TITLE: Caucus Standard to be added to GRP Bylaws

SPONSORS: Cheryl Rose, Eliza Lumen

VETTING COMMITTEES:

Procedures, Membership

FLOOR MANAGER: Eliza Lumen

SHEPHERD: Cheryl Rose

SUMMARY: In the Green Party US, caucuses function as Identity Caucuses: a grouping of Greens, not explicitly ideological in nature, that has historically failed to attain adequate access to power in society at-large and/or within the Green movement.   Currently, the national party includes Black, Latinx, Lavender, Women's and Youth Caucuses.

The GRP will use a broader definition of caucus, to include issue caucuses. 

BACKGROUND: Caucuses are commonly used within political parties as organizational structures for members with a common identity or interest to advance shared goals. 

TEXT OF PROPOSAL:

A section as follows, entitled ‘Caucuses’, will be added to the GRP Bylaws, after the Chapters section - 

Section X: Caucuses

1.Definition & Purpose

A caucus is a group of Green-Rainbow Party members who organize based on an identity or issue. A caucus: 

  • Exists within the GRP and, as such, functions under the GRP Bylaws and organization structure
  • Offers the opportunity to GRP members to build community around and focus activities on issues specific to an identity or issue.
  • Educate the larger party membership about issues related to the caucus mission.
  • May attract and expand GRP membership interested in the caucus mission.
  1. Certification

To be certified, a caucus must: 

  • Submit to the Administrative Committee, an application to include
    • a mission statement stating the name and focus of the caucus
    • Names and contact information of the founding members
  • Receive approval by the Administrative Committee
  • Continue to meet its purpose and responsibilities stated herein.


  • Responsibilities

A caucus must :

  • Be certified by the GRP Administrative Committee
  • Have at least two members
  • Limit its focus to its stated mission
  • Hold an initial meeting and meet at least twice per year and submit meeting minutes to the GRP Secretary
  • Report activities to AdCom quarterly, including names of all members

IMPLEMENTATION: 

  • AdCom will certify caucuses based on their mission
  • AdCom will receive a quarterly report of each caucus’ activities

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: NONE

REFERENCES AND ATTACHMENTS: https://www.gp.org/caucuses