BY-LAWS OF THE UTOPIA COUNTY GREEN PARTY I Name The name of this organization is the Utopia County Green Party, and is the Utopia County affiliate of the Green Party of Texas. II Purpose The purpose of the Utopia County Green Party is to advance the principles and values of the Green Party embodied in the Ten Key Values. To that end we will engage in general education, community action and run candidates for office. III Membership Membership is open to any individual who is in general agreement with the following ten key values: Ecological Wisdom. We recognize that the Earth sustains all life processes. Green ecology moves beyond environmentalism by understanding the common roots of the abuse of nature, the abuse of animals, and the abuse of people. Whatever we do to the web of life, we do to ourselves. Social Justice. We want to replace the worldwide system of poverty and injustice with a world free of all oppression based on class, sex, race, citizenship, age, or sexual orientation. Grassroots Democracy. We believe in direct participation by all people in the environmental, political, and economic decisions that affect their lives. Nonviolence. We reject violence as a way of settling disputes - it is shortsighted, morally wrong, and ultimately self-defeating. We work to create a world where war is obsolete. Decentralization. Power and responsibility must be restored to local communities within an overall framework of ecologically sound and socially just values and lifestyles. Community-based Economics. We seek a new economics based upon the natural limits of the Earth which meets the basic needs of everyone on the planet under democratic, localized community control. Feminist Values. The Green movement is profoundly inspired by feminist values. The ethics of cooperation and understanding must replace the values of domination and control over others. Respect for Diversity. We honor the biological diversity of the Earth and the cultural, racial, sexual and spiritual diversity of the Earth's people. We aim to reclaim this country's finest ideals: popular democracy, the dignity of the individual, and liberty and justice for all. Personal and Global Responsibility. We are committed to global sustainability and international justice through political solidarity. We strive to create personal lifestyles based upon sufficiency and living lightly. Future Focus. Like the Iroquois, we seek a society where the interests of the seventh generation yet to come are considered equal to the interests of the present generation. We must reclaim the future for ourselves and for our children. IV Structure and Meetings A. 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 Facilitator for the next General Membership meeting, who will guide discussion to complete the agenda and goals of the next meeting. The Facilitator elected shall be considered a full member of the Steering Committee until the next General Membership Meeting. The Utopia 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 Any member is invited to participate in all discussion, but only those who have attended at least one prior meeting are entitled to vote. B. The following officers of the Utopia County Green Party shall be elected by the membership: 1 Two co-chairs, elected at the second General Membership Meeting each year; and a 2 Treasurer. Each office shall be held for two years, beginning July 1. The term of the two co-chairs shall be staggered. Efforts shall be made for officers to represent the diversity of society at large. C. The Steering Committee shall consist of the Co-chairs, the Treasurer, and the Coordinator or other designee of each Working Group in effect at the time, and the Facilitator elected at the last General Membership Meeting. D. The Steering Committee is empowered to act on behalf of the organization between General Membership Meetings. This includes the expenditure of funds. However, the Steering Committee is not empowered to place the Utopia 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 majority of Steering Committee members are present. 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. E. The Steering Committee shall meet monthly, and additionally when called by the Chair, as necessary. The Steering Committee shall set the agenda for each General Membership Meeting. Steering Committee meetings shall be publicized, and every member is invited and encouraged to attend as a non-voting participant. F. Each member of the Utopia County Green Party is encouraged and expected to participate with at least one working group. The meetings of each working group are open to any general member. G. Each working group shall elect its own Coordinator(s). V Amendments These By-laws may be amended by a 3/4 vote of those in attendance at any General Membership Meeting.