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Proposal Details

Proposal ID	745
Proposal	Bylaws Amendment: Article I Name, Structure, Values, Mission and Functions
Presenter	Green Party of Tennessee
Floor Manager	Charles Ostdiek
Phase	Closed - Failed
Discussion	06-10-2014 - 06-22-2014
Voting	06-23-2014 - 06-29-2014
Presens Quorum	Two Thirds of Active Accredited States/Caucuses
Consens Quorum	Two Thirds of Yes and No Votes

Background

The current Article I of the GPUS Bylaws (Purpose) is 17 years old; does not accurately describe or reflect current GPUS practice; and needs to be updated.

This proposal would amend Article I by replacing the existing Purpose Statement with sections; 1-1 'Name' and ‘Structure’, 1-2 GPUS ’10 Key Values’, 1-3 ‘GPUS Mission Statement’, 1-4 ‘Primary Functions’.

Placing the Ten Key Values within the GPUS bylaws declares them as core principles of the party - something they have been in practice for much of our history. By including them in our bylaws, we also make an affirmative statement that we are a values-based party.

(Please note this proposal only puts the names the Ten Key Values in the by-laws, as currently included on the GPUS web site, but without elaboration.)

There have been efforts to revise Article I of GPUS Bylaws since 2010 with the outstanding concerns based primarily around proposed Mission Statements. While consensus is difficult to obtain this proposal contains a Mission Statement that was derived from a 6 month process discussing and straw-polling the National Committee to determine what members would support regarding our mission statement.

Further this proposal includes a change to Article I of Rules and Procedures to match the description of the Party’s structure in this proposal.

Proposal

That the existing ARTICLE I. PURPOSE of the GPUS Bylaws be replaced with the following text:

ARTICLE I. NAME, STRUCTURE, VALUES, MISSION AND FUNCTIONS

Section 1-1 Name and Structure

1-1.1 The name of this organization is the Green Party of the United States (GPUS).

1-1.2 The GPUS is a federally-recognized national political party that is a federation of accredited state parties and national caucuses of under-represented groups.

Section 1-2 Green Party Ten Key Values

1-2.1 Grassroots Democracy

1-2.2 Social Justice and Equal Opportunity

1-2.3 Ecological Wisdom

1-2.4 Non-Violence

1-2.5 Decentralization

1-2.6 Community-Based Economics and Economic Justice

1-2.7 Feminism and Gender Equity

1-2.8 Respect for Diversity

1-2.9 Personal and Global Responsibility

1-2.10 Future Focus and Sustainability

Section 1-3 Mission Statement:

1-3.1 The Green Party of the United States is organized to transform government at all levels by electing Green Party candidates to implement policies that respect and restore the integrity of the Earth’s living systems, nurture individual freedom and well-being, advance local community sustainability, and create a culture of peace.

Section 1-4 Primary Functions

1-4.1 To maintain a laterally structured national Green Party federation of state Green Parties and national caucuses, with National Committee status recognition by the Federal Election Commission.

1-4.2 To support the development of accredited state parties and their electoral work; support the development of accredited caucuses for underrepresented groups of people; facilitate the sharing of skills and information among Greens; and provide national sources of information about Green parties, candidates, officeholders and policies.

1-4.3 To conduct a national Presidential candidate nomination process.

1-4.4 To approve a national Party platform.

1-4.5 To conduct relations with Green Parties internationally.

________
Part B:
AMENDMENT TO RULES AND PROCEDURES:

Article I. Accreditation, Section 1, VI. Accreditation of Caucuses, 1 About GPUS:

1.a.: of GPUS Rules and Procedures,

"1.a: The Green Party of the United States is a federation of independent, State-level Parties. (Around the country, local Green organizations are represented in different ways, depending on by-laws and representational systems; GPUS rules, however, require that its members be State-level organizations serving statewide constituencies.)"

Is to be amended to read:

"1.a: The Green Party of the United States is a federation of independent, state-level parties and national caucuses. (Around the country, local Green organizations are represented in different ways, depending on by-laws and representational systems; GPUS rules, however, require that its members be State-level organizations serving statewide constituencies or National Caucuses of underrepresented and oppressed minorities.)"

Resources

Bylaw change would become effective upon passage.

References

CONTACT: Martin Pleasant GPTN del. frenchharp@hotmail.com 865-388-5458

Howard Switzer GPTN alt. hmsarchitecture@gmail.com 615-589-6513

References - Part A:

GPUS Bylaws, ARTICLE I. PURPOSE http://www.gp.org/bylaws-of-the-green-party-of-the-united-states#01

ARTICLE I. PURPOSE

1. Assist in the development of State Green Parties 2. Create a legally structured national Green Party Federation

Past proposals to amend ARTICLE I:

445 April 2010 http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propresult?pid=445

565 November 2010 http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propresult?pid=565

567 December 2010 http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propresult?pid=567

593 June 2011 http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propresult?pid=593

738 March 2014 http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=738

______________________
References - Part B:

Article I. Accreditation, Section 1, VI. Accreditation of Caucuses, 1 About GPUS http://gp.org/rules-and-procedures-of-the-green-party-of-the-united-states#01

1.a: The Green Party of the United States is a federation of independent, State-level Parties. (Around the country, local Green organizations are represented in different ways, depending on by-laws and representational systems; GPUS rules, however, require that its members be State-level organizations serving statewide constituencies.)

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