Bylaws of the
Southern Maryland Greens

Amended May 12, 2006

ARTICLE I. NAME

1.1 The name of this Green Party local shall be the "Southern Maryland Greens".

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE AND VALUES

2.1 The purpose of this organization shall be to work toward a Green society, as represented by the Ten Key Values of the Greens:

ecological wisdom;
social justice;
grassroots democracy;
nonviolence;
decentralization;
community-based economics;
post-patriarchal values;
respect for diversity;
personal and global responsibility; and,
future focus.

2.2 This organization may use any and all methods of nonviolent political action to seek social change (including electoral campaigns, ballot initiatives, and referenda).

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

3.1 Membership in the Southern Maryland Greens shall be open to any person--regardless of race, age, color, national origin, spiritual belief (vel non), gender, sexual orientation, or physical challenge. A Member shall be in general agreement with the Ten Key Values stated, supra, and shall abide by the Bylaws of the local.

3.2. A local "Member" is one who designates him/herself as such, pays dues and assessments duly authorized by the Membership, and actively participates in local activities.

ARTICLE IV. STRUCTURE

4.1 The Membership Meeting shall be open to all members of the Southern Maryland Greens.

4.2 The Membership Meeting shall be convened at least six times a year. When practicable, notice of a forthcoming Membership Meeting shall be given to all members two weeks in advance of such meeting, and due effort should be made to set forth anticipated agenda items thereat.

4.3 The Membership Meeting shall have final authority and responsibility for the local's policies, decisions and finances. Four members shall constitute a quorum of said Meeting, and be sufficient for the conduct of any business or matter. It shall elect, and may recall, all members of the Coordinating Council. It may amend these Bylaws, as it deems necessary or desirable.

4.4 The Coordinating Council shall be composed of four persons elected at-large by the Membership Meeting, among which shall be the Secretary and the Treasurer of the local.

4.5 The Coordinating Council shall meet six times a year. The time, place, and agenda of said meeting shall be noticed to all Members, and said meetings shall be open to them.

4.6 The Coordinating Council may plan and propose the agenda of Membership Meetings; shall conduct the affairs of the local between Membership Meetings; shall represent the local to the public and other organizations. The Coordinating Council is authorized to make endorsements, issue statements, and take actions only in conformity with policies and decisions of the Membership Meeting; all of the actions of the Coordinating Council are subject to review and revision by the Membership Meeting. If necessary, the Coordinating Council shall constitute the legal Board for the organization.

4.7 The four members of the Coordinating Council shall be elected individually for one-year terms by the Membership Meeting.

4.8 The Secretary shall be responsible for taking and publishing the minutes of all meetings, and for otherwise accurately maintaining the local's records.

4.9 The Treasurer shall pay authorized expenses, and shall otherwise preserve and account for the money and other resources of the local.

4.10 Any Member of the Coordinating Council may be removed by a 3/4 vote of those present at the Membership Meeting.

4.11 The Membership Meeting may, from time to time, establish other functional bodies and working groups, as necessary. The Coordinating Council may also, upon need, establish such bodies and groups on an interim basis, pending subsequent mandatory authorization by the Membership Meeting.

V. DECISIONS AND POLICIES

5.1 The Southern Maryland Greens shall seek to make decisions and to implement policies by means of consensus-based agreement, giving due respect to the views and interests of all Members. Decisions of the Membership Meeting shall be made using a process in general conformity with the procedures described in the Maryland Green Meeting Process Manual. If necessary, the Coordinating Council may establish additional procedural rules.

VI. AMENDMENTS

6.1 Amendments to these Bylaws shall be adopted by a 3/4 vote of those present at a Membership Meeting. Notification of voting upon proposed Amendments shall be given thirty days before said vote to all Members, and the specific text of said proposed amendment shall be therein provided,

VII. ADOPTION OF THE BYLAWS

7.1 These bylaws must be adopted by a 3/4 vote of those present and a minimum of four votes.