Cambridge Green Party Constitution

[As adopted at the 2004 AGM, and last amended at the 2005 AGM, November 2005.]

1. Title and status

The name of the Local Party shall be the Cambridge Green Party.
Cambridge Green Party is a constituent part of the Green Party of England and Wales and shall be subject to the Constitution and policies of that body.
The geographical remit of Cambridge Green Party is that of the Cambridge parliamentary constituency.

2. Aims

The aims of Cambridge Green Party shall be:-
1. To seek the implementation of national and local Green Party policies through electoral success at all levels;
2. To establish a system of government based on the philosophy of the Green Party of the United Kingdom and Wales, as expressed in its manifesto
3. To develop sustainable local policies that minimise environmental damage and maximise social justice, health and well-being for everyone.
4. To increase local response to green issues, policies, and activities;
5. To recruit new members;
6. To organise or support legal non-violent activities which will further these aims.

3. Membership

Membership of Cambridge Green Party is automatic for any paid-up member of the Green Party of England and Wales living within Cambridge Green Party's geographical remit. Persons living outside Cambridge Green Party's geographical remit may join subject to the approval of a Monthly Meeting.
There shall be a category of membership called Local Membership. Local Members shall have the same rights of membership as National Members insofar as matters relating to Cambridge Green Party are concerned, except where stated otherwise in this Constitution. Local Membership shall be renewable at the time of the AGM for a fee determined from time to time by an AGM or EGM. Local Members will be encouraged to become National Members of the Party.
Members of Cambridge Green Party shall accept its constitution and the principles and philosophy of the Green Party of England and Wales, as expressed through its manifesto.
Eligibility, subscription, and the privileges of membership of the national Party are decided by the national Party.
Members may not be a member of another political party at the same time. Should a member join another political party then they immediately cease to be a member of Cambridge Green Party.
Only members of Cambridge Green Party may vote at meetings or hold office in it.

4. The Annual General Meeting

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Cambridge Green Party shall be held each year between September and November inclusive, the exact date to be determined by the Committee.
All members shall be notified of the date of the AGM in writing at least 28 days in advance. Items for the agenda should be submitted to the Secretary at least 14 days in advance. The agenda for the AGM shall be circulated to all members at least 7 days in advance.
The AGM shall have the purpose of:
1. The presentation of a report of work carried out over the year;
2. Presentation of the accounts for approval by the meeting;
3. Consideration of any amendments to the Constitution;
4. Election of the Committee to serve an annual term;
5. Determining any other business on the agenda (in the same way as for a Monthly Meeting).
The meeting will be considered quorate if it has at least eight members present, or a quarter of the (combined national and local) membership, whichever is fewer.
The meeting should normally be chaired by the retiring Co-ordinator.

5. Extraordinary General Meetings

Any seven members, or a quarter of the membership (whichever is fewer), may call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), by stating in writing in a letter to the Committee, with signatures appended, the business to be conducted. The Committee itself also has the power to call an EGM.
Except where noted elsewhere in this constitution, any business that can be conducted at an AGM may be conducted at an EGM.
Except where noted elsewhere in this constitution, the rules and procedures for the calling and running of an EGM shall be the same as that for an AGM.
The Committee shall ensure that the EGM being called takes place within 21 days of the receipt of the call to hold it. All members shall be notified of the date of, and agenda for, the EGM at least seven days in advance.

6. Committee

The Committee shall be responsible for the co-ordinating the business of Cambridge Green Party.
The Committee shall comprise the following Officers:
1. Co-ordinator, who shall co-ordinate the running of the Party, the Committee and election campaigns, who shall chair meetings, and who shall act as Local Party Contact;
2. Election Agent, who shall act as the Election Agent for external elections;
3. Treasurer, who shall be responsible for the Party's accounts;
4. Membership Secretary, who shall co-ordinate recruitment and deal with membership administration;
5. Election Campaigns Officer, who shall help co-ordinate election campaigning;
6. Secretary, who shall deal with miscellaneous administration;
7. Press Officer, who shall co-ordinate communications with the media;
8. Webmaster, who shall be responsible for maintenance of the Party's website;
9. Fundraising & Events Officer, who shall co-ordinate the organisation and publicising of fundraising and social events.
10. Newsletter Editor, who shall co-ordinate the preparation of a regular members' newsletter;
11. Campaigns Officer, who shall co-ordinate campaigning on local issues and obtain materials from the national Party as available.
Local Members (who are not also National Members) may not stand for the position of Treasurer or Co-ordinator (which includes the role of Local Party Contact) as these posts are legally required and so are restricted to members of the National Party within Cambridge Green Party.
Election of Officers may only take place at an AGM or an EGM.
Election of Officers shall be by a simple majority of those voting. Re-Open Nominations shall be a candidate in all such elections.
Posts may be left vacant if no suitable nominations are forthcoming. Where a post is left vacant, the Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that the essential functions of that post are fulfilled.
Members standing for election shall be proposed and seconded by members of the Local Party and may hold more than one post.
If an Officer wishes to resign, such resignation should be in writing to the Committee.
A motion of no confidence to remove an Officer may be put only at an AGM or EGM and will require a two-thirds majority of those voting.
The Committee shall aim to meet regularly in furtherance of the efficient and effective running of the Party. Minutes of Committee meetings shall be available to members upon request.
The Committee shall operate by consensus where possible. Where agreement cannot be reached by consensus, a vote shall be taken of all Committee members and a two-thirds majority of those voting shall be deemed to be agreement.
The Committee shall agree procedures to ensure that members' personal data is safeguarded in accordance with data protection principles and legislation.
The Committee shall agree procedures to ensure that all significant communications and decisions are reviewed and recorded.

7. Meetings and procedures

Cambridge Green Party will aim to hold a business meeting every month (a 'Monthly Meeting') open to all members, the dates of which shall be advertised to members.
Policies of Cambridge Green Party shall be determined by its membership at a Monthly Meeting, an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting.
Monthly meetings are for members only. However, meetings and social/fundraising events open to potential new members shall also be held.
National members who are not members of Cambridge Green Party are welcome to attend any meeting but they shall neither count towards any quorum for the meeting nor will they be entitled to vote.
Any votes taken at a meeting will be on the basis of a simple majority of those voting, except where stated otherwise in this constitution. The Chair has the right to vote. Abstentions will be recorded but will not influence the vote. The exact wording of any motion shall be recorded in the minutes.
Any member at a meeting may request that a vote being taken at that meeting be conducted by secret ballot.
In the event of a key decision needing to be made before a meeting, this may be made by the Committee. This decision must be presented to the next meeting.
Officers of the Committee should aim to attend meetings where possible. Officers who fail to attend three consecutive meetings without apology shall be deemed to have resigned.
Members will be included on the distribution list for agendas and minutes of meetings upon request.
A special meeting will be held within seven days of a local election in which the Green Party has won seats, if there is no scheduled meeting within that period. The meeting will discuss political options in the light of the election results.

8. Finance

The Party shall operate a current account and, if appropriate, a savings account. At least three elected Officers shall act as signatories, to include the Treasurer and Co-ordinator.
Two signatures shall be required on each cheque drawn from an account.
No person may sign a cheque payable to themselves.
Expenditure may be incurred on behalf of Cambridge Green Party provided prior approval is obtained at a Meeting or from the Committee. This expenditure is subject to certification by the Treasurer that there are sufficient funds to cover it. During election periods, candidates may not incur expenditure without authorisation as defined in section 10.
Any donation to another group or organisation must have the approval of a business Meeting as defined in section 7.
Where possible, the account(s) should be held by a banking organisation having a
policy of ethical investment acceptable to the membership.

9. Representing the Party

Members intending to issue material in the name of the Local Party (whether written or electronic), must ensure that such material is approved by the Committee or at a monthly meeting.
An imprint, bearing the name of the Election Agent, shall appear on all publicity.
Members undertaking to represent the Party in the media or on public platforms must ensure that they communicate its agreed policy.
Letters to the press should be approved by a member of the Committee.

10. Local elections

The term 'Candidates' here refers to all Green Party candidates contesting an election for public office within Cambridge.
Candidates must be a member of Cambridge Green Party and agree to abide by Cambridge Green Party's agreed electoral strategy.
Cambridge Green Party's Election Agent shall normally act as the legal Election Agent for all Candidates.
The procedure for the selection of Candidates will be according to the national Party's procedure for the Selection of Green Party Local Authority Candidates, which shall be appended as Standing Orders. Where there is requirement for an Electoral Returning Officer (ERO) / Elections Organisation (EO), these shall be the Co-ordinator and the Cambridge Green Party Committee respectively.
During election periods, publicity material must additionally be approved by the Election Agent for the candidate(s), who shall ensure that it conforms to any relevant election legislation. The requirement for an imprint, bearing the name of the Election Agent, is additionally a legal requirement during election periods.
(a) Expenditure up to a maximum sum should be agreed by the committee for the period of the election agent's responsibility.
(b) During the period of the election agent's responsibility the agent and the local party treasurer should meet weekly or not less than three times, to corroborate and record election expenditure in the interests of clarity and avoidance of error.
(In accordance with National Electoral Legislation, all relevant bills must be payed by the agent and entered in election expenses by the date specified once an election is called).

11. Dispute resolution

Cambridge Green Party will initially seek to resolve any disputes between members through discussion and reconciliation. However, Cambridge Green Party has the right and responsibility to initiate disciplinary action against any member who has acted against the aims and agreed policies or strategy of the Party.
Where appropriate, Cambridge Green Party will work with the national Party, including its Disputes Resolution Committee in relevant cases, in handling disciplinary matters.
Where the Local Party itself wishes to initiate disciplinary action at a national level, this shall require a vote of a Meeting and shall require a two-thirds majority of those voting.
Proceedings relating to disciplinary action, of whatever form, including informal warnings, are to be documented, and this and other related correspondence kept on file and copied to all parties where appropriate.

12. Constitution

This Constitution may only be changed at an AGM or EGM and shall require a two-thirds majority of those voting. Any proposed changes to the constitution shall be listed within the agenda for that meeting.
Copies of this Constitution shall be available to members upon request to the Committee.
Dissolution of Cambridge Green Party may only take place by agreement of an AGM (but not an EGM). In the event of winding up, the balance of funds shall be transferred to the Green Party of England and Wales at the appropriate level.