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Proposal Details

Proposal ID	885
Proposal	Amend Annual National Meeting Committee BylawsMission Statement Committee Rules
Presenter	Steering Committee
Floor Manager	Chris Blankenhorn
Phase	Closed
Discussion	10/16/2017 - 11/05/2017
Voting	11/06/2017 - 11/12/2017
Result	Adopted
Presens Quorum	33 0.6666
Consens Quorum	51 0.6666 of Yes and No Votes

Background

This proposal is meant to clarify the process for how dates and locations are chosen for GPUS Annual National Meetings and for GPUS quadrennial Presidential Nomination Conventions. To do so will involve updating both the GPUS Bylaws and the Mission Statement and Committee Rules of the Annual National Meeting Committee (ANMCom).

As background, although the GPUS has held an annual national meeting every year since its founding in 2001, and has held a Presidential Nomination Convention every four years starting in 2004, there is nothing in GPUS rules specifically establishing which GPUS standing committee(s) can propose a date and location for either meeting or convention.

Through 2005, it was the Steering Committee that proposed the location and date to the National Committee. Then in 2005 the National Committee established the Annual National Meeting Committee (ANMCom) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=193. Since 2006 the practice has been for the Annual National Meeting Committee (ANCom) to propose the location and date (with two exceptions in 2010 and 2011 where state parties were officially listed as sponsors, even though the ANCom did much of the planning — its not clear whether this was the intent of the ANCom to list these proposals as such, or whether it was a choice made for these proposals by the Floor Manager.)

Despite the general practice of the ANMCom making the proposals for date and location, GPUS Rules and Procedures (Article VI Procedures for Proposals to the National Committee http://gpus.org/rules-procedures/#06 ) actually allow for any GPUS state party or caucus to make such a proposal to the National Committee. At the same time, they remarkably do not authorize the ANMCom to do so, as that authority is not explicitly contained in the ANCom’s Mission Statement, which is a requirement to make such a proposal under GPUS Rules and Procedures 6-1.3:

“The scope for proposals submitted by state parties and caucuses shall be any proposal in accordance with the Bylaws and the Rules and Procedures. The scope for proposals submitted by committees shall be as defined in their Mission Statement, or as defined in Committee Rules which were approved by the National Committee prior to June 28, 2009, and necessarily includes amendments to their Mission Statement and Committee Rules.”

Given these conflicts and trends, this proposal would unambiguously establish which GPUS bodies committees are responsible for proposing and approving GPUS Annual National Committees, by making the following four changes.

First, this proposal would institutionalize the practice (since 2008) of the ANMCom proposing to the National Committee, the location and date of the quadrennial Presidential Nominating Convention. This would occur by amending the ANMCom’s Mission Statement to include that responsibility (currently the mission of the ANCom only includes “organizing annual meetings of The Green Party of the United States”) - and would contain language establishing baseline criteria for how host proposals would be evaluated.

Second, this proposal would change the practice (since 2006) of the ANMCom proposing to the National Committee, the date and location of the Annual National Meeting in non-presidential convention years. Instead the ANCom would make its proposal to the Steering Committee, and the Steering Committee would chose the location and date.

To effectuate this, GPUS Bylaws 4-2 governing the Duties and Responsibilities of the Steering Committee (http://gpus.org/bylaws/#04-02) would be amended to add choosing the date and location as a Steering Committee responsibility.

Why would this change be made? The primary reason for this is that the length of the approvals process through the National Committee is time-consuming, and according to the ANMCom, this can lead to delays in planning, potential cost increases for the event, and difficulties around confirming and reserving desirable venues. Additionally the National Committee decision-making process does not always serve well for deliberating small comparative details between competing proposals, with airfares and the attractiveness of a city often determining National Committee delegates’ votes, compared to specific meeting space suitability of competing venues. Additionally, having the ANMCom make the recommendation has other advantages. Some of these are: the ability to select different regions each year, work with locations for party-building efforts like candidate campaigns, and mark special events such as Green Party anniversaries (like the 30th in Minnesota) or special events (like the anniversary of the date women got the right to vote.) It should also be noted that in 2014, the National Committee voted to allow the Steering Committee to confirm the ANMCom’s recommendation. However it was found that the proposal could not be implemented because the SC and ANMCom rules had to be revised to give such authority. So, in one sense this a “clean-up” proposal. See https://secure.gpus.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=764 for the proposal.

By having the ANMCom make its proposal to the Steering Committee, the final decision would still be in the hands of a body elected directly by the National Committee, and whose decisions can be challenged by the National Committee through GPUS Rules and Procedures 6-10.4 (http://gpus.org/rules-procedures/#06). At the same time, the Steering Committee’s small size would theoretically allow for a more deliberate discussion upon the merits of the ANCom’s recommendation.

However this change would not apply to choosing the location and date for the Presidential Nominating Convention - that decision would remain with the National Committee, because presidential conventions are an inherently more political event than annual meetings, and the politics of where and when a Green presidential convention is held is better left with the National Committee.

As all of this is a substantial delegation of authority from the National Committee to the Steering Committee, this Steering Committee authority will be in place for six years, for planning through 2023, in order to give the GPUS sufficient time to test it. At that point the authority for the Steering Committee to make this decision shall sunset and return to the National Committee, unless a new proposal is made to extend the Steering Committee’s mandate. As 2024 is a Presidential Nominating Convention year and thus would be approved by the National Committee, it would not be until 2025 again that a regular Annual National Meeting would be scheduled, hence there would be more than sufficient time after 2023 to consider the issue.

Third, this proposal would clarify that only the ANMCom can make such meeting/conventoin date and location proposals, and that accredited state parties and caucuses can not. This would be accomplished by amending the text about Annual National Meetings in GPUS Bylaws Article II Membership and National Committee, and by creating a new short Article VIII Presidential Nomination that would clarify this point (along with referencing that the separate Presidential Convention Rules are the governing document for the presidential nomination process).

Fourth, this proposal would update the ANMCom’s Mission Statement to specifically include tasks that it has adopted in practice for organizing the Annual National Meetings, and tasks specified for it in writing the Presidential Convention Rules for the organizing of the convention. In updating the Mission Statement, basic committee tasks that have become standard parts of recent Mission Statements for other committees are also added, such as submitting an annual committee budget request in the annual GPUS budget process, as specified in the GPUS Fiscal Policy.

Fifth, this proposal would update the ANMCom’s Committee Rules (previously called ‘policies and procedures’) by simplifying the language, including by eliminating a 736 word (!) internal committee dispute process that has never been used, and eliminating the ANCom internal ‘veto process’, where the ANMCom can reject a committee member appointment by a state party or caucus (as this would conflict with GPUS Bylaws 3-2.2 http://gpus.org/bylaws/#03 that give states and caucuses that power of appointment and would overrule this clause).’

Finally, it should be noted that this proposal is sponsored by the Steering Committee with the support of the ANMCom. The authority for the Steering Committee to sponsor amendments to GPUS Bylaws Articles II, IV and VIII (GPUS governing documents) comes from GPUS Bylaws 4-2.13:

4-2.13 Propose amendments to the GPUS governing documents and to the Steering Committee Rules, Policies and Procedures to facilitate the Mission, Duties and Responsibilities of the Steering Committee as defined in this Article.

and then by extension to sponsor amendments to the ANMCom’s Mission Statement and Committee Rules, as the Mission, Duties and Responsibilities of the Steering Committee include GPUS Bylaws 4-2.7 and it can be argued that ‘assisting the activities of a Standing Committee (in this case the ANMCom) can include sponsoring a proposal that would assist the ANMCom’s work:

4-2.7 Facilitate, coordinate and assist the activities of Standing and Ad Hoc Committees of the GPUS…

The ANMCom could have separately proposed amendments to its own Mission Statement and Committee Rules, but it makes more sense for all of these amendments to be approved as a single proposal, and since the ANCom does not have authority to propose amendments to GPUS Bylaws, it would not be listed as a co-sponsor to this proposal. For that reason, the Steering Committee is listed as the sole sponsor, but this proposal has the support of the ANMCom as well.

Proposal

That the following five-part proposal be approved:

Part I: That GPUS Bylaws 4-2 Duties and Responsibilities (of the Steering Committee) be amended to add approval of the location and date of the Annual National Meeting by adding the following new 4-2.11; with current 4-2.11 through 4-2.13 renumbered as -2.12 through 4-2.14

4-2.11 Choose the location and date of the GPUS Annual National Meeting (except in years where the Annual National Meeting coincides with the GPUS Presidential Nominating Convention) by voting upon a proposal submitted to the Steering Committee by the Annual National Meeting Committee. (This text and the authority it authorizes sunsets after choosing the location and date of the 2023 Annual National Meeting, after which authority to choose the location and date reverts to the National Committee.)

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Part II: Amend the Policies & Procedures of the Annual National Meeting Committee (established in 2005), by creating a new separate Mission Statement that includes the mandate to propose date and location for Annual National Meetings and Presidential Nominating Conventions; that includes other basic tasks of the ANMCom that have evolved the the last ten-plus years; as well as other basic GPUS committee functions that have become part of standard committee mission statements in recent years:

Annual National Meeting Committee Mission Statement

Section 1 Mission

1.1 Solicit, receive and evaluate proposals to host the Annual National Meetings of the Green Party of the United States and the quadrennial Presidential Nomination Convention of the Green Party of the United State

1.2 Submit a proposal to the National Committee for approval of date and location of the quadrennial Presidential Nomination Convention of the Green Party of the United States (including the Annual National Meeting of the Green Party of the United States held in conjunction with it).

1.3 Submit a proposal to the Steering Committee for approval of date and location of the Annual National Meetings of the Green Party of the United States, in years other than which the Presidential Nomination Convention is held.

(This text and the authority it authorizes sunsets after choosing the location and date of the 2023 Annual National Meeting, after which authority to chose the location and date reverts to the National Committee; and in this sub-section Steering Committee shall be changed to National Committee and then the text in this paragraph shall be deleted.)

1.4 Organize the Annual National Meetings of the Green Party of the United States and the quadrennial Presidential Nomination Convention of the Green Party of the United States.

1.5 Conduct post-meeting/post-convention outreach and evaluation

Section II Duties and Responsibilities - Annual National Meetings

2.1 Evaluate and recommend proposals to host Annual National Meetings primarily upon the following considerations: accessibility and affordability for attendees, financial viability for GPUS, potential turnout, strategic party-building opportunities (local/state/regional/national), involvement of local/state Greens, media opportunities, meeting space functionality, nearby and affordable lodging, public transit, ecological practices, support of community-based business and local workers, socially responsible institutions, geographical distribution of meeting locations over time.

2.2 Consider only hosting proposals that have the written support of the state party in which the meeting would be held, in states where there is an accredited state party.

2.3 Work with the host city/county/state Greens in the planning and organization of the meeting logistics.

2.4 Work with the Steering Committee in the scheduling of time specifically dedicated to the National Committee, including time for Steering Committee candidates to present themselves.

2.5 Work with other GPUS Standing Committees in the scheduling of time specifically dedicated to their Mission and work, including reports, workshops, speakers panels and candidate forums.

2.6 Schedule time in the agenda of the Annual National Meeting each year after the presidential election, for a debriefing session conducted by the Steering Committee on the Green Party's candidates and campaign, to include but not be limited to the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates, their campaign staff and volunteers, representatives of the GPUS Presidential Campaign Support Committee and Annual National Meeting Committees (to report on their roles during the process), Presidential Convention Honorary Co-chairs and the Convention Election Administrator (to report on their roles during the process) and other party members and individuals as may be relevant to ensure the breadth, depth and accuracy of such a debriefing/review.

2.7 Schedule time for workshops, reports and/or otherwise as directed by the National Committee.

2.8 Conduct post-meeting outreach and evaluation

Section III Duties and Responsibilities - Presidential Nominating Conventions

3.1 Evaluate proposals to host Presidential Nominating Conventions based upon the same considerations as Annual National Meetings (in 2.1), but give higher relative priority to strategic party-building opportunities (local/state/regional/national) and media opportunities.

3.2 Consider and propose only hosting proposals that will comply with Federal law and will allow the GPUS to meet any related Federal deadlines.

3.3 Consider and propose only hosting proposals that have the written support of the state party in which the convention would be held, in states where there is an accredited state party.

3.4 Work with the host city/county/state Greens in the planning and organization of the convention logistics.

3.5 Work with the Credentials Committee to ensure sufficient meeting space and meeting time for the Credentials Committee to fulfill its delegate credentialing obligations under the Presidential Convention Rules.

3.6 Provide sufficient time on the Convention agenda for Convention Delegates to vote on approval of the Credentials Committee Report and amendments to the Platform, as provided for under the Presidential Convention Rules.

3.7 Provide equal time for the purposes of addressing the convention to all presidential candidates who qualify under the Presidential Convention Rules.

3.8 Provide sufficient time on the Convention agenda for Convention Delegates to vote on a presidential nominee, and confirm a vice-presidential nominee, as provided for under the Presidential Convention Rules.

Section IV Duties and Responsibilities - General

4.1 Submit annual requests for budgeted funds in the GPUS annual budget according to the procedures defined in the GPUS Fiscal Policy, including funds for pre-meeting site visit(s) by committee members, GPUS staff, and/or GPUS Steering Committee members; and funds for the conduct of the Annual National Meeting and/or Presidential Nominating Convention itself.

4.2 Report on the activities of the Annual National Meeting Committee to the National Committee at the Annual National Meeting, either orally, in writing or both, and at any other intervals as requested by the National Committee.

4.3 Administer the Annual National Meeting Committee email list used for internal communications of the Committee.

4.4 Participate in the periodic review of Committee Rules of the Annual National Meeting Committee, as conducted by the Committee on Bylaws, Rules, Policies and Procedures.

4.5 Propose amendments to the Mission Statement and the Committee Rules of the Annual National Meeting Committee for approval by the National Committee as are necessary to fulfill the committee’s mission, duties and responsibilities.

4.6 Provide new committee members with training and orientation in the Mission, and Rules of the Annual National Meeting Committee.

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Part III: Amend the GPUS Bylaws to add a new Article VIII. Presidential Nomination , in order clarify that only the Annual National Meeting Committee can propose date and location for a Presidential Nominating Convention. As part of this, the text that is proposed in 8.1 below, is currently in Article II Membership and National Committee, and would be delated there and moved to Article VIII. Presidential Nomination

Article VIII. Presidential Nomination

8.1 The Presidential Nominating Convention of the Green Party is the delegated decision-making body responsible for nominating the national Green Party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates. The process shall be as established in the Rules of the Presidential Nominating Convention.

8.2. Proposals for date and location of the Presidential Nominating Convention (and the accompanying Annual National Committee) may only be made by the Annual National Meeting Committee to the National Committee; and not proposed by any state party or caucus.

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Part IV: Amend the GPUS Bylaws to add a new fourth paragraph in Article II. Membership and National Committee (replacing the text deleted in Part III of this proposal)

The National Committee shall meet for the purposes of decision-making on-line via the GPUS Voting Page. Additionally there shall be an in person, Annual National Meeting of the GPUS, that includes a meeting of the National Committee.

Approval of the location and date of the Annual National Meeting shall be made by the Steering Committee, in approval or rejection of a proposal made by the Annual National Meeting Committee. Such proposals may only made by the Annual National Meeting Committee to the Steering Committee; and not by any state party or caucus.

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Part V: Amend the ANMCom Committee Rules (previously called ‘policies and procedures’ to read as follows (with strikeout changes in red and additions in green shown in Attachment #2 below)

Committee Rules of the Annual National Meeting Committee

Article I Membership

1.1 The Annual National Meeting Committee shall consist of up to 3 three voting members from each accredited state party and caucus. State parties and caucuses are encouraged to appoint member who have experience and/or training in areas described in the committee’s Mission Statement

1.2 Members shall be considered active for the purposes of quorum for decision-making who have participated either by e-mail, teleconference or in person in the last two months. The committee co-chairs shall announce who are active members at least 72 hours before the commencement of any committee vote, and any ‘non-active’ member who responds shall be considered active.

1.3 Non-voting advisors may be nominated by any member, approved by majority vote, reappointed annually without limit, and removed by majority vote called by any two members. Advisors can participate in all committee activity including but not limited to email, meetings, and conference calls but will not have a vote.

Article II Co-Chairs

2.1 There shall be two co-chairs. Any committee member is eligible.

2.2 Co-chairs shall serve staggered two-year terms, with a limit of two consecutive terms. Gender balance and co-chairs from different states is desired but not mandatory.

Article III Meetings and Decision-Making

3.1 The committee shall meet a minimum of once per month, or more frequently as needed. The committee shall establish a regular meeting schedule and give at least seven days notice when changes to the schedule are made.

3.2 Meeting agendas should be published at least three days in advance, including text of proposals. Meeting agendas may be amended at the meeting.

3.3 Decisions may be made via teleconference, email or at in-person meetings.

3.4 The committee shall seek consensus in decision-making. Where consensus is not reached, the approval threshold is 2/3 of those voting yes or not.

3.5 Minutes shall be kept of all committee meetings and decision-making and posted to the entire committee.

Article IV: Outreach, Evaluation and Approval Timeline - Hosting Annual National Meetings

4.1 The ANMCom sets a schedule for receiving proposals so that a decision on the location of the Annual National Meeting will be decided NO LATER than December 31 of the year before the meeting.

Article V: Outreach, Evaluation and Approval Timeline - Hosting Presidential Nominating Conventions

5.1 The ANMCom sets forth a schedule whereby all proposals will be finalized no later than May 31 of the year prior to the PNC.

5.2 PNC Proposals will be in the queue for discussion for a minimum of three weeks before the beginning of the Annual National Meeting in the year prior to the PNC. Locations are encouraged to have presentations at the Annual National meeting the year before the PNC.

5.3 The National Committee will begin a one-week online ranked choice vote the Monday following the end of the Annual National Meeting.

Resources

IMPLEMENTATION/TIMELINE/RESOURCES: Amendments become effective upon approval by the National Committee.

Contact: Tamar Yager - tamaryager@gp.org

References

REFERENCES: ATTACHMENT #1 Sponsor/type of vote taken to approve ANM since 2004

2017 Annual National Meeting Committee (RCV) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/irvdetail?pid=866
2016 Annual National Meeting Committee (RCV, with write-in) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/irvdetail?pid=792
2015 Annual National Meeting Committee (yes/no) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=771
2014 Annual National Meeting Committee (yes/no) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=734
2013 Annual National Meeting Committee (yes/no) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=696
2012 Annual National Meeting Committee (RCV, with write-in) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/irvdetail?pid=627
2011 Green Party of New York State (yes/no) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=584
2010 Green Party of Michigan (yes/no) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=442
2009 Annual National Meeting Committee (yes/no) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=376
2008 Annual National Meeting Committee (RCV) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/irvdetail?pid=310
2007 Annual National Meeting Committee (RCV) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/irvdetail?pid=257
2006 Annual National Meeting Committee (RCV) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/irvdetail?pid=205
2005 Steering Committee (yes/no) http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=135
2004 Steering Committee (plurality) http://gpus.org/convention-2004-proposal/ • http://gpus.org/national-committee/voting-page-archives/

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