Green Party of Oklahoma Bylaws

Recognizing the need for alternatives to the existing political parties, we come together to create a change in values and a change in political processes in Oklahoma and in the larger world. We believe that by embracing the TEN KEY VALUES of the Greens, as defined in the appendix of the Green Party National Platform

in our personal and political lives will lead to the transformed society where we wish to live. The values inform how we relate to one another within this organization and outside it.

Article I. Name and Purpose

Section 1 The name of this organization shall be the Green Party of Oklahoma.

Section 2 It is the purpose of this organization to engage in political and educational activities in support of our Green Party values, including but not limited to:

• recruiting candidates for public office
• nominating and/or endorsing candidates for public office in partisan and non-partisan races, and
• publicly endorsing or opposing issue-driven campaigns

Article II. Membership

Section 1 -- Membership is open to any resident of Oklahoma who supports the party and is in general agreement with the TEN KEY VALUES as stated in the Preamble.

Section 2 -- Any Member of at least 60 days tenure, as defined by completion of a state or local membership form, is entitled to fully participate in all aspects of the Party in accordance with these Bylaws. Any Green Party member in good standing who relocates from another state or country shall be immediately entitled to full participation.

Article III. Party Organization

Section 1. State Party Convention

The State Party Convention is the highest decision-making body in the Green Party of Oklahoma.

Section 2 State Executive Committee

A) The State Executive Committee ("Committee") shall be the administrative body of the Party. The Committee shall have responsibility to manage and conduct the day-to-day business and operations of the Party between State Party Conventions. Committee members shall be Party members and shall serve without pay.

B) The State Executive Committee shall be composed of two Co-chairs (one of each gender), a Treasurer, a Secretary, and three at-large members, all to be elected at the State Party Convention. The Co-chairs, Secretary, and Treasurer positions shall be filled by using instant runoff voting. The at-large members shall be elected by cumulative voting. The party shall strive to ensure that the Committee reflects the diversity of the population of the State of Oklahoma.

C) Elected members of the Committee shall serve terms of two years, commencing the day after their election. Female and Male Co-Chairs shall be elected in alternate years. Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected in alternate years. The terms of at-large members shall also be staggered, one or two being elected each year.

D) Any Party member who is in attendance at the State Convention or has declared her/his candidacy in writing may be nominated to serve on the Committee. All candidates are encouraged to submit brief personal statements for inclusion in the Convention agenda packet.

E) Meetings of the Committee shall be held at least quarterly, with the time and location determined by the committee. Additional meetings may be set by agreement of 6 officers of the committee. The Committee shall strive to meet in person but may also meet by telephone or Internet. Co-chairs shall notify all Committee members of all meetings at least one week in advance, unless all members agree to shorter notification.

F) The presence in person, by telephone or the Internet of at least 5 Committee members shall constitute a quorum.

G) The Committee shall seek consensus on all decisions. In the event consensus is not reached, approval from 5 of the 7 members is required for adoption of any proposal, unless other procedures are provided for elsewhere in these Bylaws.

H) In the event of a vacancy on the Committee, the Committee shall fill the vacancy by instant runoff voting at its next meeting. The Committee member appointed will fill in the remainder of the term. At the next State Party Convention, the party membership shall elect a replacement.

I) The duties of the Committee shall be:

• to endorse statewide and national candidates and/or issues in accordance with Green Party values and platform in consultation with members and local affiliates;
• to coordinate statewide actions;
• to carry out all responsibilities required by the Oklahoma Election Code;
• to make public statements regarding the Party's position on issues;
• to respond to inquiries from the media and the public;
• to prepare for State Conventions;
• to create standing and ad hoc committees;
• to keep and make available to the membership records and minutes of meetings;
• to maintain a database of all Party members and known local Party organizations;
• to create and direct a Green Party of Oklahoma Political Action Committee (PAC), when and as deemed necessary by the State Convention;
• to prepare and present an annual budget to be approved by the annual Convention; and
• to establish criteria for local party affiliation pursuant to Article 3, Section 3.

Section 3: Local Party Affiliation

A) Any local, county, or regional Green Party organization within the state of Oklahoma may apply for affiliation with the Green Party of Oklahoma by request to the State Executive Committee. This request shall be in writing and shall include a copy of the organization's Bylaws and a list of the organization's officers.

B) The State Executive Committee has the authority to accept or reject any application for affiliation, subject to review by the next convention.

C) Each local organization is entitled to appoint an ex-officio member to the Executive Committee, who would be notified of meetings.

Article IV. Party Conventions

Section 1: Logistics.

A State Convention shall be held every year at least 30 days before the National Convention of the Green Party of the United States. Following the Founding Convention, in years without a National Convention, the State Convention shall be held between April 1, and July 1. The State Executive Committee shall be charged with planning the logistics of such a convention and preparing an agenda. Conventions shall utilize one or more facilitator(s), a process observer/parliamentarian, and a timekeeper.

Section 2: Voting.

The State Convention shall seek consensus on all decisions. In the event consensus is not reached, a 2/3 vote of members present is required for adoption of any proposal or amendment to these Bylaws. For purposes of determining what constitutes a 2/3 vote for or against any proposal or amendment, abstentions shall not be counted as votes cast. If there is no consensus when debating a proposal the Convention shall take an initial non-binding vote, allow the minority an opportunity to speak, then take a final vote.

Section 3: Voting Eligibility.

Each Green Party of Oklahoma member present shall be eligible to vote.

Section 4: Delegates to National Convention

The Convention shall have the power to select delegates to the National Convention of the Green Party of the United States.

Section 5: General Powers

The convention shall have the power to direct all party business, in accordance with these Bylaws.

Article V. Affiliation

Upon adoption of these Bylaws the executive committee will immediately seek affiliation with the Green Party of the United States.

Article VI. Adoption and Amendments

Section 1 These Bylaws shall take effect immediately upon adoption at the Founding Convention of the Green Party of Oklahoma.

Section 2 Amendments to these Bylaws may be made at any Convention of the Green Party of Oklahoma, providing prior notification of the proposed Bylaws Amendment(s) has been made available to members at least 10 days prior to the Convention. A 2/3 vote of those present and voting (not counting abstentions) is required to accept an amendment in the event that consensus is not achieved.

Section 3 Any member may propose an amendment by submitting it to the State Executive Committee at least thirty days prior to the State Convention. The State Executive Committee is responsible to make available to members the proposed amendment in accord with the time requirements specified in Section 2 of this article.