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Revised (6.0) Rules, Policies and Procedures
International Committee, Green Party of the United States
Approved by the IC 10/11/2011
APPROVED BY THE GREEN NATIONAL COMMITTEE 11/20/2011
UPDATED 10/27/2019
ARTICLE I : INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
Section 1-1 Mission
Section 1-2 Duties and Responsibilities
Section 1-3 Meetings and Deliberations
ARTICLE II : STRUCTURE
Section 2-1 Membership
Section 2-2 Advisors and Observers
Section 2-3 Co-Chairs
Section 2-4 Subcommittees
ARTICLE III : INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION
Section 3-1 Delegates and Alternates to the São Paulo Forum (SPF), Federacion de Partidos Verdes de las Americas (FPVA), the Global Green Network (GGN), and Global Green Congresses.
Section 3-2 Other Representatives
Section 3-3 Removal for Cause
ARTICLE IV : PROPOSALS
Section 4-1 Applicability of this Article
Section 4-2 Submitting Proposals
Section 4-3 Assessing Proposals
Section 4-4 Forwarding Proposals for Discussion/Voting
Section 4-5 Resubmitting Proposals to the Co-Chairs
Section 4-6 Floor Manager
Section 4-7 Discussion, Consensus Seeking, and Voting Period
Section 4-8 Presenting and Amending Committee Proposals before the National Committee
Section 4-9 Quorum and Approval Threshold
Section 4-10 Reporting Committee Decisions
ARTICLE V : PROTOCOL FOR COMMITTEE BEHAVIOR
Section 5-1 Email List Participation
Section 5-2 Email List Violations
Section 5-3 Offlist/Other violations related to committee business or function.
Section 5-4 Addressing Email List Violations
Section 5-5 Addressing Offlist Violations
ARTICLE VI : NON-RETROACTIVITY AND APPLICABILITY
Section 6-1 Non-Retroactivity
Section 6-2 Applicability
ARTICLE VII : AMENDMENTS
Section 7-1 Amendments
ARTICLE I : INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
1-1.1 The mission of the Committee shall be to foster collaboration and exchange with Green parties around the world; to facilitate official GPUS representation on the international and global level; to facilitate GPUS issue and policy development on the international and global level; and to network with green organizations and movements working on the international and global level.
Section 1-2 Duties and Responsibilities
The International Committee shall have the duty and responsibility to:
1-2.1 Network with Parties around the world that promote the Green principles of Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice, Grassroots Democracy, Nonviolence, Respect for Diversity, and Sustainability.
1-2.2 Select GPUS Delegates to the Federación de Partidos Verdes de las Americas (FPVA) and Delegates to the Global Green Congress, from among the membership of the International Committee, for terms of two years, and for the duration of the Congress, respectively. Selected delegates must be confirmed by a majority vote of the GPUS National Committee. The number of Delegates shall be defined by the FPVA and the Global Greens. Investigation and removal of confirmed Delegates for misconduct or malfeasance shall be the responsibility of the National Committee, using the same due-process provisions and voting procedures in GPUS bylaws which govern the recall of Steering Committee members.
1-2.3 Select GPUS Delegates to the Global Green Network (GGN) from among the membership of the International Committee, for terms of two years. Selected delegates must be confirmed by a majority vote of the GPUS National Committee. The number of Delegates shall be defined by Global Green Network. Investigation and removal of confirmed Delegates for misconduct or malfeasance shall be the responsibility of the National Committee, using the same due-process provisions and voting procedures in GPUS bylaws which govern the recall of Steering Committee members.
1-2.4 Select GPUS Delegates to the São Paulo Forum from among the membership of the International Committee, for terms of two years. Selected delegates must be confirmed by a majority vote of the GPUS National Committee. The number of Delegates shall be three, unless otherwise prescribed by the São Paulo Forum. Investigation and removal of confirmed Delegates for misconduct or malfeasance shall be the responsibility of the National Committee, using the same due-process provisions and voting procedures in GPUS bylaws which govern the recall of Steering Committee members.
1-2.5 Facilitate and approve the selection of other official GPUS Representatives and Observers at these and other international meetings and events, from among the membership of the International Committee, or when qualified, from among the membership of state Green parties and caucuses.
1-2.6 Develop resolutions and official position statements on international and global aspects of Green Party policy for consideration by the National Committee.
1-2.7 Develop proposals on international and global aspects of Green Party policy for inclusion in the GPUS Platform.
1.2.7(a) Draft “Green Papers” on existing GPUS platform policies for approval by the GPUS Platform Committee.
1.2.7(b) Draft “Green Papers” providing background and analysis for IC-proposed changes to the GPUS Platform, to be submitted to the Platform Committee for consideration in its ongoing approval process.
1-2.8 Advise the Media Committee on international and global aspects of Green Party policy for inclusion in press releases and other public outreach.
1-2.9 Network with organizations and movements working for green approaches on the international and global level, including global peace, social justice, human rights, and environmentally sustainable communities.
1-2.10 Inform U.S. Greens about international and global issues.
1-2.11 Facilitate diplomatic visits by international Greens to the United States, working with state and local Green parties here to arrange hosting, public events, and meetings; providing current and accurate information to state and local Green parties regarding restrictions on international (“foreign national”) Greens’ activities; and when needed, providing introductions for official U.S. Green delegations traveling abroad.
Section 1-3 Meetings and Deliberations
1-3.1 To fulfill its duties and responsibilities with the greatest possible participation by Members, the International Committee ordinarily conducts its affairs via USGP-INT, the Listserve of the International Committee of the Green Party of the United States. From time to time, however, the Committee may also meet in person or by teleconferencing. In all its meetings and deliberations, in whatever venue, the Committee will seek consensus, but may resolve any impasse using roll-call voting by Members, as provided for elsewhere in these Rules, Policies, and Procedures.
1-3.2 Online (Listserve) Deliberations
The Committee’s ordinary online deliberations via USGP-INT are conducted according to provisions of these Rules, Policies, and Procedures, especially as enumerated in Article IV : Proposals, and Article V : Protocol for Committee Behavior.
1-3.3 In-Person Meetings
Whenever the Committee meets in person, as at Green national meetings and conventions, its meetings shall be governed by the following provisions:
1-3.3(a) An agenda for the meeting shall be distibuted to the Committee by the Co-Chairs via the listserve or by direct e-mail to all Members, no less than three days prior to the scheduled meeting. Additions to the posted agenda may be considered at the request of any Member present under “New Business,” after all previously posted items are finished.
1-3.3(b) A Member shall be designated by the Co-Chairs to keep written minutes of the meeting which include the final agenda, names of Members present, specific wording of all proposals, and when consensus is not achieved, a roll-call record of how Members voted. When no formal proposals are discussed, minutes shall still be kept and shall report the agenda and Members present. Other information about the meeting may be recorded in the minutes but is not required. Audio or video recording of meetings may be allowed, but only by unanimous consent of Members present.
1-3.3(c) Quorum and voting threshold for the conduct of official business shall be the same as for online voting, as specified elsewhere in these Rules, Policies, and Procedures.
1-3.3(d) When a quorum is not present proposals may be considered, but to take effect must be presented to the Committee by the Co-Chairs, via the Listserve, within fourteen (14) days of the meeting, following online discussion and approval procedures in Article IV. In such cases the specific wording of the proposal, and if applicable, the roll-call record of how Members voted at the meeting, shall be reported to the Committee during its review.
1-3.4 Teleconferences
Whenever the Committee meets by teleconference, its meetings shall be governed by the following provisions:
1-3.4(a) Meetings by teleconference shall be called by the Co-Chairs, at their own initiative or when requested by at least seven (7) Members. Teleconferences shall be scheduled to accommodate as many Members’ schedules as possible.
1-3.4(b) An agenda and instructions for participation shall be distributed to the Committee by the Co-Chairs via the listserve or by direct e-mail to all Members, no less than three days prior to the scheduled teleconference. Additional agenda items may be considered, but the Co-Chairs may at their discretion table any such items for consideration online or in a subsequent teleconference.
1-3.4(c) A Member shall be designated by the Co-Chairs to keep written minutes of the teleconference which include the final agenda, names of Members who participated, specific wording of all proposals, and when consensus is not achieved, a roll-call record of how Members voted. When no formal proposals are discussed, minutes shall still be kept and shall report the agenda and Members present. Other information about the teleconference may also be kept in these minutes, but is not required.
1-3.4(d) Quorum and voting threshold for the conduct of official business shall be the same as for online voting, as specified elsewhere in these Rules, Policies, and Procedures.
1-3.4(e) When a quorum is not present proposals may be considered, but to take effect must be presented to the Committee by the Co-Chairs, via the Listserve, within fourteen (14) days of the meeting, following online discussion and approval procedures in Article IV. In such cases the specific wording of the proposal, and if applicable, the roll-call record of how Members voted during the teleconference, shall be reported to the Committee during its review.
1-3.5 Reporting
1-3.5(a) All provisions of these Rules, Policies, and Procedures, which govern reporting of Committee actions to the National Committee or others, shall apply in all cases, irrespective of whether approved via Online (Listserve) Deliberations, In-Person Meetings, or Teleconferences.
ARTICLE II : STRUCTURE
2-1.1(a) The voting membership of the Committee shall consist of Green Party members according to the process for Committee Membership defined in GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures, subject to any limitations, conditions, and clarifications specified in these IC Rules, Policies, and Procedures.
2-1.1(b) Membership shall qualify the individual to be a voting Member of the Committee, taking part in its decision making process and being eligible for appointments for which IC membership is a requirement.
2-1.1(c) No state party or caucus shall have more than three Members on the Committee, and all such Members shall be specifically appointed to the International Committee by their party or caucus.
2-1.1(d) Members of the National Committee are welcome to serve as IC Members, upon appointment to the IC by their party or caucus, and within the limitations of 2-1.1(c).
2-1.1(e) The Committee’s Listserve Moderator and Website Manager shall collaborate to maintain the official roster of Committee Members who have been approved by their respective state parties and caucuses; shall post this official roster to the password-protected area of the Committee’s website; and shall make such roster available upon request to any Member of the Committee, the National Committee, or the Steering Committee. Only this roster shall be deemed official, for all Committee purposes.
2-1.1(f) Subsequent to a Member’s initial appointment verification, changes to the official roster shall be made only in the cases of resignation, explicit removal or replacement by a Member’s state or caucus, death of the Member, or as resulting from suspension or expulsion, as these may be provided for under Section 5-5.
2-1.3Experience
The following criteria are recommended to be taken into account by state parties and caucuses when selecting Members:
2-1.3(a) Familiarity with the Global Green Charter and the GPUS Platform
2-1.3(b) Expertise in a topic or region of relevance to international and/or global and and/or foreign policy issues
2-1.3(c) Foreign language skills
2-1.3(d) Experience in international diplomacy
2-1.3(e) Familiarity with GPUS and state Green Party procedures
2-1.3(f) Commitment to Green process, respectful communication, and tolerance
2-1.3(g) Organizational skills.
2-1.4Term Length
2-1.4(a) The length of term of membership shall ordinarily be two years, effective once reported to the Co-Chairs, but state parties and caucuses may set other terms of appointment as they deem appropriate. Each Member’s term of office should be reported to the IC co-chairs at the time of appointment by each state or caucus or, should the state or caucus change the term, at the time of such change.
2-1.4(b) There shall be no term limits, except as set by states and caucuses, according to their own procedures and practices.
2-1.4(c) When a Member’s state or caucus has defined a specific term of appointment, it is the responsibility of that Member to keep track of his or her membership status, as well as those of the other representatives of his or her state or caucus. Members are allowed to make inquiries into each others’ status, but only in view of the entire International Committee. Private inquiries or challenges, especially those which occur during an election of the Committee, may be considered vote-tampering under Section 5-3.1(h) and may be grounds for a formal complaint under provisions of Section 5-5. However, upon a Member’s failure to participate in any discussion or vote by the Committee, for a period of six (6) months, one or both Co-Chairs may, on their own initiative or by request of any Member, inquire of the absent Member and/or his/her party or caucus, as to that Member’s continuing status.
2-1.4(d) When a Member’s state or caucus has defined a specific term of appointment, that Member’s term shall not be considered fully expired until he/she has had a chance to renew his/her state’s or caucus’ approval in the same fashion as it was originally given or in a substantively equivalent fashion, or when a new representative is approved by their state, whichever comes first.
2-1.4(e) When a Member’s state or caucus has defined a specific term of appointment, the Member whose term has expired, but who has not been replaced by his/her state or caucus, shall be treated as an advisor to the Committee. He/she may participate in discussion, but may not be counted in votes, until his/her voting membership has been reaffirmed by the state or caucus. This provision may not be enforced retroactively on any vote that has been completed.
2-1.5 Biography and Member Contact Information
2-1.5(a) A short biography of each newly-appointed Member shall be provided by the Member, or by the Member’s state or caucus, at the time of appointment. This biography should identify the Member’s background, interests, and qualifications, and shall be distributed to the full membership at the time of appointment.
2-1.5(b) Each Member’s real-world contact information (phone number/s, home address, mailing address) shall be provided to the co-chairs by the Member, or by state party or caucus from which the Member comes. These contact details shall be made available to the Committee membership, for Committee purposes only, on a password-protected webpage maintained for this purpose.
2-1.6Duties and Responsibilities
2-1.6(a) Monitor and participate in the Committee email list
2-1.6(b) Participate in Committee conference calls and in-person meetings
2-1.6(c) Volunteer for Committee tasks, especially including drafting proposals on emergent topics, and writing “Green Papers” on areas of interest and expertise.
2-1.6(d) Join and participate in a Committee sub-committee
2-1.6(e) Report back to the Member’s appointing state party or caucus on the work of the Committee. Work with the international committee of the state party or caucus, if there is one. If not, help organize one. Organize state party and/or caucus members to help with Committee work.
2-1.6(f) Serve as an information liaison for a certain region, nation or country of the world and submit regular briefings to the Committee.
Section 2-2 Advisors and Observers
2-2.1 To fulfill its mission, the International Committee may select Green Party members with particular skills and expertise to serve as observers to the Committee, as well as advisors who may not be Green Party members. These non-voting members serve at the pleasure of the Committee, do not formally represent any state, and do not represent the International Committee within the international community. An observer would not be invited to participate in the deliberations of the Committee, whereas an advisor would be encouraged to participate on issues in which they have specialized knowledge and expertise.
2-2.2 In designating these non-voting members, the Committee welcomes relevant advice and information from any state party or other GPUS committee, especially the National Committee, and considers such advice or information seriously. However, in order to meet its responsibilities, the Committee must retain authority to select its own advisors and observers. Should the Committee’s decision regarding an advisor or observer remain of concern to a state party or caucus, that party/caucus shall be requested to explain its position, focusing on the individual’s specific role on the International Committee, and the Committee shall be expected to fully consider these detailed objections, with the goal of maintaining trust, communications, and good faith among all parties.
2-2.3 This policy on advisors and observers, consistent with the Bylaws, Rules and Procedures of the Green Party of the United States, relates only to the internal activities and process of the International Committee, not any other party body, and thus may only be amended by the International Committee, or by due process action of the National Committee in which a two-thirds vote of all those voting (with at least 50% of NC members casting votes) in favor of a course of action.
2-3.1(a) There shall be two Co-Chairs, elected to staggered two-year terms.
2-3.1(b) There are no term limits, and Co-Chairs may serve so long as they enjoy the support of the Committee.
2-3.1(c) Co-Chairs are elected by, and serve the membership of, the International Committee. At no point may the Steering Committee, National Committee, or any other Party body act to impeach, recall, or remove the Co-Chairs, except through the same due process provisions and voting procedures in GPUS bylaws which govern the recall of Steering Committee members.
2-3.1(d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Rules, Policies, and Procedures, the leadership and ongoing activities of the International Committee are not meant to be disrupted by their adoption, except where new practices are clearly specified and assigned a starting date. In particular, upon the affirmation of these rules by the National Committee, the Co-Chairs as of that date shall retain their positions, for periods of one- and two-years, beginning on March 4, 2009 and ending on the first Sunday in March in their respective years.
2-3.2Nomination Process
2-3.2(a) The nomination period shall be announced each year by the current Co-Chairs and shall be for TWO weekS beginning on the last Monday in January and ending SUNDAY EVENING TWO WEEKS LATER.
2-3.2(b) After nominations close, there shall immediately follow a two-week discussion period.
2-3.2(c) Nominees must submit candidate statements to the Committee email list. It is strongly recommended that such statements be submitted as early as possible during the discussion period. Candidate statements shall include the candidate’s relevant experience and express what the candidate would hope to accomplish as Co-Chair, including specifically addressing the duties and responsibilities of the Co-Chair as defined in this Article.
2-3.2(d) Committee Members are encouraged to ask questions on the Committee email list and candidates are encouraged to answer those questions about what the nominees would do if elected.
2-3.3Election Process
2-3.3(a) Elections shall be conducted on the Committee listserve or, should one be available, on the Committee voting page using Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), with None of the Above and No Other Candidate as an option.
2-3.3(b) Elections shall commence immediately at the close of the discussion period and shall last for one week.
2-3.3(c) Quorum shall be reached when at least a majority of all Members have voted or abstained, and when a Member casts a vote from at least a majority of the states and caucuses with Members on the Committee.
2-3.3(d) The Election Committee shall have one week to report the election results and the term of the new Co-Chair shall begin one week after the end of the close of voting on the first Monday in March. Outgoing Co-Chairs are expected to communicate with incoming Co-Chairs to effect a smooth and constructive transition.
2-3.4Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Co-Chairs are to:
2-3.4(a) Facilitate the work of the committee, including to accomplish the duties, responsibilities, goals and objectives of the Committee and its Members as defined in 1-2 and 2-1.6
2-3.4(b) Communicate on behalf of the Committee with the National Committee and Steering Committee
2-3.4(c) Communicate on behalf of the Committee with Green Parties around the world and other international and global Green movement organizations
2-3.4(d) Submit annual reports to the National Committee detailing Committee activities
2-3.4(e) Ensure that accurate minutes are produced of Committee and Sub-Committee meetings.
2-3.4(f) Except when specifically stated otherwise, in other provisions of these Rules, Policies, and Procedures, any decision of the Co-Chairs may be affirmed or overturned by a majority vote of the Committee.
2-3.5 Vacancy
2-3.5(a) A vacancy shall exist upon the resignation or recall of a Co-Chair, or upon the ending of the term of their Committee membership.
2-3.5(b) The other Co-Chair shall publish the vacancy to the Committee email list no later than seven days after the vacancy occurred, except in the case of the ending of the term of Committee membership, where if the Member is not seeking another term, the Co-Chair shall declare the vacancy at least six weeks before the ending of the term.
2-3.5(c) A vacancy shall cause an election for a replacement Co-Chair. Such election would fill the remainder of the term and shall be conducted by the process described in 2-3.3.
The following are the authorized subcommittees of the Committee. All members of IC subcommittees must be current Members of the International Committee except as specified below. Whenever possible, each subcommittee shall have two, gender-balanced Co-Coordinators. Subcommittee Co-Coordinator(s) will report to the Co-chairs. Not all subcommittees will be active at all times, but are authorized to organize and operate according to these provisions, whenever there is sufficient interest among IC Members to support their activities. Except where otherwise prescribed, Members will be invited to volunteer for these subcommittees, but when appointments, specific invitation, or removal are required, these shall be the responsibility of the Co-Chairs, in consultation with subcommittee Co-Coordinator(s). For unanticipated, urgent, or temporary purposes, the Committee may at its discretion, by the initiative of the Co-Chairs or by vote of the Committee, create and empower ad hoc subcommittees as needed.
2-4.1 Global Greens
2-4.1(a) The Co-Coordinators shall be the Delegates to the Global Green Network.
2-4.1(b) Current Members of the International Committee may serve as voting members of this subcommittee. For their expertise and experience, past Delegates and Alternates to the Global Green Network, Global Green Coordination, and Global Green Congress may be Advisors this subcommittee. As with other Advisors to the Committee, these non-voting members shall be vetted in accordance with Section 2-2.2 Advisors and Observers.
2-4.1(c) The functions of the Global Greens Subcommittee shall be to support the work of the Delegates to the Global Green Network, Global Green Congresses, and Global Green Coordination by, for example, alerting the Committee and National Committee about Global Green campaigns; helping to organize Global Green campaigns in the GPUS; providing information about the GPUS to the Global Green web sites; communicating information about the Global Greens to the Website Subcommittee; and forwarding to the Committee any international resolutions which originate with the Global Greens, with recommendations for Committee action.
2-4.1(d) In all deliberations the Subcommittee will seek consensus, but may resolve any impasse using simple majority voting; and shall report all of its proposals to the Committee for final action.
2-4.2 Americas
2-4.2(a) The Co-Coordinators shall be the Delegates to the FPVA.
2-4.2(b) Current Members of the International Committee may serve as voting members of this subcommittee. For their expertise and experience, past Delegates and Alternates to the Federation of Green Parties of the Americas may be Advisors to this subcommittee. As with other Advisors to the Committee, these non-voting members shall be vetted in accordance with Section 2-2.2 Advisors and Observers.
2-4.2(c) The functions of the Americas Subcommittee shall be to support the work of the Delegates to the FPVA by, for example, alerting the Committee and National Committee about FPVA campaigns; helping to organize FPVA campaigns in the GPUS; providing information about the GPUS to the FPVA web site; communicating information about the FPVA to the Website Subcommittee; working with specific national parties in the Americas; and preparing inter-American resolutions, with recommendations for Committee action.
2-4.2(d) In particular, the Americas Subcommittee shall be responsible for locating and establishing liaison with Green parties and Green pro-independence movements in U.S. colonies and territories in the region, including Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John.
2-4.2(e) In all deliberations the Subcommittee will seek consensus, but may resolve any impasse using simple majority voting; and shall report all of its proposals to the Committee for final action.
2-4.3 Africa
2-4.3(a) The Co-Coordinator(s) shall be appointed by the Co-Chairs, until at least seven Members have joined the Subcommittee; at that time the members of the Subcommittee shall elect Co-Coordinator(s) from among themselves.
2-4.3(b) The Africa Subcommittee will be a working committee, charged with exploring contemporary conditions facing the people and environments of Africa from a Green perspective; will endeavor to establish effective correspondence and cooperation with national Green parties on the African continent, and with the Federation des Partis Ecologistes d’Afrique; and will bring relevant proposals to the Committee as they are developed.
2-4.3(c) In addition, the Africa Subcommittee shall be responsible for locating and establishing liaison with Green parties in those countries commonly identified as comprising the Mideast region, including those of the Levant and Mesopotamia (the Middle East), which have historic cultural connections to North and East Africa.
2-4.3(d) In all deliberations the Subcommittee will seek consensus, but may resolve any impasse using simple majority voting; and will report all of its proposals to the Committee for final action.In all deliberations the Subcommittee will seek consensus, but may resolve any impasse using simple majority voting; and will report all of its proposals to the Committee for final action.
2-4.4 Europe
2-4.4(a) The Co-Coordinator(s) shall be appointed by the Co-Chairs, until at least seven Members have joined the Subcommittee; at that time the members of the Subcommittee shall elect Co-Coordinator(s) from among themselves.
2-4.4(b) The Europe Subcommittee will be a working committee, charged with exploring contemporary conditions facing the people and environments of Europe from a Green perspective; will endeavor to establish effective correspondence and cooperation with national Green parties on the European continent, and with the European Green Party/European Greens and the Green Group in the European Parliament; and will bring relevant proposals to the Committee as they are developed.
2-4.4(c) In all deliberations the Subcommittee will seek consensus, but may resolve any impasse using simple majority voting; and will report all of its proposals to the Committee for final action.
2-4.5 Asia, Mideast & Pacific
2-4.5(a) The Co-Coordinator(s) shall be appointed by the Co-Chairs, until at least seven Members have joined the Subcommittee; at that time the members of the Subcommittee shall elect Co-Coordinator(s) from among themselves.
2-4.5(b) The Asia, Mideast & Pacific Subcommittee will be a working committee, charged with exploring contemporary conditions facing the people and environments of these regions from a Green perspective; will endeavor to establish more effective communications and cooperation with national Green parties in the Mideast, Asia, and the Pacific regions; will engage in dialogue with the Asia-Pacific Green Network; and will bring relevant proposals to the Committee as they are developed.
2-4.5(c) In particular, the Asia, Mideast & Pacific Subcommittee shall be responsible for locating and establishing liaison with Green parties in U.S. colonies and territories in the Pacific region, including Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
2-4.5(d) In addition, the Asia, Mideast & Pacific Subcommittee shall be responsible for locating and establishing liaison with Green parties in those countries of North and East Africa, which have historic cultural connections to western Asia (the Middle East).
2-4.5(e) In all deliberations the Subcommittee will seek consensus, but may resolve any impasse using simple majority voting; and will report all of its proposals to the Committee for final action.
2-4.6 Events
2-4.6(a) The Co-Coordinator(s) shall be appointed by the Co-Chairs, until at least seven Members have joined the Subcommittee; at that time the members of the Subcommittee shall elect Co-Coordinator(s) from among themselves.
2-4.6(b) The work of the Events Subcommittee will be to plan and coordinate public forums, receptions, candidate briefings, and similar events which the Committee will from time to time organize for Green Party Annual National Meetings, Presidential Nominating Conventions, and the like; to develop procedures for publicity, housing and travel, speakers, and the like, to make organizing events easier.
2-4.6(c) In all deliberations the Subcommittee will seek consensus, but may resolve any impasse using simple majority voting or, when selecting forum topics, approval voting; and will report all of its proposals to the Committee for final action.
2-4.7 International Hosting and Exchange
2-4.7(a) The Co-Coordinator(s) shall be appointed by the Co-Chairs, until at least seven Members have joined the Subcommittee; at that time the members of the Subcommittee shall elect Co-Coordinator(s) from among themselves.
2-4.7(b) The functions of the International Hosting and Exchange Subcommittee will be to prepare invitations to GPUS events, coordinate visits of international Greens to connect with grassroots and local Greens, build database of Green hosts in the U.S., and prepare greetings, congratulations, and condolences.
2-4.8 Translation
2-4.8(a) The Co-Coordinator(s) shall be appointed by the Co-Chairs, until at least seven Members have joined the Subcommittee; at that time the members of the Subcommittee shall elect Co-Coordinator(s) from among themselves.
2-4.8(b) The functions of the Translation Subcommittee shall be to arrange for translation of any necessary documents. Any Member of the Committee with translation skills may be invited by the Co-Chairs to serve on this sub-committee.
2-4.9 Budget & Fundraising
2-4.9(a) The Co-Coordinator(s) shall be appointed by the Co-Chairs, until at least seven Members have joined the Subcommittee; at that time the members of the Subcommittee shall elect Co-Coordinator(s) from among themselves.
2-4.9(b) The functions of the Budget & Fundraising Subcommittee shall be to help the Co-Chairs draft a yearly Committee budget, and facilitate fundraising for the Committee. Any Member of the Committee with budgeting, fundraising or accounting skills, experience, and interest may be invited by the Co-Chairs to serve on this subcommittee.
2-4.9(c) In all deliberations the Subcommittee will seek consensus, but may resolve any impasse using simple majority voting; and will report all of its proposals to the Committee for final action.
2-4.10 Website
2-4.10(a) The Co-Coordinator(s) shall be appointed by the Co-Chairs, until at least seven Members have joined the Subcommittee; at that time the members of the Subcommittee shall elect Co-Coordinator(s) from among themselves.
2-4.10(b) The functions of the Website Subcommittee shall be help the Website Manager(s) to maintain and develop the Committee website. Any Member of the Committee with website design and development skills may be invited by the Co-Chairs to serve on this subcommittee.
2-4.10(c) One or both Co-Coordinators shall be designated by the Co-Chairs to serve as Website Manager(s), who shall exercise final authority for website content, except as directed by majority vote of the Committee.
2-4.11 Listserve
2-4.11(a) The Co-Coordinator(s) shall be appointed by the Co-Chairs, until at least seven Members have joined the Subcommittee; at that time the members of the Subcommittee shall elect Co-Coordinator(s) from among themselves.
2-4.11(b) The functions of the Listserve Subcommittee shall be to help the Listserve Moderator manage the Committee email listserve(s) according to Article V. Any Member of the Committee with requisite skills may be invited by the Co-Chairs to serve on this subcommittee.
2-4.11(c) One or both Co-Coordinators shall be designated by the Co-Chairs to serve as Listserve Moderator(s).
2-4.12 Elections
2-4.12(a) No fewer than three, and no more than five members shall be appointed by the Co-Chairs, from among volunteers who are Members of the International Committee but are not candidates for election.
2-4.12(b) The functions of the Elections Subcommittee shall be to count votes for an election conducted by the Committee, and report the results to the Committee upon conclusion of each election. No other responsibility or authority is assigned to the Subcommittee, except as specifically granted by the Co-Chairs, or by 2/3 vote of the Committee. Overall responsibility for the organization of Committee elections rests with the Co-Chairs.
2-4.12(c) The Elections Subcommittee is an ad-hoc body, appointed as needed for each election. Its members shall serve only from the date of their appointment until the submission of their report for that election.
2-4.12(d) In all deliberations the Subcommittee will seek consensus, but may resolve any impasse using simple majority voting; and will report all of its decisions to the Committee.
ARTICLE III : INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION
Section 3-1 Delegates and Alternates to the São Paulo Forum (SPF), Federacion de Partidos Verdes de las Americas (FPVA), the Global Green Network (GGN), and Global Green Congresses.
3-1.1(a) The Committee shall elect GPUS Delegates to the São Paulo Forum, Federacion de Partidos Verdes de las Americas (FPVA), the Global Green Network (GGN), and the Global Green Congress from within the International Committee. Only Committee Members may be Delegates. An FPVA Delegate may also be a Delegate to the Global Green Coordination (GGC), if elected to that position by the Federation, but may not also be a Delegate to the Global Green Network (GGN). Any Member of the Committee may be nominated and serve as Delegate or Alternate to the São Paulo Forum and/or Global Green Congress. No member of any committee of the Green Party of the United States, nor of any state Green party or caucus affiliated with GPUS, may claim to be a GPUS-authorized Representative or Observer, in any international meeting or body, absent selection according to either Section 3-1 or 3-2 of these Rules, Policies and Procedures.
3-1.1(b) Notwithstanding provisions of 3-1.1(a), the National Committee retains ultimate and final authority over any and all international Delegates, Alternates, and other Representatives who represent the Party, and may at any time, at its sole discretion, initiate recall and removal proceedings for any such Delegate, Alternate, or Representative. Such proceedings may be conducted without regard to the ordinary election or appointment timetable established in Article III, but shall in all cases adhere to the Party’s same due process and procedural guidelines, as established for the recall of Steering Committee members (see Section 3-3.2 Removal by the National Committee).
3-1.1(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Rules, Policies, and Procedures, the leadership and ongoing activities of the International Committee are not meant to be disrupted by their adoption, except where new practices are clearly specified and assigned a starting date. In particular, upon the affirmation of these rules by the National Committee, the Committee’s international Delegates and Alternates to FPVA and GGN as of that date shall retain their positions, and may stand for re-election during the nomination and election period of January 2010, as provided for in Section 3-1.6(a).
3-1.2 The number of Delegates to FPVA and the Global Greens shall be defined by those bodies. The number of Delegates to the São Paulo Forum shall be three, unless otherwise prescribed by the São Paulo Forum.
3-1.3 Unless otherwise prescribed by the São Paulo Forum, FPVA, and the Global Green Congress respectively, the Committee shall also elect a number of Alternates equal to the number of Delegates. Alternates shall serve in the order they were ranked in their election.
3-1.4(a) Terms of FPVA Delegates and Alternates shall be FOR two-year terms, unless otherwise specified by the FPVA and Global Greens, respectively.
3-1.4(b) Terms of São Paulo Forum Delegates and Alternates shall be FOR two-year terms, unless otherwise specified by the São Paulo Forum.
3-1.4(c) There are no term limits.
3-1.5 Terms for Global Green Congress Delegates and Alternates shall be through the duration of each Congress.
3-1.6 Nomination Process
3-1.6(a) The nomination period for FPVA DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES and GGN Delegates shall take place in alternating years with the nomination period for São Paulo Forum Delegates and Alternates. The nomination period shall be announced by the co-chairs every year and shall be for two weeks beginning at 12:01 am East Coast time on the LAST Monday of January and end at midnight Sunday evening Pacific Coast time two weeks later. The nomination period for Global Green Congress Delegates AND ALTERNATES shall be for two weeks beginning at 12:01 am East Coast time on the first Monday closest to a least 120 days prior to the commencement of the Global Green Congress and end at midnight Sunday evening two weeks later. Members may nominate themselves. Nominations do not need to be seconded.
3-1.6(b) After nominations close, there shall immediately commence a two-week discussion period
3-1.6(c) Nominees must submit candidate statements to the Committee email list. It is strongly recommended that such statements be submitted as early as possible during the discussion period. Nominees’ statements shall include information on each nominee’s relevant experience and express what the nominee would hope to accomplish as Delegate or Alternate, including specifically addressing the duties and responsibilities of the Delegate or Alternate as defined in this Article
3-1.6(d) Committee Members are encouraged to ask questions on the Committee email list and candidates are encouraged to answer those questions about what the candidates would do if elected.
3-1.7 Election Process
3-1.7(a) Elections shall be conducted on the Committee listserve or, should one be available, on the Committee voting page. Delegates and Alternates to the São Paulo Forum, FPVA, AND the Global Green Congress SHALL BE ELECTED AT THE SAME TIME BY Choice Voting (STV), in EACH case with “None of the Above” and “No Other Candidate” as options.
3-1.7(b) Quorum shall be reached when at least a majority of all Members have voted or abstained, and when a Member casts a vote from at least a majority of the states and caucuses with Members on the Committee.
3-1.7(c) Elections shall commence immediately at the close of the discussion period and shall last for one-week. The Committee co-chairs shall forward election results to the Steering and National Committees via the GPUS secretary. THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE SHALL APPROVE EACH OF THESE COMMITTEE-ELECTED DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES SEPARATELY, EMPLOYING THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE’S PROCESS FOR APPROVING OTHER POSITIONS SUCH AS FACILITATORS FOR ANNUAL MEETING.
3-1.8 Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Delegates and Alternates are to:
3-1.8(a) Perform all duties and responsibilities as defined by the São Paulo Forum, FPVA, and the Global Greens, respectively
3-1.8(b) Promptly forward all agendas, minutes and planning and policy documents of each body to the Committee and to the National Committee
3-1.8(c) Represent the positions of the GPUS
3-1.8(d) Represent the positions of the Committee
3-1.8(e) Where necessary, distinguish the positions of the GPUS and the Committee from the personal opinions of the Delegate
3-1.8(f) Provide a written report to the Committee and the National Committee explaining votes by the Delegate or Alternate at the São Paulo Forum, FPVA meetings, and Global Green Congress.
3-1.9 Vacancy
3-1.9(a) A vacancy shall exist upon the resignation or recall of a Delegate or Alternate, or upon the ending of the term of their Committee membership.
3-1.9(b) The Co-Chair shall publish the vacancy to the Committee email list no later than seven days after the vacancy occurred, except in the case of the ending of the term of Committee membership, where if the Member is not seeking another term, the Co-Chairs shall declare the vacancy at least six weeks before the ending of the term.
3-1.9(c) Vacancies shall cause an election for a replacement Delegate or Alternate. Such election would fill the remainder of the term and shall be conducted by the process described in 3-1.7.
Section 3-2 Other Representatives
3-2.1 In special, temporary, or unexpected cases, not otherwise provided for in these Rules, Policies, and Procedures, the Committee may elect official International Representatives or observers to other international meetings or bodies in which the GPUS will play a decision-making role. In addition to Committee Members, any member of a state party may be a Representative, should such be deemed advisable by the Committee. In all cases, election shall be for a defined term, by Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) , with a “None of the Above” option. Quorum shall be reached when at least a majority of all Members have voted or abstained, and when a Member casts a vote from at least a majority of the states and caucuses with Members on the Committee. No member of any committee of the Green Party of the United States, nor of any state Green party or caucus affiliated with GPUS, may claim to be a GPUS-authorized Representative or Observer, in any international meeting or body, absent selection according to either Section 3-1 or 3-2 of these Rules, Policies and Procedures.
3-2.1(a) Notwithstanding provisions of 3-2.1, the National Committee retains ultimate and final authority over any and all international Delegates, Alternates, and other Representatives who represent the Party, and may at any time, at its sole discretion, initiate recall and removal proceedings for any such Delegate, Alternate, or Representative. Such proceedings may be conducted without regard to the ordinary election or appointment timetable established in Article III, but shall in all cases adhere to the Party’s same due process and procedural guidelines, as established for the recall of Steering Committee members (see Section 3-3.2 Removal by the National Committee).
3-2.2 Duties and Responsibilities
3-2.2(a) Promptly forwarding all agendas and minutes of the body or meeting to the Committee and to the National Committee
3-2.2(b) Representing the positions of the GPUS
3-2.2(c) Representing the positions of the Committee
3-2.2(d) Where necessary, distinguishing between the personal opinions of the representative and the position of the GPUS and/or the Committee.
3-2.2(e) Provide a written report to the Committee and the National Committee explaining votes by the Delegate or Alternate
3-2.3 The Co-Chairs may appoint GPUS representatives to speak on behalf of the GPUS at international rallies, marches, forums and other such events where a GPUS speaker may be featured.
3-2.4 The Co-Chairs may appoint GPUS observers to international meetings or events in a non-decision-making capacity.
3-3.1 General Provisions. Although elected for specific terms of office, every International Delegate, Alternate, or Official Representative ultimately serves at the pleasure and discretion of the Party which he or she represents. Either the International Committee itself, or the National Committee, may, in extraordinary cases, choose to remove a Delegate, Alternate, or Representative for cause. Such removal must follow due process, in which complainants are required to demonstrate broad support for the proposed removal, the affected Delegate, Alternate, or Representative is given ample time to respond to specific, verifiable allegations or complaints, and a high threshold (2/3 vote) is required, to ensure that removal enjoys overwhelming support within the Committee itself, or the National Committee.
3-3.2 Removal by the National Committee. International Delegates, Alternates and official Representatives are elected by the International Committee, but they serve the needs and interests of the Green Party of the United States. For this reason, the National Committee may at its discretion act to impeach, recall, or remove any such international Delegate, Alternate, or other Representative. However, at no point may the Steering Committee, National Committee, or any other Party body act to impeach, recall, or remove such representatives, except through the same due process provisions and voting procedures in GPUS bylaws which govern the recall of Steering Committee members.
3-3.3 Removal by the International Committee. International Delegates, Alternates, and Official Representatives are elected by the International Committee, to serve the Committee and the broader Party. Ordinarily, the Committee will exercise a great deal of tolerance for diverse views and understandings of international representatives’ positions and responsibilities. However, several sorts of behavior cannot be tolerated and may be grounds for initiating removal proceedings at any point during a representative’s term of office.
3-3.4 Grounds for Removal by the International Committee
3.3.4(a) Behavior unbecoming a representative of the Green Party of the United States, while engaged in any international travel on behalf of GPUS, or when the representative may reasonably be perceived in the host country or by the International Committee, as representing the Green Party of the United States.
3.3.4(a)(1) Wanton disregard for reasonable standards of etiquette and respectful discourse, including physical or verbal abuse or assaults on any person.
3.3.4(a)(2) Demeaning, insulting, or demonstrably false statements directed towards representatives of other Green parties, fellow U.S. Greens, or any other persons encountered during international events.
3.3.4(a)(3) Participation in criminal activities proscribed by laws of the host country, including for example, solicitation, narcotics offenses, theft, fraud, and the like.
3.3.4(a)(4) Sexist, racist, classist, homophobic, or any other commonly-recognized forms of discriminatory speech, behavior, and treatment of others, while engaged in any representational activities, including international travel, online engagement, or otherwise.
3.3.4(b) Deliberate misrepresentation of the Platform or other official positions of GPUS.
3.3.4(c) Repeated and chronic failure to perform assigned duties of the position in question, as specified elsewhere in these Rules, Policies, and Procedures
3.3.5 Procedures for Removal by the International Committee
3.3.5(a) Initiation of Removal Process. Upon written request to one or both Co-Chairs, by no fewer than 25% of the voting Members of the International Committee, the representative in question shall be notified by one or both Co-Chairs that removal proceedings have been initiated. If more than one representative faces concurrent removal proceedings, each individual case shall be presented and documented separately. When the requisite number of co-complainants have identified themselves to both Co-Chairs, either privately or publicly, one or both Co-Chairs shall within three (3) days notify the full Committee, via the listserve, that removal proceedings have commenced (“Initiation”). This notification shall include the names of all co-complainants.
3.3.5(b) Written and Specific Complaint. The removal request(s) must be specific, and each individual allegation or claim must be identified and documented separately here (“Complaint”). While individuals who have personally witnessed the behavior in question may submit written statements detailing their observations, no hearsay of any type shall be admitted to the proceedings. Written documentation in the form of e-mail messages, printed documents, and the like, may be included with the original complaint, or shortly thereafter, but must be available to all voting Members prior to the beginning of the discussion period, as part of the removal documentation (“Materials”).
3.3.5(c) Right to Challenge Assertions with Affirmative Defense. The representative facing removal proceedings shall be provided with a copy of the Complaint, and copies of all associated Materials, prior to the beginning of the discussion period. During discussion of the complaint, the representative shall be accorded unlimited freedom to challenge the complaint, introduce contradictory or exculpatory materials, and argue for alternative explanations or interpretations as he/she deems advisable (“Defense”).
3.3.5(d) Discussion Period. Not less than two (2) weeks, and not more than four (4) weeks after Initiation, one or both Co-Chairs shall declare the Committee’s deliberations (“Discussion Period”) to be open, and shall at that time certify that all Materials, as specified in 3.3.5(b) have been provided to the Committee. For four (4) weeks thereafter, Members of the Committee shall engage in a Discussion Period examining the Complaint, the Materials, and the representatives’ Defense. During this period it shall be the representative’s prerogative and obligation, to submit such additional materials as he/she deems advisable, as described in 3.3.5(c).
3.3.5(e) Voting Period. At the conclusion of the Discussion Period, one or both Co-Chairs shall notify the Committee that the Voting Period has begun, specifying the exact ending date and time for a one (1) week voting period, and invite all Members to cast their votes — For, Against, Not Voting. Voting shall be via the listserve; all votes shall be public; removal shall require a 2/3 vote of those indicating their “Yes,” “No,” or “Not Voting” status. Members are free to not participate at all, by not casting one of the valid voting options, but only the number of valid votes shall be used to calculate the 2/3 threshold.
3.3.5(f) Mediation or Dispute Resolution. At any point after Initiation, and before the Voting Period ends, either the representative(s) in question, or a majority of the original co-complainants, may request suspension of the removal process, and submission by all parties to mediation or other alternative dispute resolution. Upon receipt of such a request, accompanied by a reasonable and credible explanation of its likely outcomes, and a clear timetable for its implementation, one or both Co-Chairs may submit for an immediate vote by the Committee, a proposal to suspend the removal process. This proposal (“Mediation”) shall include the explanation and timetable, shall specify a date certain by which mediation must be completed in order to avoid reactivation of the removal process where it left off, and must be approved by a majority vote of the Committee. Members may vote For, Against, or Not Voting. Voting shall be via the listserve; all votes shall be public. Members are free to not participate at all, by not casting one of the valid voting options, but only the number of valid votes shall be used to calculate the simple majority threshold for approval.
3.3.5(g) Alternative Finding and Restitution. Upon completion of the Voting Period or Mediation, should the removal vote fail or mediation succeed, the representative may request a statement by the Co-Chairs, reporting this outcome as an Alternative Finding and publicly exonerating the representative, to the extent deemed appropriate, given the particulars of the case.
3.3.5(h) Removal from Office. Should the Committee vote to remove the representative, removal shall be immediate, and the Co-Chairs shall declare the position vacant, to be filled according to other provisions of the Rules, Policies, and Procedures.
ARTICLE IV : PROPOSALS
Section 4-1 Applicability of this Article
4-1.1 This Article and the accompanying steps shall apply to resolutions, declarations, foreign policy positions and Green Papers being prepared for Platform and/or National Committee approval. For the purposes of this Article, all such documents are designated “Proposals.”
4-1.2 Other procedures may apply to nominations and appointments, budgetary decisions, and internal process matters.
4-1.3 Notwithstanding any other provisions in this or another Article, all references in these Rules, Policies, and Procedures to “voting page,” “discussion/voting queue,” etc., which refer to voting software and systems which have not yet been considered, approved, and implemented by the Committee, are conditional on such consideration, approval, and implementation. Until then, the Committee’s existing listserve shall be used for all discussion, voting, and reporting purposes.
Section 4-2 Submitting Proposals
4-2.1 Any Member may bring a Proposal forward to the Committee at any time. Any Proposal made and seconded by at least two other Committee Members, representing at least two states or caucuses among the three co-sponsors, shall be considered forwarded to the Co-Chairs for consideration under Section 4-3.
4-2.2 The format for submitting Proposals shall follow that of the format for Proposals submitted to the National Committee and shall include title, sponsor, background, proposal, resources and attachments.
Standard Proposal Format (GPUS)
4-3.2 Compliance with proposal format, clarity of what is being proposed and/or adequacy of background and supporting materials.
4-3.3 Appropriateness for Committee consideration under these RP&Ps.
Section 4-4 Forwarding Proposals for Discussion/Voting
4-4.1 If a Proposal has met the conditions in 4-3.2 and 4-3.3 and has been received by the Co-Chairs no later than midnight Pacific Time on the Tuesday before the Monday of the regular discussion period, the Co-Chairs shall place the Proposal into the voting queue on that Monday, unless otherwise agreed to by the sponsors under 4-4.3.
4-4.2 If a Proposal has met the conditions in 4-3.2 and 4-3.3, but was received by the Co-Chairs after midnight Pacific Time on the Tuesday before the Monday of the regular discussion period, the Co-Chairs may either place the Proposal into the discussion/voting queue on that Monday or place the Proposal into the voting queue the following Monday.
4-4.3 If a Proposal has met the conditions in 4-3.2 and 4-3.3, but if there are either other Proposals in the discussion/voting period and/or the Co-Chairs otherwise feel that alternative timing would benefit the Committee, the Co-Chairs may consult with the sponsors about scheduling the Proposal at a later date. If the sponsors agree, the Co-Chairs shall schedule the Proposal at the agreed upon date. If the sponsors do not agree, the Proposal shall be scheduled as per 4-4.1(a) or 4-4.1(b), as applicable.
4-4.4 If a Proposal has met the conditions in 4-3.2 and 4-3.3, but if in keeping with 4-7.2, the Co-Chairs conclude that a discussion period of different length than the regular length would benefit the Committee, the Co-Chairs may consult with the sponsors about scheduling the Proposal with a different length. If the sponsors agree, the Co-Chairs shall schedule the Proposal with the agreed upon length of discussion period.
Section 4-5 Resubmitting Proposals to the Co-Chairs
4-5.1 If the Co-Chairs have concluded that a Proposal has not met the conditions in 4-3.2 and/or 4-3.3, they shall request the sponsors to provide additional information as regards complying with 4-3.2 and/or 4-3.3. In so doing, the Co-Chairs must make clear what specific information is needed and/or how the Proposal can be brought into compliance with the proposal format and/or how the Proposal could be modified to be appropriate for consideration under these RP&Ps. Proposals which substantially duplicate measures approved or rejected by the Committee within the prior twelve (12) months are not eligible for re-submission, and may be rejected by the Co-Chairs without further consideration.
4-6.1 For Proposals advancing under 4-4.1 and 4-4.2, the co-chairs shall appoint a Committee Member to serve as Floor Manager for the Proposal. Co-Chairs may also serve as Floor Manager; Proposal sponsors may not.
4-6.2 The Floor Manager’s primary responsibility is to shepherd the Proposal through the consensus-seeking decision making process.
4-6.3 The Floor Manager introduces the Proposal to Members for consideration, specifying the amount of time for discussion, the listing of and responding to concerns, proposing and accepting amendments, explaining the Call for Consensus and when necessary, going to a vote, as well as the number of Members needed to vote for quorum and the approval threshold for the Proposal.
4-6.4 Committee Members shall then confer with state party and caucus members regarding the Proposal and develop feedback to be shared with the Committee.
4-6.5 When the discussion period expires and before testing for consensus or, where necessary, a voting period begins, the Floor Manager shall present the Proposal to the Committee again, including with any revisions if amended.
Section 4-7 Discussion, Consensus Seeking, and Voting Period
4-7.1 The regular discussion period for all Proposals shall begin on a Monday and end on a Sunday and last for three weeks. The Call for Consensus and, where necessary, voting period for all Proposals shall commence immediately after the close of the discussion period and last for one week.
4-7.2 At the conclusion of the discussion period the Floor Manager shall Call for Consensus, which gives Members a final opportunity to express concerns. Co-Chairs may consult privately with proponents or those with concerns, suggesting ways to resolve any impasse. Proponents may suggest changes to the Proposal to meet concerns, or those with concerns may suggest specific wording changes that preserve the spirit of the original while correcting any deficiencies they perceive.
4-7.3 If any Member cannot support the wording which emerges from the discussion and early-consensus period, and expresses a “blocking concern,” the Floor Manager shall move to a vote.
4-7.4 Expedited Consideration
4-7.4(a) When an extraordinary, unexpected, or urgent situation warrants more rapid consideration of proposed Committee action, the Co-Chairs may at their own initiative or upon request by any Member, and without objection by any other Member(s), assign an expedited discussion and voting period for any Proposal which has otherwise met the conditions of Section 4-3. In no case may such expedited discussion period be of less than 72 hours in duration, nor may any expedited voting period be of less than 48 hours in duration. All other requirements relative to quorum and threshold shall apply without modification, as specified in Section 4-8.
Section 4-8 Quorum and Approval Threshold
4-8.1 Quorum shall be reached when at least a majority of all Members vote ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘abstain’ and a Member casts a vote from at least a majority of the states and caucuses with Members on the Committee.
4-8.2 A Proposal shall be considered approved when two-thirds of all those voting ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote ‘yes’.
Section 4-9 Reporting Committee Decisions
4-9.1 All committee decisions undertaken under this Article shall be reported by the Co-Chairs to the Steering Committee and the National Committee, whether approved or not approved by the Committee, and where relevant, shall include the number of votes for, against and abstentions and a link to the results on the Committee voting page.
Section 4-10 Presenting and Amending Committee Proposals before the National Committee
4-10.1 When any Proposal has been endorsed by the Committee and is to be considered by the National Committee, the Co-Chairs shall appoint a special subcommittee of one or more Members, designating them to respond to questions which may be posed by the National Committee. Such subcommittee will ordinarily include the original Member(s) who were proponents of the Proposal, may include other Members, especially those who serve concurrently as delegates to the National Committee, and may include one or both Co-Chairs.
4-10.2 When any Proposal endorsed by the Committee is under consideration by the National Committee, a motion by a Member, supported by a second, to amend the Committee’s previous position and submit a substitute for National Committee consideration shall be in order, when the explicit wording of such amendment had been published to the listserve of the Committee.
4-10.3 Discussion on any such substitute wording for the Proposal shall be in order for no fewer than three days, and the question shall be put to the Committee by either or both Co-Chairs in consultation with, but requiring no further motion from, the author of the proposed amendment. Any such amendment may be scheduled for a vote by the Committee, to be open either for two or five days, as time permits for its consideration, without causing delays by the National Committee in its resolution of the underlying question.
ARTICLE V : PROTOCOL FOR COMMITTEE BEHAVIOR
The International Committee has a well-earned reputation for conducting its business in a respectful manner, in keeping with the Ten Key Values. This atmosphere is crucial to the work of the committee, in part because it fosters the practice of diplomatic and respectful discourse crucial for both domestic and international relations among Green activists and Green parties. Members are encouraged to state their views, inform one another, and discuss issues in depth in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect, thus enabling the energies of the committee to be focused on its work. In our internal work, we are committed to modeling the sort of ethical public discourse that differentiates Green politics from politics as usual, and that will facilitate the realization of peace, from within our committee, to international peace. Our process is as important as the content of our political positions.
Section 5-1 Email List Participation
5-1.1 The Committee email list shall include all Committee Members, advisers and observers. When a new Member joins the Committee and/or a new adviser or observer is selected, s/he shall be added to the Committee email list. When the term ends of a Member, adviser or observer, s/he shall be removed from the committee email list.
5-1.2 The Committee email list exists for the purpose of furthering the mission and the duties and responsibilities of the Committee and postings shall be specific to that purpose.
5-1.3 Committee Members are encouraged to conduct Committee business on the email list in a respectful manner in keeping with the Ten Key Values and to foster the practice of diplomatic discourse. Members are encouraged to state their views, inform one another and discuss issues in depth in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
Section 5-2 Email List Violations
5.2.1 Committee Members, Observers, and Advisors shall refrain from:
5-2.1(a) Ad hominem attacks and repeated off topic postings.
5-2.1(b) Misrepresentation of the work of the Committee or its Member(s), or of the GPUS Platform and other positions.
5-2.1(c) Personal attacks, harassment, or verbal threats.
5-2.1(d) Prejudicial, biased, or offensive language with respect to race, gender, ethnicity, physical ability, spirituality, sexuality, or age.
5-2.1(e) Redistribution or publication of listserve messages or message content, except with explicit permission from message authors, and except for articles, reports, and the like which were not written by Members or which have been published by Members elsewhere.
Section 5-3 Offlist Violations Related to Committee Business or Function
5-3.1 Committee Members, Observers, and Advisors shall refrain from:
5-3.1(a) Ad hominem attacks off-list to or about other Members, especially with regard to the Committee’s work, in communications with Green or other organizations, e-mail lists, blogs, and the like.
5-3.1(b) Prejudicial, biased, or offensive language with respect to race, gender, ethnicity, physical ability, spirituality, sexuality, or age off-list by a Member to or about another Member(s), particularly with regard to the Committee’s work.
5-3.1(c) Personal verbal attacks, threats, or harassment off-list by a Committee Member to another Member, particularly with regard to the Committee’s work.
5-3.1(d) Public misrepresentation of the work of the Committee or its Member(s), or of the GPUS Platform, including on other email lists.
5-3.1(e) Misappropriation of the roles and responsibilities of the Committee’s co-chairs or sub-committee coordinators.
5-3.1(f) Deliberate public misrepresentation of the work of the Committee or its Members, or of the GPUS Platform, including on other email lists.
5-3.1(g) Deliberate misappropriation of the roles and responsibilities of the Committee’s co-chairs or sub-committee coordinators.
5-3.1(h) Physically threatening behavior by a Committee Member to another Member, particularly with regard to the Committee’s work.
5-3.1(i) Participation in criminal activities proscribed by law, including for example, solicitation, narcotics offenses, theft, fraud, and the like.
5-3.1(j) Misappropriation of funds entrusted to the Member by the Committee or any other Party body, deliberate misrepresentation of financial statements related to Committee activities, submission of fraudulent reimbursement applications, or any other commonly-proscribed fiscal malfeasance.
5-3.1(k) Vote-tampering or vote fraud, during any election being conducted by the Committee OR VOTE-TAMPERING OR VOTE FRAUD DURING ANY VOTING PROCESS IN THE SC OR NC THAT DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE COMMITTEE’S BUSINESS OR FUNCTION.
Section 5-4 Addressing Email List Violations
5-4.1 Any Committee Member, Advisor, or Observer who violates any provision of 5-2.1 or in other ways disrupts the Committee’s work on the email list, or otherwise violates list standards, shall receive a private warning from the Listserve Moderator, or from one or both Co-Chairs. All warnings shall list specifically what list standard under 5-2.1 was violated and how it was violated. Disagreement between Members is an expected part of Committee discourse, and is not to be considered a disruption or impediment.
5-4.2 If the initial, private warning is not heeded, and the individual continues to violate list standards, actions shall be taken in this order:
5-4.2(a) The Member shall receive a public (onlist) warning from a Co-Chair or the Listserve Moderator. If the Member continues to post messages which violate listserve guidelines
5-4.2(b) A second public (onlist) warning shall be posted, by the Listserve Moderator or a Co-Chair, indicating that should there be a third infraction, the Member shall face immediate suspension
5-4.2(c) Upon a third infraction, the Listserve Moderator shall suspend the offending Member by unsubscribing that Member from the listserve, notifying the Co-Chairs immediately of the suspension.
5-4.3 A Co-Chair shall within 24 hours report the suspension to the Committee, giving the membership an opportunity to reverse the suspension, approve conditions of reinstatement, or make the suspension permanent.
5-4.4 Prior to conclusion of the Committee’s discussion and decision the suspended Member shall be given an opportunity to submit a response to the suspension report, via a Co-Chair or the Listserve Moderator, but during the period of suspension shall not be entitled to post any messages to the list. Other Members shall also not circumvent the suspension by submitting messages from a Member under suspension.
5-4.5 The Committee’s subsequent discussion and consensus-seeking shall proceed as with other committee actions. If the Committee reaches consensus on a course of action, then the Committee proceeds to 5-4.6. If the Committee fails to reach consensus, a vote shall be taken. A two-thirds vote (of all those voting, with at least 50% of the Committee Members casting votes) in favor of a course of action shall initiate 5-4.6. Voting shall occur on the Committee voting page.
5-4.6 The Member shall be notified within 24 hours of the Committee’s action. Should the suspension be overturned, the Member shall immediately be reinstated; should the suspension be made permanent, the suspended Member’s state party shall be notified of this suspension, and the reasons for it, with a copy of these RP&Ps. Should the committee decide to reinstate the Member’s listserve privileges, but with conditions, these shall ordinarily include the Member’s acknowledgment that he/she has been impeding the listserve work, and agrees to curtail the disruptive behavior, as prerequisites for reinstatement.
5-4.7 If the offending behavior is resumed, or a different disrupting behavior is initiated by the same Member, the Member shall be suspended from the email list for six months, and can apply for reinstatement after six months. The Member’s state shall again be notified. The re-application shall include all verification requirements.
Section 5-5 Addressing Offlist Violations
5-5.1 For violations 5-3.1(a) through 5-3.1(e), the process described in Section 5-4 (“Addressing Email List Violations”) shall apply with the exception that the reference to 5-2.1 shall be replaced by 5-3.1.
5-5.2 For violations 5-3.1(f) and 5-3.1(g), the following process shall apply:
5-5.2.1 Individuals who violate 5-3.1(f) or 5-3.1(g) shall receive a private warning from the Co-Chairs, specifying how these violations were made.
5-5.2.2 If the initial, private warning is not heeded, and the individual continues the violation, actions shall be taken in this order:
5-5.2.2(a) The Member shall receive a public (onlist) warning from the Co-Chairs, indicating that if the Member continues the violation, the Member shall face immediate suspension from the listserv and face possible further action including suspension or expulsion from the Committee.
5-5.2.2(b) If the offending Member continues the violation, the Listserve Moderator shall suspend that Member, notifying the Co-Chairs immediately of the suspension.
5-5.2.2(c) A Co-Chair shall within 24 hours report the suspension to the Committee, giving the membership an opportunity to reverse the suspension, approve conditions of reinstatement, or make the suspension permanent.
5-5.2.2(d) Prior to conclusion of the Committee’s discussion, the suspended Member shall be given an opportunity to submit a response to the suspension report via a Co-Chair or the Listserve Moderator, but during the period of suspension shall not be entitled to post any messages to the list or to represent the Committee or GPUS. Other Members shall also not circumvent the suspension by submitting messages from a Member under suspension.
5-5.2.2(e) The suspension report shall clearly state the reasons for suspension and recommend appropriate options; the committee’s subsequent discussion and consensus-seeking shall proceed as with other Committee actions. If the Committee reaches consensus on a course of action, then the Committee proceeds to 5-2.2(f). If the Committee fails to reach consensus, a vote shall be taken. A two-thirds vote (of all those voting, with at least 50% of the Committee Members casting votes) in favor of a course of action shall initiate 5-5.2.2(f). Voting shall occur on the Committee voting page.
5-5.2.2(f) The Member shall be notified within 24 hours of the Committee’s action. Should the suspension be overturned, the Member shall immediately be reinstated; should the suspension be made permanent, the suspended Member’s state party shall be notified of this suspension, and the reasons for it, with a copy of these RP&Ps. Should the Committee decide to reinstate the Member’s listserve privileges, but with conditions, these will ordinarily include the Member’s acknowledgment that he/she has been violating the Committee’s/GPUS work, and agrees to desist from the offending behavior as prerequisite for reinstatement.
5-5.2.2(g) If the offending behavior is resumed, the Member shall be immediately suspended from the email list for six months, and the process described in Section 3-3.5 (“Procedures for Removal by the International Committee”) shall be initiated by the Co-Chairs. The Member’s state shall be notified.
5-5.3 For violations of 5-3.1(h), 5-3.1(i), 5-3.1(j), or 5-3.1(k) the process described under Section 3-3.3 (“Removal for Cause”), specifically, Section 3-3.5 (“Procedures for Removal by the International Committee”) shall be initiated, except that rather than removal from a representational role as in Section 3.3, violations of these provisons shall result in the permanent suspension of the Member, who shall be barred from any future role in the Committee, as Member, Advisor, or Observer.
ARTICLE VI : NON-RETROACTIVITY AND APPLICABILITY
6-1.1 No part of these Rules, Policies, and Procedures shall be understood as having any effect prior to the date of their acceptance by National Committee of the GPUS. The acceptance of these Rules, Policies and Procedures does not invalidate, alter, or disrupt the ongoing work of the committee. All foregoing structures, documents, elections, decisions and activities of the International Committee not specifically altered by this document are affirmed and accepted as active and fully effective, consistent with existing practice, and may only be altered through the processes described herein.
6-2.1 These Rules, Policies, and Procedures shall take effect immediately upon their affirmation by the National Committee, and shall apply to all Committee activities, decisions, and practices which occur subsequent to that date.
ARTICLE VII : AMENDMENTS
7-1.1 Amendments to these Rules, Policies, and Procedures by the International Committee shall be proposed, amended, and approved following procedures enumerated in Article IV. Any such amendments shall be submitted to the National Committee for ratification, whenever such ratification is required by provisions of the Bylaws of the Green Party of the United States.