Proposal:

TITLE: Update Bylaws Section 7: Chapters

SPONSORS: Gus Steeves Elizabeth Humphrey

VETTING COMMITTEES: AdCom, Procedures

FLOOR MANAGER: Gus Steeves

SHEPHERD: Cheryl Rose

SUMMARY: This proposed revision spells out the process of chapter formation in detail. It clarifies the relationship between regional and local chapters, the responsibilities of chapters, and chapter privileges. It offers a detailed process for chapter decertification. References to chapter bylaws are removed.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this proposed revision was to create a more readable and consistent bylaw by eliminating redundant language, addressing logical inconsistencies, and spelling out procedures in more detail where that might be helpful (particularly when it comes to chapter certification and decertification). The order of topics follows the existing bylaws, and topic headings are added for each section. 

These are the major changes by section:

7.1 Green-Rainbow Party Chapters [definitions] (7.1 in original)

  • The requirements to comply with Massachusetts and Federal election laws, and not to undermine the purpose of the Green-Rainbow party, is moved to 7.3.
  • A Web Chapter is defined.
  • 7.1.2 is removed.
  • It is specified that individuals may belong to only one Local and/or Regional Chapter

 

7.2 Chapter Formation and Certification (7.2 in original)

  • A more detailed set of requirements for chapter formation are provided.
  • References to chapter bylaws are removed.
  • Provisions are made for the alteration of regional chapter boundaries.

 

7.3 Chapter Responsibilities (7.3 in original)

  • The requirement for chapters to elect officers and representatives is specified.
  • Local Chapters are required to send representatives to Regional Chapters; Regional Chapters are required to send representatives to AdCom and StateCom and to hold conventions during Presidential Election years.

 

7.4 Chapter Privileges (7.4 in original)

  • Local Chapters may vote independently of their Regional Chapters when chapter votes are called for.
  • Chapters may request GRP resources.

 

7.5 Chapter Decertification (7.5 and 7.6 in original)

  • A more detailed process for chapter decertification is provided.

TEXT OF PROPOSAL:

Current Bylaws Chapter Section will be replaced by the following:

GRP BYLAWS SECTION 7 - CHAPTERS

 

7.1 Green-Rainbow Party Chapters 

 

A Green-Rainbow Party chapter is a group of GRP members who meet regularly and has been certified by the GRP. There are several kinds of chapters:

  • Local Chapter - a chapter that represents exactly one town or ward.

  • Regional Chapter - a group representing multiple contiguous local chapters. Each Regional Chapter must have unique borders that may not overlap.
  • Student Chapter - a group operated by Green-Rainbow-registered students within specific student bodies.

  • Web Chapter – an internet-based group of members who do not have an easily accessible chapter of one of the other types.

 

In the case of Local and Regional Chapters, members must reside in the geographical area covered by the chapter.

 

7.2 Chapter Formation and Certification

Any group of three or more registered GRP members can seek certification as a GRP chapter from the Green-Rainbow Party by submitting to the Party Secretary: 

  • Request for certification specifying the town, ward,, region, or educational institution represented by the chapter
  • Minutes of the founding meeting, including attendance and a vote by chapter members to adopt the GRP Bylaws
  • Names and contact information of chapter co-chairs and secretary

 

The Party Secretary shall submit the request for certification to the Administrative Committee for approval.

 

If a Regional Chapter forms in the area served by an existing regional chapter, the two bodies must agree on new chapter boundaries and include a map of them with the application.

 

Any changes in Regional Chapter boundaries must be approved by the Administrative Committee and the State Committee.

 

7.3 Chapter Responsibilities 

Each GRP chapter must: 

  • Notify the GRP Secretary of any changes in officers or representatives.
  • Consult with the GRP Treasurer when raising or dispensing funds.
  • Have at least three members meet monthly.
  • Take minutes at each meeting and save them in the Chapter folder of the official GRP archive as designated by AdCom.
  • Send a proposed agenda to all chapter members before each meeting.
  • Abide by Massachusetts and Federal laws.
  • Not undermine the purpose of the Green-Rainbow Party as stated in the Purpose Section of these bylaws.
  • Elect chapter officers in their first meeting after the Annual State Convention each year.
  • Hold a meeting or a convention in a timely manner to elect officers and/or representatives to fill vacated seats.

 

A Local Chapter shall:

  • Elect at least one representative to their Regional Chapter in their first meeting after the Annual State Convention if a Regional Chapter exists.

 

A Regional Chapter shall:

  • Send representatives regularly to AdCom and StateCom. 
  • During even-numbered years, hold a convention, elect PR representatives to StateCom, and a representative to AdCom.


7.4 Chapter Privileges

Each chapter shall have one vote when deciding on:

  • Calling a State Convention, per Section 6.3.1.
  • Calling a special StateCom meeting, per Section 8.9.
  • Overriding a StateCom bylaw decision, per Section 8.8. 

 

Local or Student Chapters within a Regional Chapter’s area shall vote independently and the Regional Chapter shall represent their members who do not have a Local or Student chapter.

 

Chapters may request from the state party:

  • Funding.
  • Assistance.
  • Use of state GRP resources.

 

7.5 Chapter Decertification

  1. Chapters may not be decertified for the actions of individual members. 
  2. Persons accusing a chapter of violations warranting decertification must present to AdCom, in writing, a petition listing the complaints in detail, with documentation to support the claim.
  3. AdCom shall conduct, or cause to be conducted, an investigation of the ways the chapter allegedly failed to follow Section 7.3  or violated any other part of these Bylaws.
  4. At the conclusion of that investigation, AdCom shall make a good faith effort to resolve the issues with the chapter leadership and members.
  5. In the event the problems cannot be resolved, AdCom shall call for a StateCom meeting and post a notice to all GRP members giving the reasons for disaffiliation, including a statement by the affected GRP chapter unless the chapter chooses not to provide such a statement.
  6. No sooner than two weeks after the notice is posted, the StateCom shall hold a hearing. AdCom shall act as “the prosecution,” presenting the evidence for decertification, while the chapter, or chapter members, act as “the defense,” presenting evidence against decertification. StateCom, excluding members of the chapter in question, shall serve as “the jury.”
  7. At the end of said hearing, StateCom shall vote by roll call, with decertification requiring a 3/4 vote. StateCom may instead decide to put the chapter on probation by a majority vote.
  8. If StateCom votes for decertification, the chapter shall be disaffiliated from the GRP, and shall no longer be considered in the GRP decision-making process, or allowed to represent themselves as part of the GRP structure.
  9. ‘Probation’ may include but is not limited to, for some period designated by StateCom:
    1. Electing new officers
    2. Losing AdCom and StateCom voting privileges
    3. Increased reporting to AdCom

IMPLEMENTATION: AdCom, StateCom

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: NONE

REFERENCES AND ATTACHMENTS: NONE