SUBJECT:Proposed bylaws changes and rules and procedures changes

PRESENTERS:GP-US Steering Committee

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:In response to our growth and the various decision made in Santa Barbara, various changes to our bylaws and rules and procedures must be made.

FLOOR MANAGER: Tom Sevigny

TIME LINE:
2 weeks of discussion (ending on December 5th)
1 week for voting (beginning December 6th and ending December 13th)


PROPOSED BYLAW CHANGE #1 (Article II, Section 2)

Current language of Article II, Section 2 of the bylaws

2. Coordinating Committee

    The Coordinating Committee of the Green Party of the United States shall consist of the representatives of state parties and caucuses of underrepresented groups. The Coordinating Committee shall be the final decision-making body of the Green Party of the United States. Meetings of the Coordinating Committee may also be attended by Greens who are not voting representatives.

Proposed changes to Article II, Section of the bylaws (IN CAPS)

2. Coordinating Committee

    The Coordinating Committee of the Green Party of the United States shall consist of the representatives of state parties and ACCREDITED caucuses of underrepresented groups.
    The Coordinating Committee shall be the final decision-making body of the Green Party of the United States AND SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROVING A DELIBERATIVE PLATFORM PROCESS OF DISCUSSION, DEBATE AND DECISION-MAKING AT THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVELS LEADING TO A NATIONAL PLATFORM VOTE BY THE DELEGATES AT THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATING CONVENTION.
    THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATING CONVENTION OF THE GREEN PARTY IS THE DELEGATED, DECISION-MAKING BODY RESPONSIBLE FOR NOMINATING THE NATIONAL GREEN PARTY'S PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND APPROVING THE GREEN PARTY'S NATIONAL PLATFORM.
    MEETINGS OF THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE NOMINATING CONVENTION MAY BE ATTENDED BY GREENS WHO ARE NOT VOTING REPRESENTATIVES OF DELEGATES.


PROPOSED BYLAW CHANGE #2 (Article IV of bylaws)

Current language of Article IV. Officers, Legal Services, Clearinghouse Support

    The Steering Committee of the Green Party of the United States shall be composed of seven members: five co-chairs, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
    Each member of the Steering Committee shall be selected from and elected by the Coordinating Committee of the Green Party of the United States for a term of two years. Each member may serve an additional term, after which he or she shall rotate off with the understanding that after a period of two or more years, he or she may offer to serve again. In the initial election, two members shall be elected for a one year term, and the other two members shall be elected for a two-year term. All subsequent elections shall be for two year terms.
    In an effort to ensure gender equity, there will be a minimum of two women and two men serving as co-chairs on the Steering Committee, at all times.
    The Secretary and the Treasurer shall be drawn from the several State Green Party members of the Green Party of the United States. In the initial election the Treasurer will be elected for a one year term and the Secretary for a two year term. Subsequent elections shall be for two year terms. Thus in the future there will always be a continuing Treasurer or a continuing Secretary in office.
    The Coordinating Committee confirms the establishment of the Green Legal Network; and it designates a Clearinghouse to further develop support services for the Green Party of the United States. The five co-chairs, secretary, and treasurer will have oversight of the Green Legal Network and the Clearinghouse. They will receive the reports of, and work with, the Standing Committees and any ad hoc committees that may be formed. They will also seek guidance from the full Coordinating Committee.

Current language of Article IV. Officers, Legal Services, Clearinghouse Support(IN CAPS) ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS Paragraphs 1 and 2 from above will stay the same. Paragraph 3 will read as follows:

    THE FIVE CO-CHAIRS, SECRETARY, AND TREASURER WILL HAVE OVERSIGHT AND RECEIVE THE REPORTS OF AND WORK WITH, THE STANDING COMMITTEES AND ANY AD HOC COMMITTEES THAT MAY BE FORMED. THEY WILL ALSO SEEK GUIDANCE FROM THE FULL COORDINATING COMMITTEE.


RULES AND PROCEDURE CHANGE #1 (FISCAL POLICY)

Current Language under Annual Budget:

    Annual budget: The Steering Committee will propose an annual budget to the Coordinating Committee, at each year's CC meeting which falls next prior to December 31st.
    The Green Party's fiscal year will be the calendar year (January 1 - December 31). The annual budget will incorporate anticipated expenses and income from all sources.
    The annual budget must include deposits to a Green Party Reserve Fund, a part of one or both general accounts equivalent to not less than 5% of overall anticipated income for the year.
    Once approved, the annual budget will limit the purposes and amounts of the Green Party's allowable expenditures, and no expenditures may be made which are not authorized in that budget.
    Appropriate mid-year revisions to the annual budget may be proposed by the Steering Committee at any time, but require approval by the full Coordinating Committee. The Green Party's budget will be a public document.

Proposed language under Annual Budget:(new language in CAPS):     Annual budget: The Steering Committee will propose an annual budget to the Coordinating Committee at each year's CC meeting which falls next prior to December 31st, OR ON LINE BEFORE NOVEMBER 15th. THE COORDINATNG COMMITTEE WILL THEN VOTE TO APPROVE OR REJECT THE PROPOSED BUDGET AT THE MEETING OR ON LINE.
    The Green Party's fiscal year will be the calendar year (January 1 - December 31). The annual budget will incorporate anticipated expenses and income from all sources. The annual budget must include deposits to an Green Party Reserve Fund, a part of one or both general accounts equivalent to not less than 5% of overall anticipated income for the year.
    Once approved, the annual budget will limit the purposes and amounts of the Green Party's allowable expenditures, and no expenditures may be made which are not authorized in that budget.
    Appropriate mid-year revisions to the annual budget may be proposed by the Steering Committee at any time, but require approval by the full Coordinating Committee.
    The Green Party's budget will be a public document.