[gpva-ic] Bylaw amendment proposal: voting on major decisions

[k mookerjee]

All


Most notable for me in decisionmaking is that we continue to seek consensus meaning that all members participate in the discussion and the proposed bylaw amendment only applies where someone has a "blocking concern" and the matter must go to a vote.


Peace,


Kirit

Arlington


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in




CURRENT LANGUAGE

10.3.1 Major decisions shall be made by consensus of those GPVA members present, or if consensus cannot be achieved, a vote of three-fifths voting members present, unless the Bylaws specify a different approval threshold for the decision at hand.

PROPOSED LANGUAGE (change in bold)

10.3.1 Major decisions shall be made by consensus of those GPVA members present or, if consensus cannot be achieved, a vote of three-fifths of voting members present, unless the Bylaws specify a different approval threshold for the decision at hand. Voting members are the co-chairs, treasurer, press secretary, web-master, and one representative from each local present, except that no person shall have more than one vote. If at-large members are present they will be polled individually on the question and their majority opinion, if any, will count as one vote.



On 11/29/2016 2:17 PM, Sid Smith wrote:
Dear Greens,

I and many others have felt some concern about our voting procedures at state meetings. It has been the common practice that everyone present votes on any matter for which there isn't consensus. This practice places the party at risk of "packed meetings," where a group could ensure passage or defeat of a major decision item by bringing extra people to the meeting. Even where this does not occur, it is undemocratic in a federal system (the state party is a federation of its locals) to not ensure that all locals are given an equal voice relative to one another.

Consequently, Tamar and I have hammered out an amendment to the relevant paragraph on major decisions. On minor decisions (where to have the next meeting, etc.) the current practice would remain in place. See Para. 8 of the bylaws for what constitutes a major decision; in general, it's anything important.

CURRENT LANGUAGE

10.3.1 Major decisions shall be made by consensus of those GPVA members present, or if consensus cannot be achieved, a vote of three-fifths voting members present, unless the Bylaws specify a different approval threshold for the decision at hand.

PROPOSED LANGUAGE (change in bold)

10.3.1 Major decisions shall be made by consensus of those GPVA members present or, if consensus cannot be achieved, a vote of three-fifths of voting members present, unless the Bylaws specify a different approval threshold for the decision at hand. Voting members are the co-chairs, treasurer, press secretary, web-master, and one representative from each local present, except that no person shall have more than one vote. If at-large members are present they will be polled individually on the question and their majority opinion, if any, will count as one vote.

If anyone would like to comment or propose edits please feel free. We will bring this proposal to the next business meeting for a vote.

Sid

********************
B. Sidney Smith
GPVA, Co-chair





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