Bylaws Amendment - Standing Green Assembly, other modifications

The total number of words in the new text is 10,776, down from 14,266. This is accomplished by greatly simplifying the text in several places and by the fact that long procedures for county polling described in the appendix are no longer necessary because they will be accomplished through on-line votes of the SGA.

 

An explanation of the changes made in each Article follows:

 

 

This new text takes the existing 3-1.2 Membership sub-section and makes it its own article, and makes the phrasing clearer than in the existing text.  The two changes from the existing text are (1) to make it more clear how counties can designate as party members, those individuals who are not eligible to register Green and (2) to add to 'member of the GPUS Delegation' to the list of internal party positions that one must be registered Green. The reasoning for (2) was so that other members parties of the GPUS could be confident that everyone representing the GPCA to the GPUS was a registered Green and in so doing, also attempt to also set an objective standard for GPUS National Committee membership from those other states where party registration is by law. If there is a strong sentiment on the part of the General Assembly to delete (2), the Bylaws Committee would agree to it, but believes it would be an improvement to make the change.

 

 

This replaces the former Article 3. Structure by making a more comprehensive overview of the party's structure. Whereas the former Article 3. spoke only of party membership and county organizations, this new Article 4. Structure lays out an overview of all of the basic structural building blocks of the party - the General Assembly, Coordinating Committee, County Organizations, County Councils and the party Treasurer and Liaison to the Secretary of State. This provides a clear, single place to understand how the party is organized, with a clear definition of the areas of responsibility for each.

 

 

This new Article combines the previous "3-2 County Organizations" and "5‑4.2 Criteria for active county status" into a single Article for purposes of clarity and better organization. There is one content change to make it easier for a county to be considered active: for the criteria for active status,  the existing criteria is "The county has sent delegates to at least two of the last three meetings;". The new text is "The County Organization has sent delegates to at least two of the last four General Assemblies". 

 

The other change is to clarify an ambiguity in the existing 3-2, to eliminate the kind of debate that has occurred over whether counties that have been recognized for years and have not changed their bylaws, are suddenly considered no longer compliant. To remedy this, the new text states  "Once a County Organization becomes recognized via this process, it shall retain that status unless it amends its bylaws to become non-compliant. Any decision by the Coordinating Committee regarding certification may be appealed to the General Assembly."  

 

 

This new Article takes the text from the existing "Section 4-1. County Councils" and makes it its own Article. The following objectives are addressed in this Article:

 

• Eliminates the current ambiguity about the ability of sitting County Councils to change their size in terms of how many members may be elected in the direct primary election, by clarifying that for counties of at least 500 registered Greens, they may due so within a given time period before the elections are held and by establishing a minimum number of members (five) that they must have, so as to prevent a small existing number of County Council members from shrinking the size of the council from the current seven for counties of that size, to just a few people and minimize the potential for future democracy.  For counties where there are between 150 and 500 Greens, it also establishes that the minimum size shall be five.

 

• Establishes a clear beginning and ending time for newly elected County Councils, such that " Elections shall be for two-year terms lasting until the results of the next direct primary election are legally certified."

 

• Establishes a clear statewide standard for how vacancies occur in "6-4 Vacancy."

 

• Establishes a clear "6-5 Removal for Cause" Section. The text in the existing bylaws is ambiguous, because it doesn't make it clear who can remove an elected County Councilmember: "Grounds for removal: Any member of the county council may be removed if they: 1.Register as a member of another political party, or 2. Violate the bylaws of the state plenary or county."

 

The new "6-5 Removal for Cause" makes it clear that only the General Assembly can remove an elected County Councilmember. The rationale for this is that these members are elected by the registered Greens in each county, but there is no recall provision in the state elections code by which county registrars would conduct a recall election for an elected County Councilmember, so the people that elected the County Councilmembers could not recall them. If it were simply up to the local County Council, then the GPCA would create a situation for elected County Councilmembers to be able to simply remove from office, other elected County Councilmembers who they don't favor.  Since the authority for County Councils ultimately rests in the state elections code and the GPCA bylaws, and the state elections code that governs political parties exists because those statewide parties exist, this new Section rests the power to remove an elected member with the General Assembly and provides a process for this occur. This essentially protects the rights of Green voters to have the results of their votes protected from arbitrary action by competing County Council members.  

 

Conversely, this same new section allows County Councils who appoint additional members to County Councils to remove them for cause, as those newly appointed members have not been approved by Green voters, but only by those same County Council members.

 

• Moves the content from the existing "4‑1.22  New County Organizations" to the new "Section 6‑6 Appointments to Vacancies Where No County Council" exists, with the primary change making it clear how a meeting to establish a new County Council has to be publicized and changes the number of Greens who must be present for such a decision to be valid from a random number (eight) to a objective one "the number of registered GPCA members in the county that must attend the meeting, must equal at least the number that would be necessary to sign nomination signatures to appear on the County Council ballot in that county."  It also provides a more clear process for how appeals to the decision of the Coordinating Committee in recognizing new County Councils may be made, including by appeal to the Standing Green Assembly.

 

• Concentrates text that might be better suited in the GPCA's Election Code into "6-2.3 Computation of members allotted", which depending upon the results of the legislature passing a GPCA Elections code could be removed from the GPCA bylaws or left in there.

 

Article 7. General Assembly
 

The current text relating to the General Assembly is spread over two disconnected "Sections: Section 4-2. Delegate Selection to General Assembl" and "Article 5. General Assembly Meetings."  This consolidates the content in a single Article, with the following objectives:

 

• Simplifies the explanation of the consensus-seeking process, without changing its meaning

 

• Creates a single section "Section 7-2. Proposals" to consolidate the text surrounding (1) how proposals come to the General Assembly, (2) what are their decision-making thresholds and (3) what are the voting systems used to decide upon them.

 

The ambiguity in the current decision-making threshold language between what is 'policy' and what is 'business' is clarified by making a clear list of what kind of proposals merit what level of approval threshold. The top approval threshold is also changed from 4/5 to 2/3 for major party decisions like bylaws and platform amendments  for two main reasons.

 

First, the GPCA is the only Green Party in the world that uses an 80% approval threshold, and the 80% is a holdover from the pre-party days before 1990 when small groups in locals used it, but for which can often turn into a tyranny of a small minority when used for bodies of 50 to 75 people who do not have unlimited time at a busy state meeting to try and resolve their differences and arrive at 80%. Second, the move to a Standing Green Assembly practically precludes such a process of trying to get to 80% by the limits of electronic communication (the GPUS uses 2/3 for bylaws and platforms with its use of a voting page) and it would not be sensible for the GPCA to have two different approval thresholds for the same kind of proposal, depending upon whether it was submitted to a face-to-face General Assembly or the Standing General Assembly.  Finally, a 3/5 threshold is established for more administrative decisions and these are listed in this Section as well.

 

• Creates a new section "Section 7-4 Endorsements" from the text of the current "Section 9-1. Statewide Endorsement Procedure" and makes it explicit that the method of endorsing will be to provide ranked choice voting options to vote 'yes', 'no', 'abstain' and 'no position'. Currently those four positions are options in the county polling process the GPCA uses, but there is no ranked choice voting option. 

 

• Creates a new section "7-5.6 Minutes", to clarify what belongs in the party's General Assembly minutes. Currently there is no definition and the party's practice of random 'notes' from General Assemblies has left a consistently incomplete record of the party's decision-making.

 

• Creates a section "Section 7-1. Delegate"s that has a slightly changed Delegate Allocation formula, the objective of which is to ensure a consistent approach for both the General Assembly and the Standing Green Assembly. That formula is explained as follows:

 

The current formula by which the General Assembly size and how many delegates per county was designed in August 1990, for in-person meetings only, with two objectives:  to provide a minimum of one delegate per active county and to have a proportionality reflecting how many registered Greens are in each county compared to how many statewide. While the current system attempts makes progress towards reaching those two simultaneous objectives, it has these flaws:

 

- (1) The current system favors having a set number of delegates (100) at the expense of having an accurate and consistent proportionality between the counties. This is because the number of active counties can vary greatly, meaning the number of remaining seats to be divided proportionally can vary greatly, meaning that depending upon how many counties are active, larger counties can be either significantly over-represented (when there are fewer active counties, as in the present) or they can be significantly under-represented (when there are many active counties, as has been the case in the past and could be again in the future). How does occur? The current system of 100 delegates guarantees one delegate per active county and then divides the remaining seats proportionally among the active counties. This means if 20 counties are active, then 80 seats are divided proportionally. In these situations, the larger counties get over-represented.  But if 40 counties were active, then only 60 seats are divided proportionally and the larger counties get under-represented.  And if all 58 counties were active (some that only a few handfuls of Greens but would still be entitled to one vote), then only 42 seats  are divided proportionally and the larger counties get even further under-represented. 

 

- (2) In any of these cases, its not clear why the number of votes a county is entitled to based upon its number of greens compared to the number of Greens in the rest of the state, should vary greatly depending upon whether other Greens are active or not in far away reaches of the state. The proposed new approach would still meet the original August 1990 objectives for GA size: "to provide a minimum of one delegate per active county and to have a proportionality reflecting how many registered Greens are in each county compared to how many statewide." But it would do so in a more consistently accurate way, by establishing a clear size for every county, and if they are active they get their votes and if they are not, they don't.  This makes for standard sizes for delegations and since the Standing Delegate terms are to be for one year, it has the benefit of giving each county a clear idea of how many Standing Delegates it has to appoint and when to appoint them.

 

• Creates a new section "Section 7-6 Standing Green Assembly." This section clarifies the terms for SGA delegates, which decisions automatically go before the SGA and the length of the discussion period (six weeks) and voting period (one week).

 

 

This section takes the current "Section 7-1. Coordinating Committee" and updates the duties and responsibilities to include all those mentioned in different places in the bylaws, instead of the old and incomplete list in the current text and also does the following

 

• Creates a new Recall section to reflect that under this approach, all Coordinating Committee members are to be elected by the Standing Green Assembly, and hence recall would occur by the Standing Green Assembly.

 

• Establishes that all Coordinating Committee seats in the future would be elected by the Standing Green Assembly as thus: "The Coordinating Committee" shall be composed of up to 24 voting members, with 12 men and 12 women. Six men and six women shall be elected each year to serve staggered, two year terms." But in approving these changes, there would be a one year transition period where the existing regionally elected Coordinating Committee members as of May 2012 would retain their seats for approximately one more year, through the spring of 2013 Coordinating Committee elections, after which their terms would end when the newly elected Coordinating Committee members are elected.

 

•  Changes the approval threshold for a special Coordinating Committee meeting from 4/5 to 2/3, but requires that quorum be 2/3, instead of a simple majority, which is the case in the current bylaws.

 

 

This Article takes the existing 7-2 through 7-7 describing Standing Committees and puts them in this new Article 9, then updates the text for each one to be more clear about its duties and authority to coincide with existing practice, and to provide more clarify about when ex-officio members are voting members of the committees and when not.

 

This Article also creates a new committee - Information Technology Committee (which was proposed by the Coordinating Committee at its January 2012 retreat), establishes the Campaign Funding Support Committee in the bylaws, rather than in the appendix to the bylaws as is presently the case, and eliminates the International Protocol Committee, which has not been active for years.

 

This Article also provides an additional opportunity for eligibility for appointment to standing Committees, expanding the base of those who could be appointed, making it potentially easier to fill those committee. Current bylaws state that eligible appointees must have attended at least one in-person General Assembly within the last five. This Article adds eligibility for those who are Standing Green Assembly delegates. This was done both to reflect the addition of the Standing Green Assembly and to provide a way for those who have disabilities that prevent them from attending an in-person General Assembly to be able to become eligible to be appointed to standing committees by being a Standing Green Assembly delegate.

 

 

This Article takes the existing content from the existing "Article 8. Working Groups of the General Assembly", then updates the text for each one to be more clear about its duties and authority to coincide with existing practice, and to provide more clarify about when ex-officio members are voting members of the committees and when not.

 

 

This Article combines the Work Plan requirement for standing committees and working groups together with the Strategic Plan requirement for the Coordinating Committee to present to the General Assembly, and places it into a single article.
 

 

This article reorganizes and reformats the content of the existing "Article 11. Delegates to the Green Party of the United States." The primary organizational change is that it separates out the existing text about GPCA affiliation with the GPUS as its own Section, rather than burying it in a sub-section about delegates as in the current text.

 

Article 13. Status and Amendment of GPCA Governing Rules
 

This article establishes greater clarity about how the GPCA's rules documents are amended and eliminates the long and unused "Article 12. Rules and Procedures" as unnecessary.

 

 

 

This is a new article that takes part of the process content of the Campaign Support Fund that wasn't put into the Campaign Support Fund Committee section of the Bylaws in the Committee Article and places it into the Rules and Procedures.

 

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Proposal: That the following text be considered and approved by the General Assembly. 

 

Article 3. Membership

Section 3-1 Members

GPCA members are those who are legally registered to vote in California as members of the Green Party. County Organizations may also extend GPCA membership to county residents who are not otherwise eligible to register to vote in California, but who affirm in writing the Ten Key Values and the GPCA's purpose, and meet other criteria established by the GPCA and/or the county organization. For such membership to be valid within the parameters defined in these bylaws, the County Organization must forward minutes to the Coordinating Committee of the meeting at which such membership was extended.

Section 3-2 Decision-Making

Only GPCA members may vote for or serve as General Assembly delegates, or members of GPCA Standing Committees or Working Groups. Only registered Green Party members may serve as members of the Coordinating Committee, GPUS Delegation, Treasurer and/or Liaison to the Secretary of State. Only GPCA members may hold outstanding concerns or vote in party decision-making.

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Article 4. Structure

Section 4-1 General Assembly

The General Assembly, consisting of delegates appointed from each active County Organization recognized by the GPCA, is the primary decision-making body of the GPCA.

Section 4-2 Coordinating Committee

The Coordinating Committee shall authorize and carry out decisions of the General Assembly and make executive decisions, but not set policy between General Assembly meetings, and shall be generally responsible for coordinating General Assemblies and other statewide meetings, internal communications and other Party administrative tasks as defined in these Bylaws.

Section 4-3 Committees and Working Groups

The General Assembly may establish additional Committees and Working Groups in the Bylaws and assign duties and authority to them. Committees are generally established to formulate and execute the tasks and policies needed to maintain and facilitate the internal functions of the GPCA. Working Groups are generally established to formulate and execute the tasks and policies needed to conduct the party's electorally-related organizing and party-building. Committee members become members by appointment, based upon their special expertise relating to the committee's duties and authority. Working Group members become members by virtue of their participation in the working group, according to the bylaws that govern them.

Section 4-4 County Organizations

Green Party County Organizations recognized by the General Assembly are the official organizations of the GPCA at the county level and shall have the powers granted to them by GPCA Bylaws, including being generally responsible for organizing and coordinating Green Party activity within the county, including party building, internal and external communications, and representing the county Green Party level to the state Green Party level.

Section 4-5 County Councils

County Councils are elected and appointed according to the GPCA Bylaws and California law, and shall have the powers granted to them by GPCA Bylaws, and secondarily, by the bylaws of recognized County Organizations, where they don't conflict with GPCA Bylaws.

Section 4-6 Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have the duties and responsibilities as defined in the Fiscal Policy. The term of the Treasurer shall be two years, beginning in odd-numbered years. The Treasurer shall be nominated by the Coordinating Committee and subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. Coordinating Committee members are not eligible to serve as Treasurer. The Coordinating Committee shall immediately fill any vacancy in the office of the Treasurer, subject to confirmation by the next meeting of the General Assembly.

Section 4-7 Liaison to the Secretary of State

The Liaison to the Secretary of State is the official contact of the GPCA with the California Secretary of State. The term of the Liaison shall be two years, beginning in odd‑numbered years. The Liaison shall be nominated by the Coordinating Committee, and subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. Coordinating Committee members are not eligible to serve as Treasurer. The Coordinating Committee shall immediately fill any vacancy in the office of Liaison, subject to confirmation by the next meeting of the General Assembly.

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Article 5 County Organizations

Section 5-1 Recognition

5-1.1 A County Organization is considered recognized by the General Assembly if it adopts and files organizational bylaws with the Coordinating Committee and Bylaws Committee that are consistent with GPCA bylaws and California law, that:

5-1.1(a) Describe the county's organizational structure, including membership and decision-making;

5-1.1(b) Describe the process for filling County Council vacancies;

5-1.1(c) Describe the process for selecting General Assembly delegates;

5-1.1(d) Establish the position of county treasurer and describe the process for selecting it.

5-1.2 The Coordinating Committee shall certify, based on this Article, whether a County Organization has initially satisfied 5-1.1 Once a County Organization becomes recognized via this process, it shall retain that status unless it amends its bylaws to become non-compliant. Any decision by the Coordinating Committee regarding certification may be appealed to the General Assembly. (BY WHOM)

Section 5-2 Active Status

5-2.1 A recognized County Organization shall be considered active for the purposes of seating General Assembly delegates and participating in County Polling, if it fulfills at least one of the following conditions:

5-2.1(a) The county has a County Council;

5-2.1(b) The County Organization has sent delegates to at least two of the last four General Assemblies;

5-2.1(c) The County Organization has held a General Membership Meeting within the last six months at which at least eight registered Greens from within the county were present, delegates to the General Assembly were chosen and the County Organization has forwarded minutes of the meeting to the Coordinating Committee.

5-2.2 No sooner than twelve weeks and no later than six weeks before the opening of each in-person General Assembly, the Liaison to the Secretary of State, or another individual designated by the Coordinating Committee, shall obtain the most recent Report of Registration from the Secretary of State, and the Coordinating Committee shall determine, based on this Article, which county organizations are currently active. If after this determination has been made, but before the opening of the General Assembly, additional counties are found by the Coordinating Committee to be active, the newly active counties shall be allocated the number of seats they would otherwise be entitled to under 7-1.2.

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Article 6. County Councils

Section 6-1 Members

6-1.1 Members of County Councils shall be those elected in the direct primary election and those appointed in between.

6-1.2 A County Organization’s bylaws must specify the number of members to be elected in the county.

6-1.3 If a county has less than 150 registered Green Party voters, the number of members to be elected shall be three;

6-1.4 If a county has between 150 and 500 registered Green Party voters, the number of members to be elected shall be five;

6-1.5 If a county has more than 500 registered Green Party voters, the number shall be either:

6-1.5(a) The greater of the number seven or the integer nearest the resulting quotient obtained by dividing 100 times the number of Green Party registered voters in the county by the number of Green Party registered voters in the state; or

6-1.5(b) Recognized County Organizations may choose to modify the number of members to be elected by notifying the Coordinating Committee at least 165 days prior to the direct primary election, notification of which must include minutes of the decision that took place. In such cases the number of members to be elected may be no fewer than five. It shall be the responsibility of the Coordinating Committee to notify the Secretary of State of the modification no later than 135 days prior to the direct primary election.

Section 6-2 Elections

6-2.1 Members shall be elected in each county at each direct primary election. Only those legally registered to vote in California as members of the Green Party are eligible to be elected. Elections shall be for two-year terms lasting until the results of the next direct primary election are legally certified.

6-2.2 Multi-Member Districts

6-2.2(a) Members shall be elected from one or more multi-member districts.

6-2.2(b) A County Organization’s bylaws shall specify that members shall be elected from either a single, countywide multi-member district or multiple, multi-member districts corresponding to the boundaries of the Congressional, State Assembly, State Senate or Supervisorial districts within that county.

6-2.2(c) The number of seats to be elected for each district shall be proportional to the number of registered Green Party members in that district, compared to the number of registered Green Party members county wide.

6-2.3 Computation of members allotted (IF WE CAN GET THE ELECTION CODE PASSED THIS YEAR, SHOULD THIS TEXT 6-2.3 THROUGH 6-2.8 JUST GO INTO THE ELECTION CODE AND NOT IN THE BYLAWS?)

6-2.3(a) The Secretary of State, no later than the 125th day before the direct primary election, shall compute the number of members of County Councils to be elected in each county and shall mail a certificate to that effect to the county clerk of each county and to the Liaison to the Secretary of State.

6-2.3(b) The county clerk, no later than the 115th day before the direct primary election, shall compute the number of members of County Council members to be elected in each district if the election of the members is to be by district.

6-2.4 In each county, the name of each candidate for member of County Councils shall appear on the ballot only if she or he is registered in the Green Party and has filed a nomination paper pursuant to Division 6 (commencing with Section 6000) of the Elections Code signed in the candidate‘s behalf by Green Party voters of the County Council election district in which she or he is a candidate.

6-2.5 The number of sponsors which shall be required of a person to be a candidate for member of a County Council shall be either: (a) Not less than 20; or (b) Not less than 2 percent of the number of voters registered as affiliated with the Green Party in the County Council election district -- whichever is less. Each sponsor is entitled to sponsor as many candidates as there are seats in the district. Notwithstanding any provision of the Elections Code, as many candidates as there are seats in the district may have their names listed on a single sponsor's certificate, and the signatures thereon shall be counted toward the sponsor requirement of each and every candidate whose name is listed on the certificate. In no case shall the number of candidates having their names on a sponsor's certificate exceed the number of members of the county council to be elected in the district.

6-2.6 No write-in candidate for member of County Council shall be declared elected, however, unless that candidate has received a number of first choice votes equal to or greater than 2 percent of the number of party members voting in the County Council election district at the direct primary or 20 votes, whichever is less.

6-2.7 For the purposes of this Section, the registration figures used shall be those taken from the statement of voters and their political affiliations transmitted by the county clerk/registrar to the Secretary of State on the 135th day prior to the next direct primary election.

6-3 Appointments to Vacancies

6-3.1 At its first meeting following the direct primary election and at subsequent meetings, a County Council may appoint additional members to the County Council to fill any vacancy, unless the County Organization specifies an alternate process in its bylaws. Where no County Council exists, appointments may be made by the process described in 6-6.

6-3.2 No person shall be appointed to membership on a County Council who is registered with another party or registered as "Decline to State." Appointment of other persons who are not eligible to register to vote, but who become party members as described in 3-1, shall be allowed.

6-3.3 Whenever any person is appointed to a County Council, the County Council shall file notices of the appointment with the county clerk/registrar and the Coordinating Committee within 30 days after it is made. The notices shall contain the name and address of the person appointed and shall indicate the date of the appointment.

6-4 Vacancy

A vacancy on the County Council shall be said to exist whenever any of the following has occurred:

6-4.1 A County Council seat was not filled in an election;

6-4.2 A County Council member has submitted a written statement of resignation to the County Council or the Coordinating Committee;

6-4.3 A County Council member is no longer registered in the county or district within the county from which she or he was elected;

6-4.4 A County Council member is no longer registered Green;

6-4.5  A Councilmember dies or becomes incapacitated to act;

6-4.6 A Councilmember is removed for cause.

6-5 Removal for Cause

6-5.1 County Council members elected in the direct primary election may be removed from office only by a 2/3 vote of the General Assembly in response to a Removal for Cause petition from the County Council in question.

6-5.2 A Removal for Cause petition must contain the written basis for removal, must be approved by the County Council by a 2/3 vote, and must be received by the Coordinating Committee before it can be forwarded to the General Assembly for a vote. The written basis for removal must be based upon a substantial violation of the bylaws of the GPCA and/or the County Organization.

6-5.3 Upon receipt of such Removal for Cause petition, the Coordinating Committee shall schedule a vote of the General Assembly. If an in-person General Assembly is scheduled to occur within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee shall place the vote on the draft agenda, and any agenda approved by the General Assembly must include the vote. If an in-person General Assembly is not scheduled to occur within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee shall submit the petition for an on-line discussion and vote at the next available starting date for on-line proposals, as defined in these bylaws.

6-5.4 County Council members not elected in the direct primary election, but who have been appointed by the processes described in 6-3 and 6-6, may be removed by the process described in 6-5.1 through 6-5.3, or alternatively, by a 4/5 vote of the County Council, in response to a Removal for Cause proposal containing the written basis for removal.

Section 6‑6 Appointments to Vacancies in Counties In Which No County Council members were elected in the primary election

In counties where there is not a recognized County Organization, or in counties with a recognized County Organization, but in which no County Council members were elected in the primary election, County Council members may be appointed as follows:

6‑6.1 In counties in which where these is not a recognized County Organization, County Council members may be appointed as follows:

6‑6.1(a) The recognized or newly forming county organization must hold a General Meeting open to all registered Greens in the county. The meeting organizers shall work with the Coordinating committee to ensure that the meeting date, time and location is publicized as widely as possible to all Greens in the county, at least 21 days before the meeting. For decisions to be valid, in counties in which where these is not a recognized County Organization, the number of registered GPCA members in the county that must attend the meeting, must equal at least one third of that would be necessary to sign nomination signatures to appear on the County Council ballot in that county, or three, whichever is greater. In active counties, the number shall be equal to that would be necessary to sign nomination signatures to appear on the County Council ballot in that county.

6‑6.2 To make an appointment under this section, the County Organization must already have bylaws as specified in 5-1.1., or must them adopt at the General Meeting.   

6‑6.3 The General Meeting must appoint at least one member to the County Council. Only registered Green Party members in the county are eligible for appointment. The county organization shall forward minutes of the meeting to the Coordinating Committee.

6‑6.4 Once the Coordinating Committee has certified that the County Organization is recognized under 5-1, it shall review the minutes of the County Council election and certify the new County Council, unless there is clear evidence that the Council was elected in conflict with that County Organization's bylaws. Any decision by the Coordinating Committee not to certify may be appealed by that County Organization to the General Assembly and shall require a 2/3 vote to certify. If an in-person General Assembly is scheduled to occur within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee shall place the vote on the draft agenda, and any agenda approved by the General Assembly must include the vote. If an in-person General Assembly is not scheduled to occur within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee shall submit the petition for an on-line discussion period and vote at the next available starting date for on-line proposals, as defined in these bylaws.

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Article 7. General Assembly

Section 7-1. Delegates

7-1.1 The General Assembly shall consist of Delegates from active County Organizations. Delegates shall be elected by the County Council, unless the County Organization specifies an alternate process in its bylaws. The process by which delegates are elected must be defined in the bylaws of each county and a copy be on file with the Coordinating Committee and the Bylaws Committee.

7-1.2 The total number of delegates and the number of delegates per county shall be the total of two sums:

7-1.2(a) Each active County Organization shall have at least one delegate seat, for a total of 58 if County Organizations are active in all of California's counties.

7-1.2(b) Each active County Organization shall have an additional number of delegates seats out of an additional 100 seats, equal to its percentage of registered Greens from within the county, compared to the total number of registered Greens in all counties, with a minimum of 1% required for one seat.

7-1.3 Delegates shall be familiar with the Bylaws, the Rules and Procedures and the Fiscal Policy. First time delegates shall participate in the delegate orientation session at each General Assembly. Other delegates are encouraged to do so.

7-1.4 Delegates assume the responsibility to be familiar with the agenda and be prepared to participate in all General Assembly sessions.

Section 7-2. Proposals

7-2.1 Authority

Committees and Working Groups may submit proposals within the scope of their Duties and Authority as defined in these bylaws. County Organizations may submit proposals to amend the Bylaws, Rules & Procedures, Fiscal Policy and Platform.

7-2.2 Format

Proposals shall include the name of the sponsoring committee, working group and/or County Organization; the presenter(s), title/subject, background/purpose, text of proposal, approval threshold, timeline, resources/budgetary implication, committee/working group/county decision, and references/attachments.

7-2.3 Approval Thresholds

The General Assembly shall seek consensus in its decision-making, utilizing the consensus-seeking process in 7-5 for in-person meetings. In the absence of consensus, the following proposals shall require 2/3 of all 'yes' and 'no' votes cast for passage.

7-2.3(a) Approval of the Annual Budget and mid-year budget amendments; Annual Strategic Plan

7-2.3(b) Amendments to the Bylaws, the Rules & Procedures and the Fiscal Policy;

7-2.3(c) Amendments to the Platform;

7-2.3(d) Endorsement of or opposition to statewide ballot measures;

7-2.3(e) Recall of Coordinating Committee Members; Removal for Cause of County Councilmembers;

7-2.3(f) Recognition of County Organizations upon appeal of Coordinating Committee non-recognition.

All other proposals shall require 3/5 of all 'yes' and 'no' votes cast for passage. Abstentions are not counted in calculating the percentage vote. The minimum number of affirmative votes required for passage shall be the voting threshold times the decision making quorum.

7-2.4 Voting Systems

7-2.4(a) Multi-Seat Elections: Ranked Choice Voting

Each delegate shall be provided a ballot containing the names of the candidates in alphabetical order. The ballot shall also include a No Other Candidate option. The delegates shall vote by ranking the candidates along with the No Other Candiate option in order of preference. The ballots shall be tabulated utilizing a Ranked Choice Voting system with fractional transfers and a Droop threshold, 1/(n+1) (1/3 threshold with two open seats). No candidate shall be seated who does not cross the threshold before No Other Candidate. For the purpose of calculations, n = open seats shall be adjusted, when necessary, so that the value of n shall not be higher than the number of candidates qualified for the ballot.

7-2.4(b) Single Seat Election: Instant Runoff Voting

When only one seat is open, an Instant Runoff Vote shall be held. The ballot shall contain the names of all candidates and a No Other Candiate option. Delegates shall vote by ranking the candidates along with No Other Candiate in order of preference. The ballots shall be tabulated using Instant Runoff Voting.

Section 7-3 Elections and Confirmations

7-3.1 The following shall be conducted by Instant Run-Off voting with a majority threshold:

7-3.1(a) Confirmation of the Treasurer and of the Liaison to the Secretary of State

7-3.1(b) Elections to fill a single vacancy on the Coordinating Committee or the GPUS Delegation.

7-3.2 The following shall be conducted by Ranked Choice Voting:

7-3.2(a) Elections to fill multiple seats on the Coordinating Committee or the GPUS Delegation.

Section 7-4 Endorsements

General Assembly Delegates may rank the following choices and the result shall be calculated by instant run-off voting: 'Yes' (that the GPCA should support the measure or candidate), 'No' (that the GPCA should oppose the measure or candidate), "No Position" (that the GPCA should not take any position on the measure or candidate) or "Abstain" (that the delegate takes no position on what should be the GPCA position). A GPCA position to support, oppose, or have no position on a ballot measure shall require 2/3. Abstentions are counted to determine quorum, but not towards the approval/disapproval threshold. If quorum is not achieved, or the 2/3 threshold is not reached for a Yes, No, or No Position, no GPCA position will result.

Section 7-5 Meetings

7-5.1 Draft Agenda

7-5.1(a) The Coordinating Committee shall establish a Draft Agenda for all General Assembly meetings, distribute it at least 42 days in advance to each County Organization and submit it for ratification at the beginning of each General Assembly.

7-5.1(b) The Draft Agenda shall incorporate agenda items submitted by committees, working groups and County Organizations as provided for in these bylaws; shall distinguish among decision making items, reports and discussion items; shall distinguish among proposals, elections and confirmations; and shall include facilitators, times and the full text of each item as described in 7-2.2

7-5.1(c) The Draft Agenda may contain a Consent Calendar consisting of proposals that have been judged by their sponsors to be sufficiently non-controversial as to be considered and approved without presentations, clarifying questions, or debate. When the Consent Calendar is heard, any proposal for which there are outstanding concerns without stand asides shall be removed without approval. The sponsor(s) of the proposal shall make an effort to address the outstanding concerns, after which the proposal may be brought back at a later point for approval.

7-5.2 Delegate Registration

Delegates shall register at the beginning of each day of a General Assembly, identifying their county. Delegates who permanently leave the General Assembly before it is adjourned shall notify the facilitators (or other appropriate officials) and shall be removed from the delegate registration count for the purposes of calculating quorum.

7-5.3 Quorum

7‑5.3(a) A quorum exists for the purpose of opening a General Assembly when 2/3 (rounding to the nearest whole number) of the regions containing active counties are represented.

7‑5.3(b) A quorum exists for the purpose of decision‑making when 80% of registered delegates are present and a minimum of 90% of the maximum number of delegates registered for that day are present, if delegates earlier present have left and unregistered.

7‑5.3(c) Facilitators shall conduct a roll call to establish a quorum at the beginning of each session of the General Assembly.

7-5.4 Facilitation

7-5.4(a) The Coordinating Committee shall designate at least one facilitator and preferably two co-facilitators for all General Assembly sessions. Approval of facilitators shall be included as part of the approval of the Draft Agenda. Facilitators must be GPCA members.

7-5.4(b) Facilitators shall be chosen who can facilitate the General Assembly according to the consensus-seeking process in 7-5, who can provide non-directive leadership and process clarity, and who honor the agenda and promote good will. A facilitator shall not give her/his personal opinion unless clearly stepping out of her/his role as a facilitator. Facilitators should be familiar with the Ten Key Values and the GPCA's Purpose, Bylaws, and Rules and Procedures. The use of gender-stacking, where the order of the "stack" would alternate one woman, one man, shall be considered as first choice for use by the facilitators.

7-5.5 Consensus Seeking

Consensus shall be sought according to the following process:

7-5.5(a) Delegates shall be given priority in decision-making discussions. At the discretion of the facilitation team and time permitting, other GPCA members and guests may participate. Only delegates may hold outstanding concerns.

7-5.5(b) Presenters shall present their proposal, after which clarifying questions are taken from the delegates and responded to by the presenter(s).

7-5.5(c) Affirmations, concerns and proposed amendments follow from the delegates. Presenters attempt to address concerns and may amend their proposal, in which case clarifying questions may again be made and responded to by the presenters. The proposal is then restated, including as amended, if amended by the presenters.

7-5.5(d) If there are no outstanding concerns, the proposal is considered approved by consensus.

7-5.5(e) If there remain outstanding concerns, the facilitators ask whether those holding outstanding concerns are willing to "stand aside" and have their concerns recorded in the minutes, along with the adopted proposal. If so, the proposal is considered approved by consensus, with the stand asides recorded.

7-5.5(f) If there is not consensus, the presenter(s) may request more time from the General Assembly, go to a vote or withdraw the proposal.

7-5.5(g) If the presenter(s) go to a vote, the facilitators shall conduct a roll call and record each delegate's vote as "yes", "no" or "abstain". Passage shall be according to the approval thresholds in 7-2.3

7-5.5(h) If more time is added by the General Assembly, the presenters may attempt to address the remaining outstanding concerns, and may amend their proposal, in which case clarifying questions may be made and responded to. The proposal is then restated, including as amended, if amended. The process is then repeated to identify any outstanding concerns and whether those holding them are willing to stand aside. If there are no outstanding concerns, or if those holding them are willing to stand aside, the proposal is considered approved by consensus. If outstanding concerns remain, the presenters may go to a vote or withdraw their proposal.

7-5.6 Minutes

The Coordinating Committee has the responsibility to ensure that minutes are taken at each General Assembly. Minutes shall include the date, time, location and list of delegates in attendance, the subject/title, sponsor(s) and presenter(s) of all agenda items heard, the decisions-taken (including whether by consensus or by roll-call vote) and the text of all proposals, including amendments.

7-5.7 Points of order

7-5.7(a) Any delegate may signal the facilitator(s) by raising two hands on a Point of Clarification if they do not understand the process. The Point of Clarification shall be heard before moving on to other speakers.

7-5.7(b) Any delegate may signal the facilitator(s) by raising two hands on a Point of Information to provide a critical piece of information otherwise missing in the discussion. Delegates are expected to utilize this option sparingly and judiciously.

7-5.7(c) Any delegate may signal the facilitator(s) by raising two hands on a Point of Process, if they believe the process being followed violates GPCA Bylaws, Rules and Procedures, Fiscal Policy or other such procedures adopted by the General Assembly. Before moving on to other speakers, the Point of Process shall be heard and the facilitator(s) shall rule upon it.

7-5.8 Setting Next Meeting

The date and location for the General Assembly shall be determined by the close of each meeting. Should the General Assembly fail to make this determination, it shall become the responsibility of the Coordinating Committee to do so. The General Assembly may set more than one meeting date and location at a time.

Section 7-6 Standing Green Assembly

7-6.1 Standing Delegates and Alternates

7-6.1(a) Delegates to the Standing Green Assembly shall be called Standing Delegates, shall be appointed by active County Organizations and shall serve for one year terms, with no term limits. Terms shall run concurrent with the GPCA's Fiscal Year.

7-6.1(b) Each active County Organization is entitled to as many Standing Delegates as it is entitled to General Assembly delegates under 7-1.2. The number of Standing Delegates per active County Organization shall be based upon the state of California's annual February voter registration count, and be calculated by the Coordinating Committee and published to the active County Organizations by the end of March following the annual February count.

7-6.2 Decision Items

The following decision items shall automatically be placed before the Standing Green Assembly. Other decision items may be submitted by Standing Committees, Working Groups and/or active County Organizations as provided for in 7-2.1.

7-6.2(a) Endorsement/opposition of statewide ballot measures;

7-6.2(b) Endorsements of statewide candidates;

7-6.2(c) General Assembly Minutes;

7-6.2(d) Election of the Coordinating Committee;

7-6.2(e) Election of the GPUS Delegation;

7-6.2(f) Removal for Cause petition for County Councilmembers;

7-6.2(g) Recall petition for Coordinating Committee and GPUS Delegation members.

7-6.3 Discussion and Voting Period

7-6.3(a) The discussion period for Proposals and Elections shall be six weeks, beginning on a Monday at 12:01 am and ending on a Sunday at 11:59pm. The discussion period for Coordinating Committee and GPUS Delegation elections shall begin on the first Monday of May.

7-6.3(b) The purpose of the discussion period is to provide an opportunity to utilize the consensus-seeking process in 7-5 within the context of utilizing electronic means, teleconferences and other methods of communication other than an in-person General Assembly.

7-6.3(c) Proposals may be amended at any time during the discussion period by the proposal’s sponsor(s), except that the final amended version must be placed before the Standing Green Assembly no later than the Monday preceding the end of the discussion period.

7-6.3(d) The voting period for Proposals and Elections shall commence immediately at the close of the discussion period, and shall be for one week beginning on a Monday at 12:01 am and ending on a Sunday at 11:59pm.

7-6.4 Quorum

A quorum has been reached when the number of votes cast is equal to a majority of delegate seats allocated under 7-1.2, together with a majority of all active County Organizations having cast at least one vote. In such cases, abstentions count as a vote cast.

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Article 8. Coordinating Committee

Section 8-1 Duties and Authority

The Coordinating Committee shall authorize and carry out decisions of the General Assembly and make executive decisions, but not set policy between General Assembly meetings, and shall be generally responsible for coordinating General Assemblies and other statewide meetings, internal communications and other Party administrative tasks as defined in these Bylaws, including to

8-1.1 Establish draft agendas and select facilitators for General Assembly meetings

8-1.2 Forward proposals to the Standing Green Assembly.

8-1.3 Certify County Council members (as described in 6-6) in counties in which no County Council candidates qualified for the ballot in the preceding direct primary election, or counties in which all members of the County Council have resigned and/or become disqualified from holding office.

8-1.4 Determine active County Organizations (as described in 5-1)

8-1.5 Appoint members to the Committees of the General Assembly (as provided for in Article 9)

8-1.6 Appoint a Coordinating Committee Liaison to Committees and Working Groups, who is charged with facilitating communications between that Committee or Working Gruop and the Coordinating Committee and in the case of certain committees, to serve as one of its two Co-Coordinators.

8-1.7 Request and receive reports from Committees and Working Groups, refer matters to them, and monitor and assist their work

8-1.8 Authorize and ratify specific expenditures

8-1.9 Make statements in the name of the Party

8-1.10 Retain legal counsel on behalf of the GPCA and make decisions based upon that counsel, consistent with the Coordinating Committee's duties under the other provisions of these bylaws

8-1.11 Propose a Strategic Plan to the General Assembly (as defined in 11-2)

8-1.12 Establish Sub-Committees of the Coordinating Committee as necessary to accomplish these and other tasks of the Coordinating Committee as defined in these Bylaws.

8-1.13 Establish Internal Procedures of the Coordinating Committee as necessary, that are not in conflict with these Bylaws, to facilitate these tasks.

8.2 Membership

8-2.1 The Coordinating Committee shall be composed of up to 24 voting members, with 12 men and 12 women. Six men and six women shall be elected each year to serve staggered, two year terms.

8-2.2 If a Coordinating Committee member misses three consecutive regular monthly meetings, the individual shall lose their seat and a vacancy shall occur.

8.3 Meetings

8-3.1 Regular Coordinating Committee meetings shall be held at least once a month. On an annual basis, the Coordinating Committee shall establish a regular monthly meeting date, with exceptions to that date made for national holidays, elections or other special circumstances. During the course of the year, the Coordinating Committee may amend this schedule, as long as the date and time are set at least 20 days in advance; and additional regular meetings in a given month may be scheduled with at least 20 days notice by a majority vote of the Coordinating Committee, or by a determination of the Coordinating Committee Co-coordinators. A quorum for all regular Coordinating Committee meetings shall be a majority of the currently seated members.

8-3.2 Special/emergency Coordinating Committee meetings may be scheduled for items of a particularly urgent and/or unexpected nature, with at least seven days notice by the Co-Coordinators or a majority vote of the committee. A quorum for all special/emergency Coordinating Committee meetings shall be 2/3 of the currently seated members.

8.4 Elections

8-4.1 Elections shall be conducted each year by the Standing Green Assembly using Ranked Choice Voting with a No Other Candidate option, with the discussion period beginning on the first Monday of May and the vote commencing six weeks later.

8-4.2 Candidates must submit an application to the Coordinating Committee by the first Monday of March to be eligible. Applications must include a biography and what they wish to accomplish as on the Coordinating Committee.

8-4.3 The election as it is posted to the Standing Green Assembly shall include:

8-4.3(a) Each candidate's application;

8-4.3(b) A full and detailed explanation of Ranked Choice Voting, an explanation of the No Other Candidate option, and an encouragement that delegates make their choices seriously and a reminder that they do not have to fill all seats unless they feel there are enough qualified candidates.

8-4.4 At the General Assembly where the GPCA's annual budget is considered, candidates will be given an opportunity to present themselves and receive and respond to questions.

8.5 Recall

8-5.1 Any person elected to the Coordinating Committee may be removed from office by the General Assembly upon a 2/3 vote in response to a Recall Petition.

8-5.2 A Recall Petition must contain the written basis for removal, be approved by County Councils representing 35% of the total number of General Assembly delegate seats, and must be received by the Coordinating Committee before it can be forwarded to the General Assembly for a vote. The written basis for recall must be based upon substantial malperformance of the duties of the Coordinating Committee as defined in these Bylaws.

8-5.3 Upon receipt of such Recall petition, the Coordinating Committee shall schedule a vote of the General Assembly. If an in-person General Assembly is scheduled to occur within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee shall place the vote on the draft agenda and any agenda approved by the General Assembly must include the vote. If an in-person General Assembly is not scheduled to occur within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee shall submit the petition to the Standing Green Assembly. The individual subject to a Recall Petition shall have the right to submit a written response to the petition for inclusion with the agenda item, when the agenda item is released.

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Article 9. Other Committees of the General Assembly

Section 9-1 Membership

9-1.1 The number of committee members, the requirements for their eligibility and the process by which they are appointed shall be defined in the Bylaws that govern each committee. Committee Coordinators shall post the names of all committee members and the start and end dates of each members' term on the committee's web page.

9-1.2 At least once a year and whenever vacancies exist, the Coordinating Committee shall widely advertise to the Party membership the openings on each Coordinating Committee-appointed committee. To be eligible, applicants shall submit an application to the Coordinating Committee stating their interest and qualifications.

9-1.3 Any committee member may be recalled by a 2/3 vote of the committee that appointed them.

Section 9-2 Co-coordinators

Each committee shall have two co-coordinators who shall be responsible for preparing and announcing the draft agenda for committee meetings, to submit annual work plans and budgets on behalf of the committee and otherwise represent the committee in official communications with other committees, working groups and the General Assembly.

Section 9-3 Meetings

9-3.1 Committees shall meet during GPCA state meetings, on teleconferences and otherwise as necessary to achieve the objectives outlined in its work plan. Meetings must be called with a minimum of two weeks notice to committee members.

9-3.2 The decision-making process for committees shall follow that described for the General Assembly in 7-5.5. Quorum is a majority of the committee's voting membership.

Section 9-4 Internal Procedures

Committees may establish additional Internal Procedures as necessary, that are not in conflict with the GPCA's governing rules documents, to facilitate the duties and authority of the committee.

Section 9-5. Bylaws Committee

9-5.1 Duties and Authority

The Bylaws Committee is charged with supporting the development of the GPCA's governing rules documents, including its Bylaws, Rules and Procedures and Fiscal Policy, including to:

9-5.1(a) Propose amendments to the General Assembly to the GPCA's governing rules documents;

9-5.1(b) Review proposed amendments to those documents submitted by others and provide recommendations to the sponsors, including to promote consistency in numbering, format, meaning and terminology with existing documents, and to minimize ambiguity and promote clarity.

9-5.1(c) Compile, document and archive the governing rules documents of the GPCA as they have existed over time.

9-5.1(d) Prepare an annual Work Plan and submit it along with any budget requests.

9-5.2 Membership

The Bylaws Committee shall consist of eight members, appointed by the Coordinating Committee to serve staggered two year terms, including a Coordinating Committee Liaison, who shall serve as one of two Bylaws Committee co-coordinators. The other Bylaws Committee co-coordinator shall be elected by the Bylaws Committee itself. Eligible appointees to the Bylaws Committee must have attended at least one in-person General Assembly within the last five or be a Standing Green Delegate, demonstrate a working knowledge of the Bylaws and Rules and Procedures and apply to the Coordinating Committee for appointment.

Section 9-6. Clearinghouse Committee

9-6.1 Duties and Authority

The Clearinghouse Committee is charged facilitating specific external communications of the Party, including to

9-6.1(a) Return and/or redirect to the appropriate source within the Party, external communications received by phone, email, and postal mail;

9-6.1(b) Be responsible for merchandising, including budgeting, ordering, storage and shipping;

9-6.1(c) Oversee that information relating to this work on the GPCA website is accurate and up to date.

9-6.1(d) Prepare an annual Work Plan and submit it along with any budget requests.

9-6.2 Membership

The Clearinghouse Committee shall consist of eight voting members, appointed by the Coordinating Committee to serve staggered two year terms, including a Coordinating Committee Liaison, who shall serve as one of two Clearinghouse Committee co-coordinators. The other Clearinghouse Committee co-coordinator shall be elected by the Clearinghouse itself. Eligible appointees to the Clearinghouse Committee must have attended at least one in-person General Assembly within the last five or be a Standing Green Delegate, demonstrate a working knowledge of the Bylaws and Rules and Procedures and apply to the Coordinating Committee for appointment.

Section 9-7. Campaign Fund Support Committee

9-7.1 Duties and Authority

The Campaign Support Fund Committee is charged with the responsibility to decide what campaign committees shall receive funds designated in the annual GPCA budget approved for the financial support of GPCA members running for elected office, including to:

9-7.1(a) Establish procedures for candidates to apply for funding, including an application form or questionnaire and application deadlines, that shall be generally communicated to all candidates known to the Campaign Support Fund Committee and posted on the Campaign Support Fund Committee webpage;

9-7.1(b) Establish general principles for prioritizing the designation of funds, where drafts of those principles are published to the Coordinating Committee and Campaigns and Candidates Working Group at least 15 days to allow comments before adoption.

9-7.1(c) Designate funding and communicate such designations to the GPCA Treasurer;

9-7.1(d) Provide a written report of its funding deliberations and decisions to the Coordinating Committee and Campaigns and Candidates Working Group, within 60 days following any election in which it designates funding.

9-7.2 Membership.

9-7.2(a) The Campaign Financial Support Committee shall consist of six members: two appointed each by the Coordinating Committee, Finance Committee and the Campaigns and Candidates Working Group, each using its own internal procedures for making such appointments. Eligibility is open to all GPCA members, except that Co-coordinators of Committees, Working Groups or the GPUS Delegation are not eligible, nor is any person who is, or who has announced their intention to be, a candidate for elected office (not including County Council), or anyone serving as a campaign manager, treasurer or consultant for such a candidate. Quorum shall be at least three members.

9-7.2(b) Members shall be appointed not later than the General Assembly at which the GPCA annual budget is submitted for adoption, and shall serve a one year term. Members may not serve more than three consecutive terms. In the event of a vacancy, the Committee or Working Group that appointed the person shall appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term .

Section 9-8. Finance Committee

The Finance Committee shall have the duties, authority and membership as defined in the Fiscal Policy.

Section 9-9. Fundraising Committee

The Finance Committee shall have the duties, authority and membership as defined in the Fiscal Policy.

Section 9-10. Information Technology Committee

9-10.1 Duties and Authority

The Information Technology Committee is charged with providing technical support for GPCA web sites, data bases and email lists, including to

9-10.1(a) Managing their permissions and access according to approved GPCA policies and procedures and provide assistance in their use to GPCA personnel

9-10.1(b) Recommending policies and procedures that facilitate this work.

9-10.1(c) Prepare an annual Work Plan and submit it along with any budget requests.

9-10.2 Membership

The Information Technology Committee shall consist of eight members, including a Coordinating Committee Liaison, who serves an ex-officio voting member. The other seven members shall be appointed by the Coordinating Committee to staggered two year terms, with no term limits. Any GPCA member is eligible for appointment and members shall be appointed based upon their abilities and qualifications to carry out the duties and authority of this committee.

Section 9-11 Media Committee

9-11.1 Duties and Authority

The Media Committee is charged with facilitating all GPCA communications with media outlets, including to

9-11.1(a) Develop and distribute media releases that publicize official GPCA positions, positions taken by GPCA Spokespersons and other party members in accordance with the GPCA Platform, the successes and achievements in office of GPCA members who are elected and appointed officials, and other newsworthy events about GPCA growth and development;

9-11.1(b) Coordinate Party press conferences;

9-11.1(c) Respond to press inquiries.

9-11.1(c) Assist County Green organizations in their media work.

9-11.2 Membership

The Media Committee shall consist of eight voting members, appointed by the Coordinating Committee to serve staggered two year terms, including a Coordinating Committee Liaison, who shall serve as one of two Bylaws Committee co-coordinators. The other Media Committee co-coordinator shall be elected by the Media Committee itself. In addition, GPCA spokespersons shall be ex-officio non-voting members, who may participate in the deliberations of the committee, but not vote. Eligible appointees to the Media Committee must have attended at least one in-person General Assembly within the last five or be a Standing Green Delegate, demonstrate a working knowledge of the Bylaws and Rules and Procedures and apply to the Coordinating Committee for appointment.

Section 9-12. Platform Committee

9-12.1 Duties and Authority

The Platform Committee is charged with supporting the development of the GPCA's Platform, including to

9-12.1(a) Propose Platform amendments to the General Assembly

9-12.1(b) Review proposed Platform amendments submitted by others and provide recommendations to the sponsors, including to promote consistency in numbering, format, meaning and terminology with the existing Platform, and to minimize ambiguity and promote clarity.

9-12.1(c) Seek input and feedback on the Platform from experts in the field

9-12.1(d) Assist the Campaigns and Candidates Working Group and the General Assembly with formulating positions on statewide ballot measures.

9-12.1(e) Assist the Media Committee and GPCA spokespeople with press releases and other public statements that reference the Platform.

9-12.1(f) Compile, document and archive the Platform as it has existed over time.

9-12.1(g) Prepare an annual Work Plan and submit it along with any budget requests.

9-12.2 Membership

The Platform Committee shall consist of eight voting members, appointed by the Coordinating Committee to serve staggered two year terms, including a Coordinating Committee Liaison, who shall serve as one of two Bylaws Committee co-coordinators. The other Bylaws Committee co-coordinator shall be elected by the Bylaws Committee itself. Eligible appointees to the Platform Committee must have attended at least one General Assembly within the last five or be a Standing Green Delegate, demonstrate a working knowledge of the Bylaws and Rules and Procedures and apply to the Coordinating Committee for appointment.

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Article 10. Working Groups of the General Assembly

Section 10-1 Membership

Working Group Membership shall be open to any GPCA member willing to participate. Membership with voting privileges are for those members who have attended at least two Working Group meetings within the previous 24 months. Committee Coordinators shall post the names of all committee members on the committee's web page.

Section 10-2 Co-coordinators

Each Working Group shall elect two coordinators from among its membership. Elected coordinators shall take office upon confirmation by the General Assembly and shall serve for two years in staggered terms. Co-coordinators who shall be responsible for preparing and announcing the draft agenda for committee meetings, to submit annual work plans and budgets on behalf of the working group and otherwise represent the working group in official communications with other committees, working groups and the General Assembly.

Section 10-3 Meetings

10-3.1 Working Groups shall meet during GPCA state meetings, on teleconferences and otherwise as necessary to achieve the objectives outlined in its work plan. Meetings must be called with a minimum of two weeks notice to committee members.

10-3.2 The decision-making process for committees shall follow that described for the General Assembly in 7-5.5. Quorum is a majority of the committee's voting membership.

Section 10-4 Internal Procedures

Committees may establish additional Internal Procedures as necessary, that are not in conflict with the GPCA's governing rules documents, to facilitate the duties and authority of the committee.

Section 10-5. Campaigns & Candidates Working Group

10-5.1 Duties and Authority

The Campaigns & Candidates Working Group is charged with facilitating the electoral work of the party, including to:

10-5.1(a) Develop and implement a GPCA electoral strategy;

10-5.1(b) Establish internal procedures for and coordinate a process of inviting, receiving and compiling analysis and recommendations from Greens and others on statewide ballot measures, perform an analysis of each ballot measure in relation to the GPCA Platform, resolutions and Ten Key Values, and make proposals to the General Assembly for GPCA positions;

10-5.1(c) Identify, recruit and support credible Green candidates, and educate and train them and other GPCA members in campaign skills, organization and electoral strategy;

10-5.1(d) Promote and facilitate effective strategies for winning campaigns;

10-5.1(e) Identify key campaigns in which Green Party members can play a pivotal role;

10-5.1(f) Make appointments to the Campaign Funding Support Committee;

10-5.1(g) Facilitate post-election reporting and analysis from candidates and campaigns.

Section 10-6. Electoral Reform Working Group

10-6.1 Duties and Authority

The Electoral Reform Working Group is charged with promoting the electoral reform objectives of the party. This includes working to:

10-6.1(a) Educate Green Party members, the public, and the media about proportional representation (PR), instant runoff voting (IRV), and other electoral reforms as directed by the General Assembly;

10-3.1(b) Identify strategies for enacting these reforms including use of PR and IRV in primary and County Council elections;

10-3.1(c) Encourage Greens to initiate and support successful campaigns for electoral reform;

10-3.1(d) Advise GPCA on internal party voting mechanisms and electoral policy.

10-3.2 Ex-Officio Member

The Liaison to the Secretary of State is a ex-officio voting member of the Electoral Reform Working Group.

Section 10-7. Green Issues Working Group

10-7.1 Duties and Authority

The Green Issues Working Group is charged with identifying and facilitating GPCA action on external Green issues not already delegated to another Committee or Working Group. This includes working to:

10-7.1(a) Identify, facilitate discussion, and prepare proposals on issues and events that should be addressed by the GPCA;

10-7.1(b) Advise the Platform Committee on the development of platform proposals on issues identified by the Working Group;

10-7.1(c) Promote and provide support for Green issues to candidates running for office;

10-7.1(d) Build coalitions with other organizations working on Green issues.

Section 10-8. Grassroots Organizing Working Group

10-8.1 Duties and Authority

The Grassroots Organizing Working Group is charged with facilitating voter registration activities and supporting the growth of active County Organizations. This includes working to:

10-8.1(a) Coordinate County Organizations into statewide efforts to register Green Party voters, do public outreach, and increase diversity in the party;

10-8.1(b) Provide training for County Organizations in tabling and other grassroots organizing activities;

10-8.1(c) Develop, maintain, and provide resources for tabling efforts and organization of County Organization.

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Article 11 Strategic Planning

Section 11-1 Work Plans

Where it is specified in the bylaws that govern them, each Committee and Working Group shall prepare a yearly Work Plan. The Work Plan shall identify the objectives of that Committee or Working Group for the upcoming fiscal year, any proposals it foresees bringing before the General Assembly during that period, and a projected timeline of its activities. The Work Plan objectives must be congruent with duties and authority of the Committee or Working Group.

Section 11-2 Strategic Plan

The Coordinating Committee shall present a draft Two-Year Strategic Plan to the General Assembly for approval along with the annual budget, using input from a brainstorming session of the General Assembly and the Work Plans of the Committees and Working Groups. The Two-Year Strategic Plan shall include a two-year General Assembly schedule, including potential agenda items, based upon the requirements for General Assembly decisions in these bylaws and the projected agenda items in the Work Plans of the Committees and Working Groups. The two-year General Assembly schedule shall be revised annually, with scheduling remaining flexible and final agenda approval for each General Assembly up to each General Assembly.

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Article 12. Green Party of the United States

Section 12-1 Affiliation

The GPCA is affiliated with the Green Party of the United States (GPUS). No decision of the GPUS is binding upon the GPCA without its consent.

Section 12-2 National Committee Delegates

The General Assembly shall elect Delegates who are voting members of the GPUS National Committee. The number of Delegates is established by the GPUS and Alternates may be elected equal in number to the number of delegates. Only those legally registered to vote in California as members of the Green Party are eligible to be Delegates.

12-2.1 Authority

Delegates, individually and collectively, serve at the pleasure of and are responsible to the General Assembly. Delegates and authorized by the General Assembly and recognized by the GPUS to cast the full number of votes allocated to the GPCA. Each Delegate may cast one vote and shall represent official GPCA positions taken by the General Assembly on matters before the GPUS, or the Coordinating Committee in between General Assemblies, on behalf of the General Assembly. Where there is no official GPCA position, Delegates shall represent the GPCA as best they can and cast votes as they think represent the interests of the GPCA and GPUS.

12-2.2 Responsibilities and Expectations

12-2.2(a) Delegates shall take part in the discussion and votes upon proposals before the GPUS National Committee and shall make a good faith effort to collectively discuss GPUS matters as a Delegation before voting. Alternates are encouraged to participate in the same activities as Delegates and vote according to the Delegation’s procedures for Alternates.

12-2.2(b) Delegates shall participate in Delegation teleconferences and are encouraged to attend Delegation meetings at General Assemblies and in person meetings of the GPUS National Committee. Delegates and Alternates are encouraged to serve on GPUS committees.

12-2.3 Elections

12-2.3(a) Delegates and Alternates shall serve two-year terms and elections shall be conducted each year by the Standing Green Assembly using Ranked Choice Voting with a No Other Candidate option. The discussion period shall begin on the first Monday of May.

12-2.3(b) Candidates must submit an application to the Coordinating Committee by the first Monday of March in order to be eligible. Candidates may apply for Delegate or Alternate, but not both at the same time. However, a sitting Alternate may apply to be a Delegate and if elected, vacate the position of Alternate; or a sitting Delegate may be apply to be an Alternate and if elected, vacate the position of Delegate. Applications must include a biography and what they wish to accomplish as a Delegate or Alternate. The election as it is posted to the Standing Green Assembly shall include each candidate's application, and a full and detailed explanation of Ranked Choice Voting, an explanation of the No Other Candidate option, and an encouragement that delegates make their choices seriously and a reminder that they do not have to fill all seats unless they feel there are enough qualified candidates. The Delegation may recommend candidates to the General Assembly and shall be made with attention to gender, ethnic, and geographic balance.

12-2.3(c) In the event of a vacancy for Delegate or Alternate, the vacancy shall first be declared and advertised widely to the Party membership by the Coordinating Committee, followed by sixty day application period, after which an election to fill the remainder of the term shall be put before the Standing Green Assembly at the next available starting date for on-line proposals, as defined in these bylaws.

12-2.4 Recall

12-2.4(a) Any person elected to the Delegation may be removed from office by the General Assembly upon a 2/3 vote in response to a Recall Petition. When a delegate habitually fail to perform their duties, the Delegation co-coordinators shall discuss the situation with the delegate. If the situation continues or recurs without the delegates resigning, the Co-coordinators shall bring the matter to the Delegation to decide whether to submit a Removal for Cause proposal to the General Assembly. A Recall Petition must contain the written basis for removal, be approved by the Delegation, and must be received by the Coordinating Committee before it can be forwarded to the General Assembly for a vote. The written basis for recall must be failure to perform the duties of a Delegate as defined in this Article and the GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures, and malfeasance.

12-2.4(b) Upon receipt of such Recall petition, the Coordinating Committee shall schedule a vote of the General Assembly. If an in-person General Assembly is scheduled to occur within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee shall place the vote on the draft agenda and any agenda approved by the General Assembly must include the vote. If an in-person General Assembly is not scheduled to occur within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee shall submit the petition to the Standing Green Assembly. The individual subject to a Recall Petition shall have the right to submit a written response to the petition for inclusion with the agenda item, when the agenda item is released.

12-2.5 Removal for Cause

Any person elected to the Delegation may be removed from office by the Coordinating Committee upon a 4/5 vote in response to a Removal for Cause petition. When a delegate habitually fail to perform their duties, the Delegation co-coordinators shall discuss the situation with the delegates. If the situation continues or recurs without the delegates resigning, the Co-coordinators shall bring the matter to the Delegation to decide whether to submit a Removal for Cause proposal to the Coordinating Committee. A Removal for Cause petition must contain the written basis for removal, be approved by the Delegation, and must be received by the Coordinating Committee before it can be forwarded to the General Assembly for a vote. The written basis for recall must be failure to perform the duties of a Delegate as defined in this Article and the GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures, and malfeasance.

Section 12-3 GPUS Delegation

12-3.1 Duties and Authority

The GPUS Delegation is charged with generally facilitating communication and representation between the GPCA and GPUS, including to:

12-3.1(a) Sponsor and submit proposals on behalf of the GPCA to the GPUS National Committee;

12-3.1(b) Appoint who shall be the GPCA’s representatives on GPUS committees, where GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures provide for state party-appointed membership; or otherwise make recommendations or nominations for GPUS committee eligibility as provided for by GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures.

12-3.1(c) Provide a forum for Delegates to collectively discuss and seek common understanding and consensus around proposals before the GPUS National Committee.

12-3.1(d) Prepare an annual Work Plan and submit it along with any budget requests.

12-3.1(e) Establish Internal Procedures of the GPUS Delegation, that are not in conflict with these Bylaws, as necessary to facilitate these tasks.

Any GPCA member as defined in 3-1.3 is eligible to be on a GPUS committee, unless GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures state otherwise.

12-3.2 Coordinators

12-3.2(a) There shall be two co-coordinators of the Delegation, with gender, ethnic and geographic balance preferred. The coordinators shall facilitate the Delegation, coordinate its activities and communicate on its behalf with the Coordinating Committee and General Assembly and the GPUS Steering Committee and National Committee.

12-3.2(b) Co-coordinators shall be elected by the Delegation to staggered two-year terms at the first General Assembly after the GPUS Annual National Meeting. Delegates and Alternates are eligible to be elected. Elections shall be Instant Run-Off Voting.

12-3.3 Meetings

The Delegation shall establish a meeting schedule so that it may address GPUS business in a timely manner. For any delegation meeting including teleconferences, a quorum shall be equal to a majority of Delegates, but participating Alternates shall count towards quorum.

12-3.4 GPUS Committees

Any GPCA member as defined in 3-1 may be appointed by the Delegation to serve on a GPUS Committee, unless this is otherwise prohibited by GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures.

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Article 13. Status and Amendment of GPCA Governing Rules

13-1 Authority

The Bylaws shall be the highest governing document of the GPCA. They shall describe the Party's basic structure, jurisdiction of power and the duties and responsibilities of its constituent parts. The Party's other governing documents shall implement the structure described in the Bylaws. Where there is ambiguity, the Bylaws shall take precedence. The other governing documents shall be the Rules and Procedures and the Fiscal Policy.

13-2 Amendment

13-2.1 The governing documents may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the General Assembly. An amendment may be initiated by the Bylaws Committee, Coordinating Committee or an active County Organization; or by a Committee or Working Group, but only to that specific section of the governing documents that govern them.

13-2.2 Each proposed amendment must be submitted to the Bylaws Committee. The Bylaws Committee shall review the proposed amendments and provide recommendations to the sponsors, including to promote consistency in numbering, format, terminology and meaning with existing documents, to minimize ambiguity and to promote clarify.

13-3 Bylaws Interpretation

In cases of ambiguity or procedural disagreement, the General Assembly shall decide for itself the meaning of its governing documents, the appropriate procedure to be followed and what amendments are necessary to resolve any further ambiguity or disagreement. Between General Assembly meetings, the Coordinating Committee shall decide these questions and the Bylaws Committee is charged with assisting with the Coordinating Committee in this process by providing analysis. Such Coordinating Committee determinations are subject to a 2/3 confirmation by the General Assembly. If the Coordinating Committee makes such a determination within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee shall place the vote on the draft agenda, and any agenda approved by the General Assembly must include the vote. If an in-person General Assembly is not scheduled to occur within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the Coordinating Committee shall submit the decision for confirmation by the Standing Green Assembly for an on-line discussion and vote at the next available starting date for on-line proposals, as defined in these bylaws.

13-4 Abbreviations

The name 'Green Party of California' shall be spelled out the first time it is used in each of the party's governing documents and thereafter referred to as the GPCA or the Party. The name 'Green Party of the United States' shall be spelled out the first time it is used in each of the party's governing documents and thereafter be referred to as the GPUS. The names for other party entities such as committees and working groups shall be spelled out each time.

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Amendment to GPCA Rules and Procedures

Article 4: Candidate Support Fund

Section 4-1 Funding Eligibility

4-1.1 To be eligible for Campaign Support Funds, candidates for non-partisan municipal, county and special district races, California state legislature and U.S. House of Representative must obtain the endorsement of any active Green Party county organization operating within the boundaries of the district for the applicable office. Endorsements must be communicated directly to the CFSC by a County Council member of the County GP or a designated officer of an applicable GP County Local.

4-1.2 To be eligible for Campaign Support Funds, candidates for partisan statewide constitutional offices (Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer and State Comptroller); Non-Partisan statewide constitutional offices (Superintendent of Education); State Board of Equalization and U.S. Senate must obtain GPCA endorsement by a General Assembly of Delegates or County Polling. [The text of this subsection shall automatically be amended in the event the California Secretary of State is amended to become a nonpartisan office.]

4-1.3 In special circumstances (e.g., large voting districts with multiple county organizations; special elections), the CFSC may waive the endorsement requirement on a case-by-case basis. However, in such cases, a candidate will need to demonstrate local support by endorsement of at least one active County GP, or endorsement by one or more Locals, or endorsement by the CCWG, or some other form of internal GPCA organizational endorsement, as a funding eligibility requirement.

4-1.4 Candidates for partisan office shall not receive GPCA financial support unless they are the GPCA nominee following the GPCA Primary Election. Notwithstanding the foregoing, until such time as the Proposition 14 election structure is suspended or voided, the CFSC may authorize distribution of GPCA donations to candidates for office upon the certification by the Secretary of State of the candidate's qualification to appear on the "Primary" ballot.

4-1.5 An elected official subject to a recall election, or a replacement candidate in a recall election, shall be considered a candidate in a special election.

4-1.6 Committees related to issue campaigns are not eligible for funding under these procedures.

Section 4-2 Transmission of Funds

4-2.1 Funding decisions by the Campaign Funding Support Committee shall be communicated directly to the GPCA Treasurer for transmittal of funds. The Treasurer shall promptly issue funds as designated except where either the donation would result in the candidate's committee receiving more cumulative donations than allowed by statute or regulation or where the candidate declines all or part of the donation. The Treasurer shall promptly report either such circumstance to the Campaign Funding Support Committee which may amend its previous determinations upon receipt of such information.

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Committee Decision: Approved 2-0 by consesnsus in an on-line vote, with both votes coming on April 6, and the third committee member not voting at all.

Timeline, Resources:  Calendar would help inform future agenda planning