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Proposal Details

Proposal ID	81
Proposal	Diversity at Green Party National Committee meetings
Presenter	Diversity Committee
Floor Manager	Jo Chamberlain
Phase	Closed - Adopted
Discussion	04-04-2004 - 05-01-2004
Voting	05-02-2004 - 05-09-2004
Presens Quorum	Two Thirds of Active Accredited States/Caucuses
Consens Quorum	A Majority of Yes and No Votes

Background

This proposal is part of a series of recommendations from the Diversity Committee
of the National Committee ( Coordinating Committee) which, in recognition of
the fact that people of color, women, L.G.B.T.I. (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
Intersex), youth, the disabled and any other traditionally disenfranchised group will
make up a significant percentage of the disenfranchised American people that the Green
Party seeks to empower politically by incorporate into our ranks, and that the current
make up of our party leadership is significantly lacking in diversity, provides
policies and programs designed to enhance diversity among our national party leadership.
We will suggest policies and programs which will address barriers to participation and
will outline specific goals by which to measure our progress with respect to diversity.

The purpose of this proposal is to increase participation by people of color, women,
L.G.B.T.I., youth, the disabled , and any other traditionally disenfranchised group
at all National Committee meetings and in particular at
Green Party presidential nominating convention. Due to the importance of diversity at
all Green Party national meetings in assuring that as a party that we develop policies,
practices, and goals that represent the points of view of people of color, women,
L.G.B.T.I., youth, the disabled , and any other traditionally disenfranchised group
and which demonstrate cultural sensitivity. And in addition to demonstrate to members
of those communities who are not yet a part of the
Green Party that we are a viable tool for addressing issues and concerns of
their communities.

We recognize that it is the primary responsibility of the state parties to assure that
their delegates and committee members are able to fully participate in the Green Party
National Committee, including attending National Committee meetings . But recognizing that
state parties are at very different stages of development with very different levels of
resources at their disposal, and that most state parties have not demonstrated significant
success at integrating their leadership, by providing a financial subsidy we support and
reward state parties for their efforts to bring in more people of color, women, L.G.B.T.I.,
youth, and the disabled and any other traditionally disenfranchised group.
Lastly this program for providing financial assistance to enhance diversity is not new.
The Diversity Committee has provided such assistance for the past two national meetings.
The result of this program has been to significantly increase the numbers of people from
the above mentioned groups who could attend our national meetings,but due to the change
in the travel policy enacted last year this progran was eliminated. Through this proposal
we are reinstating a successful program.

Proposal

In order to assure diversity among the delegates and committee members who
represent the Green Party at National Committee meetings we propose that a minimum
of 15 but if sufficent funds are available that 30 convention registrations plus
meals be set aside to be provided at no cost to delegates who are people of color,
women, L.G.B.T.I. (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex), youth, the
disabled, and any other traditionally disenfranchised group and that the following
changes be made to the Green Party National Committee Travel Policy.

Change the current language of :
It is not the intention of USGP to pay for delegates or committee members travel
to and from the annual meetings and conventions. The delegate and committee members
should look to their state party for assistance.
To:
It is not the intention of USGP to pay for delegates or committee members travel to
and from the annual meetings and conventions except to enhance diversity. Specificly,
to increase the number of participants who are people of color, women, L.G.B.T.I.
(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex), youth, the disabled, and any other
traditionally disenfranchised group. While the primary responsibility for travel assistance
for delegates and committee members rests with the states that those individuals
represent , it is of such vital importance to the growth of the Green Party to enhance
diversity that the national party will allow the Diversity Committee to allocate funds from
their annual budget and to raise additional funds to provide financial assistance for
delegates and committee members who represent the above mentioned groups.

( This change is requested to allow the Diversity committee to allocate funds to
provide assistance with travel, housing , meals, and registration costs for attending
national meetings. Requests for travel assistance from delegates or committee members
will be reviewed by the Diversity Committee and those requests will be approved based
apon the merit of the request and the funds available. Merit will be assessed based apon
whether the members presence will make a significant contribution to the enhancement of
diversity. eg. the member is an officer in a caucus or one of the other committees)

TIMELINE:
This proposal will be implemented by May 1 2004 in order to be able to process requests
for assistance for the 2004 presidential nominating convention( June 23 to 28).

Resources

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References

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