegates
register a yes, no, or abstention. (Nonparticipation in a vote is not
equivalent to an abstention.)
COMMITTEES
All delegates and alternates are members of the
National Committee by virtue of their selection by their state party. The
National Committee is the national coordinating body of the GPUS and
serves much the same purpose as a general assembly.
It is strongly encouraged that the delegates, or
others selected by their state parties, serve on at least one other
committee. Each state may have up to three representatives per committee
for most working committees. For more information on individual
committees, please go to <http://www.gp.org/committees.html>
.
INFORMATION WE NEED FROM YOU
a) your affiliation (state party, caucus)
b) a list of committees or caucuses upon which you are currently serving
c) contact information (first and last name, address, city, state, zip,
phone number, fax, e-mail address, website if any, and status [delegate,
alternate, observer])
d) if you wish, a resume of Green party and public service related
positions you have held or are currently holding, articles or other
writings you have published, and other pertinent information related to
Green party activities.
Please send your material (in plain-text format) to:
Rachel Treichler, treichler@usadatanet.net and Charlie Green, oldbogus@wetmtn.net
For the most current information, please go to the
voting site at <http://green.gpus.org/vote/index.php>
.
RESOURCES
The GPUS website <http://www.gp.org> Includes
press releases, party news, contact information, organizing tools,
committee and caucus information, archives, etc.
Bylaws and Operating Rules and other Useful
Information <http://www.gp.org/doc.shtml>
Voting page <http://green.gpus.org/vote/index.php>
Proposals, vote histories, voting page, delegate list and contacts
News archives <http://web.greens.org/news/>
The Green Party in the news Press releases <http://www.gp.org/press.shtml>
Publications
Many links to useful publications and websites can be found at the
following url: <http://www.gp.org/links.shtml>
Organizing tools <http://www.gp.org/organize/>
LISTSERVS
Voting and Proposals (official business) list: <http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/natlcomvotes>
Discussion list: <http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/natlcomaffairs>
For these lists, you will be issued a password. Please
keep your password and username in a safe place. Periodically,
instructions are sent on how to access and change your account
information. Having your password and username handy makes it easy for you
- and the listserv administrator.
CONTACT INFORMATION
GREEN PARTY of the UNITED STATES
PO Box 57065
Washington, DC 20037
866-41GREEN or 202 296-7755 - voice
202 296-7799 - fax
To Receive Assistance as a New Delegate To receive
more assistance, please contact first your fellow delegates, then feel
free to contact the Secretary of the party.
Holly Hart Secretary, GPUS
Questions: secretary@gp.org
General contact: GPHQ--at--gp.org
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3. Voting Page 101
GREEN PARTY NATIONAL COMMITTEE VOTING PAGE
Current and past Green National Committee proposals, proposals currently
in the "voting queue" and a list of National Committee delegates
and alternates can be found via the voting page. To find current
proposals, cast a vote or check on the status of a vote, go to the voting
page.
WHERE TO FIND THE VOTING PAGE AND LOG IN
An easy way to find the voting page is to start at the Green Party home
page - http://www.gp.org
On the left-hand column, click on the "Committees" link
On the next page, on the right-hand column, click on "Web-Based
Voting Page"
Or, just paste this link in your browser: http://green.gpus.org/cgi-bin/vote/index
On the voting page, you'll see a menu bar near the top, a LOGIN link,
columns with proposals in the discussion phase (on the left) and proposals in the
voting phase (on the right). Underneath, you'll find recent proposals and
results followed by a link to more archives.
You can read any of the proposals by clicking on their titles. To vote on
a proposal in the Currently Voting column, click on the link that says
"Cast a Vote" You'll get a prompt that asks for your login id and password. (You should have received
this from the voting page administrator. If you don't have your password,
there is a prompt for you to have the program email it to you. If you
don't have a login id, either, email - secretary@gp.org - or - voting@gpus.org
- and we will make sure you get one.)
CONTENTS and CURRENT PROPOSALS
The information available about the proposals on the voting page is
limited to the proposal number and title, the floor manager, and whom to send comments.
To find out more, you can click on the Proposal Title, (it might not look
like a "link" but it is the part right after the proposal
number), and go to a page for that proposal where there is more
information. This includes the actual text of the proposal, along with
background, resources required and more.
At the top of each proposal page there are always the same 9
"fields" containing information specific to each proposal. These
"fields" are: PROPOSAL ID (which is the number used for the
proposal), PROPOSAL (which is the name or title of the proposal),
PRESENTER (which tells you which State or Committee submitted the
proposal), PHASE (which tells you if it is in the "Voting" or
the "Discussion" phase), DISCUSSION (this fields entry tells you
when the "Discussion Phase" starts and ends), VOTING (when the "Voting Phase" starts and ends), PRESENS
QUORUM (what portion of the entire National Committee is required to have
a "quorum" and thus make the results of the vote valid) and
CONSENS QUORUM (which tells us what portion of the NC is required to
support the proposal for it to be passed.)
TO CAST A VOTE
Once the voting period for a proposal begins, delegates will receive an
automated message (on the "natlcomvotes" listserv). This will
include a link you can click that will take you to a page that asks for
your user id and password. Once you've typed in your login id and
password, and clicked "submit," you will arrive at the page
where you can cast a vote for one or more current proposals.
Or, you can go to the voting page, click on the link that says "Cast
A Vote" under each proposal in the "Voting Phase" block, or
click on the word "VOTE" on the green menu bar near the top of
the page. You'll get the login and password prompt, then the place to vote
for proposals currently in the voting phase. Click on your choice, then
click the "submit" button - and that's it!
You can change your vote up until the final deadline (11:59 p.m. Pacific
Time on the day of the deadline); however, once you have voted, you cannot
"un-vote."
TO FIND A DIRECTORY OF GPUS DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES
Click on the "Contacts" link in the green menu bar near the the
of the page. Then, under the Heading "Delegates List," click on
the link "View the Complete Delegates List." If you're not
logged in, you will be asked for your user id and password. Submit that,
and you will get to the directory.
To log out, click on the word "Logout."
Holly Hart
Secretary, GPUS
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4. GPUS NC List-Servers and Etiquette
Email etiquette (new proposal) =CHANGE TO=Email etiquette guidelines
{material linked is OK}
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5. IMPORTANT/USEFUL DOCUMENTS ON GREEN PARTY WEBSITE
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6. GPUS COMMITTEES, CAUCUSES & LIAISONS
SUGGESTED COMMITTEE GOOD PRACTICES
We offer the following suggestions, with the understanding that different committees have different needs and missions. Form following function,
committees should be free to define their own procedures, within the parameters specified by the GPUS Bylaws and Rules. See
http://www.gp.org/documents/bylaws.shtml,
Article III. Committees
The following is a list of recommended guidelines. Clarification will allow committees to function more effectively, and to recruit additional participants.
Leadership or liaisons
We suggest having 2 main contacts (co-chairs, liaisons), and rotating those contacts on a regular basis.
Committee expertise can be preserved in advisory capacities or other participation.
The leadership must have the time to dedicate to the committee, and know how to delegate.
Clear purpose, and clear objectives
Specify not only the "mission" of the committee, but also meeting-to-meeting clear objectives with deadlines to incite wider participation from Green Party
members
Relationship with the GPUS National Committee, Steering Committee and other bodies
What is the delegated authority of the committee with national, international or other bodies - to which extend can the committee work autonomously,
relationship?
Regular communications
- We suggest monthly scheduled internet chat and/or conference call (monthly, or every two months)
- Regular reports to the GPUS National Committee; post logs of minutes and conversations on the website
- PICK-UP THE PHONE: call new committee members, other delegates and old timers on a regular basis. This is the very best way to recruit new talent.
>> Green
Party Committees
>> Green
Party Caucuses
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7. RELATION WITH THE STATES & GRASSROOTS
Emergence
of the GP in the US
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General contact: GPHQ--at--gp.org
Questions: secretary@gp.org
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