BYLAWS OF THE GREEN PARTY OF ORANGE COUNTY
Approved May 27, 2001

ARTICLE I: Name, Purpose, and Mission

Section 1: Name

1.1 The name of this organization is the Green Party of Orange
County. The representative and administrative body of the
Green Party of Orange County is the Green Party of Orange
County Council. In these bylaws, "GPOC" shall be an
abbreviation for "Green Party of Orange County", and "The
County Council" and "The Council" shall be abbreviations for
"The Green Party of Orange County Council". "GPCA" shall
be an abbreviation for "Green Party of California"

Section 2. Purpose

2.1 These bylaws shall govern the organization, operation and
functions of that political organization known as the Green
Party of Orange County and the Green Party of Orange County
Council.

2.2 The County Council shall administer the Green Party of Orange
County according to these bylaws. In the event of an omission
or ambiguity in these bylaws, the GPOC shall look to the
bylaws of the Green Party of California for guidance.

2.3 The County Council is accountable to the membership of the
GPOC and must execute all of the GPOC's decisions reached in
accordance with these bylaws.

Section 3. Mission

3.1 The mission of the GPOC shall be to promote the 10-Key
values of the Green Party of California.

Article II: Decision Structure

1.1 Decisions by the GPOC fall into the following classes:

a. Bylaws: Require consensus or 4/5 vote of a County Assembly
to adopt or amend.

b. Election of Council members: elected either in a primary
election or in a County Assembly, as described in these
bylaws.

c. Business decisions: Require consensus or 4/5 vote of either
the County Council or a County Assembly to adopt, suspend, or
amend. These include:

i. procedural rules not covered in the bylaws
ii. statements of GPOC positions on issues
iii. approval of working groups or locals, and approval of
actions of working groups
iv. approval of expenditures
v. appointment of delegates

d. Election of officers: The Council Chair, the Treasurer,
and the Secretary are each chosen as the County Council
decides.

e. Endorsement of candidates: Requires a 2/3 vote in a County
Assembly as described in Article XI, Section 2.

ARTICLE III: Membership

Section 1.

1.1 All persons shall be considered members of the GPOC who
are currently registered to vote with the Green Party in
Orange County, California.

1.2 "Active membership" for purposes of decision-making in a
County Assembly shall consist of one of these two conditions
being fulfilled:

a. The person is a member according to item 1.1 above, and
is on record as having attended a General Meeting or
County Assembly of the GPOC within the last year.

b. The person is not qualified to vote under the laws of
California, but is known to the County Council to be active
in the functions of the GPOC, and has registered with the
County Council as an "active member".

ARTICLE IV: The County Council

Section 1. Mission and Purpose

1.1 The County Council shall serve as the elected representative
body of the Green Party of Orange County. The Council shall
fill the role served by County Central Committees pursuant
to Division 7 of the Elections Code.

Section 2. Membership

2.1 The County Council shall be elected in accordance with the
bylaws of the Green Party of California. In the event that
the method specified by the GPCA bylaws is not implemented by
the Secretary of State of California, seven members shall be
elected at large countywide.

2.2 A Council member may appoint an alternate in her/his absence.
Such alternates shall have the right to hold an "unresolved
concern", or cast a vote, should one become necessary, only
with the authorization of the member who suggested the
appointment. An alternate member shall be subject to the
rules of the Council and may vote only while the elected
member is absent. Authorization of an alternate may be given
in writing, by email to all other Council members who have
email capability, or by telephone, or orally in person to two
or more other Council members.

2.3 Council members shall serve until new Council convenes its
first meeting after the direct primary election.

2.4 A Council member may serve a maximum of three consecutive
terms.

2.5 A seat on the County Council may be vacant for any of the
following reasons:

a. Fewer candidates were on the ballot than the number of seats.

b. An ineligible person was elected to a seat.

c. Death or incapacitation of a Council member.

d. Resignation or automatic resignation (See section 2.7d)

2.6 Empty seats on the County Council may be filled by election in
a County Assembly.

2.7 Resignation: Any County Council member automatically resigns if
any one of the following events occurs:

a. The member moves out of the County.

b. The member registers with another political party (whether
qualified or not)

c. The member fails to maintain an updated, accurate voter
registration, or

d. The member misses three consecutive meetings of the County
Council, without appointing an alternate.

2.8 Recall: The following steps are necessary to enact the recall
of a sitting Council member:

a. Three members of the Green Party of Orange County must sign
a written statement and present it to the County Council
specifying exactly how the member failed to act in accordance
with the 10-Key Values or with these bylaws.

b. The County Council shall appoint a Mediation committee
of at least three active members of the GPOC. Both parties
shall meet with the Meditation Committee within seven (7)
days. Within five(5) days after the meeting, the Mediation
committee shall inform both parties of its recommendation.
If one party fails to appear at the meeting with the Mediation
Committee, the Mediation Committee shall make a recom-
mendation based on whatever information is available. If
both parties fail to appear, the recall effort shall be
considered at an end.

c. If either party is dissatisfied with the Mediation
Committee's recommendation, the Council shall allow
equal times for both the Council member targeted for recall
and the party attempting the recall to present their positions
at the next County Assembly. If the County Assembly
reaches consensus for recall (4/5 majority fallback vote),
the Council shall remove the member.

Section 3. Officers

3.1 As its first order of business after the primary, the Council
shall elect a Chair from among its members. The Chair shall have
no decision-making authority alone.

a. The Chair, along with the Treasurer, signs all checks drawn on the
Green Party of Orange County account.

b. The Chair shall serve as interim Secretary until the Council
elects one.

c. Within five days of its first meeting, the Council shall notify
the County Clerk of the name, address and daytime telephone number
of the elected chair.

d. The Chair or Secretary shall send a published agenda (including
motions received from Council members) to County Council members
at least two days prior to scheduled meetings

3.2 As its second order of business, the Council shall elect a
Treasurer from among the members of the Green Party of
Orange County.

a. The Treasurer shall make regular reports to the Council of
transactions made during the month.

b. The Treasurer shall file all required reports with the Treasurer
of the Green Party of California.

c. The Treasurer shall be responsible for fulfilling all the
requirements of the Political Reform Act, the Fair Political
Practices Commission, and the Federal Elections Commission.

d. The Treasurer shall serve a term of two years.

e. The Treasurer is responsible for keeping accurate records of all
funds at the Council's disposal, including the origin of the funds,
the balance on hand, money spent, upcoming spending plans, and
future funding needs. The Council must grant, in a timely fashion,
requests by Party members for examination of the records.

f. The duties of the Treasurer shall be to maintain financial records
of the GPOC, issue payments on bills and expenses approved by the
County Council, report on financial matters to the County Assembly
and the County Council, and other duties as approved by the County
Council.

3.3 As its third order of business, the Council shall elect a
Secretary from among the active members of the GPOC.

a. The Secretary shall see that written minutes are taken of all
Council meetings, General Meetings, and County Assemblies.

b. The Secretary shall be a primary contact for all proposals
from the membership to the Council.

c. The Secretary shall serve a term of two years.

d. The Secretary shall maintain membership records, and make
membership lists available to the County Council.

e. The Secretary shall maintain files of all documents recording
GPOC business, except financial records.

Section 4. Meetings

4.1 A newly elected Council shall hold its first meeting within 30
days after the primary election in which it is elected.

Section 5. Duties and Authority

5.1 The Council shall be generally responsible for coordinating
meetings, internal communications and other administrative tasks,
including the following:

a. Acting as necessary (while adhering to the process and principles
of the Green Party of California) to carry out the decisions of the
County Assembly and making executive decisions between County
Assemblies. Council actions between County Assemblies shall
reflect decisions made at County Assemblies.

b. Making statements and authorizing actions in the name of the Green
Party of Orange County consistent with local and state policy.

c. Retaining legal counsel on behalf of the Green Party of Orange
County and the Council, and making decisions under the advice of
legal counsel. This includes undertaking any legal action deemed
necessary.

d. Employing staff as necessary.

e. Conducting such other business as the Green Party of Orange County
may require.

5.2 The Council shall make reasonable efforts to make information
available to all members of the GPOC. The Council shall make
available uncensored information that includes, but is not limited to:

a. Upcoming events, including the next County Assembly meeting,
and deadlines required by law.

b. Upcoming issues requiring study, thought, and/or action by
the GPOC.

Section 6. Proposals

6.1 The Council may formulate proposals for the County Assembly. The
Council, or a designated representative, shall present its proposals
to an Assembly.

6.2 The Council shall receive proposals for action from both members
and non-members. When necessary, the Council shall refer a proposal
to a committee or working group for further refinement. If there
is no appropriate committee it may establish an Ad Hoc Committee.

6.3 Proposals shall include cost estimates if costs are to be incurred.

ARTICLE V Meetings and Assemblies

Section 1. General Meetings

1.1 The County Council shall call a General Meeting of the GPOC at
least six (6) times a year, but this shall be considered the legal
minimum. Monthly meetings shall be considered the norm.

1.2 General Meetings shall be for the purpose of maintaining
communication among the County Council, the membership of the
GPOC, and the public.

1.4 All General Meetings shall be wheel chair accessible.

1.5 If requested at least (7) days before any General Meeting, the
Council shall arrange to provide child care for the duration of
the meeting.

1.6 Date and location for the next General Meeting shall be determined
by the close of each meeting.

Section 2. County Assemblies

2.1 If deemed necessary by the County Council, or if required by a
petition of active members (see Article VII), a General Meeting
may become a County Assembly, which is able to conduct official
business.

2.1 Establishing the agenda for a County Assembly is the
responsibility of the Council.

2.2 The Council has the task of collecting items and making a draft
agenda available to all active members who can be easily reached
at least one week in advance.

2.3 The agenda package shall include a draft of all proposals. A
proposal which has not been made available in advance to all
active members may only come to the floor after agreement of the
County Assembly (2/3 fallback vote).

2.4 Ratification of the proposed agenda and times shall occur at the
beginning of the meeting.

Section 3. Quorum

3.1 A quorum shall exist for the purpose of both opening a meeting and
making decisions when 20% of the active members of the Green Party
of Orange County are present.

3.2 Each active member shall sign in with the doorkeeper when he/she
arrives. The "active" status of the member shall be determined by
the Doorkeeper, and a token of some kind shall be issued to plainly
distinguish active members from observers in the Assembly.

3.3 The Doorkeeper and Facilitators shall thereafter be responsible
for determining whether a quorum exists at any time during the
Assembly.

Section 4. Guests and Observers

4.3 The General Assembly may choose to go into closed session with
a 4/5 majority vote. Only active members may attend closed
sessions. A motion for going into closed session may be proposed
as a point of procedure and, at the discretion of the Facilitation
Team, voted upon immediately.

4.4 With consensus (4/5 majority fallback vote), the County Assembly
may exercise its right to exclude an individual who fails to
honor the process and principles of the Green Party. This also
may be proposed as a point of procedure as in 4.3 above.

Section 5. Meeting Roles, Duties and Responsibilities

5.2 A County Assembly shall follow the "consensus-seeking process"
for making decisions and the meeting roles, duties, and
responsibilities as outlined in the bylaws of the Green Party
of California.

5.5 Except in a closed session, anyone may take part in the
consensus-seeking process. Only active members, however may vote
or hold an "unresolved concern." If time is running short,
Facilitators shall give preference to active members in recognizing
speakers.

Section 6. Election of County Council members in a County Assembly

6.1 When empty seats on the County Council are to be filled in a
County Assembly, the following procedure shall be used:

a. Nominations shall be requested from the floor. Only active
members may make or second nominations. Members may nominate
or second themselves.

b. In any election where the number of candidates is less than
or equal to the number of seats to be filled, the Threshold
Voting System shall be used, as described in Section 6.2.

c. In any election where the number of candidates exceeds the
number of seats to be filled, the Preference Voting System
shall be used as described in Section 6.3.

d. Before any election may proceed, the facilitator must determine
the total number of authorized voters present. This is
necessary to calculate "abstained" votes. The number of
"abstained" votes is equal to the total number of authorized
voters minus the sum of the "yes" and "no" votes submitted
for a candidate.

6.2 Threshold Voting System

a. Each authorized voter submits a ballot with all the candidates
listed and the vote: "yes", "no", or "abstain" to be recorded
for each. Election requires approval of 2/3 of those voting,
not including abstentions, and 1/2 of those authorized voters
present, including abstentions.

6.3 Preference Voting System

a. Each authorized voter submits a ballot with all the candidates
listed and the preference vote to be recorded for each. A
preference vote may consist of either an "abstention" or a
preference number from "1" to the total number of candidates,
where a preference of "1" represents the member's first
preference. The election is then conducted as follows:

i. The abstentions are first used to eliminate candidates not
meeting the minimum threshold of non-abstention votes:
1 divided by the number of seats.

ii. The preference votes are then used to eliminate the low
preference candidates. The ballots are sorted by the
first-preference votes. The candidate with the least number
of first preference votes is eliminated, and those ballots
are transferred to the candidate listed as the next preference.
This process is repeated until the number of remaining
candidates is equal to the number of seats to be filled.

iii. If while transferring ballots, the candidate listed as the
next preference has already been eliminated, then the ballot
shall be transferred to the most-preferred choice among those
not yet eliminated.

iv. If while transferring ballots, all candidates listed on a
ballot have been eliminated, the ballot is set aside.

v. In the event of a tie, either for a winning position, or in
determining the "last" position for ballot transferral, the
candidate with the most first-preference votes shall prevail.
If still a tie, then the second-preference votes are used, then
the third-preference votes, and so on.

Section 7. Local Meetings

7.1 A "local" is a geographic grouping of Green Party of Orange
County members.

a. It may be defined by city boundaries, postal zip codes,
supervisorial districts, State or Federal legislative districts,
or by naming streets or other landmarks to define the local.

b. If any of the boundaries used to define a local change, the
local must submit a notification to the County Council within
30 days to maintain its recognized status.

7.2 To be recognized as a local, a group of registered Greens must
present a petition signed by one half of one percent of all
registered Green voters in Orange County, and describing the
geographic area to be included in the local. All signers of the
petition must reside within the geographic area proposed to be
covered by the local. The petition must also describe a method
by which it proposes to elect a liaison to the County Council.

7.3 The local must have its own name. Recognition of a local is not
not to be construed as authorizing it to use the name "Green Party
of Orange County" without express permission from either the
County Council or a County Assembly for each instance.

7.4 If a local engages in activities under its own name other than
a local County Assembly, it takes full responsiblity for them
as a separate organization from the Green Party of Orange County.

7.5 The local must, by the procedure described in its originating
petition, elect a liaison to the County Council. The local's
liaison shall have the following responsibilities:

a. Ensure that the local's agenda in a local County Assembly covers
all items on the county-wide agenda.

b. Inform the County Council of all decisions reached by the
local, and the results of any votes

c. Forward copies of all attendance sheets from meetings of the
local to the Secretary of the County Council. This will allow
meeting attendance at a local meeting to count toward fulfilling
Article III, Section 1.2 a. for participation in a County
Assembly.

7.6 A local may choose to hold its own County Assembly at a time
and place of its choosing so long as it has convened within thirty
(30) days after the county-wide County Assembly.

7.7 In order to take part in the County Assembly decision-making
process, a local must agree to address all proposals contained in
the draft agenda of the county-wide County Assembly.

7.8 If not all locals reach consensus on a given proposal, each vote
of each active member present at a local meeting shall be counted
as if he/she had been present at the county-wide County Assembly.
If a local reaches consensus, all active members present shall be
assumed to have voted in favor of the proposal.

7.9 No decision of the County Assembly is complete until all
recognized locals have had the opportunity to address the proposal.
If a local fails to address a proposal circulated in the draft
agenda, the members of that local shall be considered to have
taken no part: they are not counted as "yes", "no", or
"stand-aside" in the decision making process for that proposal.

7.10 While an active member may attend any and all local meetings of
a County Assembly, he or she may only hold an "unresolved concern"
or vote (should one become necessary) once per proposal.

7.11 If a local County Assembly wishes to vote on election of County
Council members, it must only vote on the candidates already
nominated and seconded at the county-wide County Assembly. It
may not make nominations.

ARTICLE VI: PETITION FOR COUNTY ASSEMBLY

Section 1

1.1 Upon being presented with a petition signed by a number of active
members of the GPOC equal to one half of one percent of the total
number of registered Green voters in Orange County, the County
Council must call a County Assembly within 60 days of the
presentation.

1.2 Such a petition must include all of the following in its text:

a. one or more agenda items which the petitioners feel a need to
treat in a County Assembly.

b. suggested time allotments for each item.

c. the names of one or more presenters willing to present any
proposals mentioned in item "a" above. If the only agenda item
mentioned in "a" above is the election of County Council members,
no Presenters are necessary.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

These by-laws may be amended by a 4/5 majority vote of a County
Assembly.

ARTICLE VIII: GENERAL POLICIES

Section 1. Non-discrimination

1.1 The Green Party of Orange County shall not discriminate on the
basis of age, race, sex, sexual orientation, physical ability,
religion or income.

1.2 It is the responsibility of the Council to ensure that this
policy is carried out.

Section 2. Endorsement of Candidates

2.1 For the GPOC to endorse a candidate, whether a registered Green
or a candidate of any other party, the following procedure must
be observed.

a. The Candidate must attend a General Meeting to announce the
request for endorsement, upon which the Secretary shall present
the candidate with the platform of the GPCA as a required
reading.

b. Upon reading the platform, the candidate shall submit a written
statement to the County Council, stating on which platform planks
he/she agrees, and on which he/she disagrees, and reasoning behind
such agreement or disagreement.

c. After b. above, the Secretary shall set up a meeting between the
candidate and the County Council where the Council shall evaluate
the candidate's qualifications and prepare a statement of
evaluation to be presented to the next County Assembly.

d. The County Assembly shall hear both the Council's evaluation and
the candidate's own evaluation and a vote shall be taken on whether
to endorse the candidate.

e. The candidate shall be considered endorsed if he/she gains the
vote of 2/3 of the active members attending the meeting.