Constitution and Bylaws

2.1 The MCGP is an association of Montogmery County residents working as a local affiliate of the Maryland Green Party to promote peace, environmental values, social justice, and democracy.

2.2 To further these aims, the MCGP intends (1) to run Green Party candidates for political office; (2) to work in solidarity with groups and individuals sharing the same aims as the MCGP.

2.3 The MCGP adopts the following Green Ten Key Values (hereinafter “Green Values”), which are Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice, Grassroots Democracy, Nonviolence, Decentralization, Community Economics, Respect for Diversity, Feminism, Personal and Global Responsibility, and Future Focus/Sustainability.

3.1 Eligiblity for Participation: The Officers of the MCGP, with the advice and consent of its membership, are authorized to adopt reasonable eligiblity criteria for participation in the decision-making processes that relate to electoral activity and the business of the MCGP.

3.2 Guidelines for Membership: The Officers of the MCGP shall endeavor to include all persons who seek membership in the MCGP, and who, through their deeds and aspirations, further the aims of the MCGP. Criteria adopted by the Officers may include support for Green Values and the aims of the MCGP, or requirements pertaining to official political party affiliation.

3.3 Individual Freedom: Under no circumstances shall the MCGP require adherence to any creed or dogma, nor shall the MCGP seek to impose any orthodoxy or ideology. In keeping with the Green Values of decentralized decisionmaking, autonomy, protection of minority points of view, and respect for diversity, the MCGP is committed to freedom of conscience, intellectual freedom, freedom of expression, and freedom of association. The MCGP shall not require the taking of any oath, nor shall it require the recital of any pledge of allegiance or credo, or any public or private profession of loyalty.

4.1 Consensus-Seeking; Green Meeting Process Manual: In all proceedings, assemblies, committees, and other meetings, except where mandated otherwise by these Interim Bylaws or by valid election law, the MCGP shall seek to arrive at decisions by consensus. An example of consensus process is outlined in the printed text of the Maryland Green Meeting Process Manual (a modified version of the Meeting and Process Manual Draft 10/11/96 published by the Ohio Greens, based on an earlier version published by the Green Party of Alaska). If consensus cannot be reached after a period of discussion considered reasonable by two-thirds (2/3) of those members present at a meeting, a vote shall be called for. Except where specifically provided otherwise in these Interim Bylaws, the decision of a two-thirds (2/3) majority on substantive issues and a 50%+1 majority on process issues shall prevail.

4.2 Accountability and Dissent: MCGP officers, committee members, and representatives are accountable to the principles and policies established by the membership. However, the MCGP affirms the right of its members to public and private dissent. Any member may disagree with and work against MCGP policy as long as the member is not acting as a representative or delegate of the MCGP or portraying the member’s position as MCGP policy.

4.3 Consideration of Interests of Absent Persons: In any decision, the interests of Greens unable to attend a decisionmaking forum shall be considered.

5.1 Officers: The officers of the MCGP shall include Two Co-Chairs; a Treasurer; and a Recording Secretary as provided in this Article.

5.2 Co-Chairs: Two Co-Chairs shall be selected annually by the general membership. The Co-Chairs shall share responsibility for facilitating all MCGP meetings. The Co-Chairs shall also be the main public spokespersons for the MCGP, or, in consultation with the Press and Publicity Committee, may delegate the task of public spokesperson. Because the MCGP strongly supports diversity and affirmative action, the MCGP intends that at least one of the Co-Chair positions should be held by a woman or member of a minority group. In the event neither of the Co-Chairs can attend a meeting, a temporary facilitator can be selected at that meeting to conduct the proceedings of that meeting.

5.3 Treasurer: A Treasurer shall be selected annually. The Treasurer shall maintain the financial books of the MCGP, work with the finance committee to develop a budget, file all necessary election reports and forms to comply with federal and state election laws in a timely manner, maintain all bank and financial accounts for the organization, and make a public accounting of the finances of the organization. 

5.4 Recording Secretary: A Recording Secretary shall be selected annually. The Recording Secretary shall take, publish, and maintain the minutes of all MCGP meetings. Within 10 days of any meeting, the Recording Secretary shall make the minutes of that meeting available to any member who requests it. In the event that the Recording Secretary is unable to attend a meeting, a temporary replacement shall be selected at that meeting to record the minutes of that meeting.

6.1 The Montgomery County Green Party may have Standing Committees designated in this Article, and may receive reports from such other committees as, from time to time, the Coordinating Council shall create and appoint. Each Committee shall conduct its business according to Section 4.1. Each committee shall be convened by a person of its own choosing, unless otherwise specified in this Article.

6.2 Finance Committee. The Finance Commitee shall include the Treasurer, who shall the convene the committee. The Finance Committee shall be responsible for helping the Treasurer set and implement financial policies, develop a budget, comply with federal and state campaign finance and election law, and to help the Treasurer with other matters pertaining to the finances of the organization.

6.3 Electorial Committee: The Electoral Committee shall coordinate MCGP electoral activity, including the recruitment of candidates; shall gather, calendar, and process other information about upcoming election contests; shall support MCGP electoral campaigns; shall keep the MCGP informed of and in compliance with election laws.

6.4 Bylaws Review and Rules Committee: The Bylaws Review and Rules Committee shall review all process disputes for the purpose of making proposals to amend the Bylaws if deemed necessary. The Committee may draft proposals for amendments to the rules of order for MCGP decision making forums as permitted under the Bylaws. The Committee shall review all amendment proposals and develop alternative proposals as it deems necessary, and facilitate the communication of all proposed amendments or alternatives, along with rationales for each proposal, to members of the MCGP for consideration.

6.5 Press and Publicity Committee: The Press and Publicity Committee shall monitor press coverage of the MCGP; shall arrange for publicity and press coverage of MCGP events and candidates, when appropriate. The Press and Publicity Committee may also be called upon to help the Co-Chairs select appropriate persons to speak publicly on behalf of MCGP.

6.6 Platform Committee: The Platform Committee shall develop and propose to the MCGP processes for fulfilling Article 9 of these Bylaws in a fair, democratic, and deliberative manner.

6.7 Conflict Resolution Committee: The Conflict Resolution Committee shall develop processes for resolving conflicts within the MCGP.

6.8 Ad Hoc Committees: Other committees may be organized on an ad hoc basis by creation and appointment by the Officers, and any MCGP officer having duties directly concerning the work of the committee shall also serve on any such committee.

7.1 “Green Party” Candidates: The MCGP reserves  the power, to withhold the designation “Green” from, and to reject, any candidate the MCGP deems inappropriate, wishing to run as, or claiming to be a Green Party candidate in Maryland.

7.2 Qualifications of Candidates: Individuals seeking to run as candidates of the MCGP must support Green Values and be registered Greens.

7.3 Conference When Multiple Persons Qualify for Nomination. Regarding any election contest for which two or more persons eligible to run as Green Party candidates the MCGP shall hold an election between the candidates to be decided by Instant Runoff Voting. All Montgomery County registered Greens may participate.

8.1 It shall be the policy of the MCGP that members, MCGP Officers, members of standing committees, candidates, and delegations to Green confederations above the state level, reflect as closely as possible the general population of Montgomery County with regard to race, gender, and ethnicity.

9.1 The MCGP may from time to time adopt a platform reflecting the statement of purpose and Green Values of the MCGP as they apply to political, social, and economic conditions in Montgomery County and Maryland. The MCGP platform may also address political, social, and economic issues outside Maryland.

9.2 The MCGP Platform may be adopted or amended only by a 2/3 majority of the general membership in attendance at a regular meeting.

10.1 Ratification: These Interim Bylaws may be ratified by a 2/3 majority of the general membership at a regular local meeting.

10.2 Effective Date: These Interim Bylaws shall take effect at the end of the meeting at which they are ratified.

10.3 Interim Nature of these Bylaws: It is the intention that these Interim Bylaws will be revisited in their entirety and superseded by more permanent bylaws.

10.4 Who May Propose Amendments: Amendments to these Interim Bylaws may be proposed by any member.

10.5 General Amendment Rule: Amendments may also be ratified by a 2/3 majority at any MCGP meeting and take effect immediately upon adjournment at the meeting at which they are adopted, unless the amendment specifically provides otherwise.