GPUS Bylaws Spokespersons
ARTICLE X Spokespersons/Leaders
10-1 Purpose
To effectively promote its message, support Green Party candidates and build the Green Party across the United States, the GPUS shall have two internally elected public Spokespersons/Leaders, who shall be empowered to represent the GPUS as described in this Article.
10-2 Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Spokespersons/Leaders on behalf of the GPUS shall be to:
10-2.1 present and publicize GPUS platform and policy
10-2.2 promote electoral activity and campaigns of Greens in member state Green Parties, but not those of other parties, except where authorized by the National Committee
10-2.3 appear on television, radio, in print and other media
10-2.4 appear at public events
10-2.5 participate in GPUS fundraising
10-2.6 write opinion pieces and editorials
10-2.7 write a public blog that will be linked to on the GPUS web site
10-2.8 work with the Media Committee, Outreach Committee and other GPUS committees as necessary to carry out these duties and responsibilities
10-2.9 carry out these duties and responsibilities in keeping with the Ten Key Values of the GPUS
10-3 Term of Office
The spokespersons/leaders shall be elected in odd-numbered years, at time of Annual National Meeting.
10-4 Criteria for Qualification
10-4.1 Candidates for Spokesperson/Leader must be a member of a member state Green Party for at least 365 days previous to their Declaration of Candidacy. During this time the Candidate cannot also hold membership in, and/or be registered to vote, in any other political party.
10-4.2 The Candidate cannot be a declared candidate for the GPUS Presidential nomination nor for any public office. If the Candidate declares for the GPUS nomination after becoming a Candidate for Spokesperson/Leader, or for any other public office, the individual shall be considered disqualified as a Candidate for Spokesperson/Leader.
10-4.3 The Candidate cannot be a member of the Steering Committee.
10-4.4 The Candidate may be a spokesperson for a state Green Party, but must include as part of her/his Declaration of Candidacy (as described in the Rules and Procedures), that if elected GPUS Spokesperson/Leader, it would signify their resignation as state spokesperson, effective upon their election as GPUS Spokesperson/Leader. If after having qualified to be a Candidate, the Candidate becomes a spokesperson for a state Green Party they must file a letter with the Secretary within seven days after becoming a state Green Party spokesperson, declaring that if elected GPUS Spokesperson/Leader, their election signifies their resignation as a state Green Party spokesperson.
10-4.5 Submitted a completed Declaration of Candidacy and satisfied the Qualification of Candidacy provisions as specified in the Rules and Procedures.
10-5 Gender Balance
There shall either be a female and a male Co-Spokesperson/Leader, or the Spokesperson/Leader must be one gender and the Deputy Spokesperson/Leader must be the other gender.
10-6 Finances
10-6.1 Restricted Spokesperson/Leader Fund
10-6.1(a) A Restricted Spokesperson/Leader Fund shall be created within the GPUS, according to the process for creating Restricted Funds described in the Fiscal Policy.
10-6.1(b) Money raised by Candidates as part of the Qualification process shall be deposited in the Restricted Spokesperson/Leader Fund and shall be available to cover GPUS costs associated with the Spokesperson/Leader campaign. Any funds left over from this process shall remain part of the Restricted Spokesperson/Leader Fund and be available for stipend and expenses as defined in these Bylaws.
10-6.2 Stipend
10-6.2(a) Spokespersons/Leaders shall receive a financial stipend.
10-6.2(b) The level of stipend shall be established by National Committee as part of the budget process, or by resolution.
10-6.3 Expenses
10-6.3(a) The travel and communication expenses of the Spokespersons/Leaders shall be the responsibility of the GPUS.
10-6.3(b) The level of funding for these expenses shall be established by the National Committee as part of the budget process, or by resolution.
10-6.3(c) The specific kind of travel and communication expenses considered to be the responsibility of the GPUS shall be established by the National Committee as part of the Fiscal Policy.
10-7 Campaign
10-7.1 The National Committee shall establish campaign rules in the Rules and Procedures.
10-8 Election
10-8.1 The Election shall be by a vote of the National Committee and shall occur by Instant Run-Off Voting.
10-8.2 The Election shall occur during the Annual National Meeting.
10-8.3 Votes may be cast during the Annual National Meeting by all National Committee members, whether present at the Annual National Meeting or not, using the GPUS on-line voting program.
10-9 Recall
10-9.1 A proposal to recall a Spokesperson/Leader shall be based upon a failure to carry out the Duties and Responsibilities as described in this Article. Failure shall be substantial as it relates to achieving the Purpose of the Spokesperson/Leader. Proposals shall cite specific examples of failure to carry out the Duties and Responsibilities, how those failures relate to the Purpose and provide documentation where necessary.
10-9.2 A proposal to recall a Spokesperson/Leader may only be brought forward by delegates equal in number to at least one-third of the number of National Committee delegates, from at least 15 member state Green Parties and have the support of at least five member state Green Parties.
10-9.3 Before the proposal goes to the National Committee for discussion and voting, the Spokesperson/Leader shall be given 14 days opportunity to prepare a written rebuttal that will accompany the proposal. Notice shall be given to the Spokesperson/Leader once the Steering Committee has received the recall proposal.
10-9.4 The proposal shall be allotted three weeks for discussion and one week for voting.
10-9.5 Quorum shall be two-thirds of member state Green Parties and the threshold to recall shall be two-thirds of those voting.
10-10 Membership
10-10.1 If at any time a Spokesperson/Leader is no longer a a member of a member state Green Party, and/or holds membership in and/or is registered to vote in any other political party, they shall be considered to have resigned as Spokesperson/Leader
