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BEXAR COUNTY GREEN PARTY
BY-LAWS

I. Name

The name of this organization is the Bexar County Green Party (BCGP), and is the Bexar County affiliate of the Green Party of Texas (GPTX).

The purpose of the Bexar County Green Party is to build membership within Bexar County, and in conjunction with like-minded groups and individuals throughout the state, to establish and support the Green Party of Texas, and to advance the principles of the Green Party in Bexar County and in Texas through political action.

Membership is open to any individual who is in general agreement with the following Four Pillars:

ECOLOGICAL WISDOM

GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY

SOCIAL JUSTICE

NONVIOLENCE

IV. Structure and Meetings

1. All decision making power rests in the membership, which shall meet at least quarterly in a General Membership Meeting. As its last order of business, attendees at each General Membership Meeting shall elect a Moderator for the next General Membership Meeting, who will guide discussion to complete the agenda and goals of the next meeting. The Moderator elected shall be considered a full member of the Steering Committee until the next General Membership Meeting.

The Bexar County Green Party will strive to achieve consensus on all decisions. If consensus is not immediately reached, there will be an opportunity for all views to be fully expressed and explored. If consensus is still not achieved, a democratic non-secret vote will take place. It will require a vote of 2/3 of those voting to act on any proposal; abstentions shall not be counted as votes cast.

Any member is invited to participate in all discussion, but only those who have attended at least one other meeting within the previous twelve months are entitled to vote. For the purpose of determining eligibility, "meeting" is defined as any General Membership, Steering Committee, or Working Group Meeting. Members must be present in order to vote.

2. The following officers of the Bexar County Green Party shall be elected by the membership at the second General Membership Meeting of the relevant calendar year by instant run-off voting:

1.Two County Co-Chairs, preferably one of each gender - one on odd years; the other on even years

2.Treasurer - on even years

3. Secretary - on odd years

Each officer shall be elected for a two-year term, beginning the day after the election.

3. In the event of a vacancy in the above offices, the Steering Committee may fill the vacancy by instant runoff voting at its next scheduled meeting. The term of an officer appointed to fill a vacancy shall last until the next regularly scheduled election.
4. Impeachment of an elected officer may be initiated at any Steering Committee meeting. If a majority of those voting are in favor of removal, the Steering Committee will recommend to the general membership that the officer be removed. The issue will be decided by secret ballot at the next General Membership Meeting. A two-thirds majority of those voting will be required for removal. If a vacancy is created, a replacement will be chosen as provided for in IV(C).
5. The Steering Committee shall consist of the County Co-Chairs, the Treasurer, the Secretary, the Chair or other designee of each Standing or Ad-Hoc Committee, and the Moderator elected at the last General Membership Meeting.
6. The Steering Committee is empowered to act on behalf of the BCGP between General Membership Meetings. This includes the expenditure of funds. However, the general membership may establish special funds or accounts which the Steering Committee may not use without prior approval from the membership. Furthermore, the Steering Committee is not empowered to place the Bexar County Green Party in debt, nor to act contrary to any express decisions or policies of the General Membership. The Steering Committee shall act only when a simple majority of Steering Committee members are present, having first made reasonable attempts to notify all Steering Committee members.

The Steering Committee will make all decisions according to the procedure for decisions of
the General Membership, as described in detail in IV(A) above.

7. The Steering Committee shall meet at least quarterly, prior to each General Membership Meeting, and additionally when called by either of the County Co-Chairs or any two other Steering Committee members, as necessary. Steering Committee Meetings shall be publicized, and reasonable attempts to notify every member will be made - exceptions are allowed for emergency situations. Party members are invited and encouraged to attend Steering Committee meetings as a non-voting participants.
8. The Secretary and Moderator shall set the agenda for each General Membership Meeting. At least one week before the meeting, they will notify the general membership of the meeting time and place, and will issue a call for agenda item suggestions. A completed agenda will be sent to the membership three (3) days prior to the meeting.
9. The work of the Bexar County Green Party shall be performed by standing committees, which may include the following and any ad hoc committees, as determined by the general membership:

Finance. Responsible for fund-raising from contributors, organizing fund-raising events, and budgeting.

Membership. Responsible for recruitment of new members, outreach and education to individuals and organizations, maintenance of membership database, and liaison with interest groups and special-interest organizations.

Research. Responsible for issues research and information support.

Communications. Responsible for press and electronic media relations, publicity, internal communications, maintenance of the web site, Speakers Bureau, and. literature.

Legal. Responsible for legal work necessary to establish the Bexar County Green Party, including research on election law, meeting the legal requirements for financial filing, and other legal needs.

10. Each member of the Bexar County Green Party is encouraged to participate in at least one committee. The committee meetings of each are open to everyone.
11. Each committee shall elect its own Chair.
12. Refer to Consensus Meeting Information for process.
13. The Steering Committee shall have an obligation to replace any committee chair who fails to perform his/her duties.

The BCGP reserves the right to offer support in the form of endorsement for Green Party Candidates, Non-Green Party Candidates, and various issues or policies. Endorsement does not imply a commitment to provide resources or assistance but indicates the belief on the part of the BCGP that the individual or entity receiving the endorsement would benefit the community and aid the Green Party in achieving its goals and aspirations. Those receiving the endorsement of the BCGP are free to publicly cite that endorsement.

These By-laws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of those in attendance and voting at a General Membership Meeting; abstentions shall not be counted as votes cast.

Amendments must first be proposed in writing at a General Membership Meeting or Steering Committee Meeting. Proposed amendments must be publicized at least two weeks prior to the General Membership Meeting at which they will be voted on.

Where there are no expressed or implied provisions in the BCGP By-Laws, the BCGP will be governed by the By-Laws of the Green Party of Texas.

These by-laws were last revised and approved by the General Membership on February 4, 2001.