http://wiki.cagreens.org/index.php?title=GPCA_Bylaws_Revision_Spring_2012_Article_7_General_Assembly&feed=atom&action=historyGPCA Bylaws Revision Spring 2012 Article 7 General Assembly - Revision history2024-03-29T06:26:23ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.27.2http://wiki.cagreens.org/index.php?title=GPCA_Bylaws_Revision_Spring_2012_Article_7_General_Assembly&diff=3376&oldid=prevMfeinstein at 12:49, 3 March 20132013-03-03T12:49:27Z<p></p>
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<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">Revision as of 12:49, 3 March 2013</td>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.5(d)''' The facilitators shall ask if there are any more unresolved, outstanding concerns. If there are none, the proposal is considered approved by consensus.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.5(d)''' The facilitators shall ask if there are any more unresolved, outstanding concerns. If there are none, the proposal is considered approved by consensus.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.5(e)''' If there remain outstanding concerns, the facilitators ask whether those holding outstanding concerns are willing to "stand aside" and have their concerns recorded in the minutes, along with the adopted proposal. If so, the proposal is considered approved by consensus, with the stand asides recorded.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.5(e)''' If there remain outstanding concerns, the facilitators <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">shall </ins>ask whether those holding outstanding concerns are willing to "stand aside" and have their concerns recorded in the minutes, along with the adopted proposal. If so, the proposal is considered approved by consensus, with the stand asides recorded.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.5(f)''' If there is not consensus, the presenter(s) may request more time from the General Assembly, go to a vote or withdraw the proposal.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.5(f)''' If there is not consensus, the presenter(s) may request more time from the General Assembly, go to a vote or withdraw the proposal.  </div></td></tr>
</table>Mfeinsteinhttp://wiki.cagreens.org/index.php?title=GPCA_Bylaws_Revision_Spring_2012_Article_7_General_Assembly&diff=3375&oldid=prevMfeinstein at 12:44, 3 March 20132013-03-03T12:44:30Z<p></p>
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<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">Revision as of 12:44, 3 March 2013</td>
</tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l52" >Line 52:</td>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.3''' Delegates shall be familiar with the party's Governing Documents - the Bylaws, the Rules and Procedures and the Fiscal Policy. First time delegates shall participate in the delegate orientation session at each General Assembly. Other delegates are encouraged to do so.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.3''' Delegates shall be familiar with the party's Governing Documents - the Bylaws, the Rules and Procedures and the Fiscal Policy. First time delegates shall participate in the delegate orientation session at each General Assembly. Other delegates are encouraged to do so.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.4''' Delegates assume the responsibility to be familiar with the agenda, to read materials and prepare clarifying questions in advance, and be prepared to participate in all General Assembly sessions. Where practicable, County Organizations are <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">also </del>encouraged to review agenda items and provide advance input to their delegates.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.4''' Delegates assume the responsibility to be familiar with the agenda, to read materials and prepare clarifying questions in advance, and be prepared to participate in all General Assembly sessions. Where practicable, County Organizations are encouraged to review agenda items and provide advance input to their delegates.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Section 7-2. Proposals'''</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Section 7-2. Proposals'''</div></td></tr>
</table>Mfeinsteinhttp://wiki.cagreens.org/index.php?title=GPCA_Bylaws_Revision_Spring_2012_Article_7_General_Assembly&diff=3374&oldid=prevMfeinstein: more from SGA amendments2013-03-03T12:38:16Z<p>more from SGA amendments</p>
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<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">← Older revision</td>
<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">Revision as of 12:38, 3 March 2013</td>
</tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l52" >Line 52:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 52:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.3''' Delegates shall be familiar with the party's Governing Documents - the Bylaws, the Rules and Procedures and the Fiscal Policy. First time delegates shall participate in the delegate orientation session at each General Assembly. Other delegates are encouraged to do so.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.3''' Delegates shall be familiar with the party's Governing Documents - the Bylaws, the Rules and Procedures and the Fiscal Policy. First time delegates shall participate in the delegate orientation session at each General Assembly. Other delegates are encouraged to do so.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.4''' Delegates assume the responsibility to be familiar with the agenda and be prepared to participate in all General Assembly sessions.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.4''' Delegates assume the responsibility to be familiar with the agenda<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, to read materials and prepare clarifying questions in advance, </ins>and be prepared to participate in all General Assembly sessions<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">. Where practicable, County Organizations are also encouraged to review agenda items and provide advance input to their delegates</ins>.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Section 7-2. Proposals'''</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Section 7-2. Proposals'''</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Section 7-4 Endorsements'''</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Section 7-4 Endorsements'''</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>General Assembly Delegates may rank the following choices and the result shall be calculated by instant run-off voting: 'Endorse' (that the GPCA should support the measure or candidate), 'Oppose' (that the GPCA should oppose the measure or candidate), 'No Position' (that the GPCA should not take any position on the measure or candidate) or 'Abstain' (that the delegate takes no position on what should be the GPCA position). A GPCA position to endorse or oppose shall require 2/3. Abstentions are counted to determine quorum, but not towards the approval/disapproval threshold. If quorum is not achieved, or if the 2/3 threshold is not reached for a 'Endorse'<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, </del>'Oppose', the GPCA's position will be 'No Position', as would it be if the 2/3 threshold is reached for 'No Position.'</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>General Assembly Delegates may rank the following choices and the result shall be calculated by instant run-off voting: 'Endorse' (that the GPCA should support the measure or candidate), 'Oppose' (that the GPCA should oppose the measure or candidate), 'No Position' (that the GPCA should not take any position on the measure or candidate) or 'Abstain' (that the delegate takes no position on what should be the GPCA position). A GPCA position to endorse or oppose shall require 2/3. Abstentions are counted to determine quorum, but not towards the approval/disapproval threshold. If quorum is not achieved, or if the 2/3 threshold is not reached for a 'Endorse' <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">or </ins>'Oppose', the GPCA's position will be 'No Position', as would it be if the 2/3 threshold is reached for 'No Position.'</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Section 7-5 Meetings'''</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Section 7-5 Meetings'''</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l116" >Line 116:</td>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.1(b)''' The Draft Agenda shall incorporate agenda items submitted by committees, working groups and County Organizations as provided for in these bylaws; shall distinguish among decision making items, reports and discussion items; shall distinguish among proposals, elections and confirmations; and shall include facilitators, times and the full text of each item as described in 7-2.2  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.1(b)''' The Draft Agenda shall incorporate agenda items submitted by committees, working groups and County Organizations as provided for in these bylaws; shall distinguish among decision making items, reports and discussion items; shall distinguish among proposals, elections and confirmations; and shall include facilitators, times and the full text of each item as described in 7-2.2  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.1(c)'''  The Draft Agenda may contain a Consent Calendar consisting of proposals that have been judged by their sponsors to be sufficiently non-controversial as to be considered and approved without the normal consensus-seeking process of presentations, clarifying questions, and affirmations and concerns. When the Consent Calendar is heard, any proposal for which there are outstanding concerns without stand asides shall be removed without approval. The sponsor(s) of the proposal shall make an effort to address the outstanding concerns, after which the proposal may be brought back at a later point for approval.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.1(c)'''  The Draft Agenda may contain a Consent Calendar consisting of proposals that have been judged by their sponsors to be sufficiently non-controversial as to be considered and approved without the normal consensus-seeking process of presentations, clarifying questions, and affirmations and concerns. When the Consent Calendar is heard, any proposal for which there are outstanding concerns without stand asides shall be removed without approval. The sponsor(s) of the proposal shall make an effort to address the outstanding concerns, after which the proposal may be brought back <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">to the General Assembly </ins>at a later point for approval.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.2 Delegate Registration'''</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.2 Delegate Registration'''</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l146" >Line 146:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 146:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.5(c)''' Affirmations, concerns and proposed amendments follow from the delegates only. Presenters attempt to address concerns and may amend their proposal, in which case clarifying questions may again be made and responded to by the presenters. The proposal is then restated, including as amended, if amended by the presenters.   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.5(c)''' Affirmations, concerns and proposed amendments follow from the delegates only. Presenters attempt to address concerns and may amend their proposal, in which case clarifying questions may again be made and responded to by the presenters. The proposal is then restated, including as amended, if amended by the presenters.   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.5(d)''' <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">If </del>there are <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">no </del>outstanding concerns, the proposal is considered approved by consensus.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.5(d)''' <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">The facilitators shall ask if </ins>there are <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">any more unresolved, </ins>outstanding concerns<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">. If there are none</ins>, the proposal is considered approved by consensus.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.5(e)''' If there remain outstanding concerns, the facilitators ask whether those holding outstanding concerns are willing to "stand aside" and have their concerns recorded in the minutes, along with the adopted proposal. If so, the proposal is considered approved by consensus, with the stand asides recorded.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-5.5(e)''' If there remain outstanding concerns, the facilitators ask whether those holding outstanding concerns are willing to "stand aside" and have their concerns recorded in the minutes, along with the adopted proposal. If so, the proposal is considered approved by consensus, with the stand asides recorded.  </div></td></tr>
</table>Mfeinsteinhttp://wiki.cagreens.org/index.php?title=GPCA_Bylaws_Revision_Spring_2012_Article_7_General_Assembly&diff=3353&oldid=prevMfeinstein at 08:40, 28 January 20132013-01-28T08:40:02Z<p></p>
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<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">Revision as of 08:40, 28 January 2013</td>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Sponsor: Coordinating Committee'''</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Sponsor: Coordinating Committee'''</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Background:''' The text relating to General Assemblies in the current bylaws is spread over two disconnected Sections: "Section 4-2. Delegate Selection to General Assembly" and "Article 5. General Assembly Meetings."  This proposal consolidates that content into a single Article and adds to it <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">in several instances, </del>with the following six objectives:</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Background:''' The text relating to General Assemblies in the current bylaws is spread over two disconnected Sections: "Section 4-2. Delegate Selection to General Assembly" and "Article 5. General Assembly Meetings."  This proposal consolidates that content into a single Article and adds to it with the following six objectives:</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Simplifies the explanation of the consensus-seeking process used at General Assemblies (see proposed 7-5.5 below), making it easier to follow (compared to 5-8.1 in the existing bylaws), but without changing its meaning.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Simplifies the explanation of the consensus-seeking process used at General Assemblies (see proposed 7-5.5 below), making it easier to follow (compared to 5-8.1 in the existing bylaws), but without changing its meaning.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">a new sub-section </del>"7-5.6 Minutes", to clarify specifically what belongs in the party's General Assembly minutes. Currently the bylaws state "Note takers shall compile an accurate record of the session highlighting decisions made and tasks taken on by delegates or others", but this has led to an uneven practice of taking subjective 'notes' at General Assemblies<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, varying </del>with each note taker, and generally <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">leaving </del>a consistently incomplete record of party decision-making <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">over the years</del>. To address this, the new text <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">in 7-5.6 </del>provides a specific list of what belongs in the minutes.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates "7-5.6 Minutes", to clarify specifically what belongs in the party's General Assembly minutes. Currently the bylaws state "Note takers shall compile an accurate record of the session highlighting decisions made and tasks taken on by delegates or others", but <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">without any further specificity, </ins>this has led to an uneven practice of taking subjective 'notes' at General Assemblies <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">that vary </ins>with each note taker, and generally <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">leave </ins>a consistently incomplete record of party decision-making. To address this, the new text provides a specific list of what belongs in the minutes.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">a new section </del>"Section 7-4 Endorsements" from the text of the current "Section 9-1. Statewide Endorsement Procedure" and adds to it to make explicit that the method of endorsement will be to provide ranked choice voting options to <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">delegates to vote </del>'Endorse', 'Oppose', 'Abstain' and 'No Position'. Currently those four positions are options in the county polling process the GPCA uses, but delegates can only vote for one option, not use ranked choice voting to rank among them.  The GPCA has long favored the use of ranked choice voting and this would allow the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">GPCA </del>to practice what it preaches.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates "Section 7-4 Endorsements" from the text of the current "Section 9-1. Statewide Endorsement Procedure" and adds to it to make explicit that the method of endorsement will be to provide ranked choice voting options to <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">rank </ins>'Endorse', 'Oppose', 'Abstain' and 'No Position'. Currently those four positions are options in the county polling process the GPCA uses, but delegates can only vote for one option, not use ranked choice voting to rank among them.  The GPCA has long favored the use of ranked choice voting and this would allow the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">party </ins>to practice what it preaches<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, and to give delegates more flexibility in expressing their preferences</ins>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">a new section </del>"Section 7-6 Standing Green Assembly." This section formally establishes the Standing General Assembly (SGA) in the bylaws. In so doing, it (a) establishes the length and starting and ending dates of terms for SGA delegates, (b) which type of decisions automatically go before the SGA and (c) the length of the discussion period (six weeks) and voting period (one week) for proposals and elections before the SGA.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates "Section 7-6 Standing Green Assembly." This section formally establishes the Standing General Assembly (SGA) in the bylaws. In so doing, it (a) establishes the length and starting and ending dates of terms for SGA delegates, (b) which type of decisions automatically go before the SGA and (c) the length of the discussion period (six weeks) and voting period (one week) for proposals and elections before the SGA.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a section "Section 7-1. Delegates" that has a <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">slightly </del>revised Delegate Allocation formula <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">from the present bylaws, </del>with the objective to ensure a consistent number of delegates for each county, based upon how many registered Greens in that county compared to the total number of registered Greens statewide. If a county is active, <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">they get that </del>number of delegates and <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">if they are </del>not, <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">they don</del>'t. <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del>This makes for standard sizes for all county delegations and gives each county a clear idea of how many Standing Delegates it has to appoint and by when. (see the references section below for fuller explanation of the flaws in the current system and how this revision addresses them)</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a section "Section 7-1. Delegates" that has a revised Delegate Allocation formula with the objective to ensure a consistent number of delegates for each county, based upon how many registered Greens in that county compared to the total number of registered Greens statewide. If a county is active, <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">it gets its proportional </ins>number of delegates and <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">a county is </ins>not <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">active</ins>, <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">it doesn</ins>'t <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">get any delegates</ins>. This makes for standard sizes for all county delegations and gives each county a clear idea of how many Standing Delegates it has to appoint and by when. (see the references section below for fuller explanation of the flaws in the current system and how this revision addresses them)</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a single section "Section 7-2. Proposals" to consolidate the text surrounding (1) how proposals come to the General Assembly (Committees and Working Groups may submit proposals within the scope of their Duties and Authority as defined in the bylaws, and County Organizations may submit proposals to amend the Bylaws, Rules & Procedures and Fiscal Policy), as well as (2) what the decision-making thresholds are on different types of decisions and (3) what voting systems are used to decide upon them<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">. The primary changes come in "7-2.3 Approval Thresholds", which establishes what are the decision-making thresholds are on different types of decisions</del>.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a single section "Section 7-2. Proposals" to consolidate the text surrounding (1) how proposals come to the General Assembly (Committees and Working Groups may submit proposals within the scope of their Duties and Authority as defined in the bylaws, and County Organizations may submit proposals to amend the Bylaws, Rules & Procedures and Fiscal Policy), as well as (2) what the decision-making thresholds are on different types of decisions and (3) what voting systems are used to decide upon them.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">One substantial ambiguity in the current bylaws addressed </del>in 7-2.3 <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> is between what is 'policy' and what is 'business'</del>, <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">with the former currently requiring 4/5 and the latter 2/3. There is no definition in the current bylaws about </del>what <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">this difference is supposed to be. Despite this, </del>the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">bylaws state that if only one person disputes that something is a 'business' item, then it automatically becomes 'policy' and requires a higher approval threshold. This proposal resolves this ambiguity (and its attendant potential </del>for <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">manipulation by a single individual) by providing a clear list in 7-2.3 </del>of <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">what </del>decisions <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">merit what level of approval threshold</del>.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">The primary changes come </ins>in <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">"</ins>7-2.3 <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Approval Thresholds"</ins>, <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">which establishes </ins>what <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">are </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">decision-making thresholds </ins>for <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">different types </ins>of decisions.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Like today, the proposed bylaws have two levels of approval threshold. But instead of 4/5 and 2/3, this proposal recommends 2/3 for major party decisions like platform amendments and GPCA positions on statewide initiatives, and 3/5 for administrative decisions.  There are two reasons to prefer 2/3 instead of 4/5 for specific types of <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">votes</del>.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">One substantial ambiguity in the current bylaws is addressed in 7-2.3, between what is considered a 'policy' decision and what is a 'business' decision, with the former requiring a 4/5 approval threshold and the latter 2/3. However, there is no definition in the current bylaws about what this difference is supposed to be. Despite this, the bylaws state that if only one person disputes that something is a 'business' item, then it automatically becomes 'policy' and requires a higher approval threshold. This proposal resolves this ambiguity (and its attendant potential for manipulation of the approval threshold by a single individual) by providing a clear list in 7-2.3 of what decisions merit what level of approval threshold. </ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Like today, the proposed bylaws have two levels of approval threshold. But instead of 4/5 and 2/3, this proposal recommends 2/3 for major party decisions like platform amendments and GPCA positions on statewide initiatives, and 3/5 for administrative decisions.  There are two reasons to prefer 2/3 instead of 4/5 for specific types of <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">decisions</ins>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>First, the GPCA's use of the 80% is a holdover from the pre-party days before the party's founding in 1990 when small, pre-party Green locals used it. These were usually small locals of ten or fewer people that met together frequently in person, often were based upon long standing personal relationships, and shared general agreement about goals and objectives. In such small, face-to-face contexts among people who know each other well, it was argued then that 80% is a functional threshold. When the GPCA was started, the people who started it didn't contemplate whether what was appropriate for such small local groups would also be appropriate for a larger, statewide organization of people who may not know each other as well and didn't meet in person as often. As a result, the GPCA is the only state or national level Green Party in the world that uses an 80% approval threshold for large parts of its decision-making. Most use a 2/3 approval threshold for amending bylaws and platforms and a lower threshold for other types of decisions.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>First, the GPCA's use of the 80% is a holdover from the pre-party days before the party's founding in 1990 when small, pre-party Green locals used it. These were usually small locals of ten or fewer people that met together frequently in person, often were based upon long standing personal relationships, and shared general agreement about goals and objectives. In such small, face-to-face contexts among people who know each other well, it was argued then that 80% is a functional threshold. When the GPCA was started, the people who started it didn't contemplate whether what was appropriate for such small local groups would also be appropriate for a larger, statewide organization of people who may not know each other as well and didn't meet in person as often. As a result, the GPCA is the only state or national level Green Party in the world that uses an 80% approval threshold for large parts of its decision-making. Most use a 2/3 approval threshold for amending bylaws and platforms and a lower threshold for other types of decisions.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l23" >Line 23:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 25:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>As it turned out, the GPCA on a state level is not a small, face-to-face body like the Green locals of the late 1980s and early 1990s - it is much larger, it meets less frequently and it consists of many people who don't know each other as well as some people do locally.   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>As it turned out, the GPCA on a state level is not a small, face-to-face body like the Green locals of the late 1980s and early 1990s - it is much larger, it meets less frequently and it consists of many people who don't know each other as well as some people do locally.   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Requiring at least 80% agreement from among such a group can prove to be an unproductive obstacle when used for bodies of 50 to 150 people who often don't know each other that well, and who do not have unlimited time at a busy state meeting to try and resolve their differences. In some cases, rather than promoting consensus-seeking, the use of 80% can also turn the party's decision-making process into a tyranny of a small minority, by allowing as little as 21% of (what is often a very small number of) delegates who simply do not and will not agree with a proposal, to block the rest of the party from taking action. It is for these reasons that no other Green Party in the world uses an 80% approval threshold as does the GPCA.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Requiring at least 80% agreement from among such a group can prove to be an unproductive obstacle when used for bodies of 50 to 150 people who often don't know each other that well, and who do not have unlimited time at a busy state meeting to try and resolve their differences. In some cases, rather than promoting consensus-seeking, the use of 80% can also turn the party's decision-making process into a tyranny of a small minority, by allowing as little as 21% of (what is often a very small number of) delegates who simply do not and will not agree with a proposal, to block the rest of the party from taking action.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>It is for these reasons that no other Green Party in the world uses an 80% approval threshold as does the GPCA.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Second, the move to a larger, more inclusive and diverse Standing Green Assembly (SGA) also argues for a 2/3 approval threshold for certain kind of decision-making. The GPUS uses the same kind of voting page and email list discussions and teleconferences for its national decision making that the GPCA has used for its SGA and the size of the GPUS's decision-making body is roughly the same size (up to 150) as provided for in the SGA. In that context, the GPUS has successfully used 2/3 for decision-making on platform and rules amendments (as well as recall elections of its officers, accreditation of new state parties and other such decisions) since 2001. Of note: since the GPUS joined the GPUS in 2001, the GPCA has never argued that this 2/3 threshold is inappropriate for such decision-making and should be raised to 80%.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Second, the move to a larger, more inclusive and diverse Standing Green Assembly (SGA) also argues for a 2/3 approval threshold for certain kind of decision-making. The GPUS uses the same kind of voting page and email list discussions and teleconferences for its national decision making that the GPCA has used for its SGA and the size of the GPUS's decision-making body is roughly the same size (up to 150) as provided for in the SGA. In that context, the GPUS has successfully used 2/3 for decision-making on platform and rules amendments (as well as recall elections of its officers, accreditation of new state parties and other such decisions) since 2001. Of note: since the GPUS joined the GPUS in 2001, the GPCA has never argued that this 2/3 threshold is inappropriate for such decision-making and should be raised to 80%.  </div></td></tr>
</table>Mfeinsteinhttp://wiki.cagreens.org/index.php?title=GPCA_Bylaws_Revision_Spring_2012_Article_7_General_Assembly&diff=3352&oldid=prevMfeinstein at 08:26, 28 January 20132013-01-28T08:26:59Z<p></p>
<table class="diff diff-contentalign-left" data-mw="interface">
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<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">← Older revision</td>
<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">Revision as of 08:26, 28 January 2013</td>
</tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l15" >Line 15:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 15:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a single section "Section 7-2. Proposals" to consolidate the text surrounding (1) how proposals come to the General Assembly (Committees and Working Groups may submit proposals within the scope of their Duties and Authority as defined in the bylaws, and County Organizations may submit proposals to amend the Bylaws, Rules & Procedures and Fiscal Policy), as well as (2) what the decision-making thresholds are on different types of decisions and (3) what voting systems are used to decide upon them. The primary changes come in "7-2.3 Approval Thresholds", which establishes what are the decision-making thresholds are on different types of decisions.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a single section "Section 7-2. Proposals" to consolidate the text surrounding (1) how proposals come to the General Assembly (Committees and Working Groups may submit proposals within the scope of their Duties and Authority as defined in the bylaws, and County Organizations may submit proposals to amend the Bylaws, Rules & Procedures and Fiscal Policy), as well as (2) what the decision-making thresholds are on different types of decisions and (3) what voting systems are used to decide upon them. The primary changes come in "7-2.3 Approval Thresholds", which establishes what are the decision-making thresholds are on different types of decisions.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>One substantial ambiguity in the current bylaws addressed in 7-2.3  is between what is 'policy' and what is 'business', with the former currently requiring 4/5 and the latter 2/3. There is no definition in the current bylaws about what this difference is supposed to be. Despite this, the bylaws state that if only one person disputes that something is a 'business' item, then it automatically becomes 'policy' and requires a higher approval <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del>threshold. This proposal resolves this ambiguity (and its attendant potential for manipulation by a single individual) by providing a clear list in 7-2.3 of what decisions merit what level of approval threshold.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>One substantial ambiguity in the current bylaws addressed in 7-2.3  is between what is 'policy' and what is 'business', with the former currently requiring 4/5 and the latter 2/3. There is no definition in the current bylaws about what this difference is supposed to be. Despite this, the bylaws state that if only one person disputes that something is a 'business' item, then it automatically becomes 'policy' and requires a higher approval threshold. This proposal resolves this ambiguity (and its attendant potential for manipulation by a single individual) by providing a clear list in 7-2.3 of what decisions merit what level of approval threshold.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Like today, the proposed bylaws have two levels of approval threshold. But instead of 4/5 and 2/3, this proposal recommends 2/3 for major party decisions like platform amendments and GPCA positions on statewide initiatives, and 3/5 for administrative decisions.  There are two reasons to prefer 2/3 instead of 4/5 for specific types of votes.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Like today, the proposed bylaws have two levels of approval threshold. But instead of 4/5 and 2/3, this proposal recommends 2/3 for major party decisions like platform amendments and GPCA positions on statewide initiatives, and 3/5 for administrative decisions.  There are two reasons to prefer 2/3 instead of 4/5 for specific types of votes.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l23" >Line 23:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 23:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>As it turned out, the GPCA on a state level is not a small, face-to-face body like the Green locals of the late 1980s and early 1990s - it is much larger, it meets less frequently and it consists of many people who don't know each other as well as some people do locally.   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>As it turned out, the GPCA on a state level is not a small, face-to-face body like the Green locals of the late 1980s and early 1990s - it is much larger, it meets less frequently and it consists of many people who don't know each other as well as some people do locally.   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Requiring at least 80% agreement from among such a group can prove to be an unproductive obstacle when used for bodies of 50 to 150 people who often don't know each other that well, and who do not have unlimited time at a busy state meeting to try and resolve their differences. In some cases, rather than promoting seeking <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">consensus</del>, the use of 80% can also turn the party's decision-making process into a tyranny of a small minority, by allowing as little as 21% of (what is often a very small number of) delegates who simply do not and will not agree with a proposal, to block the rest of the party from taking action. It is for these reasons that no other Green Party in the world uses an 80% approval threshold as does the GPCA.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Requiring at least 80% agreement from among such a group can prove to be an unproductive obstacle when used for bodies of 50 to 150 people who often don't know each other that well, and who do not have unlimited time at a busy state meeting to try and resolve their differences. In some cases, rather than promoting <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">consensus-</ins>seeking, the use of 80% can also turn the party's decision-making process into a tyranny of a small minority, by allowing as little as 21% of (what is often a very small number of) delegates who simply do not and will not agree with a proposal, to block the rest of the party from taking action. It is for these reasons that no other Green Party in the world uses an 80% approval threshold as does the GPCA.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Second, the move to a larger, more inclusive and diverse Standing Green Assembly (SGA) also argues for a 2/3 approval threshold for certain kind of decision-making. The GPUS uses the same kind of voting page and email list discussions and teleconferences for its national decision making that the GPCA has used for its SGA and the size of the GPUS's decision-making body is roughly the same size (up to 150) as provided for in the SGA. In that context, the GPUS has successfully used 2/3 for decision-making on platform and rules amendments<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, </del>as well as recall elections of its officers, accreditation of new state parties and other such decisions. Of note: since the GPUS joined the GPUS in 2001, the GPCA has never argued that this 2/3 threshold is inappropriate for such decision-making and should be raised to 80%.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Second, the move to a larger, more inclusive and diverse Standing Green Assembly (SGA) also argues for a 2/3 approval threshold for certain kind of decision-making. The GPUS uses the same kind of voting page and email list discussions and teleconferences for its national decision making that the GPCA has used for its SGA and the size of the GPUS's decision-making body is roughly the same size (up to 150) as provided for in the SGA. In that context, the GPUS has successfully used 2/3 for decision-making on platform and rules amendments <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">(</ins>as well as recall elections of its officers, accreditation of new state parties and other such decisions<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">) since 2001</ins>. Of note: since the GPUS joined the GPUS in 2001, the GPCA has never argued that this 2/3 threshold is inappropriate for such decision-making and should be raised to 80%.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Finally, if it is more reasonable to use 2/3 for large, on-line decision-making like the SGA, it would not be sensible for the GPCA to have two different approval thresholds - 4/5 and 2/3, for the same kind of <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">proposal</del>, depending upon whether <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">it </del>was submitted to a face-to-face General Assembly or the SGA.  This would only open up the party to gaming the system, by bringing a proposal to one body or the other, depending upon the different approval thresholds <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">available </del>at either.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Finally, if it is more reasonable to use 2/3 for large, on-line decision-making <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">bodies </ins>like the SGA, it would not be sensible for the GPCA to have two different approval thresholds - 4/5 and 2/3, for the same kind of <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">proposals</ins>, depending upon whether <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">a proposal </ins>was submitted to a face-to-face General Assembly or the SGA.  This would only open up the party to gaming the system, by bringing a proposal to one body or the other, depending upon the different approval thresholds <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">applicable </ins>at either.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>----</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>----</div></td></tr>
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<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 200:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-6.3(b)''' The purpose of the discussion period is to provide an opportunity to utilize the consensus-seeking process in 7-5 within the context of utilizing electronic means, teleconferences and other methods of communication other than an in-person General Assembly.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-6.3(b)''' The purpose of the discussion period is to provide an opportunity to utilize the consensus-seeking process in 7-5 within the context of utilizing electronic means, teleconferences and other methods of communication other than an in-person General Assembly.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-6.3(c)''' Proposals may be amended at any time during the discussion period by the proposal’s sponsor(s), except that the final amended version must be placed before the Standing Green Assembly no later than <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">seven days </del>preceding the end of the discussion period.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-6.3(c)''' Proposals may be amended at any time during the discussion period by the proposal’s sponsor(s), except that the final amended version must be placed before the Standing Green Assembly no later than <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">on a Monday at 12:01 am </ins>preceding the end of the discussion period.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-6.3(d)''' The voting period for Proposals and Elections shall commence immediately at the close of the discussion period, and shall be for one week beginning on a Monday at 12:01 am and ending on a Sunday at 11:59pm.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-6.3(d)''' The voting period for Proposals and Elections shall commence immediately at the close of the discussion period, and shall be for one week beginning on a Monday at 12:01 am and ending on a Sunday at 11:59pm.</div></td></tr>
</table>Mfeinsteinhttp://wiki.cagreens.org/index.php?title=GPCA_Bylaws_Revision_Spring_2012_Article_7_General_Assembly&diff=3351&oldid=prevMfeinstein: more revision of the intro2013-01-28T08:21:56Z<p>more revision of the intro</p>
<a href="http://wiki.cagreens.org/index.php?title=GPCA_Bylaws_Revision_Spring_2012_Article_7_General_Assembly&diff=3351&oldid=3350">Show changes</a>Mfeinsteinhttp://wiki.cagreens.org/index.php?title=GPCA_Bylaws_Revision_Spring_2012_Article_7_General_Assembly&diff=3350&oldid=prevMfeinstein: revise intro for clarity2013-01-28T06:33:05Z<p>revise intro for clarity</p>
<table class="diff diff-contentalign-left" data-mw="interface">
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<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">← Older revision</td>
<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">Revision as of 06:33, 28 January 2013</td>
</tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l1" >Line 1:</td>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Sponsor: Coordinating Committee'''</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Sponsor: Coordinating Committee'''</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Background:''' The <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">current </del>text relating to the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">General Assembly </del>is spread over two disconnected Sections: "Section 4-2. Delegate Selection to General Assembly" and "Article 5. General Assembly Meetings."  This proposals consolidates <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">the </del>content <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">in </del>a single Article, with the following objectives:</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Background:''' The text relating to <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">General Assemblies in </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">current bylaws </ins>is spread over two disconnected Sections: "Section 4-2. Delegate Selection to General Assembly" and "Article 5. General Assembly Meetings."  This proposals consolidates <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">that </ins>content <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">into </ins>a single Article <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">and adds to it in several instances</ins>, <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">making the following changes </ins>with the following objectives:</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Simply </del>the explanation of the consensus-seeking process (see proposed 7-5.5 below) <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">and thus </del>making it easier to follow (compared to 5-8.1 in the existing bylaws), without changing its meaning.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Simplifies </ins>the explanation of the consensus-seeking process <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">used at General Assemblies </ins>(see proposed 7-5.5 below)<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, </ins>making it easier to follow (compared to 5-8.1 in the existing bylaws), <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">but </ins>without changing its meaning.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a new section "Section 7-4 Endorsements" from the text of the current "Section 9-1. Statewide Endorsement Procedure" and <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">makes </del>it explicit that the method of endorsing will be to provide ranked choice voting options to vote 'yes', 'no', 'abstain' and 'no position'. Currently those four positions are options in the county polling process the GPCA uses, but there is no ranked choice voting option between them. The GPCA has long favored the use of ranked choice voting and this would allow the GPCA to practice what it preaches.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">• Creates a new sub-section "7-5.6 Minutes", to clarify what belongs in the party's General Assembly minutes. Currently there is no definition in the bylaws for what belongs in the minutes and the party's informal practice of taking subjective 'notes' at General Assemblies has left a consistently incomplete record of the party's decision-making over the years.</ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a new section "Section 7-4 Endorsements" from the text of the current "Section 9-1. Statewide Endorsement Procedure" and <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">adding to it to make </ins>it explicit that the method of endorsing will be to provide ranked choice voting options to vote 'yes', 'no', 'abstain' and 'no position'. Currently those four positions are options in the county polling process the GPCA uses, but there is no ranked choice voting option between <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">them. Instead delegates can only vote for one option, but not rank </ins>them. The GPCA has long favored the use of ranked choice voting and this would allow the GPCA to practice what it preaches <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">in this important decision-making process</ins>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a new section "7-<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">5</del>.<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">6 Minutes</del>"<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, to clarify what belongs in </del>the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">party's </del>General Assembly <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">minutes</del>. <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Currently there is no definition </del>and the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">party's practice of random 'notes' from General Assemblies has left a consistently incomplete record </del>of the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">party's decision-making</del>.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a new section "<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Section </ins>7-<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">6 Standing Green Assembly</ins>." <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">This is the section that would formally establish </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Standing </ins>General Assembly <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">(SGA) in the bylaws</ins>. <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">In so doing, it establishes the terms for SGA delegates, which type of decisions automatically go before the SGA </ins>and the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">length </ins>of the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">discussion period (six weeks) and voting period (one week) for proposals and elections before the SGA</ins>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">new </del>section "Section 7-<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">6 Standing Green Assembly</del>." <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">This section clarifies </del>the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">terms for SGA delegates</del>, which <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">decisions automatically go before </del>the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">SGA </del>and the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">length of the discussion period (six weeks) and voting period (one week)</del>.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a section "Section 7-<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">1</ins>. <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Delegates</ins>" <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">that has a slightly changed Delegate Allocation formula from </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">present bylaws</ins>, <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">the objective of </ins>which <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">is to ensure a consistent approach for both </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">General Assembly </ins>and the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Standing Green Assembly</ins>. <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">That formula is explained as follows:</ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">• Creates a section "Section 7-1. Delegatess </del>that <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">has a slightly changed Delegate Allocation formula, </del>the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">objective </del>of <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">which </del>is to <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">ensure a consistent approach for both </del>the General Assembly and the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Standing Green Assembly. That formula is explained as follows</del>:</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">The current bylaw </ins>that <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">determines </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">overall size </ins>of <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">the General Assembly and how many delegates each active county </ins>is <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">entitled </ins>to <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">was approved at </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">August 1990 </ins>General Assembly<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, for in-person meetings only, with two objectives: to provide a minimum of one delegate per active county </ins>and <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">to have a proportionality reflecting how many registered Greens are in each county, compared to how many statewide. Unfortunately </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">current system has these flaws in trying to realize those two simultaneous objectives</ins>:</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>The current <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">formula by which </del>the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">General Assembly size </del>and <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">how many delegates per </del>county <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">was designed in August 1990, for in-person meetings only, with two objectives:  </del>to <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">provide </del>a minimum of one <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">delegate per </del>active <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">county and </del>to <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">have a proportionality reflecting </del>how many <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">registered Greens </del>are in <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">each county compared to how </del>many <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">statewide</del>. <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">While the </del>current system <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">attempts makes progress towards reaching those two simultaneous objectives</del>, <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">it has </del>these <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">flaws:</del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">- (Flaw #1) </ins>The current <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">system favors having a set number of delegates (100) at </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">expense of having an accurate </ins>and <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">consistent proportionality between the counties. Since under the current system each active </ins>county <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">is entitled </ins>to a minimum of one <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">seat, but the total number of seats always remains the same; and since the number of </ins>active <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">counties can vary greatly, this means that the number of remaining seats out of 100 </ins>to <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">be divided proportionally can also vary greatly. This means that depending upon </ins>how many <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">counties are active, larger counties can be either significantly over-represented (when there </ins>are <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">fewer active counties, as </ins>in <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">the present) or significantly under-represented (when there are </ins>many <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">active counties, as has been the case in the past and could be again in the future)</ins>. <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">How does occur? The </ins>current system <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">of 100 delegates guarantees one delegate per active county and then divides the remaining seats proportionally among the active counties. This means if 20 counties are active</ins>, <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">then 80 seats are divided proportionally. In </ins>these <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">situations, the larger counties get over-represented.  But if 40 counties were active, then only 60 seats are divided proportionally and the larger counties get under-represented.  And if all 58 counties were active (some that only a few handfuls of Greens but would still be entitled to one vote), then only 42 seats are divided proportionally and the larger counties get even further under-represented. </ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>- (<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">1</del>) The current system <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">favors having </del>a <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">set number of delegates (100) at the expense of having an accurate and consistent </del>proportionality <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">between the </del>counties<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">. This </del>is <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">because </del>the number of <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">active counties can vary greatly, meaning </del>the number of <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">remaining seats to be divided proportionally can vary greatly, meaning that depending upon how many counties are active, larger counties can be either significantly over-represented (when there are fewer active counties, as </del>in the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">present) or they can be significantly under-represented (when there are many active counties</del>, <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">as has been </del>the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">case </del>in <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">the past and could be again in the future). How does occur? The current system of 100 delegates guarantees one delegate per </del>active county <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">and then divides the remaining seats proportionally among the active counties</del>. This means <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">if 20 counties are active, then 80 seats are divided proportionally. In these situations, the larger counties get over-represented.  But if 40 counties were active, then only 60 seats are divided proportionally and the larger counties get under-represented.  And if all 58 counties were active (some </del>that <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">only a few handfuls of Greens but would still be entitled to one vote), then only 42 seats  are divided proportionally and the larger counties get even further under-represented. </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>- (<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Flaw #2</ins>) The current system <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">uses </ins>a <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">formula to determine </ins>proportionality <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">among </ins>counties <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">that </ins>is <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">not consistently proportional to </ins>the number of <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Greens in a given county compared to </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">total </ins>number of <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">registered Greens </ins>in the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">state</ins>, <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">but instead is proportional to </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">number of registered Greens </ins>in <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">those counties where there is an </ins>active county <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">party</ins>. This means <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">again </ins>that the number of <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">delegates </ins>a county is entitled to <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">that is supposed to be </ins>based upon <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">how many registered </ins>Greens <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">it has</ins>, <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">can </ins>vary greatly depending upon <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">how many </ins>Greens are <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">registered in counties where the party is officially recognized as '</ins>active<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">' and how many Greens are registered </ins>in <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">counties where </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">party is not recognized as active</ins>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">- (2) In any of these cases, its not clear why </del>the number of <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">votes </del>a county is entitled to based upon <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">its number of greens compared to the number of </del>Greens <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">in the rest of the state</del>, <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">should </del>vary greatly depending upon <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">whether other </del>Greens are active <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">or not </del>in <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">far away reaches of </del>the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">state</del>. The proposed new approach would still meet the original August 1990 objectives for GA size: "to provide a minimum of one delegate per active county and to have a proportionality reflecting how many registered Greens are in each county compared to how many statewide." But it would do so in a more consistently accurate way, by establishing a clear size for every county, and if they are active they get their <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">votes </del>and if they are not, they don't.  This makes for standard sizes for delegations and <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">since the Standing Delegate terms are to be for one year, it has the benefit of giving </del>each county a clear idea of how many Standing Delegates it has to appoint and when <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">to appoint them</del>.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>The proposed new approach would <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">address this and </ins>still meet the original August 1990 objectives for GA size: "to provide a minimum of one delegate per active county and to have a proportionality reflecting how many registered Greens are in each county compared to how many statewide." But it would do so in a more consistently accurate way, by <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">(a) </ins>establishing a clear size for every county, and <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">(b) </ins>if they are active they get their <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">delegates </ins>and if they are not, they don't.  This makes for standard sizes for <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">all county </ins>delegations and <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">gives </ins>each county a clear idea of how many Standing Delegates it has to appoint and <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">by </ins>when.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a single section "Section 7-2. Proposals" to consolidate the text surrounding (1) how proposals come to the General Assembly, (2) what their decision-making thresholds are and (3) what voting systems are used to decide upon them.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a single section "Section 7-2. Proposals" to consolidate the text surrounding (1) how proposals come to the General Assembly, (2) what their decision-making thresholds are and (3) what voting systems are used to decide upon them.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>One substantial ambiguity in the current bylaws is between what is 'policy' and what is 'business', with the former requiring 4/5 and the latter 2/3. In fact there is no definition in the bylaws about <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">the </del>difference <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">between the two, and despite </del>this, the current bylaws state that if only one person disputes that something is a 'business' item, then it automatically becomes 'policy.<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'  </del>This proposal resolves this ambiguity <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">- </del>and its attendant potential for manipulation by a single individual <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">- </del>by providing a clear list of what proposals merit what level of approval threshold.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>One substantial ambiguity in the current bylaws is between what is 'policy' and what is 'business', with the former requiring 4/5 and the latter 2/3. In fact there is no definition in the bylaws about <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">what this </ins>difference <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">is supposed to be. Despite </ins>this, the current bylaws state that if only one person disputes that something is a 'business' item, then it automatically becomes 'policy<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">' and requires a higher approval approval threshold</ins>. This proposal resolves this ambiguity <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">(</ins>and its attendant potential for manipulation <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">of the threshold </ins>by a single individual<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">( </ins>by providing a clear list of what proposals merit what level of approval threshold.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Like today, the proposed bylaws have two levels of approval threshold. But instead of 4/5 and 2/3, this proposal recommends 2/3 for major party decisions like platform amendments and positions on statewide initiatives, and 3/5 for administrative decisions.  There are two reasons to prefer 2/3 instead of 4/5, for specific types of votes.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Like today, the proposed bylaws have two levels of approval threshold. But instead of 4/5 and 2/3, this proposal recommends 2/3 for major party decisions like platform amendments and <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">GPCA </ins>positions on statewide initiatives, and 3/5 for administrative decisions.  There are two reasons to prefer 2/3 instead of 4/5, for specific types of votes.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>First, the GPCA is the only state or national level Green Party in the world that uses an 80% approval threshold for large parts of its decision-making. The 80% threshold is a holdover from the pre-party days before 1990 when small, pre-party Green locals used it. These were small locals that met together frequently in person, often were based upon long standing personal relationships, and shared general agreement about goals and objectives. In such a small, face-to-face context among people who each other well, it could be argued that 80% is a functional threshold.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>First, the GPCA is the only state or national level Green Party in the world that uses an 80% approval threshold for large parts of its decision-making. The 80% threshold is a holdover from the pre-party days before 1990 when small, pre-party Green locals used it. These were small locals that met together frequently in person, often were based upon long standing personal relationships, and shared general agreement about goals and objectives. In such a small, face-to-face context among people who each other well, it could be argued that 80% is a functional threshold.  </div></td></tr>
</table>Mfeinsteinhttp://wiki.cagreens.org/index.php?title=GPCA_Bylaws_Revision_Spring_2012_Article_7_General_Assembly&diff=3335&oldid=prevMfeinstein: rearranging order of explanation of changes, plus some brief revisions for clarify2013-01-18T08:57:47Z<p>rearranging order of explanation of changes, plus some brief revisions for clarify</p>
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<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">Revision as of 08:57, 18 January 2013</td>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Sponsor: <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Bylaws </del>Committee'''</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Sponsor: <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Coordinating </ins>Committee'''</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Background:''' The current text relating to the General Assembly is spread over two disconnected Sections: "<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">SSection </del>4-2. Delegate Selection to General Assembly" and "Article 5. General Assembly Meetings."  This consolidates the content in a single Article, with the following objectives:</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''Background:''' The current text relating to the General Assembly is spread over two disconnected Sections: "<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Section </ins>4-2. Delegate Selection to General Assembly" and "Article 5. General Assembly Meetings."  This <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">proposals </ins>consolidates the content in a single Article, with the following objectives:</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Simply the explanation of the consensus-seeking process, without changing its meaning</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Simply the explanation of the consensus-seeking process <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">(see proposed 7-5.5 below) and thus making it easier to follow (compared to 5-8.1 in the existing bylaws)</ins>, without changing its meaning<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">. </ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Create </del>a <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">single </del>section "Section 7-<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">2. Proposals</del>" <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">to consolidate </del>the text <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">surrounding (</del>1<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">) how proposals come </del>to the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">General Assembly</del>, <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">(2) what their decision-making thresholds are </del>and <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">(3) </del>what <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">voting systems are used to decide upon them</del>.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Creates </ins>a <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">new </ins>section "Section 7-<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">4 Endorsements</ins>" <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">from </ins>the text <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">of the current "Section 9-</ins>1<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">. Statewide Endorsement Procedure" and makes it explicit that the method of endorsing will be to provide ranked choice voting options </ins>to <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">vote 'yes', 'no', 'abstain' and 'no position'. Currently those four positions are options in the county polling process </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">GPCA uses</ins>, <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">but there is no ranked choice voting option between them. The GPCA has long favored the use of ranked choice voting </ins>and <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">this would allow the GPCA to practice </ins>what <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">it preaches</ins>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">One substantial ambiguity </del>in the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">current bylaws is between what is 'policy</del>' <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">and what is 'business', with the former requiring 4/5 and the latter 2/3</del>. <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">In fact </del>there is no definition <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">in the bylaws about the difference between the two, </del>and the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">rules say if only one person disputes that something is a </del>'<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">business</del>' <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">item, that it automatically becomes </del>'<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">policy.'  This proposal resolves this by providing </del>a <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">clear list of what proposals merit what level </del>of <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">approval threshold. </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">• Creates a new section "7-5.6 Minutes", to clarify what belongs </ins>in the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">party</ins>'<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">s General Assembly minutes</ins>. <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Currently </ins>there is no definition and the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">party</ins>'<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">s practice of random </ins>'<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">notes</ins>' <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">from General Assemblies has left </ins>a <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">consistently incomplete record </ins>of the party<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'s decision-making</ins>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td><td colspan="2"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Like today, </del>the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">proposal has two levels of approval threshold. But instead of 4/5 and 2/3, this proposal recommends 2/3 for major </del>party <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">decisions like bylaws and platform amendments, and 3/5 for more administrative decisions.  There are two reasons to prefer 2/3 instead of 4/5, for specific types of votes</del>.</div></td><td colspan="2"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">First, the GPCA is the only state or national level Green Party in the world that uses an 80% approval threshold for large parts of its decision-making. The 80% threshold is a holdover from the pre-party days before 1990 when small, pre-party, Green locals used it. These were locals that met together frequently in person, often were based upon long standing personal relationships, and shared general agreement about goals and objectives. However, the GPCA on a state level is not such a body - it is much larger, it meets less frequently and it consists of many people who don't know each other as well as people do locally.  Requiring at least 80% agreement from among such a group can prove to be an unproductive obstacle when used for bodies of 50 to 150 people, who do not have unlimited time at a busy state meeting to try and resolve their differences, and in some cases, the use of 80% can turn the party's decision-making process into a tyranny of a small minority. </del></div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a new section "Section 7-<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">6 Standing Green Assembly</ins>." <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">This section clarifies </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">terms for SGA delegates</ins>, <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">which decisions automatically go before </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">SGA </ins>and the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">length </ins>of the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">discussion period (six weeks) and voting period (one week)</ins>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td><td colspan="2"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Second, even if retention of 80% could be argued for the small face-to-face meetings of mostly the same people that the GPCA General Assemblies have become, the move to a larger, more inclusive and diverse Standing Green Assembly argues for 2/3 for this kind of decision-making, which is what the GPUS uses for decision-making for bylaws and platforms with its use of the same kind of voting page that the GPCA will use and with bodies of roughly the same size as provided for in the SGA. Therefore, if it is more reasonable to use 2/3 for the SGA, it would not be sensible for the GPCA to have two different approval thresholds for the same kind of proposal, depending upon whether it was submitted to a face-to-face General Assembly or the Standing General Assembly.  </del></div></td><td colspan="2"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td><td colspan="2"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Finally, a 3/5 threshold is established for more administrative decisions and these are listed in this Section as well.</del></div></td><td colspan="2"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td colspan="2"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a new section "Section 7-<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">4 Endorsements" from the text of the current "Section 9-1</del>. <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Statewide Endorsement Procedure</del>" <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">and makes it explicit that </del>the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">method of endorsing will be to provide ranked choice voting options to vote 'yes'</del>, <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'no', 'abstain' and 'no position'. Currently those four positions are options in </del>the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">county polling process the GPCA uses, but there is no ranked choice voting option between them. </del></div></td><td colspan="2"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline"> </del></div></td><td colspan="2"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">• Creates a new section "7-5.6 Minutes", to clarify what belongs in the party's General Assembly minutes. Currently there is no definition </del>and the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">party's practice of random 'notes' from General Assemblies has left a consistently incomplete record </del>of the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">party's decision-making</del>.</div></td><td colspan="2"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a section "Section 7-1. Delegatess that has a slightly changed Delegate Allocation formula, the objective of which is to ensure a consistent approach for both the General Assembly and the Standing Green Assembly. That formula is explained as follows:</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• Creates a section "Section 7-1. Delegatess that has a slightly changed Delegate Allocation formula, the objective of which is to ensure a consistent approach for both the General Assembly and the Standing Green Assembly. That formula is explained as follows:</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l28" >Line 28:</td>
<td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno">Line 18:</td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>- (2) In any of these cases, its not clear why the number of votes a county is entitled to based upon its number of greens compared to the number of Greens in the rest of the state, should vary greatly depending upon whether other Greens are active or not in far away reaches of the state. The proposed new approach would still meet the original August 1990 objectives for GA size: "to provide a minimum of one delegate per active county and to have a proportionality reflecting how many registered Greens are in each county compared to how many statewide." But it would do so in a more consistently accurate way, by establishing a clear size for every county, and if they are active they get their votes and if they are not, they don't.  This makes for standard sizes for delegations and since the Standing Delegate terms are to be for one year, it has the benefit of giving each county a clear idea of how many Standing Delegates it has to appoint and when to appoint them.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>- (2) In any of these cases, its not clear why the number of votes a county is entitled to based upon its number of greens compared to the number of Greens in the rest of the state, should vary greatly depending upon whether other Greens are active or not in far away reaches of the state. The proposed new approach would still meet the original August 1990 objectives for GA size: "to provide a minimum of one delegate per active county and to have a proportionality reflecting how many registered Greens are in each county compared to how many statewide." But it would do so in a more consistently accurate way, by establishing a clear size for every county, and if they are active they get their votes and if they are not, they don't.  This makes for standard sizes for delegations and since the Standing Delegate terms are to be for one year, it has the benefit of giving each county a clear idea of how many Standing Delegates it has to appoint and when to appoint them.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">• Creates a single section "Section 7-2. Proposals" to consolidate the text surrounding (1) how proposals come to the General Assembly, (2) what their decision-making thresholds are and (3) what voting systems are used to decide upon them.</ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">• Creates </del>a <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">new section "Section 7</del>-<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">6 Standing Green Assembly</del>.<del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">" This section clarifies </del>the <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">terms </del>for <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">SGA delegates</del>, <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">which </del>decisions <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">automatically go before the SGA and the length </del>of <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">the discussion period (six weeks) and voting period (one week)</del>.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">One substantial ambiguity in the current bylaws is between what is 'policy' and what is 'business', with the former requiring 4/5 and the latter 2/3. In fact there is no definition in the bylaws about the difference between the two, and despite this, the current bylaws state that if only one person disputes that something is a 'business' item, then it automatically becomes 'policy.'  This proposal resolves this ambiguity - and its attendant potential for manipulation by </ins>a <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">single individual </ins>- <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">by providing a clear list of what proposals merit what level of approval threshold</ins>.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Like today, </ins>the <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">proposed bylaws have two levels of approval threshold. But instead of 4/5 and 2/3, this proposal recommends 2/3 </ins>for <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">major party decisions like platform amendments and positions on statewide initiatives</ins>, <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">and 3/5 for administrative </ins>decisions<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">.  There are two reasons to prefer 2/3 instead of 4/5, for specific types </ins>of <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">votes</ins>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">First, the GPCA is the only state or national level Green Party in the world that uses an 80% approval threshold for large parts of its decision-making. The 80% threshold is a holdover from the pre-party days before 1990 when small, pre-party Green locals used it. These were small locals that met together frequently in person, often were based upon long standing personal relationships, and shared general agreement about goals and objectives. In such a small, face-to-face context among people who each other well, it could be argued that 80% is a functional threshold. </ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">However, the GPCA on a state level is not such a small, face-to-face body - it is much larger, it meets less frequently and it consists of many people who don't know each other as well as some people do locally.  Requiring at least 80% agreement from among such a group can prove to be an unproductive obstacle when used for bodies of 50 to 150 people, who do not have unlimited time at a busy state meeting to try and resolve their differences. In some cases, the use of 80% can also turn the party's decision-making process into a tyranny of a small minority, by allowing 21% of (what is often a very small number of) delegates who simply do not and will not agree with a proposal to block the rest of the party from taking action.</ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Second, even if retention of 80% could be argued for the small face-to-face meetings (of mostly the same people) that the GPCA General Assemblies have become, the move to a larger, more inclusive and diverse Standing Green Assembly (SGA) argues for 2/3 for this kind of decision-making. The GPUS uses the same kind of voting page for its national decision making that the GPCA has used for its SGA (actually the computer code to generate the GPCA's page came from the GPUS); and the size of the GPUS's decision-making body is roughly the same size as provided for in the SGA.  In that context, the GPUS uses 2/3 for decision-making  on platform and rules amendments, recalls of its officers accreditation of new state parties and other such decisions - and since the GPUS joined the GPUS in 2001, the GPCA has never argued that this 2/3 threshold is inappropriate for such decision-making and should be raised to 80%. </ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">If it is more reasonable to use 2/3 for large, on-line decision-making, it would not be sensible for the GPCA to have two different approval thresholds for the same kind of proposal, depending upon whether it was submitted to a face-to-face General Assembly or the Standing General Assembly.  This would only open up the party to gaming the system, by bringing a proposal to one body or the other, depending upon the different approval thresholds available at either.</ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Finally, a 3/5 threshold is established for more administrative decisions and these are listed in this Section as well.</ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"></ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Proposal: That the following text be approved</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Proposal: That the following text be approved</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>A quorum has been reached when the number of votes cast is equal to a majority of delegate seats allocated under 7-1.2, together with a majority of all active County Organizations having cast at least one vote. In such cases, abstentions count as a vote cast.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>A quorum has been reached when the number of votes cast is equal to a majority of delegate seats allocated under 7-1.2, together with a majority of all active County Organizations having cast at least one vote. In such cases, abstentions count as a vote cast.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Reference: <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">The existing </del>text from GPCA Bylaws</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">----</ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'''</ins>Reference: <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Existing </ins>text from GPCA Bylaws<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'''</ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Section 4-2. Delegate Selection to General Assembly</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Section 4-2. Delegate Selection to General Assembly</div></td></tr>
</table>Mfeinsteinhttp://wiki.cagreens.org/index.php?title=GPCA_Bylaws_Revision_Spring_2012_Article_7_General_Assembly&diff=3262&oldid=prevMfeinstein at 10:12, 13 June 20122012-06-13T10:12:11Z<p></p>
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<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">← Older revision</td>
<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">Revision as of 10:12, 13 June 2012</td>
</tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="diff-lineno" id="mw-diff-left-l1" >Line 1:</td>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Sponsor: Bylaws Committee</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'''</ins>Sponsor: Bylaws Committee<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'''</ins></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Background: The current text relating to the General Assembly is spread over two disconnected Sections: "SSection 4-2. Delegate Selection to General Assembly" and "Article 5. General Assembly Meetings."  This consolidates the content in a single Article, with the following objectives:</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">'''</ins>Background:<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">''' </ins>The current text relating to the General Assembly is spread over two disconnected Sections: "SSection 4-2. Delegate Selection to General Assembly" and "Article 5. General Assembly Meetings."  This consolidates the content in a single Article, with the following objectives:</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Simplifies </del>the explanation of the consensus-seeking process, without changing its meaning</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Simply </ins>the explanation of the consensus-seeking process, without changing its meaning</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Creates </del>a single section "Section 7-2. Proposals" to consolidate the text surrounding (1) how proposals come to the General Assembly, (2) what their decision-making thresholds are and (3) what voting systems are used to decide upon them.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>• <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Create </ins>a single section "Section 7-2. Proposals" to consolidate the text surrounding (1) how proposals come to the General Assembly, (2) what their decision-making thresholds are and (3) what voting systems are used to decide upon them.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>One substantial ambiguity in the current bylaws <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">decision-making threshold language </del>is between what is 'policy' and what is 'business'. This <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">is clarified </del>by <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">making </del>a clear list of what <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">kind of </del>proposals merit what level of approval threshold.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>One substantial ambiguity in the current bylaws is between what is 'policy' and what is 'business'<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, with the former requiring 4/5 and the latter 2/3</ins>. <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">In fact there is no definition in the bylaws about the difference between the two, and the rules say if only one person disputes that something is a 'business' item, that it automatically becomes 'policy.'  </ins>This <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">proposal resolves this </ins>by <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">providing </ins>a clear list of what proposals merit what level of approval threshold.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">The top </del>approval threshold <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">is also changed from </del>4/5 <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">to </del>2/3 for major party decisions like bylaws and platform amendments for two <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">main </del>reasons.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">Like today, the proposal has two levels of </ins>approval threshold<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">. But instead of </ins>4/5 <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">and 2/3, this proposal recommends </ins>2/3 for major party decisions like bylaws and platform amendments<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, and 3/5 </ins>for <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">more administrative decisions.  There are </ins>two reasons <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">to prefer 2/3 instead of 4/5, for specific types of votes</ins>.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>   </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>First, the GPCA is the only state or national level Green Party in the world that uses an 80% approval threshold for large parts of its decision-making. The 80% threshold is a holdover from the pre-party days before 1990 when small, pre-party locals used it. These were locals met together frequently in person and shared general agreement about goals and objectives. However, the GPCA on a state level is not such a body - it is much larger, meets less frequently and consists of many people who don't know each other as well as people do locally.  Requiring at least 80% agreement <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">often proves </del>to be an unproductive <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">barrier </del>when used for bodies of 50 to 150 people who do not have unlimited time at a busy state meeting to try and resolve their differences, and in some cases <del class="diffchange diffchange-inline">it </del>can turn the party's decision-making process into a tyranny of a small minority.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>First, the GPCA is the only state or national level Green Party in the world that uses an 80% approval threshold for large parts of its decision-making. The 80% threshold is a holdover from the pre-party days before 1990 when small, pre-party<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, Green </ins>locals used it. These were locals <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">that </ins>met together frequently in person<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, often were based upon long standing personal relationships, </ins>and shared general agreement about goals and objectives. However, the GPCA on a state level is not such a body - it is much larger, <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">it </ins>meets less frequently and <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">it </ins>consists of many people who don't know each other as well as people do locally.  Requiring at least 80% agreement <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">from among such a group can prove </ins>to be an unproductive <ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">obstacle </ins>when used for bodies of 50 to 150 people<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, </ins>who do not have unlimited time at a busy state meeting to try and resolve their differences, and in some cases<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, the use of 80% </ins>can turn the party's decision-making process into a tyranny of a small minority.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Second, even if retention of 80% could be argued for the small face-to-face meetings of mostly the same people that the GPCA General Assemblies have become, the move to a larger, more inclusive and diverse Standing Green Assembly argues for 2/3 for this kind of decision-making, which is what the GPUS uses for decision-making for bylaws and platforms with its use of the same kind of voting page that the GPCA will use and with bodies of roughly the same size as provided for in the SGA. Therefore, if it is more reasonable to use 2/3 for the SGA, it would not be sensible for the GPCA to have two different approval thresholds for the same kind of proposal, depending upon whether it was submitted to a face-to-face General Assembly or the Standing General Assembly.   </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>Second, even if retention of 80% could be argued for the small face-to-face meetings of mostly the same people that the GPCA General Assemblies have become, the move to a larger, more inclusive and diverse Standing Green Assembly argues for 2/3 for this kind of decision-making, which is what the GPUS uses for decision-making for bylaws and platforms with its use of the same kind of voting page that the GPCA will use and with bodies of roughly the same size as provided for in the SGA. Therefore, if it is more reasonable to use 2/3 for the SGA, it would not be sensible for the GPCA to have two different approval thresholds for the same kind of proposal, depending upon whether it was submitted to a face-to-face General Assembly or the Standing General Assembly.   </div></td></tr>
</table>Mfeinsteinhttp://wiki.cagreens.org/index.php?title=GPCA_Bylaws_Revision_Spring_2012_Article_7_General_Assembly&diff=3261&oldid=prevMfeinstein at 04:27, 13 June 20122012-06-13T04:27:53Z<p></p>
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<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">← Older revision</td>
<td colspan='2' style="background-color: white; color:black; text-align: center;">Revision as of 04:27, 13 June 2012</td>
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<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.2(a)''' Each active County Organization shall have at least one delegate seat, for a total of 58 if County Organizations are active in all of California's counties.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.2(a)''' Each active County Organization shall have at least one delegate seat, for a total of 58 if County Organizations are active in all of California's counties.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'>−</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #ffe49c; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.2(b)''' Each active County Organization shall have an additional number of delegates seats out of an additional 100 seats, equal to its percentage of registered Greens from within the county, compared to the total number of registered Greens in all counties, with a minimum of 1% required for one seat.  </div></td><td class='diff-marker'>+</td><td style="color:black; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #a3d3ff; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.2(b)''' Each active County Organization shall have an additional number of delegates seats out of an additional 100 seats, equal to its percentage of registered Greens from within the county, compared to the total number of registered Greens in all counties, with a minimum of 1% required for one seat<ins class="diffchange diffchange-inline">, times 100</ins>.  </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.3''' Delegates shall be familiar with the Bylaws, the Rules and Procedures and the Fiscal Policy. First time delegates shall participate in the delegate orientation session at each General Assembly. Other delegates are encouraged to do so.</div></td><td class='diff-marker'> </td><td style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-size: 88%; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 4px; border-radius: 0.33em; border-color: #e6e6e6; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div>'''7-1.3''' Delegates shall be familiar with the Bylaws, the Rules and Procedures and the Fiscal Policy. First time delegates shall participate in the delegate orientation session at each General Assembly. Other delegates are encouraged to do so.</div></td></tr>
</table>Mfeinstein