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GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES "Those who reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it" Thomas Paine from the Welcome Address to Philadelphia by Ben Manski for the Steering Committee. From: 7/16/2002 12:28 PM Identity Caucus Process Draft Procedures for Identity Caucuses Month, Day, Year Dear (Contact for Identity Caucus), Thank you for your inquiry of (Month, Day), which (USGP Contact) has forwarded to me. As requested, you'll find attached the Green Party accreditation process for Identity Caucuses, explained in some detail. With accreditation, (Identity Caucus Name) would be joining (Amount Of Caucuses) which share decision making with state Green parties and would receive one delegate (with potentially one alternate) to the USGP-Coordinating Council. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. We look forward to receiving an application from (Identity Caucus Name). With best wishes, 1.b: When a caucus exists, and gains accreditation by USGP, it sends an elected delegate to the USGP Coordinating Committee. Additional individuals from your caucus, with the assent of your elected CC delegate, are welcomed to volunteer for USGP's various working committees.
2.a.1: A letter of application which indicates the date and setting of the application decision (i.e., statewide meeting 2/15/01, teleconference 3/22/02, on-line decision 6/18/02), including a list of at least 100 members in at least 15 USGP- affiliated states, containing name, address, and state party membership of each member (see section 6.b.1-5 below). 2.a.2: The current by-laws of the caucus. 2.a.3: The current platform of the caucus. 2.a.4: Additional materials that the Accreditation Committee can read and use to establish your caucus' credentials. This could include newsletters, news clippings, incorporation papers or other legal documents, literature, etc. 2.b: By email, as much of the packet as possible should be sent to: Art Goodtimes Chair, Accreditation Committee <goodtimes@independence.net> Accreditation Committee 3. THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS ---------------------------- 3.a: The Accreditation Committee will review the application packet in some detail, and make a formal recommendation for accreditation to the Coordinating Committee as soon as possible from the date the AC chair deems the application complete (that is, when the email and snail-mail packets have been received by the chair). 3.b: The Committee has been flexible in its interpretation of the criteria, and as instructed by the Coordinating Committee, has recognized that our Green caucuses are at very different stages of development. Occasionally, clarifications are requested of a caucus by the chair on behalf of committee members. _________________________________________________ 6.a:. Introduction - Goals of the Accreditation Process 6.a.1: To assure that applicants understand: 6.a.1.A: The Green Party of the United States -- its goals, values and plans, 6.a.1.B: The criteria we expect them to fulfill. 6.a.1.C: The resources available from the Green Party of the United States to assist them in party-building in order to fulfill the criteria. 6.a.2: To assist applicants in the application process. 6.a.3: To speedily deliberate and make recommendation to the CC. 6.b: Criteria for Identity Caucus Membership in the USGP 6.b.1: Acceptance of the four pillars of the international Green Party movement [ecological wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy, non-violence], or the USGP's Ten Key Values, as guiding principles. 6.b.2: Organized and run in accordance with these values. 6.b.3: An organization open to and reflective of natural members of the Identity Caucus. 6.b.4: Agrees to support national candidates selected at the national Green nominating convention. 6.b.5: Has applied to USGP for accreditation, and has included written by-laws, platform, and other documentation with that application. 6.b.6.: Has at least 100 members in 15 states. The 100 members must also be members of USGP-affiliated state parties. Each Identity Caucus shall maintain a list of all members with name, address, and their state party membership. 6.b.7. Has held at least one meeting and has elected its leadership and delegate in a democratic and transparent manner and will continue to hold such meetings not less than annually. 6.c: Role and Duties of Accreditation Committee. 6.c.1: To prepare and distribute application materials and instructions. 6.c.2: To review applications and make accreditation recommendations to the Coordinating Committee. 6.c.3: To hear appeals and grievances. 6.c.4: To review disaccreditation requests. 6.c.5: To recommend disaccreditation based on outcome of 6.c.3 and/or 6.c.4. 6.d: Accreditation Process. 6.d.1: Applications for caucus affiliation to the USGP should be delivered to the USGP Secretary, who will notify the Coordinating Committee that the application has been received, and then forward the application to all members of the Accreditation Committee for review. The Accreditation Committee may request additional paperwork, clarifications and assurances, in order to determine that the applicant party satisfies the criteria listed above. 6.d.2: The Accreditation Committee review process should be speedy and non-bureaucratic. If we are to err, it should be on the side of permissiveness. Applicant should experience us as a welcoming committee and their advocate to the CC. 6.d.3: Temporary Inactive Status -- An accredited Identity Caucus which has failed to cast votes for a period of six months, or has not sent delegates to two consecutive meetings of the Coordinating Committee, may be assigned to temporary inactive status, upon recommendation of the Accreditation Committee and majority vote of the Coordinating Committee. Parties assigned to temporary inactive status will retain USGP accreditation and, insofar as possible, will continue to receive CC correspondence; but shall not be counted toward the CC quorum. 6.d.4: Disaccreditation for Inactivity -- Should a caucus with temporary inactive status not regain its active status within one year, the Accreditation Committee may recommend a formal disaccreditation vote by the CC. 6.d.5: Report to Coordinating Committee -- The Accreditation Committee shall makes it report to the CC, except in extraordinary situations, within 60 days of the AC chair receiving a complete application. The report may be presented either to a meeting of the CC, or via e-mail, whichever can be done most promptly. The report to the CC should explain the committee's findings for each of the accreditation criteria, and recommend for or against approval of the application and accreditation of the Identify Caucus' one delegate and one alternate to the CC. 6.d.6: Appeals Process -- An application which is contested by an individual or group may require the gathering of extensive evidence by the committee. This might include an on-site visit by an authorized representative of the committee to caucus headquarters. A written report should be mailed or e-mailed to the CC and the matter should be discussed and decided and the next general meeting of the CC. Should the Accreditation Committee recommend against approving an application, the committee is obligated to report that negative recommendation to the applicant caucus, giving the applicant caucus adequate time to prepare an appeal to the CC. 6.e: Procedures for Revocation of Accreditation. 6.e.1: A duly-executed disaccreditation application may be granted without discussion. The Accreditation Committee should try to determine the reason and report to the CC. 6.e.2: A grievance lodged against an accredited caucus by an individual or group should be investigated by the Accreditation Committee as in the appeals process above. A hearing should be held at the next general meeting. The CC should formulate rules for conducting such hearings. 7. Addendum: Santa Barbara resolution Here is the specific wording of the resolution approved in Santa Barbara, establishing the basic framework for accrediting caucuses: ACCREDITATION OF CAUCUSES When a caucus for an underrepresented group has formed, that caucus will submit its application for accreditation according to the same procedures used for state party accreditation. A caucus application will include documentation of caucus membership, showing that 100 individuals, from at least 15 states, who are both members of the underrepresented group itself, and of their respective state Green parties, have joined the caucus; and that the caucus uses democratic procedures for its internal leadership selection and general decision-making. As with state parties, the caucus application will include documentation for the caucus's by-laws, principles, history and activities.
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