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Bylaws of the Green Party Vegetarian Caucus

Article I Name

1-1 The name of this organization shall be the ‘Green Party Vegetarian Caucus’, herein after referred to as the ‘Caucus’.

Article II Mission

The Mission of the Caucus shall be to

2-1 Raise awareness within the Green Party and the public at-large about the connections between healthy and humane, plant-based dietary choices and public health, animal well-being and a healthy, sustainable environment and economy.

2-2 Promote understanding that a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle is not only a dietary choice, but a profound ecological, ethical, moral and spiritual expression and commitment for many.

2-3 Promote understanding that for many Greens, a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle is a clear expression of the Ten Key Values.

2-4 Promote understanding and advocate for the welfare of animals, including appreciating their intrinsic being and understanding they don’t have a voice. Encourage awareness of humanity as part of an interconnected whole with other species, not as apart from them.

2-5 Promote consciousness of the relationship between various forms of domination, oppression and exploitation, whether of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or species.

2-6 Promote a vision for a world where peoples values of justice, kindness, and compassion are mirrored in their food choices.

2-6 Organize vegetarian Greens across the United States. Support state Green Party vegetarian caucuses. Share news of Greens working on these issues around the world. Register more vegetarians as Greens. Promote the Green Party as an electoral alternative for vegetarians.

2-7 Ensure that healthy, organic, affordable and community-based vegetarian and vegan options are widely available at all GPUS events, where food is provided.

2-8 Provide educational resources for and and promote the development of Green Party candidates who are knowledgeable about planet-based diets, animal welfare issues and the impact of our dietary choices on human, animal, economic, environmental, and planetary health.

2-9 Provide input to the GPUS platform process about planet-based diets, animal welfare issues and the impact of our dietary choices on human, animal, economic, environmental and planetary health.

2-10 Represent the perspective of vegetarians and vegans to the GPUS National Committee.

2-11 Promote the Ten Key Values.

2-12 Support the presidential and vice-presidential candidates nominated by the Green Party of the United States at its presidential convention.

Article III Membership

3-1 Members of the Caucus shall be defined as individuals who are members of a state Green Party accredited by the Green Party of the United States, and who are vegetarians. Members shall have full caucus voting rights and shall be able to run for any caucus position or office. An archived email list for members shall be established for caucus business.

3-2 Friends of the Caucus shall be defined as individuals who are members of a state Green Party accredited by the Green Party of the United States, who are not vegetarians, but interested in supporting the work of the Vegetarian Caucus. Friends may not vote within the caucus nor run for a caucus position or office.

3-3 International Friends of the Caucus shall be defined as individuals who are members of Green Parties recognized by the Global Greens, and who are vegetarians. International Friends may not vote within the caucus nor run for a Caucus caucus position or office.

Article IV Officers

4-1 Co-chairs

4-1.1 Co-chairs shall be elected to staggered two-year terms, one seat annually, by use of ranked choice voting, including the option to vote ‘none of the above. Co-chairs must come from different states.

4-1.2 Co-chairs shall be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day affairs of the Vegetarian Caucus.

4-2 Treasurer

4-2.1 The Treasurer shall be elected to a two-year term by use of ranked choice voting, including the option to vote ‘none of the above,’ in staggered years with the election of the Secretary.

4-2.2 The Treasurer shall be responsible for the fiscal management of the Caucus, shall serve as the caucus’s primary liaison to the GPUS Finance Committee and the GPUS Treasurer, shall make any necessary filings with the GPUS and shall report to the caucus members no less than annually.

4-3 Secretary

4-3.1 The Secretary shall be elected to a two-year term by use of ranked choice voting, including the option to vote ‘none of the above,’ in staggered years with the election of the Treasurer.

4-3.2 The Secretary shall be responsible for meeting minutes, and general documentation and record keeping.

4-4 Spokespersons

4-4.1 The Spokespersons shall be elected to gender-balanced two-year terms by use of ranked choice voting, including the option to vote ‘none of the above,’ in staggered years.

4-4.2 The Spokespersons shall represent the caucus on policy matters to the general public and the press, in a manner that is representative of the Vegetarian Caucus, including the Vegetarian Caucus Mission, Platform and endorsements.

Article V Committees

5-1 The Caucus may establish such committees and working groups in its Rules and Procedures as necessarily to do its work, and upon establishment, define their membership, purpose and duration.

Article VI Delegate and Alternate to the GPUS National Committee

6-1 The Vegetarian Caucus Delegate and Alternate to the GPUS National Committee shall be elected to a two-year terms by use of ranked choice voting. The election of the Delegate shall precede the election of the Alternate. A member may be a candidate for both, and if elected Delegate, is removed as a candidate for Alternate.

6-2 The Alternate Delegate shall be responsible for assisting the Delegate in their duties and to serve in the Delegate's place when the Delegate in unable to perform their duties. In cases of incapacity, death, resignation, recall or other long-term inability for the Delegate to perform their Duties, the Alternate shall assume the position of Delegate and serve the remainder of the elected term. Upon vacancy of the Alternate position, a new Alternate shall be elected to serve the remainder of the term.

6-3 The Delegate and Alternate shall be responsible to represent the positions and interests of the Vegetarian Caucus, and for voting on proposals before the National Committee, in a manner that is representative of the Vegetarian Caucus, including the Vegetarian Caucus Mission and Platform. Discussion about matters before the National Committee shall occur on the Members’ email list/forum, as well as any special meetings or teleconferences called for this purpose, and the Delegate and Alternate shall make a good faith effort to participate in and be informed by these discussions.

6-4 The Delegate may submit for consideration of sponsorship by the Vegetarian Caucus, a proposal to the National Committee on behalf of the Caucus.

6-5 The Delegate and Alternate may be recalled by the membership by a 2/3 vote for not performing their duties in accordance with 4-5.2, whether for the votes cast or non-participation.

Article VII Meetings, Decision-Making and Internal Operations

7-1 The Caucus shall meet at least annually in person or by teleconference. The Caucus shall make decisions as needed to conduct its business and fulfill its purpose, via email, voting page, teleconference, in-person meetings, and any other means that allow for the full participation of Members.

7-2 The Caucus shall strive for consensus in decision-making. A 2/3 vote is required for amending the bylaws, making candidate endorsements and sponsoring proposals to the GPUS National Committee. A simple majority is required for other proposals.

7-3 Proposals for Caucus sponsorship of proposals to the GPUS National Committee shall require sponsorship from members from at least eight members from at least four states. Proposals shall be in the format and shall include all information required by GPUS Rules and Procedures for such proposals to the National Committee.

7-4 A quorum shall exist when Members from at least eight states cast a vote, or otherwise indicating their preference as part of the official decision-making.

7-5 The Caucus may establish operating Rules and Procedures as necessary to conduct the business and fulfill the purpose of the Caucus. Such Rules and Procedures may not counteract these bylaws. Amendments to these Rules and Procedures shall be published to the National Committee by the Secretary.

Rules and Procedures of the Green Party Vegetarian Caucus