Bylaws
Bylaws of the Green Party of Washington State
(Adopted May 13, 2000)
ARTICLE I. NAME
1.1 Name - The name of this organization shall be the Green Party of Washington State.
ARTICLE II. FUNCTION OF THE ORGANIZATION
2.1 Function Statement - The function of this organization shall be to work towards a Green society as represented by the Ten Key Values of the Greens:
Ecological Wisdom
Social Justice
Nonviolence
Grassroots Democracy
Community-based Economics
Decentralization
Respect for Diversity
Feminism
Future Focus
Personal and Global Responsibility
2.2 Methods - This organization may use any and all methods of non-violent social change: direct action, community organizing and education, personal empowerment, issue campaigns, ballot initiatives, and/or electoral campaigns; and their related strategies and tactics.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Application for Membership - Membership in the Green Party of Washington State is open to residents of the State of Washington who pay dues, file a waiver, or do work in lieu of payment. A membership applicant shall sign an application form which shall state that the applicant is in general agreement with the Ten Key Values.
3.2 Powers of Members - Any member may add an item to the agenda of the State Convention by consensus or simple majority to the membership present. Any member has a right to vote at the State Convention.
3.3 Ineligibility for Membership - Any person currently serving or seeking an elected position with another political party, including but not limited to precinct committee officer, shall not be eligible for membership.
ARTICLE IV. STATE COORDINATING COUNCIL
4.1 The Function of the Coordinating Council
A) Composition - The State Coordinating Council shall be composed of five members elected proportionately at large at the State Convention, and a Treasurer and a Deputy Treasurer each elected by the membership at the State Convention. Each newly elected state coordinating council shall choose a facilitator, vice facilitator and secretary internally. These internal positions can be rotated at the discretion of the State Coordinating Council throughout their term of service. Coordinating Council members should reside in at least three different geographical areas in the State. The Coordinating Council should reflect gender and racial diversity.
B) State Conventions - The State Coordinating Council shall plan state conventions and develop the agenda. State Conventions shall be held at least annually.
C) Term of Service - Upon election the State Coordinating Council shall facilitate the work of the Party until the election of their successors. The five at large Coordinating Council members and the Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer shall be elected for a one- year term by the Membership.
D) Legal Board - The State Coordinating Council shall be the legal board of the Green Party of Washington State and must meet at least six times a year.
E) Facilitator - The facilitator shall oversee the distribution of responsibilities of the various state coordinating council members and working groups and convene meetings of the Coordinating Council.
F) Vice Facilitator - In the absence of the Facilitator the Vice Facilitator will carry out the duties of the Facilitator.
G) Secretary - The Secretary serves as principal recorder at meetings of the State Coordinating Council and State Conventions and makes those minutes available to the general membership. The Secretary serves as Party Chair for the purposes of paperwork required by the State that are not the responsibility of the Treasurer.
H) Treasurer - The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining the financial records of the Party and for filing reports with the appropriate Washington State offices as required by law in a timely fashion. The Treasurer shall be the banking officer for all funds at the State level, monitoring income and expenses as budgeted by the State Coordinating Council. This officer shall submit monthly financial statements of receipts and expenditures to the State Coordinating Council, make these statements available at the request of any State Green Party member, and shall submit all reports required by the State of Washington. Upon the conclusion of the term of office, the Treasurer shall turn over all books and reports to the State Coordinating Council and will include a final statement of accounts.
I) Deputy Treasurer - The Deputy Treasurer shall be responsible for assisting with all the duties of the Treasurer. Upon resignation of the Treasurer the Deputy Treasurer becomes the Treasurer. The Facilitator may appoint the Deputy Treasurer as interim Treasurer upon the non-performance of duties by the Treasurer.
J) Budget - It is the responsibility of the State Coordinating Council to prepare an annual budget beginning January 1st of each calendar year.
K) Expenditures - The Treasurer has discretion over day-to-day expenditures within limits set by the State Coordinating Council. All other expenditures are by approval of the State Coordinating Council.
L) Vacancies in State Coordinating Council Positions - Vacancies in the State Coordinating Council shall be filled by appointment by the State Coordinating Council.
M) Other Functional Bodies - The State Coordinating Council may establish other functional bodies and working groups as necessary. Proposals for new functional bodies shall be submitted to a member of the State Coordinating Council by at least three members and shall clearly define the rationale for, powers of, and accountability standards for the proposed body.
4.2 Removal - Any member of the State Coordinating Council may be suspended by a 2/3rds vote of the State Coordinating Council, to be approved by 3/4 of the Membership. Any member of the Coordinating Council may also be removed for cause by a 3/4ths vote of the Membership.
ARTICLE V. STATE PARTY GENERAL RULES AND PROCEDURES
5.1 Endorsements
A) Candidate Endorsement - Only members of the Green Party of Washington State shall be eligible for endorsement to elected office in Washington State.
B) Presidential Endorsement - Only candidates who are in agreement with the ten key values are eligible for endorsement for President and Vice President of the United States of America.
C) Initiative Endorsement - The State Coordinating Council may utilize mail balloting in order to take a position on a state initiative in a timely fashion.
D) Other Endorsements - The Membership may give the right of decision to the State Coordinating Council.
5.2 Term Limits - No officials of the Green Party of Washington State shall serve on the Coordinating Council for more than three consecutive terms.
5.3 Delegations to other Organizations - Delegations are approved by the consensus of the membership. If consensus cannot be reached then Delegates are elected proportionally. The membership may give the right of decision to the State Coordinating Council.
5.4 Nominations for State Public Office - The Green Party of Washington State shall hold a Nominating Convention in compliance with State law. The threshold for nomination is 3/4 vote of the General Membership present and those voting by absentee ballot. Any person currently serving or seeking an elected position with another political party, including precinct committee officer, shall not be eligible for nomination.
ARTICLE VI. DECISIONS
The Green Party of Washington State shall seek agreement on all decisions, hearing all views and concerns. Where consensus cannot be reached, decisions by all bodies of the Green Party of Washington State shall be approved on a 2/3 vote, except for meeting process motions which shall be approved by a simple majority.
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS
Amendments to these Bylaws may be adopted on a 70% vote of the Membership at a State Convention. Notification of proposed changes to the Bylaws must be fully detailed and sent to all members two weeks before the meeting. Proposed bylaws changes must be sponsored by at least three members and submitted to the Secretary of the State Coordinating Council at least 30 days prior to a State Convention. The Secretary is then responsible for distribution of the proposed bylaws change to the General Membership.