Source: https://gpfl.org/aboutgpfl/bylaws/
Timestamp: 2018-04-27 06:26:49
Document Index: 655409614

Matched Legal Cases: ['arty\n8', '§103', '§103', '§103', '§103', '§103', '§103', '§103', '§ 103', '§ 103', '§ 103', '§ 103']

GPFL Bylaws, and Rules and Regulations – Green Party of Florida
Bylaws, and Rules and Regulations
Note: See Bylaws revision 06/15/13 for revised language for accrediting GPFL locals.
B. Annual General Membership Meeting
A. County Green Parties
B. Green Party Locals
C. Green Party Caucuses
B. Duties of The Coordinating Council
C. Coordinating Council Meetings
A. State Executive Committee
B. County Executive Committee
C. Candidates For Office
A. To foster greater understanding and to advance the authority and reality of the Green’s Ten Key Values in society.
1. These values are:
c. Personal and global responsibility
i. Social justice; and
j. A future focus / sustainability
2. These values will first be demonstrated and made real in all the actions and words of the Green Party of Florida and its members. Our personal lives are the greatest witnesses to the reality of these values.
3. Furthermore, these values shall be promoted through electoral process, research, the media, education and diverse party actions.
B. To foster the creation and development of a Green Party in each county of Florida, while continuing to support those already existing.
C. To serve as a network facilitator between the County Green Parties and recognized locals.
D. To facilitate electoral politics, campaigns and office holding statewide and among all the County Green Parties in the State of Florida.
E. 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.
F. To be in collaborative unity of spirit and movement with non-affiliated local, regional, state, national and global Green associations, societies or groups.
G. To work in concert with other associations, groups, and societies when their goals and objectives advance and promote the Ten Key Values.
1. He or she is registered as a Green Party member with the Supervisor of Elections, or;
2. She or he is unable to register to vote with the Supervisor of Elections due to being a non-citizen, felon or under-aged person. These individuals may join the GPF if they complete and sign a valid enrollment form with a recognized local or county party, or with the GPF. The form must include the following affirmation: “I am at least 14 years of age, I agree to adhere to the Ten Key Values and respect the Bylaws of the Party, and I attest that I am prohibited by law from registering to vote with the Supervisor of Elections because I am a non-citizen, felon or under-aged individual.”
1. 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).
2. Annual meetings shall be called by the State CC. The State CC shall select, by consensus seeking process, an “Annual Meeting Organizing Committee (hereinafter Meeting Committee)”, which shall be responsible for:
a. Facilitating the meeting: The Meeting Committee shall propose the date, time and place for the meeting, which proposal shall be submitted to the State CC for approval through consensus seeking.
b. Meeting Agenda: In consultation with the body of the State CC, with input from any general party member, county party or local, the Meeting Committee shall draft an “Agenda Proposal” which shall be submitted to the State CC for approval through consensus seeking.
c. Meeting Announcement: The general membership shall be given a minimum of thirty (30) days advance notice of the date, time, place and agenda for the annual meeting, and all other general membership meetings, by publishing a notice on the Party’s public and functioning website.
3. 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 changes to the Bylaws.
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.
A quorum must be present at any general membership meeting, virtual or electronic, in order for the CC or the membership to exercise any of their duties and/or responsibilities.
A quorum shall be constituted when there are a sufficient number of delegates and/or members participating to represent 2/3 of the total membership represented by “participating” delegates, as defined in Article V.C.8.
1. 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:
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.
3. Conflicting petitions for recognition as a County Party
a. 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.
b. 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.
c. 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:
(4). 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.
1. Creation of Green Party Locals
2. A Local may be officially recognized by petitioning the County Green Party for the county wherein the Local is located. In the event that no County Green Party has been formally constituted for that county, then the Local may petition directly to the State Coordinating Council for recognition.
3. It is also permissible for a Local to include and geographically span several contiguous counties, where the included counties do not have sufficient members to constitute individual County Parties. These multi-county Locals may continue to function as one Local until such time as members who reside in one of the counties seek individual County Party or Local status.
4. Recognition of a Local shall not be unreasonably withheld and shall be granted when a Local meets the following qualifications:
a. The Local shall consist of at least five (5) active members who are enrolled as members of the Local.
b. The Local shall have regular meetings.
c. The Local shall be formally organized by having approved and constituted bylaws which conform to the Ten Key Values, consensus seeking decision-making and principles of decentralization.
d. The Local shall clearly affirm its commitment to abide by and respect all local, state and federal laws and regulations regarding political parties, organizations and elections.
e. All members of Locals shall be considered members of the appropriate County Green Party and the Green Party of Florida, as long as they meet the minimum membership requirements of the County and State Green Parties.
f. The Locals shall be afforded fair and proportional representation on the Coordinating Council of the County Party.
2. 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.
5. Independent Representation
6. Additional Bylaws
1. Selection of Delegates
2. Authority of Delegates
4. Elections Weight of Delegates
a. Determination of County Party membership for purposes of weighting delegates votes
(1). Registered voters
(2). For members who are not registered as a Green Party member with the Supervisor of Elections.
(b). Certification of Membership
(c). Time of Certification
b. Determination of Local Party membership (where no County Party exists) for purposes of weighting delegates’ votes
Each Local Green Party must have a current (less than one year old) enrollment form for each member. On the same days that the list of registered voters is requested, each Local (where no County Party exists) shall send a certification to the Secretary listing all of its enrolled members. The certification will affirm that to the best of the Local’s knowledge and belief the list contains only the names of currently enrolled party members.
c. At least 30 days before any County Party or Local (where no County Party exists) shall select its delegates to the State CC, the State CC shall notify the membership of each Party’s delegate selection process, of the annual general membership meeting, and of how to participate in the County, Local, and State Parties.
6. Termination of a Delegate on the Coordinating Council
a. Term ends without re-election;
b. Resigns; or
c. Is recalled by the County Green Party.
7. Membership Involvement in Another Political Party
8. When Delegates are Selected
The first selection of delegates, whose selection may take place when the County Party or Local (where no County Party exists) is organized. Thereafter delegates shall be selected when the previous delegates’ terms are expiring, with the delegates’ mandate to commence upon such expiration.
1. To provide vision, leadership and direction to the GPF in the spirit and in the light of the Ten Key Values.
2. To coordinate state-wide Green Party actions (political, issues or electoral) between the several County Green Parties and Locals.
3. To establish and maintain a network and system of communications between and among the State CC and the several Green Parties and Locals.
4. To establish standing and ad hoc committees to carry out the work of the Party on a state level.
5. To select and name delegates to represent the GPF within or with other national and state organizations. Delegates so named are guided and mandated in their representation by the State CC, and are responsible to and report to the State CC.
6. To encourage and assist County Green Parties and Locals to establish themselves and carry out their individual purposes and mandates.
7. To participate in electing Officers of the Board of Trustees at the annual general membership meetings.
8. To participate in electing Members of the Board of Trustees at the annual general membership meetings.
9. To oversee and supervise the activities of the GPF Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall receive its direction and mandate from and is directly responsible to the State CC.
10. To take responsibility for the effective state-wide communication and dissemination of Green values, issues and projects to the Florida general public.
11. To periodically review and where necessary propose or recommend changes to these bylaws to be ratified by the general GPF Membership.
12. To recognize and welcome newly established County Green Parties and Locals.
13. To provide for the official endorsement of GPF candidates, as provided for in these bylaws. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted in a way which would limit the freedom of a County Green Party or Local to endorse and run candidates at their level of political responsibility.
14. To call and organize, at least once annually, a general membership meeting.
15. To prepare and propose a slate of Board of Trustee candidates to the general membership, prior to the annual general membership meeting.
16. To prepare an agenda for the annual general membership meeting, through the Annual Meeting Organizing Committee, and to give final approval to the agenda.
C. State Coordinating Council Meetings
1. The Council shall meet, however, at least once each year.
2. The Annual Meeting of the State CC may be at the same time and place of the annual general membership meeting.
a. Reading of minutes
b. Availability of minutes
a. The State CC shall develop and adopt written rules for the presentation of proposals, and the official decision-making process for deciding upon proposals, through the medium of email or through the mixed medium of email, telecommunications and mail. Until these rules are formulated and passed, the following minimum rules shall apply:
A quorum must be present at any CC meeting, virtual or electronic, in order for the CC or the membership to exercise any of their duties and/or responsibilities.
8. Delegate Participation
a. If the delegate declines to participate in CC decision making over the course of one month’s time; or
b. If the delegate does not participate in three consecutive CC votes; or
c. 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.
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
E. National Delegates
1. Numbers of Delegates: To the extent possible, the state CC shall elect the number of Delegates permitted by the rule and determination of the authorizing body of the GPUS, and shall elect such alternative Delegates as seems appropriate
2. Qualification of Delegates and Alternative Delegates:
a. The Delegates shall be members of the GPF
b. The Delegates should be members in good standing in their county Green party and their election should be ratified by the membership of such county Green party. Where the Delegate comes from a non-organized county, evidence must be presented that the Delegate serves with the approval of local Greens from her/his respective county.
c. The Delegates should be individuals who have demonstrated their commitment and contributions to the advancement of the GPF and/or their local county parties, and have been involved with the GPF (county GP Delegate to GPF, GPF Officer, GPF Board of Trustee Member, or GPF Committee Member) at the state level for at least one year
3. Election and Term:
a. Delegates will normally be elected at the Annual Membership Meeting and shall serve until the following Annual Membership Meeting.
b. Diversity: In electing Delegates the state CC shall respect diversity, seeking gender and regional balance, and to the extent possible, racial diversity
c. Vacancy: Should a Delegate position be vacated for any reason during that Delegate’s term, the Co-chairs, with the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees, shall fill that position by selecting one of the elected Alternative Delegates. The new Delegate will then serve until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the state CC or the membership. The state CC shall at that time either ratify and approve such nomination or elect a new Delegate to finish the term of the original Delegate. Such new Delegate shall serve only until the following Annual Membership Meeting, where new elections shall be held
4. Delegate Responsibilities: GPF Delegates to the GPUS are expected to serve in the following capacities:
a. Representative Role: The Delegate is an envoy, an emissary and an ambassador of the state CC to the GPUS. It is vitally important for the Delegate to recognize and respect her/his role as an elected representative of the GPF and as such:
(1). The Delegate serves as the voice of the state CC. This requires continuous reporting to and consultation with the state CC (see below). Delegates are expected to respect the following principles in their representation of the GPF
(a). Official GPF Positions: GPF Delegates shall faithfully represent the official positions of the GPF (resolutions or platform) both in National Committee discussions and votes. Where the Delegate’s personal politics, ideas, or vision is different from that of an official GPF position, then the Delegate must set aside her/his own views and faithfully represent the state CC at the GPUS.
(b). Where the state CC has not adopted an official GPF position, the Delegates are encouraged to the extent possible to represent the diversity of significantly supported and expressed GPF opinion in their formal votes. The Delegates shall seek to measure the diversity and strength of GPF opinion through the process of reporting to the GPF, seeking informal feedback and engaging in discussion with other GPF Delegates.
(c). It is also understood that Delegates will engage in GPUS discussions in the normal course of their representation. Where the GPF has no official position, but the Delegates have reported to the GPF and received informal feedback, they may represent such feedback as the general position or positions of the GPF. Where the GPF has no official position or has not indicated its general position(s), Delegates are free to engage in such discussion, but must refrain from presenting their personal opinion as that of the GPF.
b. Responsibilities: The Delegate’s direct responsibilities are:
(1). To Report: To provide to the state CC regular, clear, objective reports as to the important discussions and issues at the GPUS.
(a). Form of Reports: In principle, these should be short, concise summaries reasonably calculated to inform the state CC of the issues, without overburdening them with copies of all discussions. Important documents and statements should be forwarded with an explanatory statement to inform the state CC of the significance of the document to the GPF
(b). Unified Reports: Where possible the Delegates should collaborate together to provide agreed upon, unified reports. It would be acceptable for the Delegates to agree among themselves to divide the reporting responsibilities so that each Delegate is responsible for certain subject areas. In the event that the Delegates cannot agree upon a unified report, then each shall submit individual reports, as defined in 4(b)1
(c). Recommendations: It is important for the Delegates to provide the state CC with their concise insights and recommendations of subjects and issues under discussion at the GPUS. By making recommendations and allowing the state CC to express itself, statements relayed to the GPUS will carry the weight of being considered GPF positions.
(2). Participation: The Delegates shall actively represent the state CC in the business of the GPUS and shall establish a good and participatory voting record. Where possible, considering time and finances, the Delegates should attend the annual GPUS Convention
(a). Delegates are expected to vote on every GPUS proposal. Should a Delegate be unavailable during a voting period, s/he is expected to ensure an alternate is prepared to cast a ballot. A voting record below 80% will be cause for review of the Delegate’s status, along with consideration of recall (see Section 5 below).
(b). Alternate Delegates should monitor the GPUS posts as necessary to perform the duties of a voting GPUS Delegate on short notice.
5. Resignation and Recall: Given the essential importance of harmony between the positions and objectives of the state CC and its Delegates to the GPUS, it is important that provisions be made in the event that a conflict in positions and objectives should arise between the state CC and its Delegates. It is therefore provided:
a. Resignation: 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
b. Recall: 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
3. Board members must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
4. Each board member must be a member of the GPF and of a County Green Party or Local.
5. 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.
d. The Board of Trustees are elected at the annual general membership meeting.
e. In the event that a Board member vacates her/his position during her/his term of office, the State CC shall vote within thirty (30) days to replace that Board member.
B. Composition & Responsibilities of the Board of Trustees
1. Designated Officers and Responsibilities
(3). Helping the Board to coordinate and achieve its work; and
b. Official Secretary
c. Official Treasurer
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. Deputy Treasurer
f. Communications Secretary
2. Board of Trustees’ Responsibilities
a. Serve as the members of the State Executive Committee;
b. Develop a State Party strategic plan (to be approved by the State CC);
c. Do party building;
d. Lead state-wide initiatives, and other such projects as necessary or directed by the State CC; and
e. Serve as liaison to the various state committees.
3. Selection of Officers
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.
The Board of Trustees will meet once each month or as often as deemed necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. The Board of Trustees should meet immediately after the annual General Membership meeting. The Board of Trustees’ meetings shall be run by consensus process in the manner of general meetings. The Board shall conduct its business by correspondence, email and telephone conferences. The Board shall keep and publish minutes from its meetings.
1. The Board of Trustees and the members of the state Coordinating Council shall serve as the SEC.
2. The SEC shall elect officers consisting of a chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer at the Annual Membership Meeting, for the purpose of complying with Florida Statute Section 103.091(3). The chair and vice chair shall serve as co-equal co-chairs of the SEC and the Board.
3. In the event that a member of the Green Party of Florida is elected to any of the offices as provided for in the Florida Statutes §103.091 (6)(a)2-3 (e.g. U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, a statewide office, etc.), then such person shall be a member of the SEC as provided for in the above-referenced statute.
4. The term of office of the SEC shall correspond to the terms of office of the Board of Trustees and the State CC.
5. The duties of the SEC
a. 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;
b. To file a copy of its constitution, bylaws, and rules and regulations with the Department of State [Florida Statute §103.091(3)];
c. 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];
d. 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];
e. To certify any party nominations approved by the State CC, when required by law;
f. To oversee the conduct of campaigns for party nominees, as approved and authorized by the State CC;
g. To oversee the raising and expenditure of party funds, as approved and authorized by the State CC;
h. 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.
i. 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.
j. To conduct its meetings according to accepted practices on consensus seeking decision making.
1. The county council or other governing body as determined by the bylaws of the County Green Party, shall serve as the CEC.
2. For the purposes of constituting the CEC, the county governing body shall designate from among themselves a chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer.
3. In the event that a member of the County Green Party is elected to any of the offices as provided for in Florida Statute §103.091(6)(a)1 (e.g. state legislature), then such person shall be a member of the CEC as provided for in the above referenced statute.
4. The terms of office of the members of the CEC shall correspond to terms of office of the members of the governing body of the County Green Party.
5. Duties of the CEC: In keeping with the Green Party philosophy of democratic decentralization and grass roots participation, the foundational authority of the CEC comes from the general membership of the County Green Party. The duties of the CEC are:
a. 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)];
b. 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];
c. 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];
d. To certify any party nominations approved by the County Green Party general membership, when required by law [Florida Statute § 103.121(a)4];
e. 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];
f. To oversee the raising and expenditure of County Party funds, as approved and authorized by the County Party general membership;
g. 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;
h. To conduct its meetings according to accepted practices of consensus seeking decision-making.
1. Any candidate for public office who desires to run as a member of the Green Party of Florida may be nominated by the Green Party of Florida if that member and that member’s campaign committee (if applicable) agrees to:
a. Promote the Ten Key Values and the platform of the Green Party of Florida; and
b. Be solely responsible for all financial obligations incurred by the candidate’s electoral campaign; and
c. Be solely responsible for compliance with all requirements of law for reporting campaign income and expenditures; and
d. Accept campaign contributions in accordance with state and federal law, the ten key values and any additional limits which may be set by the Green Party of Florida.
2. Endorsement Process
a. Statewide offices, U.S. House of Representative and U.S. Senate:
b. State Legislature, County or Local office:
3. Nominating Process
a. Notice of the nomination process shall be provided as follows:
(1). Statewide offices, U.S. House Of Representatives and U.S. Senate
(2). State Legislative, County or Local office
b. Nominating Meeting
A. The preferred method of decision-making within the Green Party of Florida shall be consensus seeking.
B. Where consensus is not reached within the time allocated on the agenda, then a vote may be called. The process for calling a vote and voting is as follows:
1. It is necessary for there to be a 2/3 vote of the members voting on the question in order to put a proposal or other matter to a vote.
2. A vote of a 2/3 majority is required in order to confirm decisions brought to a vote.
3. The percentage of the vote is calculated by first counting the number of votes cast. A member may vote “for” or “against,” or may abstain from voting. If the member abstains from voting, the abstention will not be considered a vote cast for the purposes of calculating the percentage of the vote.
C. Elections for the Board of Trustee members and officers. The Board and officers shall be elected by the method provided for in the appropriate section of these bylaws (See ARTICLE VI, A.4 and ARTICLE VI, B.2).
A. Proposals for Changes to the Bylaws
B. Consultation with County Party or Locals
C. Consensus or Elections on Changes to the Bylaws