Bylaws of GPNJ - Lavender Caucus
Section
1 -- Mission Statement
Section
2 -- Definitions
Section
3 -- Members
3.1 -- Criteria
3.2 -- Rights
3.3 -- Responsibilities
Section
4 -- Executive Committee
4.1 -- Composition
4.2 -- Co-Chairpersons
4.3 -- Caucus Liaison
4.4 -- Authority
4.5 -- Governance
Section
5 -- Voting Procedures
Section
6 -- Candidates for Public Office
Section
7 -- October Meeting
Section
8 -- Parliamentary Authority
Section
9 – Amendments
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Section
1 -- Mission
Statement
The mission of the Green Party of
New Jersey - Lavender Caucus (GPNJ-LC) is to represent LGBTQIA voices within
the Green Party of New Jersey. We strive to foster an inclusive community and
safe space for everyone who identifies as LGBTQIA
We shall work to promote issues of
interest to the LGBTQIA community to GPNJ, and ensure that GPNJ addresses the
needs and disparities of the LGBTQIA communities in all its platforms and
programs.
We shall work to facilitate
communication and coordination amongst LGBTQIA individuals within the
committees and other caucuses of GPNJ, and maximize the participation of
LGBTQIA in the political, policy making, and party building activities of GPNJ.
We shall work to recruit and
increase the participation and election victories of LGBTQIA candidates running
for and within the GPNJ,
Through GPNJ-LC, we shall bridge
Green values with LGBTQIA struggles, as we work to strengthen our communities.
Section
2 -- Definitions
"Annual Caucus Report"
means a report put together by the Executive Committee highlighting the
achievements of the Caucus over the previous year, the problems faced by the
Caucus, and the goals of the future.
"Amendment" means a
permanent change to these Bylaws, as described in Section 8.
"Auxiliary Membership"
means a non-Caucus Party Member who enjoys all the privileges of association
and participation in the Caucus, but is not eligible to vote or hold any formal
Caucus positions. Auxiliary Members, however, may serve the Caucus in ad hoc
positions at the discretion of the Caucus Executive Committee.
"Caucus Member" means an
individual who has joined GPNJ-LC, as described in Section 3.
"Complaint" means a
formal written objection, concern, or protest filed by a Member, described in
Section 3.2.
"Executive Committee"
means the decision-making body described in Section 4.
"Green Council" means the
decision-making and advisory body of the Green Party of New Jersey.
"Meeting" means any
gathering where there is quorum and Caucus business is to be discussed.
"Membership List" means
the official list of Caucus Members and contact information, maintained by the
Co-Chairpersons.
"Officer" means a member
of the Executive Committee.
"Party Member" means an
individual who has joined the Green Party of New Jersey, as described in their
Bylaws.
"Rule" means a formal
issuance on substantive or procedural matters that is consistent with and
subordinate to these Bylaws.
Section
3 – Members
Section 3.1 – Criteria
Membership is open to GPNJ dues
paying members, and NJ residents who are registered Greens and identify as
LGBTQIA. Membership is secured by sending name, address, and email to the
Caucus Liaison, who will confirm that applicants are registered Greens.
Section 3.2 -- Rights
Caucus Members in good standing may
1.
vote, at all biweekly meetings, on proposals,
decisions, and amendments;
2.
vote, in Executive Committee elections at the
first October meeting;
3.
object formally to any decision, action or
policy of the Caucus or of a Caucus Member by filing a Complaint with the
Executive Committee.
Section 3.3 --
Responsibilities
Members shall:
1.
participate respectfully in all proceedings;
2.
fulfill obligations undertaken, unless excused; and
3.
abide by the letter and spirit of these Bylaws and any duly adopted
Rules.
Section 3.4 -- Active and
Inactive Caucus Members
An active Caucus Member is defined
as someone who has:
1.
attended 3 of the past 6 biweekly meetings since
becoming a Caucus Member and;
2.
voted in 3 of the past 6 GPNJ-LC proposals since
becoming a Caucus Member.
New Caucus Members are assumed
active until 6 biweekly meetings, or 6 proposals have occurred; whichever is
sooner. An inactive Caucus Member may participate fully in GPNJ-LC
activities, but their absence will not count against quorum when counting votes.
An inactive Caucus Member may regain active status by fulfilling the
requirements for active Caucus Members. The Executive Committee will
collectively keep track of active and inactive statuses of Caucus Members.
Section
4 -- Executive Committee
Section 4.1 -- Composition
(a) The following persons shall
constitute the Executive Committee: two co- Chairpersons, and a Caucus Liaison.
(The “Officers” of the Caucus.)
(b) Requirements for the Executive
Committee:
1.
must be Party Members in good standing;
2.
must be an active Caucus Member. When an
Executive Committee member becomes inactive, the remaining members of the
Executive Committee will vote on whether to remove the inactive Executive
Committee member.
(c) Officers are elected at the
first October meeting, and serve for terms of one (1) year beginning on
November 1 and ending on the last day of October the following year.
4.2 -- Co-Chairpersons
The Co-Chairpersons of GPNJ-LC
shall:
1.
preside at meetings of GPNJ-LC;
2.
maintain all records of the Caucus, including
but not limited to these Bylaws and Amendments hereto, all meeting records, and
the Membership List;
3.
issue a call for a special meeting of the
Executive Committee, Special Committee, or general GPNJ-LC membership;
4.
and perform such other duties as may be assigned
by the Party and/or Caucus.
Section 4.3 -- Caucus Liaison
The Lavender Caucus Liaison shall:
1.
represent GPNJ-LC as a non-voting observer at
weekly Green Council meetings;
2.
recruit potential Caucus Members from the Party
Membership;
3.
serve, at the pleasure of GPNJ-LC, as a full
Green Council member should such a position arise. (If such a position arises,
the Caucus Liaison cannot hold another position on the Green Council.)
Section 4.4 – Authority
Within the limitations established
by these Bylaws, the Executive Committee shall have the authority to:
1.
make proposals to Caucus Members and oversee the
voting process of proposals;
2.
delegate specific tasks and decision-making
authority not established by these Bylaws;
3.
appoint Special Committees;
4.
and expel or discipline any Member for good
cause, pursuant to Rules and subject to the review of the other Members.
5.
grant Auxiliary Membership, subject to
confirmation by two-thirds (⅔) majority vote of the Caucus Membership, to
non-Caucus GPNJ members who have demonstrated a clear alignment with the
philosophies and efforts of the Caucus in such a manner that a formal
partnership would result in a measurable positive impact in the advancement of
the Caucus mission and objectives.
Section 5 -- Voting Procedures
1.
Any reference to voting in this document shall
be construed to refer both to voting in person at a meeting or electronically
during the gaps between meetings.
2.
Any Caucus Member in good standing may make a
motion to adopt a proposal. Once a motion to adopt a proposal is made and
seconded, voting shall begin, except in the case that both
Co-Chairpersons decide, on feedback from the Caucus Membership, that the motion
to vote was premature. In this case, a call to question must be affirmed
by a three-fourths (¾) majority.
3.
Once a proposal is made pursuant to subsection
(b) of this section, each member has 48 hours to cast a ballot either yes, no,
or in abstention. Failure to vote will be recorded. A proposal
cannot be passed until the 48 hours have passed, to give ample time for all
members to participate in the voting process. An exception is made on
time-sensitive matters, in which case, any Executive Committee member may call
to have an immediate tally. An immediate tally may only be granted by
unanimous vote of the Executive Committee. Failure to vote by absent
members will not be recorded.
4.
Proposals must receive a two-thirds (⅔) majority
vote in order to be adopted, and one-half (½) of the active Caucus Membership
shall constitute a quorum.
5.
An absolute majority must be received by voters
for Executive Committee elections, which shall be conducted through a Ranked
Choice Voter ballot. One-half (½) of active Caucus Members shall
constitute a quorum for Executive Committee elections.
Section
6 -- Candidates
for Public Office
The Caucus reserves the right to
inform the Party of their position on all candidates within GPNJ jurisdiction.
Caucus Members will vote to decide whether a prospective candidate will have
the support of GPNJ-LC. The Caucus Liaison will then report to the Green
Council the recommendation of GPNJ-LC for the potential candidate.
Section
7 -- October Meeting
In honor of LGBT History Month, the
first October meeting of GPNJ-LC shall serve as an informal convention.
Caucus business to be conducted in October shall be all of, but not
limited to, the following:
1.
Election of Caucus Officers;
2.
Amendment proposals; and
3.
Discussion of Annual Caucus Report.
Section
8 -- Parliamentary
Authority
The rules contained in Robert's
Rules of Order Revised shall
govern the Party in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they
are not inconsistent with these Bylaws or with any special rules of order duly
adopted by the Party.
Section
9 – Amendments
An Amendment to these Bylaws may be adopted upon a
two-thirds (⅔) majority vote at any biweekly GPNJ-LC meetings. Members
must be given at least 30 days to discuss proposed Amendments, by indicating
the language to be amended and describing the nature and intent of the proposed
change. Three-fourths (¾) of active Caucus Members shall constitute a
quorum when proposing Amendments. Once an Amendment is passed, the Caucus
Liaison will submit proposed Amendment to the Green Council for approval.
The Green Council must approve Amendments before they are ratified by
GPNJ-LC.
