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Bylaws This page lists our bylaws, followed by approved policies and procedures. Policies and procedures are set us by the Coordinating Council and can be changed as conditions change (for example, as new technology becomes available).
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Bylaws of the Green Party of the South Puget SoundAdopted May 23rd 2002; revised August 27, 2003 and January 27, 2005.
Section 1. Name and Legal Status
1.1 The name of this organization is Green Party of South Puget Sound (GPoSPS).
1.2 The organization was established as a Washington Non-Profit Corporation under the original name "South Sound Greens." Articles of incorporation were filed for record June 9, 2000, in the office of the Secretary of State.
Section 2. Purpose
2.1 The purpose of the GPoSPS shall be political and social action, public education, community organizing and related activities.
2.2 The GPoSPS adheres to the "Ten Key Values" of the Green Party movement:
Ecological Wisdom,
Social Justice,
Grassroots Democracy,
Nonviolence,
Decentralization,
Community-based Economics,
Feminism and Gender Equity (Egalitarianism),
Respect for Diversity,
Personal and Global Responsibility,
Future Focus (Sustainability).
The GPoSPS is a part of the global Green movement, and works with other Green Party locals and organizations, as well as other green & progressive groups, in order to effect positive social change in our local regions, our country, and the world.
2.3 The GPoSPS is affiliated with the Green Party of Washington State (GPoWS), which is affiliated with the Green Party of the United States (GP/US). This affiliation is at-will.
2.4 The GPoSPS may use any and all legal methods of non-violent social change, including selective acts of civil disobedience and direct action.
Section 3. Membership
3.1 Membership is open to anyone, regardless of age, race, national origin, spiritual belief, gender, sexual orientation, or differing abilities.
3.2 Membership and decision making rights are accorded to all members in good standing who have completed an application and paid their dues or filed a waiver, following attendance at one Members meeting.
3.3 Members meetings
3.3.1 Members meetings shall be held no fewer than four times a year. The Members meeting schedule, including date, time and location, shall be posted on the web site and announced in a monthly members newsletter which will be mailed at least 10 days prior to the scheduled members meeting.
3.3.2 Special Meetings of the Members may be held whenever requested by twenty-five percent of the Members with mailed notice to all Members at least ten days in advance of the meeting date.
3.3.3 The Annual Meeting shall be held in May at a place and time to be designated by the Coordinating Council with mailed notice to all members at least ten days in advance of the meeting date.
3.3.4 A quorum shall consist of 10% of the membership or at least five members, whichever is greater. The membership coordinator will provide regular updates of membership numbers to the Members meeting facilitator.
3.3.5 Decisions at Meetings
At any Meeting of the Members, the Members shall use the consensus process to seek approval of any action by the Members, hearing all views and concerns in full. Where consensus cannot be reached on any proposal, a member may call for a vote on that proposal. At this point the members blocking the proposal, and the member calling for a vote, must briefly recuse themselves. The remaining members must seek a consensus decision regarding whether to move forward with a vote of the Members. If a quorum is lost during this process, the proposal will be tabled for a later time or date. In the event that these members consent to hold a vote, the members who had recused themselves may participate in the vote on the proposal. The vote will only be considered an agreement to the proposal if at least three quarters of members, present at any Meeting where a quorum exists, vote for the proposal. Any decision that violates the 10 Key Values identified in Section 2.2 is void.
3.3.6 The members shall determine meeting structure and items of discussion with only the following requirements: That every meeting begin with review for approval of the minutes of the previous meeting; that all active Working Groups, Special Projects, and officers give a brief report to the membership; and that time be provided for any member to make announcements, ask questions, or voice concerns on any topic.
3.4 General powers of the members
3.4.1 The Members shall have final approval over all matters including Coordinating Council decisions which are subject to review and revision by members at subsequent Members meetings.
3.5 Right of Recall: The Members may recall any officer, working group or special poject committee, that is no longer deemed to be serving the best interests of the organization as a whole, by consensus or a three-quarters vote at any Members meeting.
Section 4. Administrative body/Coordinating Council
4.1 The administrative body of the GPoSPS is the Coordinating Council (CC) to be composed of the elected officers and one at large representative. The CC meetings will follow the same decision-making process as at Members meetings and are open to all members.
4.2. Regular Meetings of the CC will be held at least once per month. Notice of the meetings and the proposed agenda will be posted on the website and to the listserve by the Facilitator at least 3 days prior to each meeting.
4.3 Special Meetings of the CC may be held whenever requested by at least fifty percent of the CC members and shall be posted at least three days in advance of the meeting by the Facilitator.
4.4 Attendance by at least 50% of the official CC members will constitute a quorum.
4.5 The responsibilities of the CC include carrying out the administrative needs of the organization, including signing contracts and planning budgets; setting agenda priorities in between Membership meetings based upon the order in which received; reviewing activities and proposals of Working Groups, Special Projects groups, Committees and any Member; making policy recommendations to the membership at member meetings; serving as a liaison body in communications with other organizations; and making 'rapid response' endorsements and statements on urgent matters in accordance with the 10 key values. The CC will establish conflict resolution guidelines and a grievance procedure with GM approval.
4.5.1 Terms of CC member service
A member can serve in the same office for no longer than 2 consecutive terms. CC members shall serve two year terms unless they choose to resign or are recalled. Resignations shall be accepted upon receipt of a resignation letter (email is acceptable). Vacant offices shall be filled as quickly as possible by interim appointment by the CC followed by elections at the following Members meetings.
4.5.2. Dates of CC member terms
Facilitator: Odd years 2005-2007 (example)
Secretary: Even Years 2004-2006 (example)
Membership Coordinator: Odd Years 2005-2007 (example)
Treasurer: Even Years 2004-2006 (example)
Media Liaison (pos. 1) Odd Years 2005-2007 (example)
Media Liaison (pos. 2) Even Years 2004-2006 (example)
Technology person? Information officer?
Section 5. Officers
5.1 The Officers shall be Facilitator, Secretary, Information Officer, Database Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, Treasurer, and two Media Liaisons. The term of office for all officers is one year unless otherwise specified. Technical Consultants are not elected officers but volunteers who serve as long as available. They are trusted members who have served as officers.
5.2 The Secretary and Treasurer may not be the same person, nor may the Facilitator and Secretary be the same person. Any member in good standing may serve as an Officer.
5.3 The Facilitator is responsible for the facilitation of CC and Members Meetings as well as communications among CC members and between members and the CC; for soliciting agenda items for CC and Members Meetings; for prioritizing agenda items, with input from members; for developing program ideas (topics and speakers); and for contacting and/or confirming guest speakers. The Facilitator may delegate duties as needed. The Facilitator will facilitate a consensus on the date and location of a retreat, and facilitate selection of a contact person who will execute the details of the retreat. He or she will facilitate the retreat.
5.4 The Secretary shall develop minutes from all Members and CC Meetings, and post them on the GPoSPS listserve and website (files section); keep the organizational files and make them available for public and member inspection as required by law; update the bylaws with any changes passed in General Membership Meeting; and submit any bylaws changes to the Secretary of State. The Secretary shall provide a tentative Agenda for each General Membership Meeting.
5.5 The Information Officer shall visit the email inbox of the GPoSPS at least 3 times a week; shall pass membership requests to the Membership Coordinator, and other mssages to the appropriate officers; shall delete and/or block spam; and shall pass messages from the Liaison Listserve of the GPoWS on to the CC members.
5.6 The Database Coordinator shall keep membership information, including dues payment information, in an up-to-date database, and shall provide the database to others in a timely fashion each month, to facilitate sending out newsletters and dues renewal notices. The Membership Coordinator shall provide an updated list of member names and phone numbers to any member who is organizing a party related activity sanctioned by the General Meeting. (Any members so contacted will have expressed interest in that type of activity on a Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet.) With assistance from the Treasurer and the Secretary, the Membership Coordinator will fill out and submit quarterly reports to the Green Party of Washington State.
5.7 The Membership Coordinator will develop and send out information packets to prospective members and membership packets to new members; work to ensure Volunteer Sign-Up forms are received for each member; and call members for meetings and volunteer opportunities, aided by other CC members and/or by the contact person for any special activity.
5.8 The Treasurer shall maintain the financial books and records and shall pay financial obligations when due. The Treasurer will report on the financial status of the organization at its regular Members Meetings and as requested by the CC. The Treasurer shall ensure that the financial requirements of FEC, PDC and Thurston County are prepared and submitted in a timely manner, and update the yearly Secretary of State registration with the State of Washington. The Treasurer will work with the Database Coordinator to make sure dues payment information is up to date in membership records.
5.9 The Media Liaisons shall represent the organization in external media communications, consistent with the directions of the CC and the Members Meetings. Guidance for this office is included in a supplementary file entitled ““Media Liaison Goals and Guidelines.””
5.10 The Technical Consultants will develop and maintain the GPoSPS website and listserve, and will invite new members to join the listserve.
Section 6. Standing Committees, Working Groups and Special Project Committees
6.1 A Standing Committee or Working Group is a group of at least three members who meet on a continuing basis to address issues in a certain category.
6.2 A Special Project (SP) consists of one or more members who undertake a more specific study or task. A SP is not continuing and disbands after completion of its purpose.
6.3 Proposals for the formation of Standing Committees, Working Groups or Special Projects may be submitted at any CC or Members meeting. Proposals shall clearly define the purpose and function of the WG or SP and shall designate a chair or 'point person' who will report on the status of the WG or SP, as requested, at CC and Member meetings.
Section 7. Indemnification of Directors and Officers:
The GPoSPS shall indemnify and hold harmless any person who serves as a CC member or Officer from all lawful actions taken by such persons while acting on behalf of the organization.
Section 8. Amendment of these bylaws.
Any Member may bring a proposal that these Bylaws be amended at any CC or General Membership meeting.
Listserv Protocol
Adopted by the membership, July 27, 2006
Three kinds of behavior on the listserv are considered grounds for action by the listserv moderators:
1) disrespectful language used in referring to another person or their activities,
2) an attack on another person’s motivation or character,
3) putting a message meant to be private on the listserv.
For violations, a person is removed from the listserv until the next meeting at which he or she can ask to be reinstated.
Policies and ProceduresAdopted by the Coordinating Council to facilitate its work
Media Liaison Goals and Guidelines
A. Write press releases and articles tying the larger national platform to issues of local relevance. Write press releases and articles articulating the GPoSPS’’s position on local issues as part of a local issues campaign.
B. Cultivate existing networks to spread the Green message. Build relationships with aligned organizations which the GPoSPS membership has chosen for coalitions. Make contact at least once a year with other organizations/ networks, to introduce yourself or remind them that you represent GPoSPS.
C. Offer interviews to the media, in order to increase GPoSPS visibility and aid the understanding of key GPoSPS messages and positions.
D. Develop soundbytes: prepare a set of short snappy answers to common questions on the GPoSPs and its positions, to be used in PSAs, flyers, call-in programs, etc.
E. Work towards ever more creative means of expressing the messages of the GPoSPS. Educate yourself and others in political communication. Involve as many of the other members as possible in media outreach.
F. Be conscious of common misperceptions of the Green Party, so that you can correct them as they appear. Also be aware of common criticisms of our positions, and correct these even if the Green Party is not named.
G. Educate yourself about the FCC’’s rules for political speech. Learn how we may assert our right to be heard as a (minor) political party.
H. Develop a list of media outlets for advertising our events. Keep adding to it.
I. Train your replacement.
Protocol for GP “Newsletter”
The newsletter schedule is based on the current meeting schedule: first Thursday of the month CC meeting; fourth Thursday public meeting. It can be easily moved into new dates/days of meetings.
First Thursday of the month, CC meeting: List of topics for the newsletter; list of prospective writers (by-line articles). Decision on the focus article (front page article).
In the following days, check in with Centralia (Joseph) and Shelton (Steve/ Marilou?) locals.
Write announcements and summaries and email out to CC for comments. The staff has not felt free to go forward before it receives comments.
Second Friday: Deadline for by-line articles; phone calls to people who signed up but haven’t produced.
Second weekend activities: editing, final writing; put articles into Publisher form; electronic proof reading.
Look over current members’ database. Create dues notices. Type labels for copies of newsletter going to special people.
Monday after that weekend: Print out newsletters, merging with database for current members. By-laws (and state law) say “Mail 10 days before GP members’ meeting.”
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Bylaws