Constitution of the Green Party of the University of Michigan Dearborn
Article I Name
Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the Green Party of the University of Michigan - Dearborn.
Section 2: The Green Party of The University of Michigan Dearborn is recognized by The University of Michigan Dearborn as a student organization and not as a political party.
Article II Purpose
The purpose of the Green Party of the University of Michigan - Dearborn shall be to advance the Ten Key Values of the Green Party through political and non-political activities on and off campus.
Article III Membership
Section1: Any student or staff member of the University of Michigan Dearborn may become a member. Anyone who is not a student or faculty at the University of Michigan - Dearborn but upholds the Ten Key Values of the Greens (found in bylaws) may participate in activities and receive non-student membership.
Section 2: To be considered a member of the Green Party of the University of Michigan - Dearborn, all that is required is a signed statement that the person has read and supports the Ten Key Values and declares that they are a member of The Green Party of the University of Michigan - Dearborn. Non-student or faculty members may not participate in officer elections. Members must also have an understanding of the policies and procedures in the Statement of Student Rights & Code of Student Conduct as well as the Student Handbook.
Section 3: The Green Party of the University of Michigan - Dearborn is in association with the Green Party of Michigan and membership with the university local can also include membership with the state party. Student membership for the Green Party of Michigan is $5 per year; dues can be waived in cases of low income or hardship.
Section 5: Any member, including officers, that is found in contempt of the goals of the Green Party of the University of Michigan - Dearborn or with the Statement of Student Rights & Code of Student Conduct can be removed from the organization. A ¾ (75%) majority of voting members present at the meeting is required to achieve the removal of a member. If an officer position is vacated before a completed term, the other officers may assume the duties of the vacated position, or they may by consensus amongst themselves make a temporary appointment until the next meeting where a new emergency election date will be set.
Article IV Officers
Section 1: The Executive Board of the Green Party of the University of Michigan - Dearborn shall consist of a President and VicePresident
Section 2: The Executive Board elections will be held during the first month of the fall semester. The terms run for one year, until the next fall semester. Near the end of the Executive Boards term, they will come together with the organization members and decided the date to have an election in the beginning of the fall semester.
Section 3: The President shall convene and preside over all meetings of the Green Party of the University of Michigan - Dearborn. It is his/her responsibility to schedule, organize, and publicize meetings and activities. The Vice-president shall assist the president in presiding over meetings and also assist in organizing events.
Section 4: A new position may be created for the Executive Board. Any member may propose that a new Executive Board position be created if they feel that . A 2/3-majority member vote is needed to approve the new position.
Article V Advisor
Section 1: An advisor to the Green Party of the University of Michigan - Dearborn is not required, but is strongly recommended. An advisor is someone who is affiliated with the Green Party of The University of Michigan Dearborn and is nominated and elected by members. At the same day that Executive Board elections take place the advisor election is also held. A student or faculty member of The University of Michigan - Dearborn Green Party must nominate an advisor. The advisor must then be elected.
Section 2: The advisor to the Green Party of the University of Michigan -Dearborn role is to assist the organization in coordinating advents, providing assistance in administration, provide positive criticism and make suggestions, and listen to and counsel group on decision making.
Article VI Operating Procedures
Section 1: Meetings of the Green Party of the University of Michigan - Dearborn shall be held on a monthly basis. The exact time and date of each meeting will be determined by the Executive Board after conferring with members on what times would be best. If necessary, more than one meeting can be held per month. Executive Board members may call an emergency meeting anytime.
Section 2: Decision making of the Green Party of the University of Michigan Dearborn shall be made through a consensus of Green Party of The University of Michigan - Dearborn student and faculty members attending each meeting. If a consensus cannot be reached, then a majority of 2/3 (67%) votes must be met to pass.
Section 3: If dissolution of the Green Party of the University of Michigan Dearborn ever occurs, and there is no successor, the Green Party of Michigan has the right to recoup the entirety of rebated membership due from the assets of the local. The current Treasurer or signors on the bank account will rebate the funds to the GPMI.
Article VII Committees
Section 1: Committees can be permanent or ad-hoc. New committees can be proposed by any member and voted on after being discussed properly. A 2/3 vote is needed to start a new committee. Ad-hoc committees can apply for permanent status.
Section 2: Committee membership is for a year. Membership to a committee is not required. A committee must have at least three members to stay active. The committee must submit quarterly reports to the Executive Board stating their progress and actions.
Section 3: There will be a permanent Fundraising Committee that is lead by the current Treasurer. All Executive Board members must be members and all other Green Party of the University of Michigan - Dearborn members are encouraged to join the Fundraising Committee.
Article VIII Amendments
Section 1: Any student or faculty member of the Green Party of the University of Michigan - Dearborn may propose a new amendment to this Constitution.
Section 2: A motion to propose the Constitution must be made, and then seconded. If made, then an ad-hoc committee will be formed to research the subject change of the Constitution.
Section 3: At the next meeting, the committee will submit to members a written and oral report of the proposed amendment and how it will benefit the Green Party of the University of Michigan - Dearborn. At the meeting at least 2/3 of the members must be present to hold a referendum. Members will then vote whether to accept the amendment, a 2/3-majority vote is required for it to pass.
Bylaws - Ten Key Values
Ecological Wisdom
More that just recycling, this mean living in harmony with our surroundings. Greens are not anti-technology, but we demand that creators and users of technology take responsibility for its effects. We try to live lightly on earth, and want to make it easier for others to do so as well.
Social Justice
The promises that our Constitution of The United States and promises of society are meant for all people, regardless of our superficial differences. Everyone deserves the chance to live a healthy, meaningful life.
Grassroots Democracy
People have the right to, and capacity for, self-determination. In practice, Greens make decisions by voluntary consensus whenever possible.
Nonviolence
Violence is morally wrong and logistically ineffective, because it treats the symptoms of problems, not the root causes. Greens support self-defense, but only narrowly-defined.
Decentralization
Centralization has caused all manner of problems in modern society, because our elected officials are out of touch with those they supposedly represent. Greens believe that the closer decisions are made to those who will be affected by them, the better
Community-based economics
Economics was originally meant to maintain the household, but today, has largely taken on the opposite meaning. Greens believe that the economy should be about individuals and families, no corporations, which are a legal fiction. We value people over profits when the two conflict.
Feminism
Greens are feminists, which means that we believe in the equality of women and men (regardless of sexual orientation). No on has the right to define the limits of another person.
Respect for diversity
In ecosystems, diversity is not a pleasant goal to be aspired to, it a bedrock requirement. Similarly, in human relationships, Greens believe that diversity is both the cause and effect of a healthy society.
Personal and Global Responsibility
The more that we learn about our planet, the more we learn that our actions have effects far away. We must be responsible, both socially and ecologically, to our neighbors next door and to our neighbors across the world. We believe in the slogan Think globally, act locally.
Future Focus / Sustainability
Similarly, we must consider the lasting effects of our actions. We must be responsible to our descendants. We must use resources in ways that does not use them up.
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