Bylaws: The Green Party of New Jersey

The Green Party of New Jersey Bylaws

Outline

Section 1 -- Name and Purpose

Section 2 -- Definitions

3.1 -- Criteria
3.2 -- Rights
3.3 -- Responsibilities

Section 4 -- Committees 4.1 -- Standing Committees
4.2 -- Authority
4.3 -- Governance
4.4 -- Subcommittees and Special Committees

Section 5 -- Executive Committee 5.1 -- Composition
5.2 -- Chair
5.3 -- Vice Chair
5.4 -- Secretary
5.5 -- Treasurer
5.6 -- Executive Committee Staff
5.7 -- Authority
5.8 -- Governance

Section 6-- Executive Council 6.1 -- Composition
6.2 -- County Coordinators
6.3 -- Authority
6.4 -- Governance

Section 7 -- Conventions 7.1 -- Annual Conventions
7.2 -- Special Conventions
7.3 -- Voting procedures at Conventions
7.4 -- Planning and Implementation

Section 8 -- Candidates for Public Office

Section 9 -- Responsiveness 9.1 -- Open Meetings
9.2 -- Open Records
9.3 -- Petitions
Section 10 -- Local Affiliates

Section 11 -- Parliamentary Authority

Section 12 -- Amendments

Section 1 -- Organization Name and Purpose

This organization shall be known as the "Green Party of New Jersey."

The Green Party of New Jersey 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

"Amendment" means a permanent change to these Bylaws, as described in Section 12.
"Annual Convention" means a statewide meeting of Members, as described in Section 7.1.
"Complaint" means a formal written objection, concern, or protest filed by a Member, described in Section 3.2.
"Committee" means any Standing Committee, Special Committee, or subcommittee thereof.
"Convention" means an Annual Convention or a Special Convention, as described in Section 7.
"County Coordinator" means a Member elected to represent, on the Executive Council, the interests of Members residing in a particular county or group of counties, as described in Section 6.2.
"Executive Committee" means the decision-making body described in Section 5.
"Executive Council" means the decision-making and advisory body described in Section 6.
"Local Affiliate" means a group of Members who meet regularly for participatory action and education, which is officially affiliated with the Party under the provisions of one or more duly adopted Rules, as described in Section 10.
"Member" means an individual who has joined the Party, as described in Section 3.
"Membership List" means the official list of Members and contact information, maintained by the Secretary.
"Officer" means one of the following elected officials of the Party: the Chair, the Vice Chair, the Secretary, or the Treasurer.
"Party" means the Green Party of New Jersey.
"Petition" means the democratic tool enabling a Member to request consideration of a matter, as described in Section 9.3.
"Ratio" means the the Representatives-to-Members ratio established for voting at Conventions, as described in Section 7.3.
"Records" means all financial and non-financial documents required to be kept by the Treasurer or the Secretary.
"Representative" means a person delegated by a Local Affiliate to represent its Members and vote on their behalf at a Convention, as described in Section 7.
"Rule" means a formal issuance on substantive or procedural matters that is consistent with and subordinate to these Bylaws.
"Special Committee" means a committee of limited duration established by the Executive Committee as described in Section 4.4.
"Special Convention" means a statewide meeting of Members, as described in Section 7.2.
"Standing Committee" means any of the permanent committees described in Section 4.1.

Section 3 -- Members

Section 3.1 -- Criteria

Membership in the Party is open to all persons who support the principles and purposes of the Party as set forth in Section 1 and who pay dues.

Section 3.2 -- Rights

Members in good standing may

(a) vote, in their Local Affiliate, for Representatives to the Annual Convention or a Special Convention;
(b) join one or more Standing Committees and vote therein, subject to duly-adopted Rules;
(c) object formally to any decision, action or policy of the Party or of a Member by filing a Complaint with the Executive Committee; and
(d) initiate and circulate a Petition as provided in Section 9.3.

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 and any duly adopted Rules.

Section 4 -- Committees

Section 4.1 -- Standing Committees

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

(a) Membership Committee, which shall have the following general responsibilities: recruitment of Members; liaison to Local Affiliates; planning and implementation of Annual Conventions and Special Conventions; surveys and informal polls of Members' concerns and views; and issuance of Rules on ethics and disciplinary proceedings.

(b) Policy Committee, which shall have the following general responsibilities: strategic direction; issue research; platform development; policy statements; review of candidates for public office; and coordination of support for candidates running for public office.

(c) Finance Committee, which shall have the following general responsibilities: fundraising; dues collection; budgeting; and internal audit.

(d) Communications Committee, which shall have the following general responsibilities: keeping Members informed about Party decisions, policies, and activities; production of Party publications; outreach to the media, other Green organizations and the general public.

Section 4.2 -- Authority

Each Committee may (a) act on matters within its areas of responsibility, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee;
(b) act on matters involving its own procedures and housekeeping;
(c) issue Rules on substantive or procedural matters, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee;
(d) recommend actions or alternatives to the Executive Committee; and
(e) implement decisions of the Executive Committee.

Section 4.3 -- Governance

(a) Voting on any main motion shall be determined by a simple majority of Committee members present. One-third (1/3) of the voting members of a Committee shall constitute a quorum.

(b) A Chair and a Vice Chair shall be elected by the members of each Standing Committee. A vacancy in either position shall be filled by vote of the committee members or, if the committee fails to act, by the appointment of the Executive Committee. Neither a Chair nor a Vice Chair may serve longer than four (4) consecutive years in either position on a particular Standing Committee.

(c) The Chair shall preside over meetings of a Standing Committee and shall represent that Standing Committee on the Executive Committee.

(d) In the absence of or at the request of the Chair of a Standing Committee, the Vice Chair shall substitute for the Chair, with the full authority and voting rights ordinarily exercised by the Chair. In the event of a vacancy in the position of Chair, the Vice Chair shall be the acting Chair until the vacancy is filled.

Section 4.4 -- Subcommittees and Special Committees

(a) Permanent or temporary subcommittees may be established by each Standing Committee, as deemed necessary.

(b) Special Committees of limited duration may be established by the Executive Committee to address specific issues or to undertake specific projects that fall outside the purview of the Standing Committees or that require special coordination of activities among Standing Committees.

Section 5 -- Executive Committee

Section 5.1 -- Composition

(a) The following persons shall constitute the Executive Committee: the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer (the "Officers" of the Party), and the Chair of each Standing Committee, or the Vice Chair, in accordance with Section 4.3(d).

(b) Officers are elected at the Annual Convention, and serve for terms of one (1) year, until the election of their successors.

(c) An Officer may serve on the Executive Committee for two (2) full terms in the same office, after which a period of two years must intervene before the person may again hold that office.

(d) After four consecutive full terms of service on the Executive Committee in any capacity, a person may not be re-elected or appointed to the Executive Committee until an interval of two years has elapsed.

(e) The Executive Committee may fill a vacancy in the position of any Officer, by appointing a replacement to serve for the unexpired remainder of that Officer's term.

5.2 -- Chair

The Chair of the Party shall preside at meetings of the Party and of the Executive Committee; issue a call for a Special Convention or a special meeting of the Executive Committee or the Executive Council when deemed necessary; and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Party or the Executive Committee.

The Chair of the Party shall be an ex-officio member of all Committees.

Section 5.3 -- Vice Chair

The Vice Chair of the Party shall preside at meetings in the absence of or at the request of the Chair; perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Party or the Executive Committee; and, in the event of a vacancy in the office of Chair, perform all the duties of and act in the full capacity of the Chair for the duration of that vacancy.

Section 5.4 -- Secretary

The Secretary shall maintain all non-financial Records of the Party, including but not limited to (a) these Bylaws and any Amendments hereto;
(b) legally binding documents;
(c) all meeting records, including the minutes of the Executive Committee, and the reports of other Committees;
(d) a copy of the Membership List as provided on a regular basis by the Membership Committee;
(e) lists of County Coordinators and Local Affiliate contacts;
(f) Petitions; and
(g) Complaints.

The Secretary shall also certify any Petition and give notice of Annual Conventions and Special Conventions.

Section 5.5 -- Treasurer

The Treasurer shall maintain the financial Records of the Party.

Section 5.6 -- Executive Committee Staff

The Executive Committee may appoint other Members to assist the Executive Committee. Such Members shall serve at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

Section 5.7 -- Authority

Within the limitations established by these Bylaws, the Executive Committee shall have the authority to decide all substantive and procedural matters that significantly involve the Party as a whole. This shall include but not be limited to the authority to (a) delegate decision-making authority or specific tasks to a Standing Committee or to a Special Committee;
(b) make recommendations to or issue guidance to a Standing Committee or to a Special Committee;
(c) request specific actions by a Standing Committee or a Special Committee;
(d) delineate the responsibilities of each Standing Committee and decide any jurisdictional issue that is not resolved by the affected Standing Committees;
(e) appoint Executive Committee Staff; and
(f) expel or discipline any Member for good cause, pursuant to Rules and subject to the review of the Membership Committee.

Section 5.8 -- Governance

(a) Voting on any main motion shall be determined by a simple majority of Executive Committee members present, unless otherwise provided for in these Bylaws.

(b) Four voting members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.

Section 6 -- Executive Council

Section 6.1 -- Composition

The Executive Committee members along with the County Coordinators shall constitute the Executive Council.

Section 6.2 -- County Coordinators

A County Coordinator shall be elected by the Members who reside in a particular county or group of contiguous counties, as authorized by the Members residing in those counties.. Each County Coordinator shall serve for a term of one year on the Executive Council and act as a liaison to the Membership Committee.

Section 6.3 -- Authority

The Executive Council shall advise the Executive Committee and shall have the responsibility of deciding matters related to the procedural conduct or ethical behavior of Executive Committee members.

Section 6.4 -- Governance

(a) Voting on any main motion shall be determined by a simple majority of Executive Council members present, unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws.

(b) The Executive Council is required to meet at least three (3) times per calendar year. One-third of the Executive Council members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 7 -- Conventions

Section 7.1 -- Annual Conventions

A statewide Annual Convention of Members shall be held for the election of Officers, and for deciding other significant matters, as determined by the Executive Committee or by a Petition. Local Affiliates may submit to the Executive Committee proposals for consideration; such proposals must be received for review by the Executive Committee at least thirty (30) days prior to the starting date of the Annual Convention.

Section 7.2 -- Special Conventions

A statewide Special Convention may be held at any time, upon at least thirty (30) days notice to Members, if the Chair, the Executive Committee, or a Petition determines that the matter to be acted upon should not be postponed until the next Annual Convention.

Section 7.3 -- Voting procedures at Conventions

(a) Votes at Annual Conventions or Special Conventions will be cast by Representatives from Local Affiliates. For each Convention, the Executive Committee shall determine the Representatives-to-Members Ratio and inform all Local Affiliates of said ratio at least 30 days prior to the starting date of the Convention. On the basis of this information, the Local Affiliates shall choose their apportioned number of Representatives and notify the Membership Committee of the names of the Representatives (unless the Ratio is 1:1, in which case each Member in good standing is a Representative).

(b) Voting for Officers and other elected officials shall be by ballot, and no motion to the contrary shall be in order, except that in the event the number of candidates nominated for a given office does not exceed the number to be elected to that office, a ballot for that office may be dispensed with by unanimous consent.

(c) At an Annual Convention or Special Convention, one-fifth of the number of apportioned Representatives eligible to vote at that convention shall constitute a quorum.

Section 7.4 -- Planning and Implementation

The Membership Committee, working in cooperation with the Secretary and with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee, shall be responsible for the planning and implementation of Annual Conventions and Special Conventions, including the development of Rules to establish an open process for the nomination of Officers which informs and involves the membership.

Section 8 -- Candidates for Public Office

The Executive Council may decide whether a prospective candidate will have the support of the Party.

Section 9 -- Responsiveness

Section 9.1 -- Open Meetings

Meetings of all bodies of the Party are open to the attendance of any Member, with the following exception: If a body determines that valid reasons exist that require it to conduct some of its business in closed session, it must adopt a resolution to that effect by a majority vote in open session, clearly stating those reasons. While in closed session, the only items which may be discussed or acted upon are those to which that resolution applies, and no motion to suspend this provision shall be in order. The minutes and other records of such closed sessions will be made available to the Executive Committee without delay, and will become available for inspection under the provisions of Section 9.2 as soon as the reasons for its secrecy no longer exist.

Section 9.2 -- Open Records

Records of the Party shall be made available to any Member for inspection or photocopying. The requesting Member shall pay the costs of reproduction and mailing.

Section 9.3 -- Petitions

(a) Any Member in good standing may initiate a Petition and circulate it among the general membership at the Member's own expense. A Petition may concern any matter and request any action not inconsistent with these Bylaws.

(b) If one-fourth of the Members sign a Petition, the Executive Committee shall deal with the matter at hand in a timely fashion and to the satisfaction of the petitioners or shall submit the matter to a vote at an Annual Convention or a Special Convention.

Section 10 -- Local Affiliates

The Executive Committee, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, may establish Rules providing for the affiliation of the Party with other organizations ("Local Affiliates"), smaller in scope than the whole Party, and providing for the equitable and proportional involvement of these Local Affiliates in the decision-making processes of the Party. Any Rule so established shall contain provisions to ensure that Local Affiliates continue to operate in a manner consistent with these Bylaws and with other duly adopted Rules.

Section 11 -- Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order 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.

Section 12 -- Amendments

An Amendment to these Bylaws may be adopted upon a two-thirds vote at an Annual Convention or a Special Convention.

Adopted on the 22nd day of March, 1997, by the Membership of the Green Party of New Jersey in Convention, and New Brunswick, New Jersey.