Green Party of the United States - National Committee Voting

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Proposal Details

Proposal ID	959
Proposal	Code of Conduct - Bylaw Amendment Addition
Presenter	Green Parties of VA, PA, DC, WI, and WA Black, LatinX, and National Women's Caucuses
Floor Manager	Tony Ndege
Phase	Cancelled
Discussion	06-03-2019 - 06-16-2019
Voting	06-17-2019 - 06-23-2019
Presens Quorum	Two Thirds of Active Accredited States/Caucuses
Consens Quorum	Two Thirds of Yes and No Votes

Background

Note: Quorum is 32 states/caucuses at this time.

The GPUS Bylaws, in Article VII, Ethical Standards, obliquely address ethical behavior on the part of Greens, but it is largely written for state parties and is mostly about representation and structure. As a national political organization, especially one based on a deep commitment to ethical governance, we need a code of conduct for members to serve as a template for constructive behavior, and against which to measure complaints regarding conduct.

Proposal

Amend the GPUS Bylaws, Article VII, "Ethical Behavior", by inserting the following as Para. 7-1, and numbering the current text of Article VII as 7-2.

7-1 Code of Conduct

7-1.1 Inclusiveness. The Green Party of the United States welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities. No person shall be discriminated against, deliberately made to feel unwelcome, or disparaged on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, social and economic class, educational level, color, immigration status, sex, age, size, family status, religion, or mental or physical ability.

7-1.2 Interpersonal behavior. The success of the Green Party of the United States depends on the enthusiasm, talents, cooperation, and hard work of each of its members. Because the things we say and do, and the decisions we make, affect us all, we are each obliged to treat every other member with respect, due deference, generosity, and consideration. Bullying or other disparaging or intimidating treatment, whether by an individual or in coordination with others, deeply wounds our cohesion and our mission. Disparagement, exaggerated accusations, deliberate mischaracterizations, and deceptive framing are inconsistent with Green ethics. Expressing unproven assumptions (or suspicions) that a colleague's intentions are malevolent, or failing to give the benefit of the doubt, is counterproductive. When frustrations occur and tempers flare, we are obliged to step back and wait for passions to cool before re-engaging.

Behaviors that are unacceptable include:

1. In communication:

a. Verbal, written or cyber abuse such as the use of derogatory remarks or epithets; insults, especially those using bigoted terms (racist, sexist, etc.); belittling, mocking, or teasing; spreading rumors or innuendos; unreasonable criticisms; discriminatory jokes or language.

b. Verbal, written, cyber, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a threatening, intimidating or humiliating nature; vilification or backbiting; excessive or unfair criticism; public insults.

c. The deliberate sabotage, trivializing, or undermining of a member’s or group’s work.

d. Private communication that is abusive or hostile; secretly forwarding or blind-copying private emails; publishing communications made in confidence.

e. Unwelcome sexual attention or physical contact.

f. Bullying, either individually or in cooperation with others, including deliberate exclusion or ignoring, doxing or other public or private exposure to damage a reputation, or coordinated or repeated commission of any of the abuses listed above.

2. In the work environment:

a. Isolating people from normal work interactions, or other deliberate exclusion.

b. Excessive demands, or setting impossible deadlines.

c. Unfairly blaming for mistakes.

d. Assuming, implying, or accusing malfeasance or malignant motives without clear evidence.

7-1.3 Collegiality. Every member is an ambassador for the Green Party of the United States to the broader polity, and to the world. Members should refrain from publicly airing internal disagreements, and from publicly disparaging or denigrating the party or any of its members. Criticism of the party, where justified, should be constructive, and offered with the aim of improving the party and supporting its membership. Deliberately publishing polarizing or divisive commentary, or publicly condemning party members, damages the public standing of the party and imperils its mission, and is unacceptable.

7-1.4 Professionalism. As Greens we place our trust in one another. To succeed, we must have both transparency and confidentiality. Leaders, committee members, delegates, and others in positions of responsibility should exemplify the highest standards of honesty and integrity. The following are unacceptable: betrayal of confidences entrusted in accordance with bylaws, policies, rules, or agreed procedures; offering or accepting bribes, whether monetary or for other consideration; theft, larceny, extortion, blackmail, or any felony the commission of which involves the Green Party, its property, data, or members, except in the conduct of principled strategic acts of non-violent civil disobedience; acting or conspiring to subvert the procedures of any committee or the conduct of any internal election; misrepresentation of one's own or another's political commitments; infiltration on behalf of any outside interest; or maintenance of a conflict of interest without full disclosure.

Resources

CONTACT: Bryce Davis, GPVA Co-chair, bad1128@gmail.com; Tina Rockett, GPVA Co-chair, roktt@icloud.com; B. Sidney Smith, GPVA Secretary, bsidneysmith@gmail.com.

References

None

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