Article 11. Delegates to the Green Party of the United States
Section 11-1. General Information
11-1.1 Purpose
The Green Party of California (GPCA) has affiliated with the Green Party of the United States (GPUS). No decision of the GPUS is binding on the GPCA without its consent. The GPCA selects delegates who are voting members of the Coordinating Committee (GPUS CC) of the GPUS (also known as the National Committee of the GPUS). These delegates are authorized to cast the full number of votes allocated to the GPCA to represent GPCA positions on matters before the GPUS.
11-1.2 Eligibility
Any member of the GPCA (as determined by their County) is eligible to be a delegate to the GPUS.
11-1.3 Responsibilities and expectations
a) Representing GPCA to the GPUS
GPCA delegates to the GPUS shall take part in the discussion of proposals before the GPUS CC and vote on those proposals. They shall participate in monthly teleconferences and encouraged to attend delegation meetings at State General Assemblies. They are expected to attend GPUS Coordinating Council face-to-face meetings. They are encouraged to participate in GPUS committees. They are responsible to the GPCA General Assembly (GA) and the GPCA Coordinating Committee (GPCA CC). Alternate delegates are encouraged to participate in all meetings, teleconferences, and votes, and to serve on GPUS committees.
b) Serving the GPCA General Assembly
Delegates, as a group, shall serve the GPCA General Assembly. Between General Assemblies they shall report to the GPCA Coordinating Committee.
c) Deference to the General Assembly
GPUS Coordinating Committee Delegates have the authority to represent the GPCA as best they can. However, the General Assembly or GPCA CC may bind them to reflect the opinions of the GPCA GA or CC. When bound by the GPCA GA or CC, the delegation shall modify its positions appropriately to reflect the intent of the GPCA GA or CC when items are amended during the presentation and voting process.
Section 11-2. Terms & Appointments
11-2.1 Selection
a) Alternates and delegates
Alternates and Delegates shall be elected by the General Assembly following the same procedure used to elect At-Large GPCA Coordinating Committee members (See GPCA Bylaws Sections 7-1.7).
b) Vacancies
As delegate and alternate seats become vacant (by removals, resignations, or term limits) the General Assembly shall elect replacements at the first General Assembly following the vacancy. The existing delegation may recommend candidates to the General Assembly. Recommendations shall be made with attention to gender, ethnic, and geographic balance.
11-2.2 Terms
Delegates and alternates shall be elected for terms of two years, except that when a delegate is being replaced mid-term, the new delegate shall serve the remainder of the term. Delegates and alternates may serve more than one term.
11-2.3 Term limits
Term limits shall not be enacted until GPUS Steering Committee and Finance Committee rules are changed to remove the requirement of state delegate standing for membership or until immediately after the 2006 National Convention, whichever comes first. At that time, delegates shall be limited to three full terms, including time already served. They may be reelected by the General Assembly after a break of one year. Former delegates may continue to serve on GPUS committees when allowed by GPUS rules. Time served in ASGP (the predecessor to GPUS) shall not count toward terms served. Service of alternate delegates shall not count toward term limits for delegates. Continuous service (as either a delegate or alternate) shall not exceed eight years, and service with less than a two-year break shall not exceed eight years total.
11-2.4 Resignations and removals
The GPCA CC may remove a delegate by consensus or an 80% vote. The only reasons for removal are failure to perform the duties of a delegate and malfeasance. Since delegates may ask alternates to vote for them, or a Coordinator to find an alternate to vote for them, failure to vote is not in itself failure to perform one's duty. Failing both to vote and to arrange for an alternate to vote constitutes failure to perform one's duty. When delegates habitually fail to perform their duties, the Co-coordinators of the delegation shall discuss the situation with those delegates. If the situation continues or recurs without the delegates resigning, the Co-coordinators shall cause it to be discussed in a meeting of the entire delegation, which shall decide whether to ask for resignations or to refer the matter to the GPCA CC.
11-2.5 Number of votes, delegates and alternates
The number of votes allotted to the GPCA is set by the GPUS, as are the number of delegates necessary to cast those votes. The GPCA's intent is to have one delegate per vote.
Section 11-3. Alternate Delegates
Alternates shall be elected equal in number to the number of delegates. Alternates may vote for delegates when delegates are unable to vote. Alternates vote when asked by a specific delegate or by the coordinators. Alternates always have a voice and are encouraged to join GPUS committees.
Section 11-4. Coordinators
11-4.1 Role
There shall be two coordinators of the delegation, with ethnic, geographic and gender balance preferred.
11-4.2 Responsibilities
The coordinators shall facilitate the delegation and coordinate the delegation's activities with those of the GPCA CC.
11-4.3 Nominations and elections
Coordinators shall be selected by and serve at the will of the entire delegation. In the event that there is not a consensus by the delegation about who should serve, the delegates shall pick a method to choose coordinators.
11-4.4 Terms
Coordinators shall be elected by the delegation annually, at the first GPCA General Assembly after the annual face-to-face meeting of the GPUS CC, for a term of one year. Consecutive terms are allowed as long as delegate or alternate status is maintained.
Section 11-5. Voting Procedures
11-5.1 Consensus
Consensus of all participating delegates and alternates shall be used, whenever possible, to determine how the delegation's votes are to be cast, including when votes are to be split. However, when no consensus has been reached, each delegate shall be free to cast a vote as they think best represents the interests of the GPCA and the GPUS.
11-5.2 Submitting votes to the GPUS
Votes shall be submitted to the GPUS per the rules of the GPUS.
Section 11-6. Meetings, policies, and procedures
11-6.1 Meetings
The delegation shall meet, in person or by telephone or other means, when a meeting called by coordinators with the consent of the delegation. Whenever possible, the delegation shall meet at GPCA General Assemblies.
11-6.2 Quorum
For any delegation meeting, including teleconferences, a quorum shall be 50% plus one of the number of delegates allocated by the GPUS.
11-6.3 Policies and procedures
The delegation shall create whatever policies and procedures are necessary to fulfill its responsibilities.
Section 11-7. GPUS Committees
The GPCA delegation to the GPUS CC shall determine who are the representatives of the GPCA on GPUS committees. Any member of the GPCA in good standing is eligible to be on a GPUS committee, unless GPUS rules state otherwise.
See entire set of GPCA Bylaws.
