Organization

2024 Presidential Nomination

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Maine has two pathways for determining presidential preference of members, to be determined by the political party -- either a presidential primary, or through municipal caucuses held statewide.

The MGIP chooses to go with municipal caucuses instead of the presidential primary.
The presidential primary process requires each candidate to get 2,000 signatures of party members or independents for their name to be placed on the presidential primary ballot.
This process creates unnecessary extra work to our members to have to collect signatures (a daunting task that might not even be successful), and also limits the choices of our members to only those candidates on the ballot. There is also no mechanism in a presidential primary for our members to indicate a preference for "no nominee," which is a technical possibility within the GPUS presidential nomination process for which our members should be afforded an opportunity to express support for.
To not burden our members with extra work to collect signatures,  and to give our members freedom to vote as they wish without limits, we forego the presidential primary election and choose the municipal caucuses as our method of nomination. By not limiting the choices of our members, as would be the case under the presidential primary system, we get the most accurate representation of what our members desire since they can vote freely as they wish.
Municipal caucuses are held town by town across the state between Jan. 1 and March 19, on dates that are best for municipal caucus organizers. Votes for presidential preference are collected at the caucuses and reported to the state party.
If members do not get a chance to vote at a municipal caucus, or no municipal caucus is organized in their town, then they will get a second chance to vote at our statewide convention,  which will be held before Aug. 1. If members cannot attend the convention AND they were unable to vote at a municipal caucus,  they may submit an absentee ballot in advance of the convention by contacting the party directly.
We do not design a ballot. We allow our members to vote for whomever they wish and we accept "no nominee" as a valid option since it is provided for as an option in the GPUS rules. We recognize and count votes for candidates of any party enrollment, since GPUS rules provide for the possibility of nominating or endorsing other party candidates (albeit unlikely). Our process is an open slate where members are free to express their wishes for the GPUS nomination without limits.
At the convention,  we combine the tallies of both caucus and convention votes and apportion our delegates as closely as possible to the proportion of votes for each preference indicated. Votes for miscellaneous choices that don't each earn their own delegate apportionments are generally combined collectively into "uncommitted" delegates. 
The ultimate authority of delegate apportionment lies with the convention and in cases where the apportionment of delegates doesn't line up perfectly with the apportionment of votes,  the convention determines how to best allocate the delegates as fairly as possible.
 
2024 Candidates for Green Party of the United States Presidential Nomination
 
For more information on those candidates who are officially recognized by the Green Party of the United States as viable candidates for nomination, and candidates who are currently seeking official recognition from the national party, we encourage members to visit this link, where the national party's presidential nomination process is explained and links are provided to information about each candidate:
 
 
In summary, as of March, 2024, candidates seeking nomination and official recognition are as follows (this may change over time, so please refer to the link above for the most accurate listing):
 

Three candidates met "recognition" standards as as defined by GPUS Rules & Procedures, Article 10:

Jasmine Sherman | Jorge Zavala | Jill Stein

 

These candidates are actively seeking the Green Party nomination for president:  

Robert Cooke | Davi | Randy Toler 

 

Vote GREEN!

2021 Convention

 2021 Convention Welcome and Information Center

 

The purpose of the Maine Green Independent Party is to transform public policy
through the implementation of our 10 Key Values and be publicly visible as the

party that stands for the common good.

 

 

Welcome to the Maine Green Independent Party 2021 Annual Convention Welcome Center!

 

Table of Contents

 

Registration

Entry Fee

Preparation

Convention Program

Community Agreements / Convention Rules / Convention Officers / Guidelines on Zoom Chat 

Party Budget

Bylaws Amendments

Set Party Goals

State Committee/Officer Elections

Primary Eligibility

 

This will serve as the convention packet of materials registrants would normally receive at the registration table at an in-person convention.

 

REGISTRATION

This year's convention will be held over a two-day period. Our business will be done entirely on Sunday, May 23 from 9 AM to 4 PM. The day before, on Saturday, May 22 from 6 PM to 8 PM (possibly later) we have set aside time to allow Green Independents to socialize and interact in an informal setting, to compensate for the in-person face-to-face interactions that are lost when meeting by video conference.

Both events must be registered for separately. Only enrolled Maine Green Independents and our invited speakers may register for any convention events. All others will be able to observe the events live as they are streamed on our Facebook page.

To reduce confusion, our two events are titled differently. Register for both events if you wish to attend both. If you only wish to attend one day, please make sure you register for the correct event.

Direct Democracy Forum: Saturday, May 22 6 PM to 8 PM (possibly later).

To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvd-qvrD0vGtJ20pKY_qxRtuSWCrNHcvdL

Facebook Event: 2021 Maine Green Independent Party Convention: Direct Democracy Forum | Faceboo

We are accepting video submissions from enrolled Maine Green Independents, for presentation during the Direct Democracy Forum. Videos of five minutes or less may be forwarded to mainegreenindependent [at] gmail [dot] com by May 20.

Business Day: Sunday, May 23 9 AM to 4 PM.

To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqfuyvrTIsEtP6kwS4ZxYJYRMEEojjyNTo

Facebook Event: 2021 Maine Green Independent Party Convention: Business Day | Facebook 

Because our convention is only open to participation by enrolled Maine Green Independents, there may be a delay in processing registrations while we confirm each registrant's enrollment status. Last minute registrations may be denied if we are unable to confirm enrollment status with the voter lists available to us (updated as of April 2021). We encourage members to register immediately, even if they are still uncertain whether they can attend.

 

ENTRY FEE

This is important. Please donate a convention registration fee if you can afford to, at https://www.mainegreens.org/donate . Checks may also be mailed to Maine Green Independent Party, PO Box 10345, Portland, ME 04104.

The recommended donation is $20, but any amounts are accepted. Nobody will be denied registration for inability to pay.

Our annual convention accounts for the largest portion of our budget and your genorosity to help fund the party is appreciated.

 

PREPARING FOR CONVENTION BUSINESS

The first thing you will want to do to prepare for the May 23 business convention is to locate two emails that were sent to you at some point after you registered for the convention.

One email has your unique registration information for the Zoom conference, which was sent in a subject line titled "Maine Green Independent Party 2021 Annual Convention Confirmation."
The second email contains your unique registration information for Direct Vote Live, with a subject line titled "MGIP Convention Ballots - Do Not Forward."

Both emails will be sent again on the morning of May 23 at about 8 a.m. so that the information will be newer in your inbox.

We recommend that you first login to DirectVote Live and have your browser save the password, so that if you are logged out do to inactivity, it will be easy to log back in with a saved password.

Keep the DirectVote tab open and readily available in your browser. When necessary to vote in an election or on certain proposals, we will all be taking a few moments to go into DirectVote Live and cast our votes.

If you keep the tab available and open, so that you do not have to search for the link in your email again, the voting will be seemless and easy.

Once you have DirectVote Live set up in a browser tab, proceed to login to the Zoom conference using the unique registration information sent to you. When entering the convention, the name you entered on your registration form will be the name that is displayed during the convention.
Registrants will find themselves in a waiting room and will be allowed into the convention starting at 9 a.m.

During the registration period from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., microphones will be muted and registrants will be greeted by music, including music from local Maine Greens.

The chat board, which can be found by clicking a button titled "chat" on the Zoom screen, is where members will be communicting, socializing and providing guidance to each other on the peculiarities of using Zoom. Feel free to introduce yourself or ask any questions you may have about today's convention.

 

2021 CONVENTION PROGRAM 

9:00 Registration
9:55 Blessing by Dawn Neptune Adams

10:00 Community GuidelinesConvention Rules and Officers / Zoom Tutorial and Chat Guidelines

10:10 Welcome and introduction of officers by senior co-chair Linnea Maravell
10:15 Nominate/Elect convention secretary (1st), convention chair (2nd)
10:20 State of the Party by senior co-chair Linnea Maravell

10:25 Amend Bylaws

11:25 Set Party Goals
11:35 Approve Party Budget presented by Treasurer Allen Cooke (live stream will be discontinued for this section)

11:45 Featured Speaker: Dawn Neptune Adams

NOON: Lunch/Break

12:25 John Rensenbrink introduction of Pat LaMarche

12:30 Keynote Speaker: Pat LaMarche

1:10 Moment of Honor for Freddie Dolgon

1:20 Electoral Committee Report by Justin Beth

1:25 Green of the Year

1:30 Elect Party Co-Chair

1:50 Elect Party Secretary

2:00 Elect At-Large State Committee Members

2:20 Featured Speaker: Cheri Honkala

2:40 Maine Lavender Greens Caucus Report by Amanda Robbins Rowe

2:45 Determine Eligibility to Vote in 2022 Primary Election, presented by Justin Beth

3:15 Featured Speaker: Jill Stein

3:35 International Committee Report by Bahram Zandi

3:45 Elect Representatives to Mational and International Party Committees.

3:55 Closing Remarks by junior co-chair Jake Kulaw (soon to be senior co-chair at conclusion of convention!)

This schedule will be subject to change, including in real time during the convention proceedings.

 

 COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS

MGIP Community Agreements
● Speak with honesty, listen with humility
● We acknowledge that oppressions exist and that
not all voices carry equal weight. We strive within
our space to correct that.
● We acknowledge that inherent bias exists in each of
us and may give and receive acknowledgement of
that without offense.
● We value relationship building over being “right.”
● Assume good intentions but recognize that impact
is greater than intent.
● One Person at a time. Progressive Stack.
● Be fully present and listen.
● Build up, do not break down.
● We invest in each other’s growth.
● If you speak a lot, listen more! And if you are shy,
speak up!
● Use correct pronouns.

 

CONVENTION RULES

1. CONVENTION OFFICERS

    Convention proceedings begin by electing first a convention secretary, then a convention chairperson.

    The convention secretary will record all official decisions of the convention.
    The convention chairperson and two party co-chairs are convention facilitators.

    The convention committee may establish other convention officer positions as it deems fit. These other officers may be appointed by the committee in advance of the convention or appointed by the facilitators at the convention.

    A time keeper will keep facilitators informed of time apportionment limits.

2. FACILITATION

    Facilitators oversee a process aiming for consensus on all decisions of the convention. If consensus cannot be realized within reasonable time, facilitators may call for the decision to be made by majority vote.

    All motions for a decision require a second, except for motions made by the facilitator 'without objection.'

    A facilitator will not facilitate an election of officers when that person is a candidate for the office being elected.

    Facilitators will recognize speakers as equitably as possible to allow all people who want to speak an opportunity to do so.

    Facilitators may institute time limits for speaking when necessary.

3. ELECTIONS

    Elections that are uncontested may be decided by consensus or majority vote indicated by vocal expression or show of hands.

    Contested elections are determined by paper write-in ballot or online voting.

    Elections for one position shall be determined by majority vote using ranked choice voting when necessary, or, when online voting is unable to hande RCV, rounds of runoff voting with one candidate being removed in each round until a candidate attains majority.

    Elections with multiple candidates running for multiple seats shall be determined by ranked approval voting. Each vote for a candidate regardless of rank is an equal vote; candidates with the most total votes are elected to the number of positions open. When a tie exists for a remaining position, rank determines the winner. When online voting is unable to handle ranked voting, ties may be resolved with subsequent voting instead of rank.

    A ballot-counting committee may be appointed by the convention committee or the facilitators. Any participant of the convention may observe the counting of ballots.
OTHER CONVENTION OFFICERS FOR 2021 CONVENTION
Technical facilitator (Kelly Merrill): The technical facilitator will scan the video conference chat room and participant symbols for indicators of members wishing to be placed on stack and will communicate to convention facilitators at will and as needed of such requests. The technical facilitator may also monitor the chat and inform people if their comments are off topic or inappropriate.
Meeting technician (Alan Brown): The meeting technician will mute or unmute participants, enable or disable chat rooms, and perform other technical actions as necessary at the request of convention facilitators. 
Parliamentarian (Benjamin Meiklejohn): The parliamentarian will provide guidance and direction to convention facilitators on parliamentary process related to convention rules or when relevant, bylaws. 
 
GUIDELINES FOR ZOOM CHAT ROOM
  1. Right to disable. Convention facilitators reserve the right to disable the chat room at any time should conversation in the forum become disruptive or distracting.
  2. Stay on topic. Members are asked to use the public chat room only to discuss agenda items that are currently in process. Members may interact with each other privately but use of the public chat room should be restricted to commentary directly related to the agenda subject at hand. Members are welcome to debate and discuss the issue at hand in the chat room as much as they wish instead of requesting the floor, or if they have exhausted their available time on the floor. Just stick to the topic please!
  3. Community Guidelines. Our community guidelines apply to the chat room--be respectful and kind! Offensive/insulting commentary is not welcome!
  4. Warnings. Facilitators may notify members if they are participating in the chat room inconsistent with these guidelines. Please respect and heed warnings by facilitators. Continued refusal to abide by these guidelines may result in removal from the chat room and/or convention.
 
PARTY BUDGET
Approval of the party budget will be done in non-public session. The budget will be displayed and presented to attendees during the convention.
 
BYLAWS AMENDMENTS
The current bylaws may be viewed at https://mainegreens.org/organization/bylaws .
 There are eight bylaws amendments being proposed for approval:
 
AMENDMENT #1:
Amend Article IV, Section B. At-Large Seats, one sentence as follows:

There are five three at-large members of the state committee, elected at annual conventions for a term of … 

Amend Article IV, Section E. Meetings, one sentence as follows:

Quorum for a state committee meeting shall be either a majority of all active state committee members or a majority of the nine state committee members that comprise the executive and at-large seats.

Sponsored by Benjamin Meiklejohn

 

AMENDMENT #2:

Amend Article IV, Section E. Meetings, one sentence as follows:

Quorum for a state committee meeting shall be either a majority of all active state committee members or a majority of the nine state committee members (excluding vacant seats) that comprise the executive and at-large seats.

Sponsored by Benjamin Meiklejohn


AMENDMENT #3:
Amend Article IV, Section B. At-Large Seats, one sentence amended and one paragraph removed as follows:

There are five at-large members of the state committee, elected at annual conventions for a term of one to two years. A year term is defined as the time between two consecutive annual conventions.

After one year, at-large members with no more than three unexcused absences are entitled to a one-year renewal of their terms, which can be done by notifying the state committee at their last meeting before the convention. Only at-large members who were elected at a convention may renew their terms. Qualifying at-large members may only renew their term once, and after completing a two-year term, must stand again for election.

Sponsored by Jacqui Deveneau and Jake Kulaw

 

AMENDMENT #4:

Amend Article IV, Section G. Resignation, Removal and Replacement, one sentence removed and one paragraph added as follows:

Any state committee member may resign at any time by giving written notice to a party co-chair.

Resignations from the state committee or its sub-committees shall be effective immediately upon submission. Resignations may be submitted by email, phone, mail, verbally or any other means and shall be accepted and effective immediately upon timestamp and date stamp of the submission method.

Sponsored by Alan Brown

 

AMENDMENT #5:

Amend Article IV, Section G. Resignation, Removal and Replacement, to header renamed and paragraph added as follows: 

Article IV, Section G. Resignation, Removal, and Replacement and Inegibility

Any state committee member who has been censured, suspended or removed is ineligible to serve on the state committee for the following one-year term, including by appointment to a county seat or renewal of term.

Sponsored by Jacqui Deveneau and Jake Kulaw

 
AMENDMENT #6:
Amend Article IV, section G. Resignation, Removal and Replacement, one sentence as follows: 

Any at-large or executive member whose term has not expired, or who has not been removed for excessive absences as outlined in these bylaws, may be removed by a vote of two-thirds of the state committee upon recommendation from the ethics committee to remove as outlined in Article IV Section H, or by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at a party convention as outlined in Article V of these bylaws. 

Amend Article IV, Section H, Officers and Subcommittees, one paragraph added as follows:

The state committee will establish and maintain an ethics committee that amplifies and centers the voices of marginalized communities. The ethics committee will hold state committee members to standards of conduct and accountability established by the state committee. The ethics committee may recommend actions to the state committee, including moderation, censure, suspension or removal of members in accordance with established accountability standards

Sponsored by Jacqui Deveneau and Jake Kulaw

 
AMENDMENT #7:
Amend Article V. Conventions, one sentence removed as follows:

Setting the goals of the party, which shall be included as an addendum to these bylaws, titled, “Goals,”

Sponsored by Benjamin Meiklejohn

 
AMENDMENT #8:
Amend Article VI. Platform, one sentence as follows:

Near the end of each year term biennium leading to an even-numbered-year convention, the state committee shall review and compile position statements it made in the prior two years, and consider submitting to the convention platform positions proposals that reflect the positions taken by the state committee.

Sponsored by Benjamin Meiklejohn

 

SET PARTY GOALS

The current goals 2020-2021 goals of the Maine Green Independent Party can be found at Goals (mainegreens.org).

Proposals for goals will be received on the floor of the convention.

 

ELECTION OF STATE COMMITTEE AND PARTY OFFICERS

More information on the duties of the state committee and its officers may be found in Article IV, Sections B-D of the state party bylaws: https://mainegreens.org/organization/bylaws

Article IV, Section C, Part 1. Co-Chairs

The co-chairs shall represent the party's values, platform and positions to the public and media, organize and facilitate state committee meetings, and oversee and direct the state committee's fulfillment of duties.

Article IV, Section C, Part 2. Secretary

The secretary shall be responsible for keeping party records and archives and advising the party on communication matters. The secretary shall record vote tallies of decisions made by the state committee and executive committee, or designate another to do so.

The secretary shall be responsible for maintaining records of party officers and reporting to the secretary of state when officer changes occur.

Article IV State Committee, Section D. Duties

The state committee will manage all state-level party operations and facilitate the establishment and growth of local groups to oversee party operations in their jurisdictions.

Duties of the state committee include:

Assuring the party meets its statutory obligations to hold caucuses and conventions, maintain a minimum level of party enrollment, and fulfill all other statutory requirements,

Filing state and federal reports,

Organizing conventions and working to achieve goals set at conventions,

Recruiting candidates for state and national offices and supporting local group recruitment of candidates in county, municipal and other jurisdictions,

Maintaining a visible statewide presence, acting as the official voice of the party and taking timely positions on important issues,

Communicating and engaging with local groups about state party meetings and activities,

Administering state party assets including the party's website and state voter list,

Managing state party finances and overseeing state party fundraising efforts, and

Establishing offices and subcommittees to help the state committee fulfill all duties, and oversee the fulfillment of duties by the executive officers.

 

 PRIMARY ELIGIBILITY

Under Maine statute, qualified political parties may choose which voters are eligible to participate in that party's primary elections. If no notice is given to the secretary of state by Feb. 1 of the election year, the primary is automatically restricted to only members of that party. 

The Maine Green Independent Party is the only party in the history of Maine to willingly open participation in its primary to other voters who are not enrolled members. In 2016, 2018 and 2020, the Green Independent Party opened its primaries, allowing unenrolled voters (commonly referred to as "Independents") to participate.

Our bylaws require the convention on every odd-numbered year, to determine primary election eligibility for the following election year.

This year, both the state committee and electoral committee are recommending the convention to allow all registered voters to participate in the Green Independent Party 2022 primary election. 

 

This year's convention is dedicated to the memory and honor of Fred Dolgon.

 

fred.dolgon

 

“Freddie was a force, He was a little old man with white hair who loved to argue, but he was the sweetest person in the world. He just really cared a lot about everything. Freddie was always the person who kept us in humor. He had this amazing wit about him. He came to one of our meetings and brought this suitcase full of hats. He put on a hat and did a character. He put on another had and did a character. Everyone just loved him.” --Jacqui Deveneau

 

2022 Convention

 2022 Convention Welcome and Information Center

 nature banner

The purpose of the Maine Green Independent Party is to transform public policy
through the implementation of our 10 Key Values and be publicly visible as the

party that stands for the common good.

 

 

Welcome to the Maine Green Independent Party 2022 Annual Convention Welcome Center!

 

Our annual convention of the Maine Green Independent Party will be held Saturday June 4th as an online event using Zoom.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We previously publicized a "Save the Date" with a weekend-long convention. ALL business will be done Saturday, June 4. There will be NO convention events Friday or Sunday, as previously publicized. 
Speakers:
Pat LaMarche
Lisa Savage
Meg Osgood
Betsy Garrold
Time:
Saturday, June 4 -- 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM, 
 

 Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/2zRyD9reK

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Registration

Entry Fee

Preparation

Convention Program

Convention Rules / Convention Officers / Guidelines on Zoom Chat 

Party Budget

Set Party Goals

Platform Proposal

State Committee/Officer Elections

 

This will serve as the convention packet of materials registrants would normally receive at the registration table at an in-person convention.

 

REGISTRATION

This year's convention will be held on Saturday, June 4.  

Only enrolled Maine Green Independents and our invited speakers may register for the convention. 

WHEN REGISTERING FOR CONVENTION: Please use your legal name and address where you are registered to vote!

PLEASE ALLOW FOR UP TO 48 HOURS FOR US TO MANUALLY CONFIRM YOUR REGISTRATION. When confirmed, ,you will receive an email with the meeting link.

 

 

Maine Green Independent Party 2022 Annual Convention: Saturday, June 4 -- 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM

To registerhttps://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpduqpqDspHt1SKmU0PPd6Vd_2dJ8CcV74

Because our convention is only open to participation by enrolled Maine Green Independents, there may be a delay in processing registrations while we confirm each registrant's enrollment status. Last minute registrations may be denied if we are unable to confirm enrollment status with the voter lists available to us. We encourage members to register immediately, even if they are still uncertain whether they can attend.

 

ENTRY FEE

Please donate a convention registration fee if you can afford to, at 2022 Convention Registration Donation (mainegreens.org). Checks may also be mailed to Maine Green Independent Party, PO Box 10345, Portland, ME 04104.

The recommended donation is $20, but any amounts are accepted. Nobody will be denied registration for inability to pay.

Our annual convention accounts for the largest portion of our budget and your genorosity to help fund the party is appreciated.

 

PREPARING FOR CONVENTION BUSINESS

The first thing you will want to do to prepare for the business convention is to locate two emails that were sent to you at some point after you registered for the convention.

One email has your unique registration information for the Zoom conference, which was sent in a subject line titled "Maine Green Independent Party 2022 Annual Convention Confirmation."
The second email contains your unique registration information for Direct Vote Live, with a subject line titled "MGIP Convention Ballots - Do Not Forward."

Both emails will be sent again on the morning of June 4 at about 8 a.m. so that the information will be fresh in your inbox.

We recommend that you first login to DirectVote Live and have your browser save the password, so that if you are logged out do to inactivity, it will be easy to log back in with a saved password.

Keep the DirectVote tab open and readily available in your browser. When necessary to vote in an election or on certain proposals, we will all be taking a few moments to go into DirectVote Live and cast our votes.

If you keep the tab available and open, so that you do not have to search for the link in your email again, the voting will be seemless and easy.

Once you have DirectVote Live set up in a browser tab, proceed to login to the Zoom conference using the unique registration information sent to you. When entering the convention, the name you entered on your registration form will be the name that is displayed during the convention.
Registrants will find themselves in a waiting room and will be allowed into the convention starting at 10:30 a.m.

.

The chat board, which can be found by clicking a button titled "chat" on the Zoom screen, is where members will be communicting, socializing and providing guidance to each other on the peculiarities of using Zoom. Feel free to introduce yourself or ask any questions you may have about today's convention.

 

2022 CONVENTION PROGRAM 

 

[PLEASE NOTE: Times may shift during the course of the day. Agenda items may begin earlier or later than scheduled, depending on the convention's pace. If interested in a certain topic, be present well in advance in case it is taken up earlier than scheduled]
 
10:30 Registration
10:55 Land Acknowledgment by Jake Kulaw
11:00 Welcome/Introduction/State of the Party by co-chair Gil Harris
11:15 Nominate/Elect convention secretary (1st), convention chair (2nd) 
11:30 Convention Rules and Officers / Zoom Tutorial and Chat Guidelines
11:35 Approve Party Budget presented by Treasurer Allen Cooke
11:50 Set Party Goals
12:05 Speaker: Betsy Garrold -- Candidate for State Representative, House District 38
12:15 Speaker: Meg Osgood -- Greens Giving Back
12:30 Pass Platform
1:00  Green of the Year Award
1:15 Pat LaMarche Gives Hall of Fame Award
1:45  Keynote Speaker: Lisa Savage
2:00 Elect Party Co-Chair

2:10 Elect Party Treasurer

2:20 Elect 5 At-Large State Committee Members

2:50  Elect Representatives to national and international party committees. Report on openings on various Green Party of the United States subcommittees.
3:10  Elect County and District Committees/ County Committees to meet in breakout rooms
4:20 Closing remarks from co-chair Linnea Maravell
4:30  Adjournment

 

  

CONVENTION RULES

 

1. CONVENTION OFFICERS

Convention proceedings begin by electing first a convention secretary, then a convention chairperson.

The convention secretary will record all official decisions of the convention.
The convention chairperson and two party co-chairs are convention facilitators.

The convention committee may establish other convention officer positions as it deems fit. These other officers may be appointed by the committee in advance of the convention or appointed by the facilitators at the convention.

A time keeper will keep facilitators informed of time apportionment limits. 

 

2. FACILITATION

Facilitators oversee a process aiming for consensus on all decisions of the convention. If consensus cannot be realized within reasonable time, facilitators may call for the decision to be made by majority vote.

All motions for a decision require a second, except for motions made by the facilitator 'without objection.'

A facilitator will not facilitate an election of officers when that person is a candidate for the office being elected.

Facilitators will recognize speakers as equitably as possible to allow all people who want to speak an opportunity to do so.

Facilitators may institute time limits for speaking when necessary.

 

3. ELECTIONS

Elections that are uncontested may be decided by consensus or majority vote indicated by vocal expression or show of hands.

Contested elections are determined by paper or online write-in ballot.

Elections for one position shall be determined by majority vote using ranked choice or runoff voting when necessary.

Elections with multiple candidates running for multiple seats shall be determined by ranked or runoff approval voting. Each vote for a candidate regardless of rank is an equal vote; candidates with the most total votes are elected to the number of positions open. When a tie exists for a remaining position, rank or runoff determines the winner.

A ballot-counting committee may be appointed by the convention committee or the facilitators. Any participant of the convention may observe the counting of ballots.

If a person is unable to cast their votes using an online voting program, their vote may be counted by submitting their vote to a member of the ballot counting committee, who will then inform the facilitator to add the vote(s) to the online vote total.

OTHER CONVENTION OFFICERS FOR 2022 CONVENTION
Technical facilitators (Jake Kulaw, Alan Brown, Fred McCann): The technical facilitator will scan the video conference chat room and participant symbols for indicators of members wishing to be placed on stack and will communicate to convention facilitators at will and as needed of such requests. The technical facilitator may also monitor the chat and inform people if their comments are loff topic or inappropriate. The technical facilitator will mute or unmute participants, enable or disable chat rooms, and perform other technical actions as necessary at the request of convention facilitators. 
Parliamentarian (Benjamin Meiklejohn): The parliamentarian will provide guidance and direction to convention facilitators on parliamentary process related to convention rules or when relevant, bylaws. 
 
GUIDELINES FOR ZOOM CHAT ROOM
  1. Right to disable. Convention facilitators reserve the right to disable the chat room at any time should conversation in the forum become disruptive or distracting.
  2. Stay on topic. Members are asked to use the public chat room only to discuss agenda items that are currently in process. Members may interact with each other privately but use of the public chat room should be restricted to commentary directly related to the agenda subject at hand. Members are welcome to debate and discuss the issue at hand in the chat room as much as they wish instead of requesting the floor, or if they have exhausted their available time on the floor. Just stick to the topic please!
  3. Community Guidelines. Our community guidelines apply to the chat room--be respectful and kind! Offensive/insulting commentary not welcome!
  4. Warnings. Facilitators may notify members if they are participating in the chat room inconsistent with these guidelines. Please respect and heed warnings by facilitators. Continued refusal to abide by these guidelines may result in removal from the chat room and/or convention.
 
PARTY BUDGET
The budget will be displayed and presented to attendees during the convention.
 
 

SET PARTY GOALS

The state committee will forward a proposal for goals to be approved by the convention. The state committee's proposed goals are as follows:

 

1. Rebuild and support municipal and county party infrastructure by increasing the number and activity of municipal and county committees.

2. Increase candidate recruitment efforts, with a target to increase the number of candidates for municipal or state office in every county.

3. Expand signature eligibility requirements for Maine Green Independent candidates, through legislative or legal actions.

4. Pursue utilizing ranked choice voting in all elections in Maine.

 

 PLATFORM PROPOSAL

 

 The state committee has taken several political positions in the time since the party passed the 2020 platform. The state committee proposes adding the following three amendments to complete our 2022 platform:

 

Under Education plank:

[The MGIP is committed to ....]

 

Opposing legisltation that bans transgender students from participating in interscholastic sports in Maine's public schools and universities, including intramural sports.

 

Under Energy plank:
[The MGIP will pursue...]


Development of publicly-owned infrastructure for energy delivery.

 

Under Agriculture plank:
[To that end we propose...]


Supporting and defending Maine's constitutional right to food.

 

ELECTION OF STATE COMMITTEE AND PARTY OFFICERS

More information on the duties of the state committee and its officers may be found in Article IV, Sections B-D of the state party bylaws: https://mainegreens.org/organization/bylaws

 

Article IV, Section C, Part 1. Co-Chairs

The co-chairs shall represent the party's values, platform and positions to the public and media, organize and facilitate state committee meetings, and oversee and direct the state committee's fulfillment of duties.

 

Article IV, Section C, Part 3. Treasurer

The treasurer shall be responsible for keeping records of party finances including expenditures and revenue sources, reporting financial disclosures to state and federal entities as necessary, and advising the party on financial matters. The treasurer shall expend party finances only as authorized by the state committee or executive committee.

The treasurer shall ensure that expenditures are made in accordance with an approved budget, will inform the state committee when budget lines are nearing their maximum expenditure levels, and advise the state committee when it is necessary to amend the budget.

The treasurer may forward nominations for any state party offices or subcommittees relating to finances, including but not limited to positions related to budget development and fundraising.

The treasurer may nominate a financial officer for appointment by the state committee, to help the treasurer fulfill the financial requirements of these bylaws.

The treasurer shall oversee the development of a budget to be proposed for approval at the annual convention. The state committee may finalize the proposed budget or authorize the treasurer or a standing subcommittee to finalize the proposed budget.

 

Article IV State Committee, Section D. Duties

The state committee will manage all state-level party operations and facilitate the establishment and growth of local groups to oversee party operations in their jurisdictions.

Duties of the state committee include:

Assuring the party meets its statutory obligations to hold caucuses and conventions, maintain a minimum level of party enrollment, and fulfill all other statutory requirements,

Filing state and federal reports,

Organizing conventions and working to achieve goals set at conventions,

Recruiting candidates for state and national offices and supporting local group recruitment of candidates in county, municipal and other jurisdictions,

Maintaining a visible statewide presence, acting as the official voice of the party and taking timely positions on important issues,

Communicating and engaging with local groups about state party meetings and activities,

Administering state party assets including the party's website and state voter list,

Managing state party finances and overseeing state party fundraising efforts, and

Establishing offices and subcommittees to help the state committee fulfill all duties, and oversee the fulfillment of duties by the executive officers.

 

 

conventionsolo2022 

 

2023 Convention

2023 Convention Welcome and Information Center

thumbnail convention2023 qr 

The purpose of the Maine Green Independent Party is to transform public policy
through the implementation of our 10 Key Values and be publicly visible as the

party that stands for the common good.

 

 

Welcome to the Maine Green Independent Party 2023 Annual Convention Welcome Center!

 

Our annual convention of the Maine Green Independent Party will be held Sunday May 7th as an online event using Zoom.

Time:
Sunday May 7 -- 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
 
This year's convention is held in loving memory of our late founding father John Rensenbrink, who spent his life dedicated to advancing our party and values.
 
rensenbrink
John Rensenbrink, 1928-2022 
 

 Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1412635269509742

 

Table of Contents

 

Registration

Entry Fee

Preparation

Convention Program

Convention Rules / Convention Officers / Guidelines on Zoom Chat 

Party Budget

Set Party Goals

State Committee/Officer Elections

Fundraiser

 

This will serve as the convention packet of materials registrants would normally receive at the registration table at an in-person convention.

 

REGISTRATION

This year's convention will be held on Sunday, May 7.  

Only enrolled Maine Green Independents and our invited speakers may register for the convention. 

WHEN REGISTERING FOR CONVENTION: Please use your LEGAL NAME and ADDRESS where you are REGISTERED TO VOTE, even if you go by another name or live at a different address! Failure to do so may result in delay or denial of your registration. 

PLEASE ALLOW FOR UP TO 48 HOURS FOR US TO MANUALLY CONFIRM YOUR REGISTRATION. When confirmed, ,you will receive an email with the meeting link.

 

Maine Green Independent Party 2023 Annual Convention: 

To register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uGKj-nocRa2zzfvEqipJ-Q

 

Because our convention is only open to participation by enrolled Maine Green Independents, there may be a delay in processing registrations while we confirm each registrant's enrollment status. Last minute registrations may be denied if we are unable to confirm enrollment status with the voter lists available to us. We encourage members to register immediately, even if they are still uncertain whether they can attend.

 

ENTRY FEE

Please donate a convention registration fee if you can afford to, at 2023 Convention Registration Donation (mainegreens.org).

Checks may also be mailed to Maine Green Independent Party, PO Box 10345, Portland, ME 04104.

The recommended donation is $20, but any amounts are accepted. Nobody will be denied registration for inability to pay.

Our annual convention accounts for the largest portion of our budget and your genorosity to help fund the party is appreciated.

 

PREPARING FOR CONVENTION BUSINESS

The first thing you will want to do to prepare for the convention is to locate two emails that were sent to you at some point after you registered for the convention.

One email has your unique registration information for the Zoom conference, which was sent in a subject line titled "CONFIRMATION: You have been registered for the Maine Green Independent Party 2023 Annual Convention!"
The second email contains your unique registration information for Direct Vote Live, with a subject line titled "Direct Vote Live Login Info for 2023 MGIP Convention - DO NOT FORWARD"

Both emails will be sent again on the morning of May 7 at about 11 a.m. so that the information will be fresh in your inbox.

We recommend that you first login to Direct Vote Live and have your browser save the password, so that if you are logged out do to inactivity, it will be easy to log back in with a saved password.

Keep the DirectVote tab open and readily available in your browser. When necessary to vote in an election or on certain proposals, we will all be taking a few moments to go into DirectVote Live and cast our votes.

If you keep the tab available and open, so that you do not have to search for the link in your email again, the voting will be seemless and easy.

Once you have DirectVote Live set up in a browser tab, proceed to login to the Zoom conference using the unique registration information sent to you. When entering the convention, the name you entered on your registration form will be the name that is displayed during the convention.
Registrants will find themselves in a waiting room and will be allowed into the convention starting at 11:30 a.m.

.

The chat board, which can be found by clicking a button titled "chat" on the Zoom screen, is where members will be communicting, socializing and providing guidance to each other on the peculiarities of using Zoom. Feel free to introduce yourself or ask any questions you may have about today's convention.

 

 It will also help to keep the Convention Welcome Center and Information page open on a separate browser so you can follow along with the agenda and have all the relevant information for each agenda item readily available.

 

 

CONVENTION PROGRAM 

 

This is a tentative program schedule that is subject to change by the convention chair as necessary. 

Noon to 3:15 (may go to 4 if needed)

 
12:00 Blessing/Land Acknowledgment - Dawn Neptune Adams
12:05 Convention Rules / Zoom Guidelines / Using Direct Vote Live
12:20 Welcome/Introduction/State of the Party - Co-Chair Lyn Maravell
12:25 elect convention secretary
12:30 elect convention chair
12:40 elect party co-chair
12:55 elect party secretary
1:10   John Rensenbrink Memorial
1:25   elect state committee
1:55   Maine Green of the Year
2:05   elect GPUS and IC delegates
2:30   approve party budget -Treasurer Alan Brown
2:50   approve party goals

3:10   closing remarks - Co-Chair Fred McCann

 

  

CONVENTION RULES

 

1. CONVENTION OFFICERS

Convention proceedings begin by electing first a convention secretary, then a convention chairperson.

The convention secretary will record all official decisions of the convention.
The convention chairperson and two party co-chairs are convention facilitators.

The convention committee may establish other convention officer positions as it deems fit. These other officers may be appointed by the committee in advance of the convention or appointed by the facilitators at the convention.

A time keeper will keep facilitators informed of time apportionment limits. 

 

2. FACILITATION

Facilitators oversee a process aiming for consensus on all decisions of the convention. If consensus cannot be realized within reasonable time, facilitators may call for the decision to be made by majority vote.

All motions for a decision require a second, except for motions made by the facilitator 'without objection.'

A facilitator will not facilitate an election of officers when that person is a candidate for the office being elected.

Facilitators will recognize speakers as equitably as possible to allow all people who want to speak an opportunity to do so.

Facilitators may institute time limits for speaking when necessary.

 

3. ELECTIONS

Elections that are uncontested may be decided by consensus or majority vote indicated by vocal expression or show of hands.

Contested elections are determined by paper or online write-in ballot.

Elections for one position shall be determined by majority vote using ranked choice or runoff voting when necessary.

Elections with multiple candidates running for multiple seats shall be determined by ranked or runoff approval voting. Each vote for a candidate regardless of rank is an equal vote; candidates with the most total votes are elected to the number of positions open. When a tie exists for a remaining position, rank or runoff determines the winner.

A ballot-counting committee may be appointed by the convention committee or the facilitators. Any participant of the convention may observe the counting of ballots.

If a person is unable to cast their votes using an online voting program, their vote may be counted by submitting their vote to a member of the ballot counting committee, who will then inform the facilitator to add the vote(s) to the online vote total.

 

OTHER CONVENTION OFFICERS FOR 2023 CONVENTION
INFO WILL BE POSTED WHEN REGISTRATION OPENS
 
GUIDELINES FOR ZOOM CHAT ROOM
  1. Right to disable. Convention facilitators reserve the right to disable the chat room at any time should conversation in the forum become disruptive or distracting.
  2. Stay on topic. Members are asked to use the public chat room only to discuss agenda items that are currently in process. Members may interact with each other privately but use of the public chat room should be restricted to commentary directly related to the agenda subject at hand. Members are welcome to debate and discuss the issue at hand in the chat room as much as they wish instead of requesting the floor, or if they have exhausted their available time on the floor. Just stick to the topic please!
  3. Community Guidelines. Our community guidelines apply to the chat room--be respectful and kind! Offensive/insulting commentary not welcome!
  4. Warnings. Facilitators may notify members if they are participating in the chat room inconsistent with these guidelines. Please respect and heed warnings by facilitators. Continued refusal to abide by these guidelines may result in removal from the chat room and/or convention.
 
PARTY BUDGET
The budget will be displayed and presented to attendees during the convention.
 
 

SET PARTY GOALS

The state committee is forwarding the following goals proposal to the convention for approval:

 

The goals of the Maine Green Independent Party for 2023-2024 shall be to:

  1.  Rebuild and support municipal and county party infrastructure by increasing the number and activity of municipal and county committees.
  2.  Increase candidate recruitment efforts, with a target to increase the number of candidates for municipal or state office in every county.
  3.  Expand signature eligibility requirements for Maine Green Independent candidates, through legislative or legal actions.
  4.  Pursue utilizing ranked choice voting in all elections in Maine.

 

 

ELECTION OF STATE COMMITTEE AND PARTY OFFICERS

More information on the duties of the state committee and its officers may be found in Article IV, Sections B-D of the state party bylaws: https://mainegreens.org/organization/bylaws

 

This year, we are electing a co-chair, secretary and five at-large state committee members.

 

Article IV, Section C, Part 1. Co-Chairs

The co-chairs shall represent the party's values, platform and positions to the public and media, organize and facilitate state committee meetings, and oversee and direct the state committee's fulfillment of duties.

 

Article IV, Section C, Part 2. Secretary

The secretary shall be responsible for keeping party records and archives and advising the party on communication matters. The secretary shall record vote tallies of decisions made by the state committee and executive committee, or designate another to do so.

The secretary shall be responsible for maintaining records of party officers and reporting to the secretary of state when officer changes occur.

The secretary will keep records of the active or inactive statuses of state committee members as outlined in these bylaws, and compile and archive any minutes or bylaws of other party committees that have been submitted to the state committee in accordance with these bylaws. The secretary will work to make sure that all state party documents such as bylaws, the platform and other records are accurate and up-to-date.

The secretary may nominate individuals for state party offices or subcommittees relating to communication or record-keeping, including but not limited to positions related to website development, database management, media relations, correspondence, or maintenance of party records and archives.

 

Article IV, Section B. At-Large Seats

There are five at-large members of the state committee, elected at annual conventions for a term of one year. A year term is defined as the time between two consecutive annual conventions.

 

Article IV State Committee, Section D. Duties

The state committee will manage all state-level party operations and facilitate the establishment and growth of local groups to oversee party operations in their jurisdictions.

Duties of the state committee include:

Assuring the party meets its statutory obligations to hold caucuses and conventions, maintain a minimum level of party enrollment, and fulfill all other statutory requirements,

Filing state and federal reports,

Organizing conventions and working to achieve goals set at conventions,

Recruiting candidates for state and national offices and supporting local group recruitment of candidates in county, municipal and other jurisdictions,

Maintaining a visible statewide presence, acting as the official voice of the party and taking timely positions on important issues,

Communicating and engaging with local groups about state party meetings and activities,

Administering state party assets including the party's website and state voter list,

Managing state party finances and overseeing state party fundraising efforts, and

Establishing offices and subcommittees to help the state committee fulfill all duties, and oversee the fulfillment of duties by the executive officers.

 

 

 FUNDRAISER

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #1 "Untouched" 16×20

1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714781720

 

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #2 "The Love of Flowers" 12×12

2
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714811108

 

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #3 "Renewal" 9×12

3
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714826439

 

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #4 "The Tree" 8x10

4
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714816363

 

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #5 "In Bloom" 8×10

5

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714818640

 

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #6 "Veins of Gold" 8×10

6
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714829719

 

 

Art by Niomi Larrivee, Maine Greens Series, #7 "Chaos" 8x10

7
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714830676

 

 

Art by Lyn Maravell, Maine Greens Series, #8 "Dandelion" 7x5 drypoint watercolor

8
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175715851525

2020 Convention

 

 

The purpose of the Maine Green Independent Party is to transform public policy
through the implementation of our 10 Key Values and be publicly visible as the

party that stands for the common good.

 

Welcome to the Maine Green Independent Party 2020 Annual Convention Welcome Center!

 

Table of Contents

Preparation

Convention Program

Convention Rules

Party Budget

Bylaws Amendment

2020 Platform Passage

Set Party Goals

State Committee/Officer Elections

Legislative Candidates

Endorsement of Lisa Savage for U.S. Senate

Presidential Nomination/Election of Delegates to National Convention

County Committees

District Committees

 

This will serve as the convention packet of materials registrants would normally receive at the registration table at an in-person convention.

 

PREPARING FOR TODAY'S CONVENTION

 

The first thing you will want to do to prepare for today's convention is to locate two emails that were sent to you at some point after you registered for the convention.

One email has your unique registration information for the Zoom conference, which was sent in a subject line titled "Maine Green Independent Party 2020 Annual Convention Confirmation."
The second email contains your unique registration information for Direct Vote Live, with a subject line titled "MGIP Convention Presidential Ballot - Do Not Forward."

Both emails will be sent again in the morning at about 8 a.m. so that the information will be newer in your inbox.

We recommend that you first login to DirectVote Live and have your browser save the password, so that if you are logged out do to inactivity, it will be easy to log back in with a saved password.

Keep the DirectVote tab open and readily available in your browser. When necessary to vote in an election, we will all be taking a few moments to go into DirectVote Live and cast our votes.

If you keep the tab available and open, so that you do not have to search for the link in your email again, the voting will be seemless and easy.

Once you have DirectVote Live set up in a browser tab, proceed to login to the Zoom conference using the unique registration information sent to you. When entering the convention, the name you entered on your registration form will be the name that is displayed during the convention.
Registrants will find themselves in a waiting room and will be allowed into the convention starting at 9 a.m.

During the registration period from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., microphones will be muted and registrants will be greeted by music, including music from local Maine Greens.

The chat board, which can be found by clicking a button titled "chat" on the Zoom screen, is where members will be communicting, socializing and providing guidance to each other on the peculiarities of using Zoom. Feel free to introduce yourself or ask any questions you may have about today's convention.

 

2020 Maine Green Independent Party Annual Convention Program

 

9:00 Registration
9:55 Blessing Dawn Neptune Adams
10:00 Nominate/Elect convention secretary (1st), convention chair (2nd)
10:10 Convention Rules and Guidelines / Zoom Tutorial
10:15 Welcome and introduction by senior co-chair Niomi Larrivee
10:30 Approve Party Budget, presented by Treasurer Allen Cooke
10:45 Amend Bylaws, Pass 2020 Platform, Set Goals
11:15 Speaker: John Rensenbrink
11:25 Elect Party Co-Chair
11:35 Elect Party Treasurer
11:45 Elect 5 At-Large State Committee Members
12:15 Speaker: Jake Kulaw of the Maine Lavender Greens
12:20 A Word from Our Legislative Candidates
12:35 Endorsement of Lisa Savage for U.S. Senate
1:00 Green of the Year Awards
1:10 Video Presentations from Presidential Candidates
1:30 Vote on Presidential Nomination
2:00 Speaker: Anna Trevorrow
2:10 Elect representatives to national and international party committees. Report on openings on various Green Party of the United States subcommittees.
2:30 Elect 12 delegates to GPUS national convention in proportion to presidential nomination votes
3:00 Elect four party electors (2 at-large, 1 from each Congressional district) [Ben]
3:10 Elect County and District Committees
3:30 Speaker: Closing remarks from co-chair Linnea Maravell
3:45 EXTRA TIME / SOCIAL TIME / ORGANIZING TIME

 

CONVENTION RULES

1. CONVENTION OFFICERS

    Convention proceedings begin by electing first a convention secretary, then a convention chairperson.

    The convention secretary will record all official decisions of the convention.
 
    The convention chairperson and two party co-chairs are convention facilitators.

    The convention committee may establish other convention officer positions as it deems fit. These other officers may be appointed by the committee in advance of the convention or appointed by the facilitators at the convention.

    A time keeper will keep facilitators informed of time apportionment limits.

2. FACILITATION

    Facilitators oversee a process aiming for consensus on all decisions of the convention. If consensus cannot be realized within reasonable time, facilitators may call for the decision to be made by majority vote.

    All motions for a decision require a second, except for motions made by the facilitator 'without objection.'

    A facilitator will not facilitate an election of officers when that person is a candidate for the office being elected.

    Facilitators will recognize speakers as equitably as possible to allow all people who want to speak an opportunity to do so.

    Facilitators may institute time limits for speaking when necessary.

3. ELECTIONS

    Elections that are uncontested may be decided by consensus or majority vote indicated by vocal expression or show of hands.

    Contested elections are determined by paper write-in ballot or online voting.

    Elections for one position shall be determined by majority vote using ranked choice voting when necessary, or, when online voting is unable to hande RCV, rounds of runoff voting with one candidate being removed in each round until a candidate attains majority.

    Elections with multiple candidates running for multiple seats shall be determined by ranked approval voting. Each vote for a candidate regardless of rank is an equal vote; candidates with the most total votes are elected to the number of positions open. When a tie exists for a remaining position, rank determines the winner. When online voting is unable to handle ranked voting, ties may be resolved with subsequent voting instead of rank.

    A ballot-counting committee may be appointed by the convention committee or the facilitators. Any participant of the convention may observe the counting of ballots.
 
PARTY BUDGET
 
Approval of the party budget will be done in executive session. The budget will be displayed and presented during the convention.
 
BYLAWS AMENDMENT
 
The current bylaws may be viewed at https://mainegreens.org/organization/bylaws .
 
 There is only one amendment proposed this year, changing Article III to explicitly include caucus groups alongside local groups as part of the state party's operating structure:
 

Article III. Local and Caucus Groups

 

Members of the party meeting a minimum of four times annually shall be considered a local group or caucus of the party. The local group officers may communicate local concerns, questions, proposals, etc. of the group to the state committee, as well as relay information from the state committee to the group.  ....

 

Article III, Section C. Access and Notice

 

Any municipal or county committee or otherwise qualifying local group may propose items to the state committee for consideration of action.

 

The state committee shall provide notice, agenda and minutes of its meetings to any municipal or county committee or other qualifying local group. The state committee will keep the committees and groups informed of its actions and pose questions to them, via each local group's officers or designated contacts who have email addresses.

 
PASSAGE OF 2020 PLATFORM
 
The current platform may be viewed at https://mainegreens.org/about/platform .
 
The 2020 platform of the Maine Green Independent Party is proposed with some edits to reduce duplication, remove outdated policy proposals and to add opposition to the Central Maine Power corridor and support for Ranked Choice Voting into the platform.
 
The 2020 platform of the Maine Green Independent in its entirety, as proposed:
 

The Platform of the Maine Green Independent Party envisions a future based on the Ten Key Values of the Green movement.

Our vision focuses on a peaceful and prosperous community life characterized by values-based grassroots democracy, equal treatment and access for all people, environmental and economic sustainability, fulfilling and gainful work and leisure, and interdependence of individuals and their environment.

This platform is an evolving document, originally envisioned by the Maine Green Party of 1996. The party shall use this document to develop strategies and policies for moving our values forward.

This 2020 platform of the Maine Green Independent Party sets forth our vision of a new democracy, one which recognizes ecological balance as a priority for the betterment of humanity.

As an affiliated member of the Green Party of the United States, we endorse the national platform as our own, offering this state platform as a specific green vision for the State of Maine. This platform focuses on state issues, deferring to the national platform on issues of national scope. The Maine Green Independent Party reserves the right to differ on particulars of the national platform, and will note such differences if they should occur.

Ten Key Values


Community-based Economics
Decentralization
Ecological Wisdom
Feminism and Gender Equality
Future Focus and Sustainability
Grassroots Democracy
Non-Violence
Personal and Global Responsibility
Respect for Diversity
Social Justice and Opportunity

The Maine Green Independent Party seeks to achieve:

A basic income
Jobs with living wages
Equitable pay for men and women
Health care and housing as human rights
Universal Childcare
Accessible regional/statewide energy-efficient public transportation systems
Nurturing care and stewardship of the environment and natural resource

 

Plank on Economic Development

 

The Maine Green Independent Party realizes that international trade agreements place corporate greed above human needs. We oppose agreements that do not enshrine environmental, labor, and human rights above profits or the rights of corporations. Economic measurements must include pollution and the depletion of resources into the full accounting of production costs.

If elected, Maine Green Independents will pursue:

Regional economic self-sufficiency
A state bank to hold all deposit dollars of Maine agencies.
Prevention of monopolistic practices and price gouging in essential markets such as heating oil, electricity, and gasoline.
Tax and incentive policies that reward businesses that provide living wages and employ sustainable resource practices.
Creation and retrofitting of industries that create jobs, spare the environment or save energy.
Tax penalties for businesses that create unsafe work places, low wages or increased automation that reduces jobs.
Safe, healthy living and working conditions for migrant laborers.
Employee buy-out and ownership of businesses.
Economic development and tax codes that favor Maine-owned and based businesses and self-employed persons.
Tax penalties for pollution and resource depletion.
Use of renewable and non-polluting heating systems and fuels.
Supporting community based cooperatives including agricultural ventures and daycare centers.
Rural economic development through production and consumption of locally produced organic food and products.
Hemp-based and other alternative-fiber industries; incentivizing the retrofitting and opening of closed paper mills to manufacture alternative-fiber products for an emerging eco-market.
Incentives to convert abandoned farms to produce fibers to supply a transitioning paper industry.
Development of rail and other transportation alternatives to car and truck use.
Purchase of equipment and materials whenever possible from within state of Maine.

 

Plank on Political Democracy

 

The Maine Green Independent Party believes that grassroots democracy is the best way to organize a civil and just society. We want:

The US Constitution amended to declare that money is not free speech and corporations are not people.
An end to corporate dominance and influence in politics.
A multiplicity of political parties in Maine.
Greater civic participation, especially among women and minorities.
A diverse legislature including women proportionate to their percentage in the population.

If elected, Maine Green Independents will pursue:

Appointing or electing women in leadership roles
Ranked choice voting for all statewide elections
Banning PAC, corporate and "soft" party contributions to all political campaigns in Maine.
Campaign spending limits.
Protecting the Maine Clean Elections law.
Easier ballot access
Protecting the referendum process.
Election Day in November as a state holiday.
Ratifying a U.S. constitutional amendment to allow national citizen initiatives and referendums.
Prohibiting contributions to initiative and referendum campaigns from entities that are not natural persons.
Amending the Maine Constitution to lower the voting age to seventeen.

 

Plank on Education

 

We expect public education to provide the following to all:

A learning environment free of corporate and military advertising.
Awareness of the individual's inherent rights as residents of the state, country and world.
Skills to use the tools and resources required to function in modern society.
Knowledge about the laws that govern communities.
Freedom to explore areas of interest.
A connection to the larger community.
A sense of personal, social and global responsibility.

The Maine Green Independent Party is committed to:

Alternative healthy eating options in public schools, including vegetarian/vegan, organic and locally grown foods.
Curricula and instruction equal to today's complex challenges.
Putting language on mandatory emergency cards to allow students and parents to opt-out from their contact information being provided to U.S. military forces.
Universal access and equity of education opportunity in a lifelong context.
Detracking school systems; ending the sorting of students based on perceived ability, which results in learners segregated by class and race.
Organizing schools as democratic educational institutions where students, teachers, administrators, parents, and the community, share responsibility.
Ending high stakes testing; funding schools based on need.
Community-based decision-making with neighborhood involvement.
Safe and healthy learning environments.
Universal access to state public post-secondary institutions for Maine residents.
Awareness in schools about gender-based societal pressures and their effects upon individuals.
Equitable distribution of public funds among public schools.
55% or more of the cost of elementary and secondary public education to be funded by the state.
Elementary school foreign language education.
Institute diversity, civil rights, and conflict resolution programs at all levels in grades K-12.

 

Plank on Health

 

The Maine Green Independent Party believes that the health of all people is both a personal and community responsibility. Human health is affected by our physical environment and personal behavior. It is the community's responsibility to support health maintenance for all and promote healthy behavioral patterns and preventative health practices. If elected, Maine Green Independents will pursue:

A state-funded single payer health care system with comprehensive healthcare for all, including vision, hearing, mental and dental health, regardless of ability to pay.
Financial support for public health, with an emphasis on community-based and preventive health care.
Eliminating toxins emissions and pollution.
Nutrition education.
Elimination of herbicide use.
Access to medical marijuana.
Dental services in rural areas.
A woman's right to choose whether or not to have an abortion; the availability of free abortion services.
Access to a broad range of services and complimentary therapies.
Supporting the training and services of alternative health care practitioners.
Individual access to regular monitoring of health, especially for individuals in high risk groups.
Mandatory labeling of all foods that have been genetically-engineered, irradiated, or to which chemical pesticides have been applied.
Access to prescription drugs, regardless of ability to pay.
Funding research into cause, prevention and treatment of disease, including the ways by which toxic chemicals cause disease.
The right to death with dignity.
Making Narcan and Narcan administration training freely available to save lives
Legalization of all drugs; making addiction treatment freely available without cost at point of service.
Free and comprehensive elder care services, including nursing care, death and dying counseling, physical and occupational therapies, orthotic care, and medical equipment and assistive devices

 

Plank on Energy

 

The Maine Green Independent Party believes in energy use that does not waste resources or cause environmental harm. In a world of finite natural resources, we cannot consume them without regard for conservation and sustainability. Individuals, communities, government and industry share the responsibility for making these changes. We believe in a no-waste policy of energy production and use. If elected, Maine Green Independents will pursue:

Preventing the construction of the Central Maine Power transmission line through the state from Canada to Massachusetts.
Standards for energy efficient buildings and appliance technology in new construction and retrofitting.
Primary reliance on renewable energy use in all public buildings.
Replacing the state fleet and public transport with hybrid, electric or fuel-efficient vehicles.
Incentives for homeowners and businesses who follow energy conservation practices and invest in new and retrofitted use of renewable energy sources.
Incentives for the purchase and use of fuel-efficient and fossil-fuel alternative vehicles.
Use of non-toxic materials, natural lighting in commercial and public buildings, and siting for optimum solar gain.
Alternative energy technologies, including active and passive solar, hydrogen, wind, low-head hydropower, alcohol, tidal, geothermal, bio-energy, methane and fuel cells.
Municipal access to Gulf of Maine wind energy turbines,
Ending subsidies for fossil fuel use and production.
Research efforts for increased efficiencies in wood and fossil fuel burning technologies.
Public transportation development and accessible and strategically arranged bike and walking paths.
Zero pollution, a healing ecosystem and clean and efficient renewable energy.

Plank on Natura Resources

 

The Maine Green Independent Party believes we must reassert our authority over what is allowed into our air and water. No individuals or companies should be allowed to destroy and poison our natural resources for any form or gain. We encourage stewardship of the Earth. The Maine Green Independent Party believes the following actions must be taken:

Eliminate toxic chemical emissions and solid waste pollution.
Develop ZERO TOXIC EMISSIONS for all businesses and forms of transportation.
Eliminate the production and use of pesticides.
Recycle all recyclable materials including batteries, compost all compostables, and forbid the importation of radioactive waste.
Manage wildlife and plant species based on biodiversity and the overall health of Maine's woods and waters, not on the pressures of special interests.
Phase out dragging, drift-netting and gill-netting.
Conserve and protect common fish-breeding and fishing grounds from coastal development.
Encourage training and hiring of out-of-work fisherman to patrol our shores and inland waterways for sources of pollution and illegal fishing.
Require accountable waste disposal from contained salmon farms.
Encourage sustainable, labor-intensive and chemical-free forestry practices.
Recognize Maine's offshore marine environment as a precious and threatened natural resource, and consider the risks imposed upon it by human development.
Publicly purchase available lands for the purpose of conserving it in perpetuity as an undeveloped natural resource.
Create a Maine Woods National Park and expand eco-tourism opportunities throughout the state.
Protect and conserve Maine's groundwater resources; regulate for-profit water extraction to prevent unsustainable depletion of groundwater.
Support access to clean water as a human right; support democratic control over decision-making on water control by local officials.
End all non-sustainable forest practices.

Plank on Sustainable Agriculture

 

The Maine Green Independent Party believes in supporting the use of locally grown food and supporting those small family farmers who provide us with this basic necessity of life. To that end we propose:

Supporting small family farms and eliminating bureaucratic paper work whenever possible.
Developing financial incentives to support the transition of farms from traditional farming to organic agriculture.
Legislating high end Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Markedly reducing the use of pesticides with mandated sales reports from the State Board of Pesticide Control.
Regulation and notification regarding the use of pesticides inside buildings, especially in rental properties and public buildings.
Outlawing the labeling of toxic industrial waste as "fertilizer"; authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to craft regulations on this subject.
Right-to-know labeling for all GMO containing food.
Banning persistent herbicides in fertilizer and compost.
Legislating a better system for chain of custody of those components of commercial compost.
Promoting agricultural diversification.

Plank on Social Justice

 

The Maine Green Independent Party believes in the equitable, respectful, and humane treatment of all people. The following actions must be taken:


Ensure meaningful access to the courts for low-income individuals; increase the availability of free and affordable legal representation, advice, and information materials.
Improve the response to child abuse and overhaul the foster care system.
Continue to oppose the death penalty in Maine.
Eliminate racial profiling.
Strengthen and enforce laws against hate crimes of all types, domestic violence and child abuse.
Create support systems that provide basic needs to the people of Maine.
Oppose prejudice and discrimination in all its forms and increase the awareness of, and sensitivity to, differences among people.
End discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities.
Support the sovereignty of the indigenous people of Maine, including the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy Nations and work with them to provide viable, cooperative economic ventures.
Advocate for the demilitarization of police and the implementation of citizen review or democratic oversight of police forces.
Support community policing and rapid response social work programs to replace traditional police use wherever possible.
Oppose the use of state National Guard forces being used in illegal foreign military operations according to international law, so that they can be available for emergencies.
Oppose the use of state National Guard forces being used against citizens exercising peaceful protests and freedom of assembly.

 

SET PARTY GOALS

 

The goals of the Maine Green Independent Party for 2020-2021 shall be to:

1. Support the development of municipal and county groups that will be equipped to recruit and support candidates, advocate for issues and be visible in their communities.

2. Recruit and support candidates for U.S. Senate and/or U.S. Congress, State Legislature and local offices, and inform membership on all the party's candidates.

 

ELECTION OF STATE COMMITTEE AND PARTY OFFICERS

 

For more information on the duties of the state committee and its officers, please review Article IV, particularly Sections B-D of the state party bylaws: https://mainegreens.org/organization/bylaws

 

LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES

 

Further information and links about our candidates may be found at https://mainegreens.org/elect/candidates .

 

ENDORSEMENT OF LISA SAVAGE FOR U.S. SENATE

 

Further information about the Lisa for Maine campaign may be found at https://www.lisaformaine.org/ .

 

PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION

 

The votes entered at our municipal caucuses earlier in the year and the votes made at this convention will be combined into a total that will be used to determine how many of Maine's 12 nationalo convention delegates will be awarded to certain candidates, no nominee or unpledged.

Every 8.33% of the total vote is equal to one delegate.

Our page on the presidential nomination will provide you with all the necessary links to learn more about the candidates: https://mainegreens.org/organization/caucuses/203-2020-presidential-nomination .

 

The tally from caucuses is as follows:

 

Howie Hawkins, 12

Dario Hunter, 25

Kent Mesplay, 1

No nominee, 10

 

The overall percentages to each candidate will be adjusted when convention votes are added to the tally.

 

COUNTY COMMITTEES

 

County committees for each of Maine's 16 counties are elected at this year's convention from nominations made at caucuses and nominations made on the convention floor.

 

Committees may be formed for counties with at least two nominations. Nominations from the convention floor will help us to fill vacancies. When there are less than two nominations in a county, forming a county committee will be deferred to the state committee for future action. Once county committees are formed, that committee may appoint additional members as it wishes.

 

The current standing nominations made from this caucuses earlier in the year are as follows:

 

Androscoggin

Andrea Winn, Mechanic Falls

(one more nomination needed)

 

Aroostook

Henry Bear, Houlton

Gwydion Griffith, Houlton

 

Cumberland

(at least two nominations needed)

 

Franklin

James Mitchell, Kingfield

(one more nomination needed)

 

Hancock

Cathy Kozaryn, Ellsworth

Benjamin Meiklejohn, Mount Desert

 

Kennebec

Lori Beaulieu, Fayette

David Dowdy, Fayette

Joseph Young, Fayette

 

Knox

(two nominations needed)

 

Lincoln

(two nominations needed)

 

Oxford

Peter Zack, Porter

(one more nomination needed)

 

Penobscot

(two nominations needed)

 

Piscataquis

Jaco Deertrack, Abbot

Samuel Swenson, Sangerville

 

Sagadahoc

(two nominations needed)

 

Somerset

(two nominations needed)

 

Waldo

David Gibson, Morrill

(one more nomination needed)

 

Washington

(two nominations needed)

 

York

Michael Barden, Limington

Alan Brown, Biddeford

Allen Cooke, Saco

Gil Harris, Limerick

Linnea Maravell, Saco

 
DISTRICT COMMITTEES

 

District committees for each of Maine's two congressional districts are elected at the convention. The sole statutory privilege given to district committees is to nominate a candidate for the ballot for U.S. Congress should a vacancy be created and a special election called for.

Subcommittees

Common Charter

 

Convention Committee

Communications Committee

Electoral Committee

Finance Committee

Fundraising Committee

Legislative Committee

Press Committee

Tabling Committee

 

The state committee is authorized by the bylaws to "establish subcommittees to help the state committee fulfill all duties and oversee the fulfillment of duties by the executive officers" (Article IV, Section D. Duties).

"The state committee shall oversee the establishment and dissolution of state party subcommittees to help execute the goals of the party and duties of the state committee. The state committee shall define the purpose of each subcommittee. The state committee may also designate authority to its subcommittees to act on behalf of the party. All subcommittees, including their purpose, membership and the authority granted to them, shall be recorded as an addendum to these by-laws titled, “Subcommittees.” The state committee holds ultimate decision-making authority over all subcommittees." (Article IV, Section H. Officers and Subcommittees)

 

According to state committee rules, the two co-chairs are ex-officio members of all subcommittees of the state committee. The state committee has also established a common charter to govern all subcommittees except when a subcommittee's specific individual charter governs otherwise.

Addendum 5 of the bylaws are as follows:

 

5. Common Charter for Subcommittees (adopted 7/9/23)

 

Article 1: Membership

All members of the subcommittee must be members of the Maine Green Independent Party (herein called “MGIP” or “the party”) as defined by party bylaws.

There shall be no limit on the number of members of the subcommittee. New members may be added to the subcommittee by motion to appoint by a State Committee member. Motions are resolved as per party bylaws Addendum 3. State Committee Rules. The membership of the subcommittee shall be recorded by the party Secretary.

Any member who has not attended the last three meetings of the subcommittee shall not be considered active.

State Committee co-chairs are ex-officio members of the subcommittee. When leaving the position of co-chair, the person may retain their membership on the subcommittee as a regular member for the subsequent term.

The State Committee shall appoint subcommittee members at the first regular State Committee meeting subsequent to the annual MGIP State Convention (herein called the “Initial State Committee Meeting”).

Article 2: Executive Officers

The subcommittee shall elect a Chair from the membership of the subcommittee at the first meeting of the subcommittee following Initial State Committee Meeting by consensus or majority vote of the subcommittee.

The Chair shall act as the general executive officer of the subcommittee and shall preside at and facilitate all meetings. The Chair shall also act as the recording officer of the subcommittee and will keep a complete and accurate record of subcommittee meetings. They shall provide copies of this record to the party Secretary.

Article 3: Tenure

Subcommittee members shall serve for a term beginning at the date of appointment until the date of the subsequent Initial State Committee Meeting.

Subcommittee officers shall serve from the date of election until the date of the subsequent Initial State Committee Meeting. In the case of resignation or removal, a replacement may be elected to serve the remainder of the vacated term by consensus or majority vote of the subcommittee.

Article 4: Resignation

Any subcommittee member may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Chair or to the State Committee.

Article 5: Removal

A member of the subcommittee may be removed by a motion to remove by a State Committee member.

Article 6: Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet at its discretion.

Meetings of the subcommittee may be called at any time by the Chair, and shall be called by the Chair upon the written request of two-thirds (2/3) of active subcommittee members. If the Chair fails to call a meeting within ten (10) days of receipt of such request, then a meeting may be called by written notice of any two-thirds (2/3) of active subcommittee members.


The subcommittee meets through email, face-to-face, online, and phone meetings, as the majority of active subcommittee want and commit to meeting.


Article 7: Quorum

More than 50% of active members present shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business. Ex-officio members are not included when calculating the number of members required to achieve quorum but count towards the establishment of quorum.

Article 8: Process

The Chair shall facilitate meetings of the state committee or designate a facilitator.

All motions require a second.

The subcommittee shall strive for consensus in its decisions. If consensus is apparent, the facilitators may close discussion and call the question by asking if there is an objection. If no objection is stated, consensus is achieved.

Members objecting must state what conditions, if any, would result in them removing their objection.

Objecting members may 'stand aside,' in which case their objection may be noted in the minutes, but the motion is still approved by consensus.

If objections cannot be resolved, or members objecting do not wish to stand aside, the

subcommittee may decide the motion by majority vote.

For each motion, report or agenda item, facilitators will keep a 'stack' of participants wishing to speak in order. Participants who have not yet spoken are given priority to speak ahead of members who are on stack for a repeat turn; members who have had fewer turns speaking are given priority ahead of members who have had more turns.

Meeting participants must be recognized by a facilitator to speak, except that they may briefly request to be put on a stack for a turn to speak, or to request making a 'point of information' out of order that must be very brief. Points of information should be factual points to clarify a subject and with the intention of reducing subsequent unnecessary discussion resulting from misinformation, not a statement of opinion, which should instead be reserved for a turn to speak on the stack.

Facilitators recognize and confirm requests to be placed on the stack. Facilitators will decide when to recognize and allow point of information statements.

Facilitators may interrupt speakers to require that a speaker remain on topic, to acknowledge a request to be on stack, or for other procedural purposes. Participants accept that interruption by facilitators is necessary to keep the meeting moving, and should pause to let the facilitator speak when interrupted.

Speakers recognized by a facilitator are considered to 'have the floor' until they return the floor to a facilitator, or until a facilitator interrupts them. After a facilitator interrupts a speaker for procedural reasons, they will return the floor to that speaker.

Participants should not interrupt other speaking members except to make stack or point of information requests through the facilitators. Participants should refrain from making continued responses to speakers' statements and should reserve their responses for their next turn on the stack. Participants should refrain from excessive uses of points of information that disrupt a speaker's turn on the floor.

Speakers must remain on topic to the motion, report or agenda item under discussion

When speakers have the floor, they may request permission from the facilitator to address a question to another person without losing their time to speak. If the facilitator determines that the question can be quickly and briefly answered, the facilitator will address the question to the other member for an answer and then return the floor to the original speaker.

Participants should indicate to the facilitator when they are done speaking their turn.

Facilitators may adjust the order of agenda items as needed.

If necessary to keep the meeting moving, facilitators may impose time limits on participants' turns to speak. When time limits are in effect, members may yield their time to another participant.

If the Chair is not present at a meeting, the quorum shall elect a Chair pro-tem for the duration of the meeting.

The subcommittee may take votes on motions online via email.

There are three steps to conducting online votes of a subcommittee: Call for Quorum, Quorum Established, and Call for Vote.

The Chair of the subcommittee or any member in the case that the office of Chair is vacant (herein called “the Initiator”) may initiate an online vote by emailing committee members with a subject title "Call for quorum to vote," requesting members to check in to the meeting, and stating the motion that will be up for a vote.

After members have replied confirming their attendance and a quorum of all committee members is established, the Initiator will send an email to members with a new subject title, "Quorum established to vote."

The Initiator shall facilitate trying to resolve stated objections or amendments of the motion.

When the Initiator determines that enough discussion on the motion has transpired to call the vote, an email will be sent with a subject title "Call for a vote," requesting a vote and stating the final motion to be voted on.

Any decisions made by email must be reported at the next regular State Committee meeting for inclusion in that meeting's minutes.

Article 9: Contraction and Payment of Bills

No bills shall be contracted by the subcommittee. The subcommittee may make requests of the party Treasurer to expend funds if the subcommittee is designated a line item in the party budget.

Article 10: Subdivisions

The subcommittee shall not create any subdivisions or working groups.

Article 11: Amendments

The charter for the subcommittee may be altered or amended by vote of the State Committee.

Article 12: Scope

The provisions in this charter shall apply to any subcommittee which explicitly adopts this charter.


5.A. Convention Committee (approved 8/2/15, amended 7/9/23)

 

Article 1: Name

The name shall be, “Maine Green Independent Party Convention Committee” (herein called “the convention committee”, “the committee”, “ConCom").

Article 2: Purpose

The purpose of the committee is to organize party conventions that fulfill the requirements of party bylaws and state law.

Article: 3: Adoption of Common Charter

The articles incorporated in the Common Charter for Subcommittees shall apply to the committee. In any case where there is conflict or ambiguity, the committee charter shall prevail over the common charter.

Article 4: Authority

The committee is authorized to determine the details of party conventions, including location, date, time, program and rules of conduct.

 
5.B. Communications Committee (approved 11/8/15, amended 7/9/23)

 

Article 1: Name

The name shall be, “Maine Green Independent Party Communications Committee” (herein called “the communications committee”, “the committee”, “ComCom”).

Article 2: Purpose

The purpose of the committee is to facilitate internal communication of the party and to support the party Secretary in fulfilling their duties. This includes relaying information from the State Committee to the contact persons of local groups, and managing the website, mailing lists, database, and social media sites.

Article: 3: Adoption of Common Charter

The articles incorporated in the Common Charter for Subcommittees shall apply to the committee. In any case where there is conflict or ambiguity, the committee charter shall prevail over the common charter.

Article 4: Membership

The party Secretary may appoint members to the committee as long as the person has not been previously removed by the State Committee.

Article 5: Executive Officers

The party Secretary shall be the Chair of the committee.

Article 6: Authority

The committee is authorized to:

• Maintain a consolidated list of all the party's communication mediums (website, social media sites, listserves and email lists),

• Maintain a visible ongoing presence on all of the party's communication mediums, and utilize all of them to the fullest extent as appropriate,

• Administer the party's social media sites and communication forums in accordance with the party's Universal Terms of Agreement,

• Publicize the activities of the party and other subcommittees of the State Committee upon request,

• Forward to the Press Subcommittee any activities or events that might be noteworthy of a party press release,

• Promote local groups and candidates of the party,

• Update the website with relevant news and blog articles (without infringing on copyright) written about platform-related issues, and activities of the party, its local groups and candidates,

• Update the website with relevant information about party candidates and active local groups,

• Manage the dashboard of MaineGreens.org for volunteer signups for various activities and connect signups with appropriate contacts,

• Establish fundraising links on the party website to the accounts of party candidates, or to the accounts of local groups of the party, upon request,

• Establish fundraising links on the party website for targeted campaigns that have been approved for within the state budget by the Finance Subcommittee, Executive Committee, or State Committee, upon request,

• Assist or train the State Committee and its subcommittees in managing and maintaining their email lists, listserve groups and other communication tools,

• Distribute voter lists for appropriate jurisdictions, or otherwise make the lists accessible, to party candidates, party officers, officers of local groups or conveners of municipal caucuses, and

• Maintain and update the party's voter database list as information becomes available.

The party Secretary may appoint administrators and moderators of the party's various forums. All administrators and moderators of the party's communication forums must be members of the communications committee unless the State Committee approves otherwise.

As the authorities listed above are primarily tasks to be executed, the committee may distribute amongst themselves individual responsibilities for duties, or the party Secretary may authorize individuals to perform them.

The committee may establish and maintain best practices guidelines or procedures to guide members in executing the duties, which shall be recorded as addendum to this charter. The committee may establish new mediums of communication (new social media sites, forums, websites, listserves, etc.) as long as the committee is committed to maintaining them and keeping them visible, current and populated with content. The committee may develop large-scale strategy proposals related to the party's communication and image, including brand and logo redevelopment, website overhaul and redesign, elimination of forums, or changes to the Universal Terms of Service, among other substantive proposals, for approval by the State Committee by submitting recommendations to the State Committee for consideration.

The party Secretary may rely on the committee for support in executing the party Secretary's duties, and may authorize individuals to perform them as appropriate:

• Maintain and archive party records, including minutes, decisions and vote tallies of

the State and Executive Committees,

• Maintain records of party officers and reporting to the Maine Secretary of State when changes in officers occur,

• Keep records of the active and inactive statuses of state committee members as outlined in the budget,

• Compile and archive any minutes or bylaws of local groups or committees that have been submitted to the state committee in accordance with the bylaws,

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of party bylaws, platform, subcommittee charters and other organizational documents on the party website,

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the addendum of party bylaws on the party website,

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the statuses of local groups, and which ones qualify for the benefits afforded local groups in the bylaws (that meet four times annually and have designated a state contact person).

Addendum: Party Database Management Guidelines

All lists of contacts and contact information collected at tabling events, meetings and through online campaigns sponsored by the party, including copies of voter registration cards, shall be submitted to the committee, which will enter the data into a consolidated database.

All requests for access to the party's database, or portions of it, shall be made to the committee, which will distribute the appropriate lists as allowed: party candidates, officers, officers of local groups, and conveners of municipal caucuses may receive the portion of the list relevant to their appropriate jurisdiction, after signing a non-disclosure agreement form. Requests for access to the list by other entities must be approved by the state committee, and after a non-disclosure agreement form is signed by the recipient.mittee, and after a non-disclosure agreement form is signed by the recipient.


5.C. Finance Committee (approved 4/4/15, amended 7/9/23)

 

Article 1: Name

The name shall be, “Maine Green Independent Party Finance Committee” (herein called “the finance committee”, “the committee”, “FinCom”).

Article 2: Purpose

The purpose of the committee is to support the party Treasurer and party Financial Officer in overseeing the party’s finances and financial reporting requirements.

Article: 3: Adoption of Common Charter

The articles incorporated in the Common Charter for Subcommittees shall apply to the committee. In any case where there is conflict or ambiguity, the committee charter shall prevail over the common charter.

Article 4: Membership

The party Financial Officer shall be a member of the committee.

Article 5: Executive Officers

The party Treasurer shall be the Chair of the committee.

Article 6: Authority

The committee has the authority to fulfill the financial duties of the party Treasurer or party Financial Officer at the request of the officer, or when an emergency requires the party’s finances and reporting requirements to be managed if or when the party Treasurer or party Financial Officer is unable to do so.

The committee may make minor amendments to the party budget, transferring up to $100 from one expenditure line to another, or creating a new expenditure line of up to $100. Any amendments resulting in an increase to the party’s overall expenditure amount can only be made if there is a corresponding increase in revenue associated with the expenditure.

The committee may propose amendments to the budget that result in a budgeted expenditure line being increased by more than $100. If a proposed expenditure increase

is more than $100 and up to $500, the party’s Executive Committee or State Committee must approve the budget amendment. Any proposed expenditure line increases greater than $500 must be approved by the State Committee.

Any expenditure line of a budget that has previously been increased by the committee by $100 cannot be repeatedly increased by the committee by amounts less than $100 in separate actions. In other words, the committee's authority to increase any expenditure line by $100 is for an aggregate increase total within any one budget year. After increasing an expenditure line by $100, any further increases may only be approved by the Executive Committee or State Committee as outlined above.

Decisions of the committee shall not supersede any authority granted to the party Treasurer or party Financial Officer in the party Bylaws or by the State Committee.


All decisions made by the committee will be reported to the Executive Committee, to be included in a committee report presented at the next subsequent regular State Committee meeting.

Article 7: Quorum

Committee members who intend to be unavailable for any extended period of time are asked to "check out" from the ongoing meeting so that consensus is not held up because of non-responsiveness, and then "check in" when they are ready to resume participation. Checked out members are not considered when calculating quorum.


Article 8: Contraction and Payment of Bills

The committee may contract or pay bills in accordance with the authority granted in Article 6.


5.D. Press Committee (approved 4/4/15, amended 7/9/23)

 

Article 1: Name

The name shall be, “Maine Green Independent Party Press Committee” (herein called “the press committee”, “the committee”, “PressCom").

Article 2: Purpose

The purpose of the committee is to develop and generate press releases for approval by party Co-Chairs and to distribute approved press releases to relevant media contacts. The committee will work to regularly generate content that keeps the party and its positions visible to the public.

Article: 3: Adoption of Common Charter

The articles incorporated in the Common Charter for Subcommittees shall apply to the committee. In any case where there is conflict or ambiguity, the committee charter shall prevail over the common charter.

Article 4: Membership

The committee will consist of up to seven and no less than three members. Membership is limited to a set number, to enable the committee to act and respond expeditiously on a regular and consistent basis.

Article 5: Officers

The party Co-Chairs shall act in joint as the Chair of the committee.

The committee shall elect one member to be the party's Press Contact, who may respond to inquiries from reporters, refer members of the press to appropriate party members, and speak on behalf of the party when party Co-Chairs are not readily available. The committee will select one member to be the committee's Copy Editor, who is preferably a person who is familiar with AP Stylebook Guidelines, who will suggest edits for press releases.

Officers shall be elected by the committee at the first meeting following the Initial State Committee Meeting.

With party Co-Chairs’ approval, the committee may designate additional spokespersons to speak on behalf of the party for certain issues or occasions as necessary.

Article 6: Authority

The committee is authorized to generate press releases and visual or audio media content, and to designate party spokespersons, as authorized by party Co-Chairs, and distribute press releases and other media content approved by party Co-Chairs.

The committee may work to support and train local party groups in developing media presence in their own jurisdictions upon request. In the case of inquiries for participation from party members in addition to committee members, the committee shall work with those party members to support them in developing media teams for their own county or municipal party committees.

Press releases are drafted, copy edited, finalized, approved by party Co-Chairs and then distributed. Party Co-Chairs have final authority to approve press releases, but may defer that authority to the committee as they wish.

All decisions of the committee are advisory to party Co-Chairs who have the final authority. Any decisions not made by consensus may be presented to party Co-Chairs for approval with the number of votes noted.

Article 7: Quorum

Committee members who intend to be unavailable for any extended period of time are asked to "check out" from the ongoing meeting so that consensus is not held up because of non-responsiveness, and then "check in" when they are ready to resume participation. Checked out members are not considered when calculating quorum.

Article 8: Amendments

Party Co-Chairs may temporarily amend this charter if needed (by consensus of both chairs), to better serve their ability to execute their duties. Any charter changes made by the Party Co-Chairs will be reported to the party Secretary and then submitted as a recommendation for the State Committee to consider at its subsequent meeting for final adoption.

 

5.E. Tabling Committee (approved 8/15/16, amended 7/9/23)

 

Article 1: Name

The name shall be, “Maine Green Independent Party Tabling Committee” (herein called “the tabling committee”, “the committee”, “TabCom").

Article 2: Purpose

The purpose of the committee is to represent the party at fairs, concerts, parades, conventions and other venues.

Article: 3: Adoption of Common Charter

The articles incorporated in the Common Charter for Subcommittees shall apply to the committee. In any case where there is conflict or ambiguity, the committee charter shall prevail over the common charter.

Article 4: Authority

The committee is authorized to oversee registration and staffing at events that support or promote the party's values, platforms or issues or topics that the party has endorsed, and design and procure informational items and other products for distribution or sale at such events. Donations, payments and contact information collected through the activities of the committee will be forwarded to the party Treasurer and party Secretary.

 

 

5.F. Fundraising Committee (approved 2/4/17, amended 7/9/23)

 

Article 1: Name

The name shall be, “Maine Green Independent Party Fundraising Committee” (herein called “the fundraising committee”, “the committee”, “FundCom").

Article 2: Purpose

The purpose of the committee is to establish protocol and procedures for raising funds.

Article: 3: Adoption of Common Charter

The articles incorporated in the Common Charter for Subcommittees shall apply to the committee. In any case where there is conflict or ambiguity, the committee charter shall prevail over the common charter.

Article 4: Authority

The committee is authorized to plan and execute fundraising activities by submitting recommendations to the State Committee for consideration.

 

5.G. Electoral Committee (approved 3/3/19. amended 7/9/23)

 

Article 1: Name

The name shall be, “Maine Green Independent Party Electoral Committee” (herein called “the electoral committee”, “the committee”, “ElectCom").

Article 2: Purpose

The purpose of the committee is to:

• Support the establishment and development of municipal and county groups,

• Develop and implement strategies to recruit and elect candidates for Governor, U.S. House, and U.S. Senate, and

• Support party candidates for office

Article: 3: Adoption of Common Charter

The articles incorporated in the Common Charter for Subcommittees shall apply to the committee. In any case where there is conflict or ambiguity, the committee charter shall prevail over the common charter.

Article 4: Authority

The committee is authorized to:


• Assist party members in the development of municipal of county committees in areas where there are no active groups,

• Oversee recruitment efforts for candidates for Governor, U.S. House, and U.S .Senate, or other offices as directed by the State Committee, and

• Assist any party candidate for office that seeks party support by connecting them with available party resources, municipal and county committees, and offering campaign guidance

The committee may develop and implement long-term statewide electoral strategies by submitting recommendations to the State Committee for consideration.

In the case of multiple party candidates for the same office, the committee shall offer equal support to each candidate unless otherwise directed by the State Committee.

 

Legislative Committee (adopted 7/9/23)

 

Article 1. Name

The name shall be, “Maine Green Independent Party Legislative Committee” (herein called “the legislative committee”, “the committee”, “LegCom").

Article 2. Purpose

The purpose of the committee is to monitor legislation before the state legislature to identify pieces of legislation of interest to the party with an emphasis on the struggles of

marginalized communities and environmental justice.

Article: 3: Adoption of Common Charter

The articles incorporated in the Common Charter for Subcommittees shall apply to the committee. In any case where there is conflict or ambiguity, the committee charter shall prevail over the common charter.

Article 4. Authority

The committee is authorized to:

• Monitor legislation before the state legislature.

• Recommend strategies to support or oppose pieces of legislation.

• Draft recommended testimony in in support or opposition of legislation.

• Provide testimony before the legislature in the name of the party at the authorization of the State Committee or party Co-Chairs if they have been authorized to approve legislative positions by the State Committee.

• Carry out strategies to garner public support or opposition to legislation at the authorization of the State Committee or party Co-Chairs if they have been authorized to approve legislative positions by the State Committee.

The committee shall forward identified legislation, proposed strategies, and draft testimony to the State Committee or party Co-Chairs as applicable for approval. Once approved, the committee may represent the party on the approved legislation via written or live testimony and oversee strategies to garner public support or opposition.

State Committee

The state committee is composed of executive members, at-large members and one member from each qualifying county committee that chooses to seat a member on the state committee.

 

State Committee Members


Executive Commitee

Fred McCann [Portland] (term ends '24)

Linnea Maravell [Saco] (term ends '25)

Desiree Scorcia [Boothbay] Treasurer ('24) 

Ben Meiklejohn [Mount Desert] Secretary (term ends '25) 

 

At-Large Members (all terms end in '24)

Chris Cayer [Skowhegan]

Andrew Howard [Kittery] 

Jake Kulaw [South Portland]

Kelly Merrill [Skowhegan]

Antwane Mills [South Portland]

 

County Seats (terms ending three months from date of last meeting for which county committee minutes are submitted to state committee)

Kimberly Pfusch [Lewiston], Androscoggin County (term to 1/22/24)

Zoe Dotterweich [South Portland], Cumberland County (term to 2/2/24)

Daniel Monahan [Trenton], Hancock County  - INACTIVE

 

Bylaws

By-Laws of the Maine Green Independent Party

 

Adopted on June 6, 1999 at the  Green Independent Party convention in Unity, Maine, and amended at conventions on May 20, 2000 in Bangor; on May 19, 2001 in Portland; on June 23, 2002 in Brunswick; on June 7,2003 in South China;  on April 18th,2004 in Lewiston; on June 25th, 2005 in Augusta; on May 19th,2006 in Portland; on May 19th, 2007 in Bangor; on May 18th,2008 in Yarmouth; on May 3, 2009 in Augusta; on May 1, 2010 in Greene; on May 1, 2011 in Brunswick; on May 6, 2012 in Portland; on May 5, 2013 in Belfast; Jan. 10, 2015 in Augusta Aug. 22, 2015 in Augusta, May 7, 2016 in Belfast, March 12, 2017 in Augusta, May 20, 2018 in Augusta, May 19, 2019 in Augusta, June 14, 2020 by Zoom conference and May 23, 2021 by Zoom confrerence..

 

10 Key Values

 

ecological wisdom, grassroots democracy, social and economic justice, nonviolence, decentralization, community based economics, gender equity, respect for diversity, personal and social responsibility, sustainability and future focus

 

Article I. Purpose

 

The purpose of the Maine Green Independent Party is to transform public policy through the implementation of our 10 Key Values and be publicly visible as the party that stands for the common good.

The Maine Green Independent Party aims to enact laws consistent with our values, by legislating through citizen-initiated referendums, running candidates to elect lawmakers, influencing elected officials, producing activism that elevates awareness leading to policy changes, and other non-violent and legal means.

 

Article II. Members

 

Any Maine resident who is unable to register to vote and wishes to join, or voter who is enrolled in the Maine Green Independent Party (herein called “MGIP” or “the party”) is a member entitled to fully participate in all aspects of the party in accordance with these bylaws, except where prohibited by statute.

Lack of citizenship or an inability to register as a voter, whether due to age or other reasons, cannot preclude any interested person from joining the party.


The state committee secretary shall maintain an active list of voters who wish to join the party and are unable to formally enroll with the party.

 

Article III. Local and Caucus Groups

 

Members of the party meeting a minimum of four times annually shall be considered a local group of the party. The group officers may communicate local concerns, questions, proposals, etc. of the group to the state committee, as well as relay information from the state committee to the group.

 

Article III, Section A. County Committees

 

By statute, county committees shall be formed at conventions on even-numbered years from nominations made at municipal caucuses and the convention floor. The size of each county committee shall be determined by the convention unless a county committee has standing bylaws which have been submitted to the state committee, in which case the size of the county committee will be defined by its own bylaws so long as those bylaws provide for any municipal committee within the county to appoint at least one member to the county committee.

If at a convention, there are no nominees, or only one nominee to a county committee, then the state committee is authorized to appoint one or two members to that county committee at a later date, after which the members will constitute a duly formed county committee.

 

Once formed, the county committees may expand their size, fill vacancies and establish rules and bylaws as they see fit, providing that any municipal committee within the county may appoint at least one member to the county committee.

 

If it is deemed that a county committee's bylaws are constructed in such a way so that quorum may not be achieved or the county committee cannot meet or function, then any convention may intervene to reconstruct the county committee.

 

If a statute governing party county committees changes, and these bylaws are in contradiction to the statute, then the state committee shall schedule a convention to amend these bylaws to comply with the statute.

 

Article III, Section B. Municipal Committees

 

Municipal committees are formed from caucuses convened in accordance with statute, and shall be entitled to appoint at least one member to their respective county committee in accordance with state and county party rules and bylaws.

 

If a statute governing party municipal committees changes, and these bylaws are in contradiction to the statute, then the state committee shall schedule a convention to amend these bylaws to comply with the statute.

 

Article III, Section C. Access and Notice

 

Any municipal or county committee or otherwise qualifying local group may propose items to the state committee for consideration of action.

 

The state committee shall provide notice, agenda and minutes of its meetings to any municipal or county committee or other qualifying group. The state committee will keep the committees and groups informed of its actions and pose questions to them, via each group's officers or designated contacts who have email addresses.

 

Article IV. State Committee

 

The state committee is comprised of executive members, at-large members and one member from each qualifying county committee that chooses to seat a member on the state committee. An individual may hold only one of any of the county, at-large and executive seats on the state committee at any given time. The party shall aim for gender, racial, socioeconomic and geographic diversity among its leadership

 

Article IV, Section A. County Seats

 

By their own processes, county committees may choose one party member to be on the state committee, herein referred to as holding a “county seat” on the state committee. The county committee must provide to the state committee documentation verifying the election or appointment of a person to the county seat, either in minutes of a county committee meeting at which the state committee member was elected, or by written notice from an officer of the county committee that includes a citation of county committee minutes, bylaws or rules that authorize the state committee member to be appointed by other means.

 

Article IV, Section A, Part 1. Active Membership

 

State committee members holding a county seat on the state committee shall be considered active except as follows:

 

If three months have elapsed since a county committee met and that county committee has not submitted minutes of a subsequent meeting to the state committee, then that county's seat on the state committee shall be inactive until minutes of any subsequent meeting are submitted.

 

If a state committee member in a county seat is absent from a state committee meeting for three consecutive meetings, that county's seat shall be considered inactive until the member attends a meeting, or the county committee notifies the state party that another person occupies the seat and that person attends a meeting. The inactive status shall be applied at the commencement of the third consecutive meeting at which the member is not present for roll call. Inactive members will not be counted as part of the total from which quorum is determined.

 

Article IV, Section B. At-Large Seats

 

There are five at-large members of the state committee, elected at annual conventions for a term of one year. A year term is defined as the time between two consecutive annual conventions.

 

If any at-large member is absent from three consecutive meetings or five meetings in a one-year term, then the state committee shall consider whether to ask for the member's resignation, organize a special convention for their removal, or excuse the absences because of special circumstances.

 

Article IV, Section C. Executive Seats

 

The executives of the party shall consist of two co-chairs serving alternating two-year terms and a secretary and treasurer, also serving alternating two-year terms. For purposes of reporting to state and federal entities, the co-chair who is serving the second year of a term shall be considered the chair, and the co-chair who is in the first year of a term shall be considered a vice-chair; for all purposes within the party, co-chairs shall have equal authority.

 

Each year at an annual convention, members shall elect at least two executives (a co-chair and secretary or treasurer), and if necessary, an additional executive to finish a two-year term vacated by resignation, removal or death.

 

Together, these officers constitute the executive committee. The state committee may designate authority to the executive committee to act on behalf of the party; the specific authority granted must be recorded as an addendum to these by-laws titled “Executive Committee Authority.” Any decisions made by the executive committee under this authority shall be reported to the state committee.

 

If any executive is absent from three consecutive meetings or five meetings in a one-year term, then the state committee shall consider whether to ask for the executive's resignation, organize a special convention for their removal, or excuse the absences because of special circumstances.

 

Article IV, Section C, Part 1. Co-Chairs

 

The co-chairs shall represent the party's values, platform and positions to the public and media, organize and facilitate state committee meetings, and oversee and direct the state committee's fulfillment of duties.

 

The state committee may designate authority to the co-chairs to act on behalf of the party; the specific authority granted must be recorded as an addendum to these by-laws titled “Co-Chair Authority.” Any decisions by the two co-chairs must be made by consensus, and all decisions made under co-chair authority shall be reported to the state committee.

 

Article IV, Section C, Part 2. Secretary

 

The secretary shall be responsible for keeping party records and archives and advising the party on communication matters. The secretary shall record vote tallies of decisions made by the state committee and executive committee, or designate another to do so.

 

The secretary shall be responsible for maintaining records of party officers and reporting to the secretary of state when officer changes occur.

 

The secretary will keep records of the active or inactive statuses of state committee members as outlined in these bylaws, and compile and archive any minutes or bylaws of other party committees that have been submitted to the state committee in accordance with these bylaws. The secretary will work to make sure that all state party documents such as bylaws, the platform and other records are accurate and up-to-date.

 

The secretary may nominate individuals for state party offices or subcommittees relating to communication or record-keeping, including but not limited to positions related to website development, database management, media relations, correspondence, or maintenance of party records and archives.

 

Article IV, Section C, Part 3. Treasurer

 

The treasurer shall be responsible for keeping records of party finances including expenditures and revenue sources, reporting financial disclosures to state and federal entities as necessary, and advising the party on financial matters. The treasurer shall expend party finances only as authorized by the state committee or executive committee.

 

The treasurer shall ensure that expenditures are made in accordance with an approved budget, will inform the state committee when budget lines are nearing their maximum expenditure levels, and advise the state committee when it is necessary to amend the budget.

 

The treasurer may forward nominations for any state party offices or subcommittees relating to finances, including but not limited to positions related to budget development and fundraising.

 

The treasurer may nominate a financial officer for appointment by the state committee, to help the treasurer fulfill the financial requirements of these bylaws.

 

The treasurer shall oversee the development of a budget to be proposed for approval at the annual convention. The state committee may finalize the proposed budget or authorize the treasurer or a standing subcommittee to finalize the proposed budget.

 

Article IV, Section D. Duties

 

The state committee will manage all state-level party operations and facilitate the establishment and growth of local groups to oversee party operations in their jurisdictions.

 

Duties of the state committee include:

 

Assuring the party meets its statutory obligations to hold caucuses and conventions, maintain a minimum level of party enrollment, and fulfill all other statutory requirements,

 

Filing state and federal reports,

 

Organizing conventions and working to achieve goals set at conventions,

 

Recruiting candidates for state and national offices and supporting local group recruitment of candidates in county, municipal and other jurisdictions,

 

Maintaining a visible statewide presence, acting as the official voice of the party and taking timely positions on important issues,

 

Communicating and engaging with local groups about state party meetings and activities,

 

Administering state party assets including the party's website and state voter list,

 

Managing state party finances and overseeing state party fundraising efforts, and

 

Establishing offices and subcommittees to help the state committee fulfill all duties, and oversee the fulfillment of duties by the executive officers..

 

Article IV, Section E. Meetings

 

Quorum for a state committee meeting shall be either a majority of all active state committee members or a majority of the state committee members (excluding vacant seats) that comprise the executive and at-large seats.

 

The state committee shall meet at its discretion, but at a minimum of once every two months, and shall provide notice to all municipal, county and local groups of its meetings as outlined in Article III, Section C.

 

State committee meetings shall be open to party members. For phone conference meetings, party members may notify the state committee of their interest in attending and they will be provided with the phone number and access code for the conference call.

 

If the co-chairs fail to organize a state committee meeting, a majority of active state committee members may schedule a meeting as long as all active state committee members have been notified and appropriate notice has been provided to local groups as outlined in Article III, Section C.

 

Article IV, Section F. Process

 

The state committee may adopt rules and procedures to meet its obligations to the party. The state committee shall develop and adopt a decision-making process that is consensus-seeking, and make it a formal part of its proceedings. The state committee may change its process at any time but only in accordance with the process in place at that time. All rules and procedures established by the state committee must be recorded as an addendum to these by-laws titled “State Committee Rules.”

 

Article IV, Section G. Resignation, Removal and Replacement

 

Any state committee member may resign at any time by giving written notice to a party co-chair.

 

County committees are responsible for filling vacancies in their respective county seats to the state committee and for the selection and removal of those members.

 

Any at-large or executive member whose term has not expired, or who has not been removed for excessive absences as outlined in these bylaws, may be removed by a vote of two-thirds of the state committee upon recommendation from the ethics committee to remove as outlined in Article IV Section H, or by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at a party convention as outlined in Article V of these bylaws.

 

The state committee may appoint replacements for executive or at-large committee members to serve until either the term expires or a convention intervenes before the term expires, at which point the convention shall elect a replacement for the remainder of the term.

 

Article IV, Section H. Officers and Subcommittees

 

The state committee may appoint officers with specific duties to help achieve the party's goals and fulfill the state committee's duties. The state committee shall maintain job descriptions and duties of its officers in an addendum to these by-laws titled, “Officers.”

 

The state committee shall oversee the establishment and dissolution of state party subcommittees to help execute the goals of the party and duties of the state committee. The state committee shall define the purpose of each subcommittee. The state committee may also designate authority to its subcommittees to act on behalf of the party. All subcommittees, including their purpose, membership and the authority granted to them, shall be recorded as an addendum to these by-laws titled, “Subcommittees.” The state committee holds ultimate decision-making authority over all subcommittees.

 

The state committee will establish and maintain an ethics committee that amplifies and centers the voices of marginalized communities. The ethics committee will hold state committee members to standards of conduct and accountability established by the state committee. The ethics committee may recommend actions to the state committee, including moderation, censure, suspension or removal of members in accordance with established accountability standards.

 

Article IV, Section I. GPUS national committee appointments


The state committee may appoint members to the various national committees of the
Green Party of the United States, in accordance with national requirements for
appointments.

 

Each committee appointment shall be communicated in writing by the party co-chair
or secretary to the secretary of the Green Party of the United States and relevant
national committee co-chairs.

 

Article V. Conventions

 

The party shall hold an annual convention, as specified under statute, for the purpose of:

 

Fulfilling the biennial statutory requirements for conventions (in even-numbered years) including passing a party platform, determining the size and method of election of the party's two congressional district committees and county committees, electing members to county committees that don't have standing bylaws allowing for county committee members to be directly elected by municipal caucuses, and nominating presidential electors during presidential election years.

 

Electing state committee members as outlined in these bylaws, and MGIP representatives to the Green Party of the United States, with executives being elected before at-large members (to accurately determine the total number of at-large seats available),

 

Setting the goals of the party, which shall be included as an addendum to these bylaws, titled, “Goals,”

 

Amending bylaws, and

 

Adopting an annual budget.

 

The convention will only be open to voting participation by members of the party as defined in Article II. Notice of the convention must be provided to local groups in the same manner as notice is provided for state committee meetings.

 

The Maine Green Independent Party shall determine at its annual convention in odd-numbered years which voters shall be allowed to vote in the party's annual even-numbered year primary. A simple majority of votes shall determine which voters shall be eligible to vote in the Green Independent Party primary.

 

Representatives to the International Committee of the Green Party of the United States will
be elected annually at the state party convention for one-year terms, except that the state
committee may appoint members to fill a vacancy until the next convention can elect a
replacement.

 

The state committee may establish rules for conducting the convention, which must be included as an addendum to these bylaws titled, “Convention Rules,” so long as the rules don't contradict these bylaws.

 

Article V, Section A. Special Conventions

 

The state committee may call and organize special conventions as it deems necessary to accomplish specific purposes. The business of special conventions shall be restricted to agenda items of which the state committee has notified local groups as being the purpose of the convention. A special convention may be called for the purpose of holding a recall hearing to remove members of the state committee, to address statutory obligations that were overlooked at a previous convention, or to conduct any other business which requires convention action. All rules for calling a convention and the decision-making processes used at conventions also apply to special conventions.

 

Article VI. Platform

 

The party shall adopt a platform based on the 10 Key Values that clearly defines the party's position on issues facing our society and the world. The platform will be a guide for elected officials and other party members engaged in public policy making.

 

Near the end of each year term, the state committee shall review and compile position statements it made in the prior year, and consider submitting to the convention platform positions that reflect the positions taken by the state committee.

 

Any member or local group may propose amendments to the platform or a new platform by presenting such proposal in writing to a platform and policy development subcommittee at least one month prior to a statewide convention. If there is no standing subcommittee, the member may refer the proposal in writing to the state committee.

 

Article VII. Finances

 

The Party will adopt an annual budget, including anticipated expenses and sources of revenue. The budget may be amended by the state committee in response to changing financial circumstances. The party may not incur debt of any kind. The financial officer and treasurer are responsible for overseeing the finances of the party and making regular reports to the state committee, and for submitting financial reports to the appropriate state or federal agencies, including but not limited to the Maine State Ethics Commission and the Federal Elections Commission.

 

If the state committee authorizes expenditures that are not budgeted for, then the treasurer may require the state committee to first amend the budget to reflect where the expenditure will come from before releasing funds for said expenditure.

 

Article VIII. Presidential Nomination

 

At each officially convened caucus in presidential nomination years, attendees shall be asked to conduct a vote which will be tabulated and returned to the state committee. Existing municipal committees may organize absentee voting for their caucuses which shall conclude at the adjournment of the caucus. The result of the caucus vote must include the names of all voters who cast a vote for the presidential nomination, the total of which shall equal the number of votes cast; otherwise, the state committee will make a determination on whether to include the votes.

 

These votes shall be tabulated and publicized at least 30 days prior to the state convention. Attendees of the state convention shall also vote and these votes shall be tabulated. The state committee may organize absentee voting for party members who did not vote in a caucus and don't plan to attend the convention. The apportionment of delegates to the presidential nominating convention of the Green Party of the United States shall be determined by the combined votes of officially convened caucuses and the presidential year convention.

 

The party shall place the official presidential nominee of the Green Party of the United States on the general election ballot of the State of Maine.

 

Four people, one from each congressional district and two at-large, all of whom are party members, shall be elected at a convention to be presidential electors. If a statute governing how Maine designates its presidential electors changes, and these bylaws are in contradiction with the statute, then the state committee shall schedule a convention to amend these bylaws to comply with the statute.

 

Article IX. Bylaws

 

These by-laws may only be adopted or amended by a majority of members present at a statewide convention of the party. Amendments must be submitted to a bylaws subcommittee at least one month prior to the statewide convention, and may be proposed by any member or local group of the party. If there is no standing subcommittee, the proposal may be referred in writing to the state committee.

 

Addenda:

 

Addendum 1. Executive Committee Authority

 

May amend the budget to increase expenditure lines by up to $500. (approved 4/4/15 as part of finance committee charter)

 

On behalf of the state committee, the executive committee may appoint one or two members as necessary to form county committees, as allowed for in Article III, Sectioni A. (approved 3/5/18)

 

Addendum 2. Co-Chair Authority

 

Co-chairs may appoint liaisons, representatives and spokespersons to represent the party at events and organizations. Co-chairs may issue party endorsements of organizations, campaigns, events, actions and legislation, so long as the endorsement is consistent with the party's values and positions. When reporting the endorsement to the state committee, the co-chairs must cite a party platform, position or value that is the basis of the endorsement. (approved 4/7/18)

 

Addendum 3. State Committee Rules

 

(approved 4/7/19)

 

Conduct of state committee meetings

 

The co-chairs shall facilitate meetings of the state committee or designate a facilitator.

All motions require a second.

The committee shall strive for consensus in its decisions. If consensus is apparent, the facilitators may close discussion and call the question by asking if there is an objection. If no objection is stated, consensus is achieved.

Members objecting must state what conditions, if any, would result in them removing their objection.

Objecting members may 'stand aside,' in which case their objection may be noted in the minutes, but the motion is still approved by consensus.

If objections cannot be resolved, or members objecting do not wish to stand aside, the committee may decide the motion by majority vote.

For each motion, report or agenda item, facilitators will keep a 'stack' of participants wishing to speak in order. Participants who have not yet spoken are given priority to speak ahead of members who are on stack for a repeat turn; members who have had fewer turns speaking are given priority ahead of members who have had more turns.

Meeting participants must be recognized by a facilitator to speak, except that they may briefly request to be put on a stack for a turn to speak, or to request making a 'point of information' out of order that must be very brief. Points of information should be factual points to clarify a subject and with the intention of reducing subsequent unnecessary discussion resulting from misinformation, not a statement of opinion, which should instead be reserved for a turn to speak on the stack.

Facilitators recognize and confirm requests to be placed on the stack. Facilitators will decide when to recognize and allow point of information statements.

Facilitators may interrupt speakers to require that a speaker remain on topic, to acknowledge a request to be on stack, or for other procedural purposes. Participants accept that interruption by facilitators is necessary to keep the meeting moving, and should pause to let the facilitator speak when interrupted.

Speakers recognized by a facilitator are considered to 'have the floor' until they return the floor to a facilitator, or until a facilitator interrupts them. After a facilitator interrupts a speaker for procedural reasons, they will return the floor to that speaker.

Participants should not interrupt other speaking members except to make stack or point of information requests through the facilitators. Participants should refrain from making continued responses to speakers' statements and should reserve their responses for their next turn on the stack. Participants should refrain from excessive uses of points of information that disrupt a speaker's turn on the floor.

Speakers must remain on topic to the motion, report or agenda item under discussion

When speakers have the floor, they may request permission from the facilitator to address a question to another person without losing their time to speak. If the facilitator determines that the question can be quickly and briefly answered, the facilitator will address the question to the other member for an answer and then return the floor to the original speaker.

Participants should indicate to the facilitator when they are done speaking their turn.

Facilitators may adjust the order of agenda items as needed.

If necessary to keep the meeting moving, facilitators may impose time limits on participants' turns to speak. When time limits are in effect, members may yield their time to another participant.

 

Online voting

 

There are three steps to conducting online votes of the state committee: Call for Quorum, Quorum Established, and Call for Vote.

With consensus of both co-chairs, an online vote may be initiated by emailing committee members with a subject title "Call for quorum to vote," requesting members to check in to the meeting, and stating the motion that will be up for a vote.

After members have replied confirming their attendance and a quorum of all committee members is established, a co-chair or secretary will send an email to members with a new subject title, "Quorum established to vote."

Co-chairs shall facilitate trying to resolve stated objections or amendments of the motion.

When a co-chair determines that enough discussion on the motion has transpired to call the vote, an email will be sent with a subject title "Call for a vote," requesting a vote and stating the final motion to be voted on.

Any decisions made by email must be reported by the co-chairs at the next regular state committee meeting for inclusion in that meeting's minutes.

 

Subcommittee rules

 

The co-chairs shall be considered ex-officio members of all subcommittees of the state committee. The co-chairs, as ex-officio members, are not part of the total membership from which quorum for meetings is calculated, but may count toward quorum when attending. When leaving the position of co-chair, the person may retain their membership on any subcommittees they choose, but as a regular member, no longer ex-officio.

 

Resignations of state committee members or officers shall be considered final upon a vote by the state committee to accept the resignation or appoint a replacement for the position, whichever comes first.  (approved 3/5/21)

 

Addendum 4. Officers (job description, duties)

 

Financial Officer, Alan Brown  (approved 6/2/19)

 

The financial officer shall assist the treasurer in his or her duties, at the direction of the treasurer. The financial officer may help prepare finance reports, process contributions and payments, and organize meetings of the finance committee, as needed and requested by the treasurer. The financial officer may be a named person on the party's banking accounts. In the case of an emergency or inability of the treasurer to fulfill his or her duties, the financial officer may be considered an interim acting treasurer to fulfill all duties of the treasurer except for voting on behalf of the treasurer at state committee meetings.

 

Addendum 5. Subcommittees (purpose, membership, authority)

 

(Please click on ORGANIZATION-->STATE COMMITTEE-->SUBCOMMITTEES to view this addendum)

 

Addenda 6. Goals

 

(Please click on ABOUT-->GOALS)

 

Addenda 7. Convention Rules

 

CONVENTION RULES


1. CONVENTION OFFICERS

Convention proceedings begin by electing first a convention secretary, then a convention chairperson.

The convention secretary will record all official decisions of the convention.
The convention chairperson and two party co-chairs are convention facilitators.

The convention committee may establish other convention officer positions as it deems fit. These other officers may be appointed by the committee in advance of the convention or appointed by the facilitators at the convention.

A time keeper will keep facilitators informed of time apportionment limits. 

 

2. FACILITATION

Facilitators oversee a process aiming for consensus on all decisions of the convention. If consensus cannot be realized within reasonable time, facilitators may call for the decision to be made by majority vote.

All motions for a decision require a second, except for motions made by the facilitator 'without objection.'

A facilitator will not facilitate an election of officers when that person is a candidate for the office being elected.

Facilitators will recognize speakers as equitably as possible to allow all people who want to speak an opportunity to do so.

Facilitators may institute time limits for speaking when necessary.

 

3. ELECTIONS

Elections that are uncontested may be decided by consensus or majority vote indicated by vocal expression or show of hands.

Contested elections are determined by paper or online write-in ballot.

Elections for one position shall be determined by majority vote using ranked choice or runoff voting when necessary.

Elections with multiple candidates running for multiple seats shall be determined by ranked or runoff approval voting. Each vote for a candidate regardless of rank is an equal vote; candidates with the most total votes are elected to the number of positions open. When a tie exists for a remaining position, rank or runoff determines the winner.

A ballot-counting committee may be appointed by the convention committee or the facilitators. Any participant of the convention may observe the counting of ballots.

If a person is unable to cast their votes using an online voting program, their vote may be counted by submitting their vote to a member of the ballot counting committee, who will then inform the facilitator to add the vote(s) to the online vote total.

 

Organization of the Party

phead ourparty

 

The Maine Green Independent Party (MGIP) is a state affiliate of the Green Party of the United States (GPUS). Since gaining ballot status in 1998 (the party had formerly been named the Maine Green Party before losing ballot status in 1996), the MGIP has undergone several incarnations of organizational structure while retaining its standing as the third largest party in the state consecutively for more than 20 years.

In January, 2015, at a special convention, the party reorganized how it was structured so that local committees and groups of the party would become more interconnected with the state committee.

The MGIP depends on the success of local groups; the party has organized itself to give incentive for local groups to assemble. Local committees of the party have direct access to participation in the larger committees of jurisdiction.

The most local unit of the party is the municipal committee. These committees, by statute, are formed at a caucus of party members residing in a particular municipality, and are governed only by those members. If there is no municipal committee, any enrolled Green Independent may convene a caucus at any time, in order to form one.

The MGIP bylaws provide that every municipal committee is entitled to appoint or elect at least one person to serve on the party's county committee (possibly more, if the county committee's bylaws provide for it).

County committees are formed in accordance with statute, every two years at a party convention, elected of Green Independents that were either nominated at that year's municipal caucuses, or from the convention floor. A possible exception, allowed for in statute and party rules, is that if a county committee has its own standing bylaws, then county committee elections may be held as prescribed in their bylaws so long as any municipal committee is provided an opportunity to appoint a member. Otherwise, the state party annual convention is responsible for constructing county committees every two years.

Each county committee is also entitled to appoint at least one member to the state committee.

Other regional groups or identity groups may be formed by members as desired and are considered local groups of the party as long as they fulfill the requirements of a) meeting four times annually, and b) designating a state contact person with a valid email address through which the state committee may direct communications. All groups considered local groups of the party are notified of state committee meetings and may even forward items to be considered on the state committee's agenda.

The state committee comprises three at-large members and four executive members, all elected at party conventions, and the members appointed by any county committee that chooses to seat a member.

While the municipal and county committees, and local groups, each establish their own proceedings for reaching decisions, the state committee and party conventions aim for consensus as much as possible.

In addition to local groups of the party, there also exist subcommittees of the state committee, which  oversee certain functions of the state party that are most essential to the party's work. The state committee appoints or establishes the membership of these subcommittees as well as their purpose, scope and authority to act on behalf of the state party. The state committee may also delegate authority to various state party officers.

If a Green Independent is interested in getting involved, it is recommended that they first identify the most local unit of party organization in their area, whether that be a municipal or county committee, or a regional group. If there is none, then state party leadership should be contacted to discuss forming a new local group.

 

Contact us using the contact link to find out how you can get involved, connected and organizing!

Local Groups

Types of Local Groups

 

There are different possible 'local groups' of the Maine Green Independent Party, some with statutory roles and others recognized by the state party.

 

Municipal and county committees represent the party in their jurisdictions. They have rights outlined in statute: receive notice of elections, nominate candidates in special elections, etc.

 

Municipal committees are entitled to nominate members to serve as election clerks and receive the entire voting list of the municipality for every two years free of charge.

 

Municipal committees are legally formed when municipal Greens caucus and form a committee. Ask us to help you convene your town/city caucus!

 

County committees are elected every two (even-numbered) years at a state convention from nominations made at muncipal caucuses or the floor of the convention. In between the biennial conventions, the state committee appoints founding members of county committees not elected at that convention. Let us know if you want to be on a county committee!

 

Two district committees also exist under statute, one for each of the two U.S. Congressional Districts. Their only statutory authority is to nominate candidates for the ballot in a special election for a vacant position (due to death, resignation or removal) for U.S. Congress.

 

The state committee, elected annually at our convention, represents the Maine Green Independent Party -- sheperding the authorities and requirements applicable to a state party in Maine. This is YOUR party!  Contact us to get involved!

 

The party recognizes local group organization beyond the borders of towns and counties: Local groups organized in neighborhoods, natural regions, colleges or by identity and association are encouraged!


While these groups may not have specified authority granted to them by statute, we recognize and accept them as part of the party's structure.

 

All local groups of the party -- statutory or not -- are given privileges within the state party. All local groups should strive to meet four times annually.

 

Benefits fpr Local Groups

 

1. Notice of state committee meeting minutes and agenda.

2. Ability to place items for consideration on the state committee agenda.

3. Access to the state party's compiled list of enrolled Green Independents within their jurisdiction (if applicable).

4. Municipal committees may appoint a representative to the county committee.

5. County committees may appoint a representative to the state committee.

 

How to Form

 

if you are interested in forming or joining any local group of the party, we would love to help you! Contact us NOW!

In the Bylaws

 

Article III. Local Groups

Members of the party meeting a minimum of four times annually shall be considered a local group of the party once the group designates one person to act as a state contact person for that group. The state contact person will communicate local concerns, questions, proposals, etc. of the group to the state committee, as well as relay information from the state committee to the group. The state contact person shall be a person who has an email address that he or she regularly uses.

Article III, Section A. County Committees

By statute, county committees shall be formed at conventions on even-numbered years from nominations made at municipal caucuses and the convention floor. The size of each county committee shall be determined by the convention unless a county committee has standing bylaws which have been submitted to the state committee, in which case the size of the county committee will be defined by its own bylaws so long as those bylaws provide for any municipal committee within the county to appoint at least one member to the county committee.

If at a convention, there are no nominees, or only one nominee to a county committee, then the state committee is authorized to appoint one or two members to that county committee at a later date, after which the members will constitute a duly formed county committee.
 
Once formed, the county committees may expand their size, fill vacancies and establish rules and bylaws as they see fit, providing that any municipal committee within the county may appoint at least one member to the county committee.

If it is deemed that a county committee's bylaws are constructed in such a way so that quorum may not be achieved or the county committee cannot meet or function, then any convention may intervene to reconstruct the county committee.

 If a statute governing party county committees changes, and these bylaws are in contradiction to the statute, then the state committee shall schedule a convention to amend these bylaws to comply with the statute.

Article III, Section C. Access and Notice

 Any municipal or county committee or otherwise qualifying local group may propose items to the state committee for consideration of action.

 The state committee shall provide notice, agenda and minutes of its meetings to any municipal or county committee or other qualifying local group that has designated a state contact person. The state committee will keep the committees and groups informed of its actions and pose questions to them.

 Article IV, Section A. County Seats

 By their own processes, county committees may choose one party member to be on the state committee, herein referred to as holding a “county seat” on the state committee. The county committee must provide to the state committee documentation verifying the election or appointment of a person to the county seat, either in minutes of a county committee meeting at which the state committee member was elected, or by written notice from an officer of the county committee that includes a citation of county committee minutes, bylaws or rules that authorize the state committee member to be appointed by other means.

 Article IV, Section A, Part 1. Active Membership

 State committee members holding a county seat on the state committee shall be considered active except as follows:

 If three months have elapsed since a county committee met and that county committee has not submitted minutes of a subsequent meeting to the state committee, then that county's seat on the state committee shall be inactive until minutes of any subsequent meeting are submitted.

 If a state committee member in a county seat is absent from a state committee meeting for three consecutive meetings, that county's seat shall be considered inactive until the member attends a meeting, or the county committee notifies the state party that another person occupies the seat and that person attends a meeting. The inactive status shall be applied at the commencement of the third consecutive meeting at which the member is not present for roll call. Inactive members will not be counted as part of the total from which quorum is determined.

2022 Caucuses

In 2022, from Jan. 1 to March 19, municipal caucuses will be convened around the state for the purpose of electing local leaders, supporting our candidates and organizing around issues important to the party.

 

Caucuses are the legal means in Maine by which municipal committees are formed and officers elected. County committee members may also be nominated at these municipal caucuses.

 

To increase party organization statewide, we encourage Greens to convene or attend caucuses in their towns or cities.

 

If there is not currently a party municipal committee existing in your town, any enrolled Green in the municipality may convene the caucus. Contact us if you would like to convene a caucus -- we will help you organize it!

 

Feel free to review the caucus documents provided.

 

Basic Caucus Checklist:

 

1. Set date and time; contact town clerk to reserve venue.

2. Put a flyer up in town before the caucus, provide copy to town clerk.

3. Download/Print caucus materials (agenda/data sheet) to bring to caucus.

4. Attend caucus. Record info on data sheet while proceeding through agenda.

5. Submit data sheet to state party and town clerk.

Sample Municipal Bylaws

In order to prevent the municipal committee from becoming inactive, it is best if the committee establishes a basic agreed upon set of bylaws under which to operate.
Here are sample bylaws the municipal committee may choose to pass, inserting the name of the municipality, and the first letter of the municipality for "X" in 'XGIC." Some municipalities may choose to have co-chairs or other additional officers. The following is just a sample template for caucuses to consider. If the caucus is unable to pass bylaws, the caucus may choose to table it until the next meeting.

 

Sample Municipal Committee Bylaws

 

[Name of Municipality] Green Independent Committee [XGIC] Bylaws

 

I. Purpose
The purpose of the [XGIC} is to grow the presence of the Maine Green Independent
Party in [Name of Municipality] by recruiting members and supporting enrolled Green Independent candidates.
II. Members
All enrolled Green Independents in [Name of Municipality] shall be considered members of the [XGIC].
III. Officers
The committee will elect a chairperson on even-numbered years at the municipal committee's biennial caucus, for a term of roughly two years and expiring at the end of the next biennial caucus. The committee may create and elect other officers as it sees fit, and fill vacancies created by resignation, death or change of municipality residence. Elections for all offices will be held at each biennial caucus.
IV. Meetings
The chairperson will generally organize and facilitate meetings. The committee will strive for consensus, but a majority vote may be called for by a majority of members in attendance. The [XGIC] chairperson may organize meetings to be held in a variety of formats,
including phone calls, e-mail, video chat and others, so long as the means of attending, voting and adjourning are explained.
V. Quorum
Quorum shall be at least one officer and any other member, with at least 24 hours notice of a meeting given to all committee members who attended the last meeting, or notice on a general forum previously approved by the committee as qualifying as notice (i.e. Facebook page, website, e-mail list, town calendar, etc.). Alternatively, any two committee members may constitute quorum, with public notice provided at least a week in advance in the same manner in which public notice is legally required for a caucus.
VI. Authority and Vision
The [XGIC] represents the Maine Green Independent Party on issues affecting [Name of Municipality], and will work to establish a municipal identity of the party, increase visibility and work with the party's county and state committees toward common goals.
VII. Failure to caucus.
In the event that the committee, or any resident Green Independent in [Name of Municipality] fails to convene a biennial municipal caucus by March 19 on even-numbered years, then all officer terms shall be considered expired and the municipal committee dissolved. Any resident may convene a caucus as prescribed by statute to again form the municipal committee.
VIII. Amendements
These bylaws may be amended by a majority of all members in attendance.
Bylaws established [Date of Passage]

Sample Caucus Notice

 

 

CAUCUS NOTICE


GREEN INDEPENDENT PARTY

 

Caucus for (YOUR TOWN)

 

to occur at (TIME a.m/p.m.)

 

on (WEEKDAY, MONTH DATE)

 

at the (LOCATION).

 

This caucus is being called by (NAME OF CONVENER).

 

ALL GREEN INDEPENDENTS WELCOME!

 

Unenrolled and new (YOUR TOWN) voters may register to vote or enroll as a Green Independent for a half hour before the meeting begins. A town registrar will be available to enroll members.

 

The Maine Green Independent Party is going local!

 

Greet Green neighbors, elect local party leaders and meet your candidates.

Caucus Data Sheet

Caucus Data Sheet (for use in conjunction with Caucus Agenda)

(Copy form and fill out at caucus)

 

Municipality:

 

Time, Date, Location:

 

Attendees (signup sheet—name, address, phone, email):

 

Caucus Secretary (just for caucus meeting):

 

Caucus Chair (just for caucus meeting):

 

Bylaws Passed? (YES/NO)

 

Municipal Party Committee Officers (chair, secretary or other officers):

 

Election Clerk Nominees (to work polls for pay, submit to town or city clerk by April 1):

 

Delegates to Party's State Convention:

 

Nominees for Party County Committee (to be elected at convention):

 

Votes for Presidential Nomination: 

 

Candidates for office (name of person and office sought):

 

Next Scheduled Committee Meeting:

 

CAUCUS ATTENDEE LIST

NAME – ADDRESS – PHONE – EMAIL


­___________________________________________________________________________________

 

Send copy of Caucus Data Sheet and Attendance Sheet to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Electronic text copy preferred.

Caucus Agenda

Sample Caucus Agenda (for use in conjunction with Caucus Data Sheet)

 

(following this agenda will cover all bases and provide opportunities for every statutory caucus provision to be executed)

 

I. Introduction and Statements—Open the Caucus. Introduce yourself and "open" the caucus.

II. Election of Caucus Officers.

  1.  Election of Caucus Secretary

  2.  Election of Caucus Chair

III. Determine Parliamentary Procedure of Caucus (consensus, majority vote, Robert's Rules, etc.).

IV. Form Municipal Committee. IMPORTANT!

  1.  Number of offices/members. (Most municipal committees choose to recognize all enrolled Green Independents in a municipality as MEMBERS of the committee—in essence making the committee an ongoing caucus. In doing so, the committee should redefine quorum so that a majority of all enrolled Green Independents—a nearly impossible attainment—is not necessary to conduct business. For OFFICERS, typical offices created are chair, secretary and/or treasurer as needed).

  2.  Length of terms. (As the committee wishes--usually two years, until the next caucus).

  3.  Duties of committee. (Set duties as desired).

  4.  The caucus may choose to adopt bylaws that accomplish the three items above. Sample bylaws are available to consider.

V. Identify candidates for state representative (or other offices such as state senator or municipal or county offices). (Bring blank petition sheets for State Representative and State Senator in case an attendee decided then and there that they want to run).

VI. Speeches by candidates (or their representatives).

VII. Nominate Municipal Election Clerks (to work the polls).

VIII. Elect Municipal Delegates to the Party's Statewide Convention.

IX. Nominations/Elections for County Committee.

X. Other business.

XI. Pass the Hat (for future committee expenses such as mailing to members or renting of rooms).

XII. Set Next Meeting Time and Place of Municipal Committee.

Caucus Handbook

GIP Municipal Caucuses Handbook

In order to remain a qualified political party in the State of Maine, the Green Independent Party is required to hold biennial caucuses statewide. Caucuses are called by the existing municipal committee of the party, or in the absence of a committee, by a registered member of the party who is a resident of the municipality. If a municipal committee fails to convene a caucus, than a county committee may do so. Green Independents within municipalities are encouraged to form party committees by calling a caucus. The following rules and guidelines are derived from the State of Maine statutes governing biennial caucuses.

The obligations of municipal clerks herein noted are only applicable to biennial caucuses held every two years during general election years (even numbered years).

Rules Governing a Biennial Caucus may be found at http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/21-a/title21-asec311.html


Summary

1.  The caucus may be called by the chair of the municipal committee, a majority of the members of the committee, or in the absence of a committee, by a county committee or a resident who is a registered party member. In biennial years, the municipal clerk must provide public space for the caucus if requested. If a municipal committee already exists and that committee fails to call a caucus, then the county committee may order the caucus to be convened.

2.  The caucus must be held before March 20 (January 1-March 19).

3.  The secretary of the committee (or resident calling the caucus) must have a notice of the caucus published in a newspaper having general circulation in the municipality at least 3 and not more than 7 days before it is to be held, OR must post a notice in a conspicuous, public place in each voting district in the municipality at least 7 days before the caucus. The notice must contain the name of the party, the time and place of the caucus, and the name of the person calling it. If the caucus is not published as required, then the caucus may be challenged and deemed null and void. The secretary (or resident calling caucus) must file a copy of the notice with the municipal clerk who shall record it. Contact registered Greens in the municipality by phone, mail or other means to notify them of caucus.

4.  The caucus shall be opened by the chair of the committee, or in his/her absence by the secretary of the committee or any resident party member, or in the absence of an existing committee, by the resident party member calling the caucus.

5.  The caucus shall first elect a secretary (of the caucus) and secondly elect a chair (of the caucus). Not to be confused with officers of the committee, these are only officers of the caucus itself. The chair presides over the caucus, and the secretary records its proceedings. The caucus shall choose its own parliamentary procedure.

Free Lists

In biennial years, the chair or secretary of the municipal committee, or the person or persons calling the caucus may request from the municipal registrar at no charge, a certified copy of the voting list for its use. Upon receipt of the request, the registrar has 5 business days to prepare and provide the certified voter list to the requester. Be sure to request the list at least 5 business days before the caucus to be able to use it at the caucus. Request the list even earlier if you plan to use it to contact Green Independents to invite them to the caucus.

This statute can be found at http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/21-a/title21-asec312.html

The state party will also provide caucus conveners with a list of registered Green Independents from its own database. The party list may have additional information such as phone numbers, that will be helpful. However, enrollment data is constantly changing. The list from the municipality is the most accurate list of voters, and is very valuable. Please acquire it even if you don't intend to use it. Using the two lists in conjunction will give you the best use. Coordinating with state party officials, in regards to the differences between the two lists, will help to keep state voter lists up to date. Please share the list you receive from the town with the state party so that the party list can be kept current.

Registrar Available

In biennial years, the municipal registrar or an authorized agent must be available at the location of the caucus for at least one whole hour (in presidential years) or one half hour (in gubernatorial years) prior to its commencement to register and enroll party members who may then participate in the caucus.

This statute can be found at http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/21-a/title21-asec158.html

Rights and Restrictions

Any person who is registered to vote as a Green Independent in the municipality of the caucus, who is not currently under "restrictions during change of enrollment," may participate in the caucus. A person, who changes enrollment from one political party to another in the same municipality, is restricted from caucus participation for 15 days after filing the change of enrollment. This statute can be found at http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/21-a/title21-asec144.html

Examples for an imaginary caucus in Fort Fairfield on January 16:

1.  A Fort Fairfield-registered Democrat who changes to Green Independent on January 3 MAY NOT participate in the caucus.

2.  A Presque Isle-registered Republican who changes to a Fort Fairfield-registered Green Independent on January 13 MAY participate in the caucus.

3.  A Fort-Fairfield-registered Unenrolled voter who becomes Green Independent on January 16 MAY participate.


Challenges and Oaths

Any enrolled voter in the municipality may challenge another's right to vote at the caucus. The challenged person may then vote only after taking the following oath in order to participate: "I, (name of challenged person), swear that I am a registered and enrolled voter in this voting district, that I am a member of the party holding this caucus, and that I have not been enrolled in any other party in this municipality within the last 15 days." The secretary of the caucus shall record the administration of the oath and provide a copy of the record to the municipal registrar. If the registrar compares the record to voter enrollment records, and verifies that the oath is false, then the person who swore to it is guilty of a Class E crime. This statute can be found at:

http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/21-a/title21-asec314.html


Voting Provisions

1.  The caucus may order voting to be done by checking each voter's name.

2.  The caucus may order voting to be done by secret ballot which may be printed or written on plain paper.

This statute can be found at http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/21-a/title21-asec313.html


Party Members Govern Political Committee

The members of a party within a municipality shall determine the method of election, and the terms of office and the duties of their political committees. This statute can be found at http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/21-a/title21-asec315.html


Why Form a Municipal Committee?

1. Green Independents of municipalities will have a direct link to the state committee of the party, as defined by party Bylaws, Article III, "Local Groups", increasing local participation in statewide representation of party views and values: "Members of the party meeting a minimum of four times annually shall be considered a local group of the party. The group officers may communicate local concerns, questions, proposals, etc. of the group to the state committee, as well as relay information from the state committee to the group.,"

2. Municipal committees “shall be entitled to appoint at least one member to their respective county committee in accordance with state and county party rules and bylaws,” in accordance with Bylaws Article III, Section B,

3.  Municipal committees “may propose items to the state committee for consideration of action. The state committee shall provide notice, agenda and minutes of its meetings to any municipal or county committee or other qualifying group. The state committee will keep the committees and groups informed of its actions and pose questions to them, via each group's officers or designated contacts who have email addresses.” – Bylaws Article III, Section C,

4.  Free list of all registered voters in the municipality guaranteed every two years for committee use,

5.  Right to call a caucus, which biennially helps the party to remain qualified,

6.  Right to nominate party members for election to county committees at the statewide convention, or in accordance with county committee bylaws,

7.  Right to submit nominations for election clerks (two-year term) to municipal officers; nominations must be submitted to the municipal clerk by April 1st (on even-numbered years),

8.  Right to elect municipal delegates to the party convention (Title 21-A, Ch. 5,Sub. 1, Art. 3/321), although GIP bylaws allow all party members to participate in GIP conventions. There have been times previously when the party has adopted convention rules that allow municipal delegates to represent the committee's suggested amendments to the party platform, and to cast special votes for presidential preference. It doesn't hurt to elect convention delegates, even though all party members may participate; at the least, it helps the party get early notice of convention attendees. The party has sometimes offered discounted registration rates for convention delegates elected at a caucus because of their participation in party organizing.

9.  Right to replace a vacancy for a candidate for representative to the legislature, in the event that a candidate withdraws from the race or is unable to participate in it. These statutes can be found at http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/21-a/title21-asec365.html and http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/21-a/title21-asec363.html,

10. The right to nominate a candidate for representative to the legislature for a special election.

11.  In some municipalities (example: Westbrook), the right to nominate candidates for municipal elected office.


Forming County Committees

At our convention this year, we will elect our party's county committees, from nominations made at municipal caucuses, unless an existing county committee has bylaws that allow for municipal caucuses to directly elect members to the county committee. No county committees currently have bylaws providing for direct election. Therefore, all county committees, will be elected at the state party convention.

Making the Best with Attendees

Don't be discouraged by a small turnout. These are the building blocks of our party organization. With love and nurture, it will grow from there. Even major parties get only a couple of people out to municipal caucuses in smaller, rural towns... so don't feel bad about numbers.

Even a caucus with a turnout of only two people is legally authorized under statute to form the party's municipal committee and the caucus should do so. There have been instances in the past, in rural towns, where there were only two Green Independents enrolled in that town, and they formed themselves into a legal and binding municipal committee.The committee, regardless of its membership numbers, is authorized to represent the Green Independent Party at the municipal level, receive notices from town clerks and nominate candidates for special elections.

Follow-up After the Caucus

Please provide information to state party officials so that we may stay better connected and organize together in the future. Send copy of minutes, the name, address and contact info for elected municipal committee officers, municipal delegates to the convention, nominees for county committee, any candidates, and any suggested changes to party bylaws or platform if applicable. Please send a copy of the caucus data sheet to the GIP municipal caucus support group ( mgip-caucus [at] googlegroups [dot] [com] ).

This handbook of information was compiled by Benjamin Meiklejohn, to serve as a useful source and guide for party members interested in convening a caucus. Meiklejohn has served as party chairman (2000-2004), local groups organizer (2000-2006), and founded the Portland Green Independent Committee in 1999 by convening a caucus as prescribed above. Meiklejohn later became the first elected Green Independent in Portland, serving on the Portland School Committee (2001-2007). He is currently the state party's secretary.

Maine Green Women's Caucus

Maine Green Womens Caucus

The Maine Green Women’s Caucus is a safe place where politically-minded women can meet and work. We’re building the communities/societies we want to live in, and promoting women to run for local and state office.

We are at crisis mode on so many fronts and a strong women's group made up of a diverse group of women is what is needed. The amazing thing in the Green Party is that we can not only connect with our National Green sisters, but also our International sisters in over 100 countries.

For more information, visit https://mainegreenwomenscaucus.wordpress.com/ or contact: Jacqui Deveneau, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Subcategories

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