The Jefferson County Green Party Bylaws

Name: The Green Party of Jefferson County, State of Washington.

Purpose: To work toward the creation of a better society as represented by the following Ten Key Values:

• Community-based Economics
• Decentralization
• Ecological Wisdom
• Feminist Values
• Future Focus
• Grassroots Democracy
• Nonviolence
• Personal and Global Responsibility
• Respect for Diversity
• Social Justice

Methods for achieving these goals: Running candidates for office, direct action, community organizing and community education, personal empowerment, issue campaigns, ballot initiatives, electoral campaigns and endorsements. All of the above in an attitude and in the spirit of nonviolence.

Membership: The Green Party is open to everyone who accepts the key values of our Party and who works diligently for these ends in a cooperative and willing manner. Dues assessments may be made by the general membership.

Meetings: General Membership meetings shall be held not less than 4 times each year. Notice for general membership meetings shall be made by email or written notification to each active member in good standing, or by oral communication, at least one week in advance of each meeting.

Organization: Governance of the party will be the charge of the elected officers who will serve as a Coordinating Committee. This committee will be composed of the Administrative Coordinator, the Party Secretary, the Party Treasurer and four (4) members elected from the general membership. Each of these shall be elected for a term of one year and will serve no longer than two successive terms at that particular office.

All decisions by the Coordinating Committee are subject to review by the general membership. Coordinating Committee meetings are open to all members. Officers and elected members may be retired by a 2/3 vote of those present at a General Membership meeting. However, proposed forced retirement must be presented at a General Membership meeting prior to the voting on removal.

Meeting Process: We will try to arrive at decisions by consensus, When consensus cannot be reached the matter in question will be tabled to another meeting - either scheduled or specially called. AU members in good standing will be notified of the issue at hand. At the second meeting a two-thirds vote of those present may be taken if 90% of the members choose to go to a vote.

Bylaw Amendments: These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the general membership at a meeting of the general membership. However, proposed amendments must be presented at a General Membership meeting prior to the voting on the bylaw change.

Committees: Ad hoc and standing committees may be created as suggested by the Coordinating Committee or the General Membership as desired or required.