BY-LAWS OF THE KNOX GREENS

Adopted on 3/29/01 by Knox Greens Voting Membership, Rockland, Maine

I Name

The name of this organization is the Knox Greens, and is the Knox County Area affiliate of the Maine Green Independent Party.

II Purpose

The purposes of the Knox Greens are to build membership within the Midcoast; in conjunction with like-minded groups and individuals throughout the state, to work with and strengthen the Maine Green Independent Party (GIP); and to translate its Platform into political actions and public policies.

III Membership

There are two types of membership in the Knox Greens:

    1. General membership is open to any member of the public. General members may participate in General Membership Meetings, and may serve on Working Groups, but may not vote on proposals, elect officers, or serve on the Knox Greens Steering Committee.

    2. Voting Membership is open to any individual who has registered to vote in the Green Independent Party in the State of Maine, and who lives in, or in a County adjacent to, Knox County. Voting members may vote in General Membership Meetings, and are entititled to fully participate in all aspects of the Knox Greens in accordance with these By-laws, without exception.

IV Structure and Meetings

A. All decision-making power rests in the membership, which shall meet at least monthly 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 non-voting member of the Steering Committee until the next General Membership Meeting. If the elected Facilitator is unable to attend the meeting to which he or she has been elected, one of the Co-Chairs will facilitate. If neither Co-Chairs nor the elected Facilitator are present, the General Membership will elect a person to facilitate at the beginning of the meeting.

The Knox Greens will strive to achieve consensus on all decisions. Consensus is defined as agreement to a proposal by all Voting Member attendees. If consensus is not immediately reached, there will be immediate opportunities for all views to be fully expressed and explored, modificatons to the proposal, and another attempt at full agreement. If consensus is still not achieved, a democratic non-secret vote will take place. Adoption of a proposal will then require a vote of 2/3 of those voting . Proposals may also be tabled by consensus or a 2/3 vote.

B. The following officers of the Knox Greens shall be elected by the membership:

1 Two Co-Chairs - responsible for overseeing the work of the Steering Committee.

2 Treasurer - responsible for accurate recording of Knox Greens monies.

    1. Scribe – responsible for accurate minutes of General Membership and Steering Committee meetings.
    2. Representative to the GIP Steering Committee - responsible for communicating Knox Greens’ concerns and questions to the GIP Steering Committee, as well as relaying information to the Knox Greens from the GIP Steering Committee.

Officers will be elected by Instant Runoff Voting each year at the second General Membership meeting. Each office shall be held for one year. At the end of a year, those officers presently serving shall be eligible for reelection. Vacancies that arise within that time will be filled at the next General Membership meeting. We recognize that until membership grows, individuals may have to repeat terms in office. Nevertheless, we strongly encourage officers to rotate their positions as organizational capability develops.

C. The Steering Committee shall consist of the Co-Chairs, the Treasurer, Scribe, the Coordinator or other designee of each Working Group or Municipal Committee, Representative to the GIP, and the Facilitator elected at the last General Membership meeting. The Facilitator will not have voting privileges on the Steering Committee.

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 Knox Greens 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, including one Co-chair, 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 a Co-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. The work of the Knox Greens shall be performed by the following standing working groups and committees:

Budget. Responsible for budgeting, accounting, and making payments.

Fundraising. Responsible for fund-raising from contributors, and organizing fund-raising events

Membership. Responsible for recruitment of new members, voter registration, outreach and education to individuals and organizations, and liaison with interest groups and special-interest organizations.

Research. Responsible for issues and candidancy research, information support, and literature.

Communications. Responsible for press and electronic media relations, publicity, and internal communications.

Legal. Responsible for legal work necessary to establish the Knox Greens, including research on election law, meeting the legal requirements for financial filing, and other legal needs.

Platform. Responsible for creating and amending a platform.

Municipal Committees. Each town in Knox County Area is encouraged to form a quasi-independent group of Green residents. Responsible for holding bi-yearly Caucuses, obtaining town voter registration lists, and providing the Steering Committee with local information and concerns.

As with the Steering Committee, we recognize that until membership increases, individuals may have to repeat time spent on working groups and Municipal Committees. Nevertheless, we strongly encourage members to rotate their positions as organizational capability develops.

Meeting frequency and location for Committees and Working Groups shall be at their own discretion, except that one open annual meeting and an annual report to the Membership are required of all committees and working groups.

Additional working groups may be formed and authorized at General Membership Meetings as needs arise.

G. Each member of the Knox Greens is encouraged and expected to participate with at least one working group and/or committee. The meetings of each working group and Municipal Committee are open to any member.

H. Each working group shall elect its own Coordinator. Municipal Committee Chairs will be elected by bi-yearly caucuses of residents, and will operate in conformity with GIP By-Laws and Maine State Law.

V Platform

The Knox Greens shall adopt a platform based on the Ten Key values that is consistent with the platforms of the Maine Green Independent Party and the Association of State Green Parties, and that clearly defines the Knox Greens’ position on issues facing our locality, larger society and the world. The platform will be a guide for elected officials and other Knox Greens members engaged in public policy making.

VI Amendments

These By-laws may be amended by a 3/4 vote of voting members in attendance at any General Membership Meeting.