Marion County Green Party
Marion County, Indiana

Marion County Bylaws
Updated 8/21/03

Article 1: Purposes and Values
Section 1: We, the active members of the Marion County Green Party,
(MCGP) have come together to form a political party based on the 10 Key Values of the Green movement. The MCGP shall strive to understand and live the values of the Green movement in our electoral work and shall promote the understanding and practice of these values in our neighborhoods and our city as well as the states, country, and internationally.

Section 2: The following Ten Key Values shall guide all actions of the
party at all times:
1. Ecological Wisdom
2. Grassroots Democracy
3. Social Justice
4. Nonviolence
5. Decentralization
6. Community-based economics
7. Feminism
8. Respect for Diversity
9. Personal and Global Responsibility
10. Future focus/Sustainability
These values will be clarified through the ever-unfolding
dynamics of study, discussion, and action.

Section 3: The MCGP shall work actively with the Indiana Green Party
(IGP) and Green Party US (GPUS) and shall coordinate activities
with other IGP county locals as common interests and issues arise.

Section 2: Membership Standards
2.2.1 Members shall not:
2.2.1.1: Misrepresent the decisions and policies of any
MCGP body.
2.2.1.2: Make false statements in an application for
membership or affiliation to the MGGP body.
2.2.1.3: Misappropriate finances with MCGP funds.
2.2.1.4: Advocate or practice violent political actions.
2.2.1.5: Advocate or practice racial, sexual, national or
religious oppression.
2.2.1.6: Act as a strike-breaker. Or act as an agent
provactuer, inside or outside the party.
2.2.1.7: Act to willfully disrupt the freedom of speech,
press or assembly of any individual or body of the
MCGP Party.
2.2.1.8 Behave in a hostile, abusive or intimidating manner to any individual or body of the MCGP Party.
2.2.1.9 Make purely defamatory, maligning, false, slanderous or libelous statements about another MCGP member(s) to other MCGP members or the public.
2.2.1.10: Violate the principles of grassroots democracy as embodied in Article 1 of the bylaws.
2.2.1.11: Continue to fail, after receiving written notice, to participate regularly.
2.2.1.12: Continue to fail, after receiving written notice, to
pay dues.
2.2.1.13: Violate the provisions of these Bylaws.

Section 3: Sanction, dispute, and mediation
2.3.1: The MCGP may sanction any member
who behaves in a manner inconsistent with the
membership standards of the MCGP as defined in membership standards above.

2.3.2: Charges of violation of membership standards against any
member of the MGCP may be made by any member.

2.3.3: No charges can be raised and no sanctions can be
imposed for actions not explicitly proscribed in
membership standards above.

2.3.4: All charges shall be submitted to the MCGP coordinating
committee in writing.

2.3.5: The MCGP coordinating committee shall encourage members involved in disputes whether the disputes involve charges of violation of membership standards or other matters to resolve their differences without mediation if possible. The MCGP coordinating committee may dismiss charges of violation of membership standards deemed to be of a minor nature as suited for mediation without sanction pursuant to subsection 2.3.12.

2.3.6: The accused and the accuser shall have the options of
seeking a resolution of the conflict through a Mediation
Counsel (1 person) or Council (3 persons) appointed by
the MCGP coordinating committee or forwarding and
presenting the dispute in writing to the coordinating
committee of the IGP. In the latter instance, a resolution
of the dispute by the IGP shall be the final decision
subject to any further requirements of the IGP bylaws.
2.3.6.1: A copy of the charges shall be sent to the
Counsel or Council of the MCGP or to the
coordinating committee of the IGP if the
accused and accuser elect to resolve the
dispute through the IGP.
2.3.6.2: The specific charges and evidentiary specifics
in support and refutation of such charges shall
not be published or otherwise made public
prior to the conclusion of the mediation or
adjudication process without written consent of
all parties involved. Making
other MCGP or other Green organization
members aware that charges alleging violation
of membership standards have been filed and
the nature of such charges in general terms shall
not constitute violation of this section.
2.3.6.3: If the accused and accuser elect to resolve the
dispute through the Mediation Counsel or
Council, that body shall promptly hear the
charges and any rebuttal, prepare a written
report of findings and recommendations, send
the report to the MCGP coordinating
committee at the soonest practicable time and
disband.

2.3.7: All members or affiliates charged with violations of membership standards shall have the right to appear, to
bring witnesses, and to testify at every level of mediation
of the dispute.

2.3.8: The burden of proof shall be on those making the
charges.

2.3.9: After hearing the report of the Mediation Counsel or Council and any statements by those charged, the MCGP Coordinating Committee shall vote to resolve the dispute and may sanction, including by exclusion of the accused and/or accuser from membership.

2.3.10: Sanctions, votes, or decisions may be appealed to the
IGP coordinating committee for resolution at the
soonest time deemed appropriate by the IGP.

2.3.11: In the event of the failure of the MCGP Coordinating
Committee to act on any charges alleging violation of
membership standards, the complaint shall automatically
go to the IGP. Such failure shall occur if the MCGP
does not reach a final vote to resolve the dispute within
60 days of the initial filing of the charges in writing.

2.3.12: Charges of violation of membership standards deemed
by the MCGP coordinating committee to be of minor
nature may be dismissed as suitable for mediation
without sanction. Members unable to settle disputes
with other members may also request such mediation.
In such cases, the MCGP coordinating committee shall
appoint a mediator to arbitrate the matter and work with
the involved parties to reach a final resolution or, if such
resolution is not possible, make a final decision
unilaterally to resolve the charge(s) or dispute(s).
Depending on the nature of the charge(s) or dispute(s),
the MCGP coordinating committee may elect to make a
final decision affirming or modifying a resolution or
decision reached by the mediator and the parties or
authorize the mediator to reach a final resolution with
the parties or make a final decision unilaterally to resolve the charge(s) or dispute(s).

Article 3: Membership Application and Dues Structure
Section 3.1: All active members of the MCGP shall be required to register with
the Secretary of the MCGP by filling out completely the appropriate
application form giving name, information for contacting said member,
and affirming support of the Ten Key Values, and either pay dues or
apply for a dues waiver.

Section 3.2: Dues shall be collected yearly by the treasurer according to the
following: Individual: $20.00.
Low income Individual: $10.00
Waiver: $0.00 by application to and approval of the Coordinating
Committee of the MCGP, with the proviso that the requirements of
subsection 2.1.3.3 be met.

Article 4: General Political Practices
Section 4.1: Affirmative action shall be taken within the Marion County
Green Party organization to reach goals of gender, racial, and social diversity and balance in the allocation of responsibilities among members. Additionally, participation in the organization shall be open to all interested people of Marion County, Indiana, with a special effort made to seek the membership and leadership of those people who belong to historically disempowered social
groups.

Section 4.2: There shall be strict accountability of all parts of the
organization to the membership base. Any decision made by delegates, by the leadership, or by other parts of the organization can be rescinded or changed by the membership as a whole.

Section 4.3: All delegates and the leadership shall obey instructions of the
bodies they represent. They are free to express their personal
views but must state them as such.

Section 4.4: All delegates and leadership shall be subject to recall by the body
that chose them for violating instructions of that body.

Section 4.5: Decisions of the organization and its duly constituted parts shall
be made democratically and only after all points of view are
fairly and openly head. If consensus fails, then a vote may be
taken (see appropriate Voting sections in Article 5).

Section 4.6: All minority positions of members are to be noted in meeting
minutes.

Section 4.7: Meeting minutes, financial records, membership lists and all
other organizational records and materials shall be open to
inspection by any member of good standing in the organization,
and copies of said documents may be made at that members
expense. This mandate applies only to MCGP business.
Matters pertaining to personal information regarding the
character of any member shall not be made available for
inspection even if decisions based on such information are made
public.

Section 4.8: A full range of nonviolent strategies and tactics shall be
considered desirable in pursuing Green social change, including
but not limited to demonstrations, boycotts, strikes, lobbying,
education, civil disobedience, direct action, electoral politics,
and building alternative institutions.

Section 4.9: Litigation
The MCGP, either alone or in concert with other Green,
progressive, or civil libertarian organizations, may challenge
through litigation, the constitutional or legal validity of any
statute, regulation, license, permit, or other authorization it
deems excessively cumbersome to fulfill, onerous, infringing on
its constitutional rights to freedom of speech and political
participation, or illegal or unconstitutional for other reasons.
Such legal challenge must be approved and authorized by a
simple majority of the active MCGP membership.

Section 4.10: The MCGP shall at all times be in full compliance with all
organizational, electoral, and financial requirements and filings
of all required documents as mandated by statute or regulation
of Marion County, the State of Indiana, and the U.S., or any
appropriate duly-constituted political subdivision of such.

Article 5: Electoral Political Practices
Section 5.1: Individuals who seek to be MCGP candidates for public office
shall be active members in good standing for at least six (6)
months.

Section 5.2: Individuals who seek to be MCGP candidates for public office
shall publicly commit to Article 1, the purposes and values of the
bylaws, and include the ten key values in their campaign
literature.

Section 5.3: An individual must present his or her personal election platform
and beliefs in writing to the members at a general membership
meeting prior to a vote to nominate the individual as a MCGP
candidate for public office.

Section 5.4: MCGP candidates for public office shall be nominated by the
active members at a general membership meeting.

Section 5.5: MCGP candidates, as elected leaders, shall be accountable to
the coordinating committee and the membership and
shall abide by the bylaws of the MCGP and not advocate or
support any proposal, policy, or statute contradictory to the
platforms or established policies of the MCGP, IGP, or GPUS.

Article 6: Structure
Section 6.1: General Membership
6.1.1: The membership of the MCGP shall meet at least once every
2 months to discuss activities and plans.

6.1.2: The membership shall have charge to:
6.1.2.1: Review, amend and ratify the bylaws and policies of the
MCGP.
6.1.2.2: Elect and recall delegates and leadership including
members of the coordinating committee.
6.1.2.3: Elect and recall MCGP-accredited candidates for public
office.
6.1.2.4: Sanction members.
6.1.2.5: Review and amend actions of delegates and leadership
including actions of the coordinating committee.
6.1.2.6: Review amend actions of all working groups.
6.1.2.7: Review, initiate and set strategic and policy parameters
actions and campaigns.
6.1.2.8: Discuss issues relevant to the key values, principles,
policies, and campaigns of the MCGP.

6.1.3: Participation and voting
6.1.3.1: Any active member in good standing of the MCGP
including any supporting member, shall have the right to
speak to the membership about any proposal. The coordinating committee shall determine the length and frequency of such speech with the goal of encouraging participation by the speaker and those being addressed so that differing views may be heard and other scheduled topics addressed.
6.1.3.2: Any active member in good standing of the MCGP shall
have the opportunity to submit a proposal to the
membership. If the proposal involves an idea(s) that is not
in direct response in a meeting to other proposals being
discussed in that meeting, the proposal must be submitted
in writing to the coordinating committee prior to the
meeting in which the proposal is to be discussed. The
coordinating committee shall publish the proposal on the
MCGP web site at least 10 days prior to the meeting in
which the proposal is to be discussed. A proposal may be
made at one meeting and voted on at the next regular or
special meeting.
6.1.3.3: Efforts shall be made to reach consensus for all decisions.
If attempts to reach consensus fail, decisions can only pass
by the following majorities of those voting:
6.1.3.3.1: Two thirds (66.7%) shall be required to approve
amendments or changes to the Bylaws, to recall delegates
and members of the coordinating committee, to nominate
or recall the nomination of MCGP candidates for public
office, to join or leave confederations and alliances, and
to sanction members.
6.1.3.3.2: A simple majority is required to elect members of
the coordinating committee, and recall members
of Working Groups and any other bodies established by
the membership or the coordinating committee.
6.1.3.3.3: A simple majority is required for all other matters.
Instant runoff voting shall be used to select an option
when there are three or more options, none of which
receives a simple majority in a first vote.
6.1.3.3.4: Abstentions shall not be counted toward the percentage
of votes for or against any decision.
6.1.3.4: A quorum necessary for voting in general membership or
special meetings shall consist of twenty five percent (25%)
of the MCGP membership and two members of the MCGP
coordinating committee. A simple majority of members
shall be a quorum necessary for voting at meetings of the
coordinating committee, working groups or committees.
6.1.4: The norms and procedures set forth in these Bylaws shall govern
the MCGP at all times, and may not be suspended at any time.
Modification of these norms and procedures may occur only by
formal amendment of the Bylaws in accordance with subsection
6.1.3.3.1.

Section 6.2: Coordinating Committee
6.2.1: The coordinating committee shall conduct the
organizational business of the MCGP under the policy
guidance of the membership.
6.2.2: Coordinating committee members shall be elected by and
accountable to the membership. Any coordinating
committee member shall be recallable by the membership for just cause at a general membership meeting (See Section 6.1.3.3.1). A statement summarizing the reason(s) for which the coordinator should be removed must be presented at the previous general membership meeting. The coordinating committee member must be given an opportunity for a rebuttal statement before the vote.

6.2.3: The coordinating committee shall institute policies and mandates established at the general membership meetings. Decisions on significant matters related to implementing those policies and mandates may be made by the coordinating committee in between general membership meetings but must be ratified by a vote of the general membership at the soonest practicable general membership meeting.

6.2.4: The coordinating committee shall meet on a monthly
basis in person, by phone or electronically (through the internet) and shall call for special meetings and/or votes of the membership when necessary to settle matters not authorized in subsection 6.2.3 in between general membership meetings. The membership shall receive at least 10 days prior written notice of such special meetings and/or votes.

6.2.5: The coordinating committee shall maintain a clearinghouse of MCGP members, contacts, and organizational materials.

6.2.6: The coordinating committee shall consist of the following seven (7) officers elected annually by the membership:
6.2.6.1: The Secretary who shall oversee membership application
procedures, maintain accurate records including the
membership list, take and publish minutes of general
membership, coordinating committee and special meetings
and make available to members all non-financial records.
6.2.6.2: The Treasurer who shall have charge of and be responsible
for all funds, develop and submit budgets, and perform
general treasurer duties under the oversight of the
coordinating committee:
6.2.6.2.1: The Treasurer shall research understand legal
responsibilities of the position and keep accurate
and up-to-date records that may be inspected by
government entities or members of the MCGP.
6.2.6.2.2: Within ten days of being elected, the Treasurer
shall under state law obtain and file a completed Statement of Organization form with the State of
Indiana Election Division.
6.2.6.2.3: The Treasurer shall obtain report forms and file
reports mandated by law with the Marion
County Election Board.
6.2.6.2.4: The Treasurer must understand and complete all
other reporting requirements within legally-
specified deadlines as delineated in the Indiana
Campaign Finance Manual published by the
Indiana Election Division.
6.2.6.2.5: The Treasurer shall report financial activity to the
membership and the coordinating committee.
6.2.6.2.6: The Treasurer of the MCGP may not hold the
office of Treasurer of another political party
committee or political campaign committee within
the Green Party of the United States or any other
political party in the United States. The Treasurer
may not be the Treasurer of any Political Action
Committee.
6.2.6.3: Two Co-Coordinators who shall be the official
spokespersons for the MCGP, undertake a division of
responsibilities assigned by the coordinating committee,
facilitate general membership and special meetings, and be
available as resources at meetings of the general
membership and working groups. Whenever possible, one
of the Co-Coordinators shall be female and the other male.
6.2.6.4: The Technology Coordinator, who will maintain the Marion County Green Party web site and email lists.
6.2.6.5: The Media Liaison, who will organize efforts to publicize Green Party events and foster communication with the news media.
6.2.6.6: The Campus Liaison, who will foster communication and coordination between the MCGP and Green Party organizations and groups on college campuses.

6.2.7: The coordinating committee may function without the members
(officers) in Sections 6.2.6.4 – 6.2.6.6 but will work expeditiously
to find and present to the membership candidates to fill those
officer positions.

6.2.8: The coordinating committee members shall serve a term of one year
from the date of their election. A coordinating committee member
may not serve more than five (5) consecutive terms.
6.2.9: The coordinating committee shall vote on which of the two Co-
Coordinators will hold the position of County Committee
Chairperson (per IN Code, Title 3, Chapter 5).
The County Committee Chairperson shall cosign any documents
requiring cosignature with the Treasurer. If the County
Chairperson is not available, the other Co-Coordinator may cosign
such documents.

6.2.10: The coordinating committee shall oversee working groups
and committees.
6.2.11: The coordinating committee may vote on decisions
requiring a simple majority as outlined in Section 6.1.3.3
but make only recommendations on decisions in this
Section requiring a two thirds majority (66.7%) which shall
be made by the active membership.

Section 6.3: Working Groups
6.3.1: Working groups shall be formed by a simple majority
vote of the coordinating committee as the need arises to work on projects.

6.3.2: Working groups shall adhere to the bylaws and be
responsible for completing projects assigned by the
membership or the coordinating committee.

6.3.3: Working groups may commission committees.

6.3.4: The voting process for working groups and their
committees shall adhere to subsections 6.1.3.3.3, 6.1.3.3.4,
and 6.1.3.4.

6.3.5: Working groups may be recalled by the coordinating committee or the membership pursuant to subsection 6.1.3.3.1. A recall of a working group by the membership shall supercede the outcome of a recall vote by the coordinating committee and be binding on the coordinating committee.