Organization of the Party

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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!

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