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Standing Rules

Bylaws

Standing Rules

Standing Rules of the Green Party of San Diego

(adopted Oct. 1, 1999)

Standing Rule A - Consensus Process

A-1 All bodies of the GPSD shall seek consensus in all decision-making. Any proposal presented to a body of the GPSD which has not chosen another process as provided for in the Bylaws, must be passed through the following formal process of consensus:
A-2 Determine Agenda and Assign Time
Any item presented to the meeting will be given adequate time, within the judgment of the facilitator(s) and the limits of the agenda, for discussion and consideration. The time allotted will be communicated to the members and a time-keeper will be appointed. The time-keeper will notify the facilitator(s) when three (3) minutes remain in the time allotted. At this point, the presenter must decide on a closing option.
A-3 Formal Consensus Process Flow Chart (details follow)
Step 1: Present Proposal (A-4)
Clarify Questions

Step 2: Test for Consensus (A-5)
(if consensus, then end)
Test for Stand Asides
(if no remaining concerns, then end)

Step 3: List Concerns (A-6)
Seek to Resolve List of Concerns

Step 4: <same as Step 2>

Step 5: Seek to Resolve Individual Concerns (A-7)

Step 6: <same as Step 2>

Step 7: Choose Closing Option (A-8)
(if referred, then end)
(if more time granted, then go to Step 5)
(if vote requested, then go to Step 8)

Step 8: Vote Fall-Back (A-9)
(end)

A-4 Present Proposal and Clarify Questions.
The 'presenter' is given the floor to present the proposal and answer any clarifying questions.
A-5 Test for Consensus and Stand Asides.
The 'facilitator' tests for consensus by asking "Are there any concerns about this proposal?" If no concerns are expressed, then the proposal has been approved. If any concerns are expressed, then the 'facilitator' shall ask those expressing concerns if they are willing to 'stand aside', or allow the group to adopt the proposal without their approval. If they request, these stand-aside concerns must be recorded and included with the minutes of meeting. If after testing for stand asides, no unresolved concerns remain, then the proposal has been approved.
A-6 List Concerns and Seek to Resolve List.
The 'facilitator' asks each person expressing concerns to describe their concerns, succinctly if possible. Concerns are listed where all can see them by a 'scribe' appointed by the facilitator. The facilitator will strive to clarify individual concerns or combine equivalent concerns. General discussion of the merits or possible resolutions is not permitted until all concerns are listed. When all concerns have been listed, the facilitator will assist the presenter and the group in resolving these concerns by modifying the proposal or otherwise addressing the concerns. Modifications must meet with the approval of the presenter.
A-7 Seek to Resolve Individual Concerns.
This Step is essentially equivalent to Standing Rule A-6 except that the remaining concerns are addressed one at a time (instead of a list).
A-8 Choose Closing Option.
The 'presenter' must choose one of the following closing options;
  1. Request additional time to reach resolution. The facilitator will attempt to reallocate the time allotted by taking time away from another item later in the agenda, with the approval of the membership. This request is considered a 'business item' for voting purposes. If additional time is not granted, the presenter must chose one of the remaining closing options.

  2. Refer the proposal to Standing or Ad Hoc Committee, Working Group, or County Council.

  3. Request that a vote be taken on the proposal as described in Standing Rule A-9.

A-9 Vote Fall-Back
When the closing option of voting is selected by the presenter (or when required by the Bylaws), the vote will proceed as follows:
  1. The note-taker will read the proposal as it stands.

  2. The facilitator will call the role and record each vote. The scribe will record the vote where all can see it by "yes", "no", and "abstain" next to the name of each present member authorized to vote. The roll-call vote will be recorded in the minutes.

  3. Alternately, for General Membership votes or for 'business item' votes if there are no objections from the membership, the facilitator may elect to call a non-roll-call vote with a simple show of hands. The total votes, "yes", "no", and "abstain" will be recorded in the minutes.

  4. As described in the Bylaws, a 'business item' requires a "low threshold" vote for approval while a 'policy item' requires a "high threshold" vote for approval. The 'chair' (or the facilitator if the chair is not present) will determine which category an individual item falls under. If uncertain, the "high threshold" requirement must be used.

  5. If a present member authorized to vote does not vote, the vote shall be recorded as an abstention.

  6. No 'absentee' or 'proxy' votes are allowed.

Standing Rule B - Robert's Rules

B-1 An alternative decision-making process that may be used (as indicated in Paragraph 5-3.3) is a modified version of the standard parliamentary procedure described in the latest official edition of Robert's Rules (Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 9th Edition).
B-2 Voting thresholds are determined using the rules described in the Fall-Back Voting Option of the Consensus Process. The chief difference between this modified process and the Consensus process described in Rule A, is the expanded ability for the group to make amendments to a proposal and the requirement that a vote be taken on most proposals.

Standing Rule C - Committees and Working Groups

C-1 Working Groups and Committees, herein referred to as Groups, are voluntary associations of GPSD members and interested persons carrying out that aspect of the work of the GPSD to which they are dedicated or interested.
C-2 Groups may be established by either the County Council or by the General Membership with at least a "low threshold" vote. The purpose, duties, responsibilities, delegated powers (if any), and in the case of Committees, the proposed membership, should be clearly stated at the time of its formation. The establishing body should name a chair . or initial facilitator for the Group
C-3 The membership of a Committee is appointed by the body which creates it.
C-4 The membership of a Working Group is open to any interested person willing to participate.
C-5 An Ad Hoc Group may be established to carry out a specific task, at the completion of which it automatically ceases to exist.
C-6 The County Council has discretion to dissolve inactive Groups, or to merely suspend them, if the work is periodic. Active Groups may be dissolved by the General Membership, or a Group may dissolve itself.
C-7 Groups may establish and dissolve 'sub-groups' to which they may assign or delegate specific tasks.
C-8 Groups must provide a list of active members, meeting dates and time, and any necessary updates to the County Council.

   
Last update: Wed, Oct 20, 1999