Source: https://www.gpfl.org/gpf-bylaws-rules-and-regulations-2019/
Timestamp: 2020-06-04 11:18:18
Document Index: 367605146

Matched Legal Cases: ['§103', '§103', '§103', '§103', '§103', '§ 103', '§ 103', '§ 103', '§ 103']

GPFL Bylaws, and Rules and Regulations – 2019 (text) - Green Party of Florida
GPFL Bylaws, and Rules and Regulations – 2019 (text)
To foster greater understanding and to advance the authority and reality of the Green’s Ten Key Values in society. These values are:
(1) Furthermore, these values shall be promoted through electoral process, research, the media, education and diverse party actions.
(2) To foster the creation and development of a Green Party in each county of Florida, while continuing to support those already existing.
(3) To serve as a network facilitator between the County Green Parties and recognized locals.
(4) To facilitate electoral politics, campaigns and office holding statewide and among all the County Green Parties in the State of Florida.
(5) To be the State Green Party for Florida in official and fraternal association with the duly constituted national green party, which is recognized and registered with the federal election authorities FEC. and its member State Green Parties.
(6) To be in collaborative unity of spirit and movement with non-affiliated local, regional, state, national and global Green associations, societies or groups.
(7) To work in concert with other associations, groups, and societies when their goals and objectives advance and promote the Ten Key Values.
He or she is registered as a Green Party member with the Supervisor of Elections; or
We reaffirm adopting the GP.ORG meeting guide as our standard for meetings, and Robert’s Rules of Order for circumstances not addressed in our bylaws, per the link below:
https://www.loomio.org/p/7twDp1No?back_to=https:%2F%2Fwww.loomio.org%2Fd%2FgWKPYrGQ%2Fproposals-thread
A general membership meeting shall be held at least annually. The general membership may meet at such other times and places as may be determined by the State Coordinating Council (hereinafter State CC).
Purposes of the membership meetings.
(a) Partake in the nomination and consensus seeking process for the selection of Officers of the Board of Trustees.
(b) Partake in the nomination and consensus seeking process for the selection of Members of the Board of Trustees.
(c) Approve or disapprove proposed and recently approved changes to the Bylaws. Bylaw amendments presented to the General Membership by any member at the annual meeting shall be subject to the consensus process. In the event that consensus is not obtained, then such an amendment shall be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the State CC as described in Article V(C)(4). All such bylaw changes shall be settled by the end of the annual meeting or dismissed without prejudice. Each bylaw amendment approved by the State CC since the previous year’s annual meeting shall be reaffirmed or rescinded by the consensus process at the annual meeting. In the event that consensus is not obtained, such amendment shall be rescinded by a two-thirds vote of the State CC as described in Article V(C)(4).
(d) Approve or disapprove general proposals or resolutions, which may be presented for consideration or approval.
(e) Network together, socialize, solidify relationships and plan for the future.
(f) Consider and accomplish such other business as would seem appropriate and right to the consensus of the general membership.
Creation of County Green Parties
(a) The petitioning group should be organized by having approved and constituted bylaws which conform to the Ten Key Values, consensus seeking decision making and principals of decentralization; and
(b) The petitioning group should have regular membership meetings and should be open for membership by all Greens within the county. The rules for membership in the County Green Party should be no more restrictive than for membership in the State Green Party.
(c) The petitioning group should consist of at least ten (10) active members who are specifically enrolled as members of the County Party.
(d) The petitioning group should be able to demonstrate that it is fairly representative of Green Party members in the respective county.
(e) The petitioning group should be open and receptive, both in its bylaws and in reality, to the full inclusion of all Green Party Locals found and constituted within the group’s respective county. At a minimum, this inclusion should provide for:
(1) Full membership in the County Party by all members of party locals who meet the membership requirements of these bylaws.
(2) Fair and proportional representation of the Party Local on the county council of the County Party.
(f) The decision to petition for recognition as a County Green Party shall be made at a duly publicized meeting and shall be arrived at by consensus seeking process.
(g) The petitioning group shall clearly state their commitment to abide by and respect all local, state and federal laws and regulations regarding political parties, organizations and elections.
Conflicting petitions for recognition as a County Party
(a) When there are competing applications for recognition as the County Green Party for a particular county, the following procedures shall apply:
(1) First each competing County Party shall be informed of the competing petitions and the competing groups shall be asked to meet and attempt to reconcile their differences, so as to encourage a merger of the groups into one County Party. Both groups should be encouraged to exercise the values of consensus, diversity, and party unity in their reconciliation efforts.
(2) If such county level efforts at reconciliation and merger are not successful, then the State CC shall select three individuals who are skilled in mediation, reconciliation and consensus to serve as facilitators in new reconciliation and merger efforts.
(3) If the appointed mediators report back to the State CC that they have been unsuccessful at achieving reconciliation and merger, then the State CC shall appoint a panel of six State CC members to investigate the merits of each group’s petition. This panel shall be made up of members from different county parties. No member of the panel may come from the county in question or be one of the appointed mediators. The following rules shall be followed by the panel and the State Coordinating Council in making a final decision:
(i) Prior to the panel beginning its work, each competing group shall agree to abide by the final consensus decision of the whole State CC.
(ii) The panel will examine and compare each county group in light of ARTICLE IV, A.2.[a-e].
(b) The panel shall attempt to reach a consensus on the appropriate group to recognize. In the event that consensus fails, then a majority vote of the panel is required to propose one county group for official recognition.
(c) Once the panel has reached its recommendation, relative to which county group should be recognized, that decision shall be published to the State CC in writing, with precise grounds for the recommendation.
(d) Finally, the State CC shall review the recommendation of the panel with due respect and shall attempt to reach consensus on the recommendation of the panel. In the event that consensus is not obtained, then the State CC shall determine which county group shall be recognized by a 2/3 vote of the State CC.
(e) The State CC shall not unreasonably delay the process of recognizing a petitioning county group or resolving any conflicts.
Creation of Green Party Locals
There may be groups of active Greens in those Florida counties which do not yet have recognized affiliates, but do not have the means or the numbers to become full-fledged affiliates on either a county or local basis. Yet they are committed to building the Green Party of Florida. In such cases, granting them the status of “Organizing Committee” would give them credibility in seeking to identify themselves as part of the party, to represent the party, and to build it.
An Organizing Committee (OC) may be officially recognized by:
(a). Having at least two members who are:
(1) Registered as Green with the State of Florida in the county in which they reside.
(2) Carry out some level of Green Party activity on at least a monthly basis.
The process for becoming an OC is as follows:
(a) Submit an application signed by all its prospective members to the appropriate GPFL secretary or either of the GPFL co-chairs.
(b) Promise to adhere to the 10 Key Values.
(c) Affirm its commitment to abide by and respect all local, state and federal laws and regulations regarding political parties, organizations and elections.
The OC shall:
(a) Report to the person or persons designated by the GPFL to assist them in party-building.
(b) Have the right to attend monthly Council calls.
(c) Have the right for its members to identify themselves as working on behalf of the GPFL.
Status as an OC shall not carry with it voting rights on the GPFL Coordinating Council.
The OC shall cease to exist as a GPFL-recognized entity:
(a) Once an official local (county or otherwise) is created for that county.
(b) Should it violate the party’s 10 Key Values.
(c) Should it fail to maintain communications, including responding to communications, with the state party.
The OC shall be assigned to one or both party co-chairs, or their designee(s), who shall be responsible for maintaining communications and providing guidance to the best of their ability.
Caucus Membership Committee
(a) Aid polling members, via postal mail, email or phone;
(b) Help the members elect any delegates to any other organization with which the caucus may be affiliated or collaborating with;
(c) Help members to democratically direct mandates to such delegates;
(d) Notify members of decisions made by delegates;
(e) Have postal ballot elections of the delegates and of the membership committee, sent to all members of the Caucus.
Additional Bylaws
Each County Green Party or County Local (where no County Party exists) shall select by consensus or vote the appropriate number of delegates to the State CC. The County Party or County Local (where no County Party exists) shall certify the names, addresses and contact information for these delegates to the State Party Board of Trustees. Each County Party or County Local (where no County Party exists) shall select its delegates just prior to the State Party’s annual meeting, so that the new delegates can be recognized at the Annual meeting. The delegates’ term begins immediately after the annual meeting.
Authority of Delegates
Elections Weight of Delegates
(a) Registered voters
(b) For members who are not registered as a Green Party member with the Supervisor of Elections:
(1) The County Party must have a current (less than one year old) enrollment form signed by each member. The County Party will then certify a membership roll to the Board of Trustees.
(c) Certification of Membership
(d) Time of Certification
Termination of a Delegate on the Coordinating Council
(a) Term ends without re-election;
(c) Is recalled by the County Green Party.
Membership Involvement in Another Political Party
When Delegates are Selected
Duties of the Coordinating Council:
State Coordinating Council Meetings
All meetings shall be open to the general membership of the GPF. Participation in consensus process is open to delegates and individual members. During the Annual Membership individual members may also participate in voting. During all other meetings of the Coordinating Council, voting is restricted to delegates. If, during the Annual Membership Meeting, a member chooses to participate directly in the decision making process and personally cast her or his vote, then that person’s party membership must first be verified. For each member whose membership is verified, the delegates from that participating member’s County Party or Local shall lose one vote from their total election weight for the remainder of the meeting, unless the individual(s) leaves or chooses not to continue to participate.
(a) Reading of minutes
(b) Availability of minutes
(a) When there is a vote or efforts to obtain consensus, it shall be necessary for a scribe to be appointed to note the proposals, issues, questions, and the vote or consensus. The “minutes” of such deliberations must be written and made available to party members upon request.
(b) Participation in the above-described electronic meetings shall constitute the presence of each person at such meeting.
Delegates to the State CC shall be required to actively participate in CC decision-making processes.
(a) A delegate shall be deemed “non-participating” if any of the following occurs:
(1) If the delegate declines to participate in CC decision making over the course of one month’s time; or
(2) If the delegate does not participate in three consecutive CC votes; or
(3) If the delegate misses more than one regularly scheduled meeting where business is to be conducted, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees shall determine whether a delegate is non-participating. When such a determination is made, notice shall be sent by certified mail to both the delegate and the delegate’s County or Local Party. The change of status shall take effect seven (7) days after the receipt of the notice. A delegate or the delegate’s County or Local Party may contest the determination of non-participatory status by filing a protest with the Secretary within five (5) days of receiving the notice. This protest should clearly state the reasons why the determination is incorrect. A timely protest shall be considered by the Board of Trustees, whose determination on the matter shall be final. In the event of a timely protest, the change of status shall take effect immediately upon the final determination of the Board.
(b) If a delegate is deemed non-participating, the delegate does not lose the right to vote her or his County or Local’s full weighted vote. The only effect of being deemed non-participating is that the delegate’s weighted vote does not count toward a quorum.
(c) A delegate’s full status will be restored, and their weighted votes again counted toward quorum, if they demonstrate a commitment to participate. Such commitment will be demonstrated if the delegate actively participates in three consecutive Coordinating Council votes conducted in any venue. If a delegate is unavailable to participate in State CC decision making because of a vacation, work conflict or for any other reason, the delegate’s County or Local Party may, by notifying the GPF Secretary in writing, name a temporary alternative delegate, change delegates or allow other delegates to cast their full weighted vote.
(1) Committee members shall generally consist of such interested State CC, County Party, and Local members who may volunteer to participate on them.
(2) Where it is necessary for the efficient functioning of a committee, the State CC may cap the number of committee members of a particular committee by consensus or 2/3 vote of those Council members voting on the issue.
(3) The committees shall function according to Green concepts of consensus seeking, but may decide issues by a 2/3 vote of those committee members voting on the issue.
(4) The Board of Trustees shall work with the state committees in the following ways. The Board shall:
(a) Work to coordinate the work of the state committees;
(b) Aid the committees in developing strategies, objectives, work plans and the individual committee budgets;
(c) Compile periodic reports on the work of the committees; and
(d) Provide counsel and advice to the individual committees to aid the committees in their work
When a Delegate realizes that her/his own personal positions and objectives are in conflict with the state CC and s/he cannot subsume her/his ideas, objectives or positions to those of the state CC, then such Delegate should tender her/his resignation to the state CC
Should the state CC realize that a conflict has arisen between themselves and an elected Delegate, the state CC must make a good faith effort to resolve the conflict using the consensus seeking process. If resolution of the conflict has been unsuccessful, the state CC may recall the Delegate using the consensus seeking process. The state CC may also, by the same process, recall a Delegate who fails to fulfill her/his responsibilities as defined above. In such cases, the Delegate’s position shall be filled as previously provided in Section 3(c) of this ARTICLE.
Selection of Board of Trustees
(a) The State CC may, but is not required to, propose a slate of candidates for the Board of Trustees to the general membership.
(b) GPF members may nominate qualified individuals to serve on the Board.
The Board of Trustees is elected at the annual general membership meeting.
Elections are held annually during the Annual General Membership Meetings (AMM). With the exception of the Co-Chairs which are elected to staggered 2-year terms, all other officers, and roles such as Spokespersons, National Delegates, and Board members serve 1 year terms. Members of the Green Party of Florida who wish to serve on GPUS Committees or Caucuses are approved at the AMM for 1-year terms. Observers on any lists are likewise approved annually at the AMM.
(a) Where the slate of nominated members does not exceed seven (7) members, then the slate may be approved by consensus seeking process.
(b) Where the panel of nominated members exceeds seven (7) members, then a vote shall be taken of the members participating at the annual general membership meeting, including the State CC delegates (who shall vote their adjusted weighted vote).
(c) Each open position shall be voted on individually, and each member of the State CC’s vote shall be weighted as provided in ARTICLE V, A.3.
(d) The Board of Trustee candidates receiving the highest votes shall be elected.
Composition & Responsibilities of the Board of Trustees
Designated Officers and Responsibilities
(a). Co-chairs
(b) Official Secretary
(1) Serves as the SEC’s official Florida state listed secretary for the purpose of fulfilling state and federal election law and state corporation law requirements. Receives and sends official party correspondence and keeps copies of all official documents.
(2) Serves as the official treasurer of the Party for the purpose of fulfilling state and federal election law and state corporation law requirements. The treasurer is also responsible for presenting financial reports to the Board of Trustees, State CC and the General Membership Meeting.
(d) Recording Secretary
(e) Communications Secretary
Board of Trustees Responsibilities:
(b) Serve as the members of the State Executive Committee;
(c) Develop a State Party strategic plan (to be approved by the State CC);
(d) Do party building;
(e) Lead state-wide initiatives, and other such projects as necessary or directed by the State CC; and
(f) Serve as liaison to the various state committees.
(a) A Chair, Vice Chair, 3 secretaries and 2 Treasurers shall be elected by majority vote of the SEC members participating at the annual general membership meeting.
(b) In nominating and electing officers and Board members, respect and consideration should be given to gender diversity.
Duties of the SEC
(103) To file with the Department of State the names and addresses of its chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer and members [Florida Statute §103.091(3)] in accordance with ARTICLE VII Section A(2) of these Bylaws;
(104) To file a copy of its constitution, bylaws, and rules and regulations with the Department of State [Florida Statute §103.091(3)];
(105) To sign and certify a constitution of the Green Party of Florida once a constitution is drafted and approved by the membership of the Green Party of Florida [Florida Statute 103.021(1)(a)1];
(106) To sign and certify such bylaws or amendments to the bylaws as may be approved by the Green Party of Florida [Florida Statute §103.121(1)(a)2];
(107) To certify any party nominations approved by the State CC, when required by law;
(108) To oversee the conduct of campaigns for party nominees, as approved and authorized by the State CC;
(109) To oversee the raising and expenditure of party funds, as approved and authorized by the State CC;
(110) To certify candidates for presidential elections as approved and authorized by the State CC, delivering a certified copy thereof to the Governor prior to September 1 of each presidential election year.
(111) To be accountable to the State Party for the funds of the Party and their proper expenditure. The SEC shall ensure that all accounts are maintained according to the requirements of state law and that all required reports are made in a timely, correct fashion.
(112) To conduct its meetings according to accepted practices on consensus seeking decision making.
For the purpose of conforming to the requirements of the Florida Statutes, including but not limited to Florida Statues §103.091, the State CC shall recognize County Executive Committees (hereinafter CEC) for each County Green Party requesting such designation. These CECs shall be constituted and shall function under the following terms and conditions:
Duties of the CEC
(103) To file with the SEC and with the Supervisor of Elections the names and addresses of its officers and members [Florida Statute §103.091(3)];
(104) To sign and certify a constitution of the County Green Party, once a constitution is drafted and approved by the membership of the County Green party [Florida Statute § 103.121(1)(a)1];
(105) To sign and certify such bylaws or amendments to the bylaws as may be approved by the general membership of the County Green Party [Florida Statute § 103.121(1)(a)2];
(106) To certify any party nominations approved by the County Green Party general membership, when required by law [Florida Statute § 103.121(a)4];
(107) To oversee the conduct of campaigns for County Party nominees for county and Local elections, as approved and authorized by the County Party general membership [Florida Statute § 103.121(a)5];
(108) To oversee the raising and expenditure of County Party funds, as approved and authorized by the County Party general membership;
(109) To be accountable to the County Party and their Supervisor of Elections for the funds of the County Party and their proper expenditure. The CEC shall ensure all accounts are maintained according to the requirements of state law and all required reports are made in a timely correct fashion;
(110) To conduct its meetings according to accepted practices of consensus seeking decision-making.
Statewide offices, U.S. House of Representative and U.S. Senate:
(a) The Green Party of Florida Coordinating Council, in consultation with the CECs and Locals, shall determine if a candidate meets the qualifications for receiving the official endorsement of the Green Party of Florida.
(b) In the event there is more than one qualified candidate for the same office, then the State CC shall:
(1) Attempt to encourage a consensus between the potential candidates, wherein one would seek an alternative available office or withdraw in the support of other.
(2) In the event no consensus is available, then the issue of which candidate shall receive the official endorsement of the Green Party of Florida shall be determined by the nomination process as described below.
State Legislature, County or Local office:
(a) In the event that the constituency of the public office sought includes more than one county, then the several CECs shall make a joint determination for endorsement.
(b) If there are not Green Party CECs in the constituency of the office, then the candidate may apply to the State CC for endorsement.
(c) In the event that there is more than one qualified candidate for the same office, then the CEC shall follow the procedures as provided for the State CC in such circumstances (See ARTICLE VII, C.2.a.2).
(a) Statewide offices, U.S. House Of Representatives and U.S. Senate
(1) The office sought
(2) The names of the candidates
(3) The voting deadline
(4) The nominating meeting place, date and time
(5) Elections method or methods to be used
(b) State Legislative, County or Local office
(1) Candidates who wish to have mailed notice must take financial responsibility for the printing and mailing of the notice.
(a) A nominating meeting of the appropriate body shall be conducted after due notice to members.
(b) The candidates shall have sufficient time allotted which allows each of them and their supports to speak for their candidacy.
(a) State-wide offices, U.S. Congress
(b) State legislative, County and Local offices
These bylaws may be altered or repealed, or amended by a 2/3 vote of the State CC voting on the issue at the annual meeting as described in Article III(B)(3)(c).. These bylaws may be amended by the State CC between annual state meetings under the following circumstances:
Proposals for Changes to the Bylaws
Consultation with County Party or Locals
Consensus or Elections on Changes to the Bylaws
All consensuses seeking and/or voting for bylaw amendments must be conducted during a regularly scheduled monthly State CC meeting or call with quorum.
Any proposal for bylaw amendments must be discussed and finalized at a scheduled monthly CC meeting with quorum that is not the meeting it is voted on.
Any bylaws amendment proposal not passed or rejected within ninety (90) days of finalization shall be dismissed without prejudice.