Sponsors: Mike Heichman, Suffolk County and

Contact Info for Floor Manager: [email protected], 617-265-8143

Committees Vetted: Adcom, ComCom, CDLC, Membership & Diversity, & Platform

Background: We want to grow our party. From the beginning of our party’s history in 2002, we have been overly dependent on a relatively small number of people who have carried the party on their shoulders. We all agree that we need to grow and we all agree that we need more of our members to become leaders in our party.

Sometimes, our members are prevented from being on the StateCom. Some counties are only able to elect a small number of Representatives. The fact that some of our active members are not Representatives while other Representatives are inactive is unjust and dysfunctional. As much as we can, we want to encourage our members to become active leaders of our party. The way we elect our leadership (StateCom) should reflect the values and principles of our party.

Summary: We want to encourage our members who want to be leaders of our state party, to be members of the StateCom. The requirement for being a leader of the State Party is that StateCom members agree to help with the work of our state party. We especially want to encourage and support the leadership of our members who are people of color, women, GLBTG, handicapped, low-income and youth.

This proposal is consistent with the following “10 Key Values”: Grassroots Democracy, Social Justice and Equal Opportunity, Decentralization, and Respect for Diversity.

This proposal will end the necessity of having regional conventions to elect members of the StateCom.

Proposal:

1.     We will have a StateCom that will have a maximum of 100 members. Increasing the number above 100 would require a 75% vote of the StateCom.

2.     StateCom will be a continuous body.

3.     Requirements to be a member of the StateCom

A.     You must agree to participate in the work of the StateCom (attend meetings, read your e-mails and if you wish, participate in the discussions, etc.)

B.      You must choose at least one of the following:

i.        Be a member of Adcom

ii.       Be an active member of at least 1 Working Committee

iii.     Be a GRP elected official or candidate

iv.     Participate in the work of the GPUS

v.       Be an officer (Co-Chair, Secretary or Treasurer) of a local chapter

4.     Local Chapters will elect as many members as they wish to the State Comm. The only requirements are that those elected will agree to the description of requirements in 3A and 3B.

i.               Local Chapters are encouraged to elect a diverse membership to the StateCom.

ii.              Each member will serve a 1-year term. At the end of their term, they will be eligible for re-election by their local chapters.

iii.            Local Chapters can recall their Representatives any time they wish.

5.     Members of Adcom (Co-Chairs, Treasurer, Secretary, and Diversity Reps) are members of the StateCom. Adcom members are encouraged, but not required, to be members of local chapters. As long as they remain on Adcom, they will remain on StateCom. (Note: Members of Adcom will continue to be elected in the same manner.)

6.     Committee Directors and Committee Co-Chairs are members of the StateCom. They are encouraged, but not required, to be members of local chapters. As long as they remain in their positions, they will remain on StateCom. (Committee Directors will continue to be elected at the annual convention. In case of a vacancy, they will continue to be elected by the StateCom. Committee Co-Chairs will be elected for up to a 1-year term by members of their committee and can be re-elected.)

7.     Members elected at the MA Presidential Primary at senatorial districts will continue to be elected to the StateCom for a 4-year term.

8.     Members of the StateCom who represent local chapters, who are members of Adcom, who are elected for a 4-year term during the MA Presidential Primary, and who are Committee Directors and Committee Co-Chairs will elect other GRP members to be on the StateCom. (They can be elected as long as the number of the current members of the StateCom are 100 or lower, unless the StateCom votes by at least a 75% vote to increase the number.)

i.               These members must agree to the same requirements as other StateCom members (see 3A and 3B)

ii.              Encouraging diversity is an important consideration.

iii.            They will serve a 1-year term and will be eligible for re-election.

9.     There will no longer be any StateCom Alternates. This position will no longer be needed.

10.  If this proposal is passed, the appropriate sections of the by-laws will be changed.

Implementation: This new structure will go into effect after the 2013 annual convention. After the convention, the new officers will take the necessary steps to encourage local chapters to elect their Representatives, and to encourage other members to apply for membership on the StateCom (which will be elected at the Winter, 2012 StateCom meeting.)

Budget: None