Draft GPUS Bylaw Amendment International Representation
SPONSOR: Green Party of California
CONTACT: Sanda Everette, Craig Thorsen, Mike Feinstein
SUBJECT/TITLE: GPUS Bylaw Amendment: International Representation
TYPE OF PROPOSAL/EXPECTED APPROVAL THRESHOLD: An amendment to the GPUS Bylaws and Rules & Procedures, with an expected approval threshold of 2/3
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although the GPUS has played an active role on the international and global Green level since the GPUS was formed in 2001, GPUS Bylaws are silent on the issue of international representation, while at the same time, GPUS Rules and Procedures contain a clause giving the Steering Committee (SC) the power to “Represent or assign representatives in relations with third parties in the U.S. and internationally”
This proposal would eliminate the reference to international representation in the Rules and Procedures and amend the Bylaws instead to create a new Article entitled “International Representation”. This Article would establish that the National Committee would elect GPUS international delegates from among those nominated by the International Committee, and would also clarify under what process the GPUS could join or withdraw from international Green Party organizations, how delegates and alternates to those organizations could be recalled and how representatives to other international meetings and events would be chosen.
PROPOSAL: That the following Article be added to the GPUS Bylaws
ARTICLE IX. INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION
Section 10-1 Authority
10-1.1 The GPUS may seek membership in international Green Party organizations upon a 2/3 vote of the National Committee. If the GPUS becomes a voting member or observer party of an international Green Party organization, that status shall be reflected in 10-2 and 10-3. The GPUS may withdraw its membership from international Green Party organizations upon a 2/3 vote of the National Committee.
Section 10-2 Membership
10-2.1 The international Green Party organizations of which the GPUS is a voting member are the Federación de Partidos Verdes de las Americas (FPVA) and the Global Greens. FPVA membership entitles the GPUS to voting delegates at FPVA meetings. Global Greens membership entitles the GPUS to voting delegates at the Global Greens Congress and non-voting delegates to the Global Greens Network (GGN), which by definition is a non-decision making body.
Section 10-3 Representation
10-3.1 The National Committee shall elect GPUS delegates and alternates to those international Green Party organizations of which the GPUS is a voting member or observer party; chose from among nominations made by the International Committee and do so according to the election process described in Section VII of the GPUS Rules and Procedures. The number of delegates shall be defined by the FPVA and the Global Greens, respectively. Terms shall be two years each for the FPVA and the GGN, and for the duration of each Global Greens Congress. Delegates are expected to accurately represent the GPUS platform, policies and practices.
10-3.2 Delegates and alternates may be recalled by the National Committee according to the process for recalling Steering Committee members in Article VI of the GPUS Bylaws.
10-3.3 For representation to non-decision making international meetings, conferences and events other than those associated with the organizations named in 10-2, the International Committee may designate individuals to represent the GPUS, and shall post these to the National Committee Votes list within 48 hours of such designation. Such individuals may be empowered to speak on behalf of the GPUS on the condition that they accurately represent the GPUS platform, policies and practices. Where the International Committee has not designated such representation, the Steering Committee may do so and report to the National Committee within 48 hours of doing so.
and that GPUS Rules and Procedures, Article 1-3, be amended to read
1-3 Represent or assign representatives in relations with other political parties in the U.S.
IMPLEMENTATION/TIMELINE/RESOURCES: This change to the GPUS Bylaws and Rules and Procedures would become effective upon passage of an International Committee Mission Statement that specifies that the IC shall propose nominees for approval by National Committee, for GPUS delegates to the Federación de Partidos Verdes de las Americas (FPVA), the Global Green Congress (GGC) and the Global Green Network (GGN).
REFERENCES:
GPUS Bylaws: http://www.gp.org/documents/bylaws.shtml
GPUS Rules & Procedures: http://www.gp.org/documents/rules.shtml
Federación de Partidos Verdes de las Americas (FPVA): http://www.verdesamericagreens.org
Global Greens: http://www.globalgreens.org
SPONSOR: Green Party of California
CONTACT: Sanda Everette, Craig Thorsen, Mike Feinstein
SUBJECT/TITLE: International Committee Mission Statement
TYPE OF PROPOSAL/EXPECTED APPROVAL THRESHOLD: Committee Mission Statement, with an expected approval threshold of 2/3
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although the International Committee has been operational since the formation of the GPUS in 2001, and has had a mission statement and a set of internal procedures that it has operated under (and reported to the National Committee (NC)), the NC has never formally voted upon a mission statement or internal procedures for the International Committee. Article VI of the GPUS Rules and Procedures requires that all committees that wish to submit proposals to the NC must have a mission statement approved by the NC. This proposal provides an opportunity to formally approve an IC Mission Statement with updated language to reflect current realities and practices.
PROPOSAL: MISSION STATMENT, INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
ARTICLE 1 INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
Section 1-1 Mission
1-1.1 The mission of the Committee shall be to foster collaboration and exchange with Green parties around the world; facilitate official GPUS representation on the international and global level; facilitate GPUS issue and policy development on the international and global level; and network with green organizations and movements working on the international and global level.
Section 1-2 Duties and Responsibilities
The International Committee shall have the duty and responsibility to:
1-2.1 Network with Green Parties around the world.
1-2.2 Propose nominees for approval by National Committee for GPUS delegates and alternates to the Federación de Partidos Verdes de las Americas (FPVA), Global Greens Congress (GGC) and Global Greens Network (GGN), from the membership of the International Committee or when qualified, from the membership of state Green parties and caucuses.
1-2.3 Designate official GPUS representatives to non-decision making international meetings and events other than those described in 1-2.2, from among the membership of the International Committee, or when qualified, from among the membership of state Green parties and caucuses.
1-2.4 Make proposals to the National Committee to seek membership in or withdraw membership from international Green Party organizations.
1-2.5 Develop resolutions and official position statements on international and global aspects of Green Party policy for consideration by the National Committee.
1-2.6 Serve as a resource for proposals on international and global aspects of Green Party policy for inclusion in the GPUS Platform.
1-2.7 Advise the Media Committee on international and global aspects of Green Party policy for inclusion in press releases and other public outreach.
1-2.8 Network with organizations and movements working for green approaches on the international and global level, including global peace, social justice, human rights, and environmentally sustainable communities.
1-2.9 Inform U.S. Greens about international and global issues.
1-2.10 Facilitate diplomatic visits by international Greens to the United States, including working with state Green parties and local Greens to arrange hosting, public events, and meetings, and providing current and accurate information to state Green parties and local Greens regarding legal restrictions on international ("foreign national") Greens' activities;
1-2.11 Provide introductions for official U.S. Green delegations traveling abroad.
IMPLEMENTATION/TIMELINE/RESOURCES: Effective upon passage.
REFERENCES:
GPUS Bylaws: http://www.gp.org/documents/bylaws.shtml
GPUS Rules & Procedures: http://www.gp.org/documents/rules.shtml
Federación de Partidos Verdes de las Americas (FPVA): http://www.verdesamericagreens.org
Global Greens: http://www.globalgreens.org
