Bergen County Green Party

                                                                             By-laws

Section 1 -- Organization Name and Purpose

This organization shall be known as the "Bergen County Green Party ", a Local Affiliate of The Green Party of New Jersey.

 
The Bergen County Green Party is a progressive political party dedicated to electoral goals and compatible educational, social, and cultural activism. We stand for greater participation by individuals in the decision making that affects our lives and our communities.  We uphold a vision based on the four pillars of the global Green movement: ecological wisdom, social justice,

grassroots democracy, and nonviolence.

Section 2 -- Definitions

These correspond with the definitions set forth in the Green Party of New Jersey Bylaws, with the following exceptions:

"Officer" means one of the following elected officials of the Party: Chair, County Coordinator, Treasurer, Secretary, Coordinating Committee Chair, and Membership Chair.

"Party" means the Bergen County Green Party.

Section 3 -- Members
Section 3.1 -- Criteria

Any Bergen County Resident who is a member in good standing of the Green Partyof New Jersey is a member of the Bergen County Green Party.

Section 3.2 -- Rights

Members in good standing may:
(a) vote in the election of Officers of the Party,
(b) attend General Meetings and participate in the deliberations of these
meetings, introduce resolutions at General Meetings and vote on resolutions
at General Meetings.
(c) join one or more Committees of the Party, including Standing Committees,
and vote therein.

Section 3.3 -- Responsibilities

Members shall:
(a) participate respectfully in all proceedings,
(b) fulfill obligations undertaken, unless excused, and
(c) abide by the letter and spirit of these Bylaws.

Section 4 -- Committees
Section 4.1 -- Standing Committee

A Standing Committee is open to participation by any Member in good standing. The following Standing Committees are established:

The Coordinating Committee

Coordinating Committee Chair shall be an Officer of the Party, elected by the Membership rather than by the members of the Coordinating Committee. The Coordinating Committee shall have the following general responsibilities:
(a) remain apprised of the work of all other Committees of the Party,
(b) coordinate the work among the various Committees of the Party,
(c) coordinate the work of the Committees with the Membership,
(d) set agenda for monthly General Meetings in consultation with the Chair of the Party, and

(e) recommend electoral candidates to the membership for endorsement.

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee Chair shall be an Officer of the Party, elected by the Membership

rather than by the members of the Membership Committee.  The Membership Committee shall have the following responsibilities:

(a) maintain the membership roster,

(b) provide membership reports to the state,

(c) comply with state regulations regarding membership requirements,

(d) maintain contact and identification records of members and other interested persons, and

(e) implement guidelines for use of member and contact information  

   
Section 4.2 -- Committees - Composition

All Committees are open to participation by any Member in good standing.

Committees for any purpose may be established by the Membership in attendance at any General Meeting by simple majority vote. Any Committee may be abolished at any time by a simple majority vote of the Membership in attendance at any General Meeting.

Section 5 -- Officers
Section 5.1 -- Election and Term of Office

(a) Officers of the Party shall each be elected by simple majority vote of the Membership at the June General Meeting of each year. A Quorum for the purpose of the Election of Officers shall be whosoever Members are present at the June General Meeting.  The vote may be by voice for any seat that is not contested.  The vote for any contested seat must be by secret ballot.  Instant runoff voting shall be used whenever three or more candidates are seeking election to the same office.    

(b) Officers shall each serve a term of one year.  Any Officer may stand for reelection in any subsequent year.  Terms of office shall begin immediately after the meeting at which they are elected.

Section 5.2 -- Joint Holding of Office

Two people may hold any one Office jointly provided they stand for election to the Office as Proposed Joint Office Holders.  The division of the responsibilities of an Office for Joint Office Holders is to be worked out between the two who are jointly elected.  When an office is held jointly the prefix "Co-" will be used when referring to the title of the Office.

Section 5.3 -- Chair

The Chair of the Party shall preside at General Meetings and shall coordinate with the Coordinating Committee and/or with the Chair of the Coordinating Committee to establish agenda for General Meetings.  The Chair of the Party shall be signatory to the bank account of the Party in a back up capacity to the Treasurer.  The Chair of the Party shall serve as the official spokesperson for the Bergen County Green Party.

Section 5.4 -- County Coordinator

The County Coordinator shall be the contact person of record for new Members in consultation and coordination with the Membership Chair.  The County Coordinator will be an information source with regard to Bergen County Green Party activities and will fulfill the responsibilities of County Coordinator as defined in the Green Party of New Jersey by-laws, section 2.

Section 5.5 -- Chair of the Coordinating Committee

The Chair of the Coordinating Committee shall convene and preside over one or more meetings of the Coordinating Committee per month.  The Chair of the Coordinating Committee has the primary responsibility to communicate with the Chair of the Party regarding agenda for General Meetings.


Section 5.6 – Chair of the Membership Committee

The Membership Chair has responsibility for the collecting and safe keeping of contact and identification records on all Members of the Party and on all those affiliated in any way with the Party.

Section 5.7 -- Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have fiduciary responsibility for the funds of the party, maintain the financial records of the party and be signatory to the bank account of the Party. The Chair of the Party shall also be signatory to the bank account of the Party in a back up capacity to the Treasurer.

The Treasurer will prepare a full report each February for the previous calendar year.  This report will be reviewed by a three member Audit Committee chosen by the membership, and this committee will report on its findings to the membership.


Section 5.8  -- Secretary

The Secretary shall maintain all non-financial records of the Party (with the exception of the Party Data Base of contact and identifying records on Members and affiliates which shall be maintained by the Membership Chair).  These records shall include but not be limited to:
(a) these Bylaws and Amendments hereto,
(b) legally binding documents,
(c) meeting records, including minutes of the General Meetings.

The Secretary shall also correspond with outside entities as directed by the Membership.  Such direction shall be by Resolution of the Membership by simple majority vote at General Meetings.


Section 6  -- Revision and/or Amendment

An amendment to these bylaws must be passed by a 2/3 majority at two general meetings.

The amendment must be presented to the membership at least 25 days prior to the

first vote.


 

Section 7 -- Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Party in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws or with any special Rules of Order duly adopted by the Party.

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Adopted by membership vote August 10, 2005.