PROPOSED RULES

for the Blue Ridge Greens



Index


Key Values.

  1. GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY We value pluralistic and participatory rather than majoritarian and representative democracy. Every human being deserves a say in the decisions that affect their lives; no one should be subject to the will of another. Therefore we will work to increase public participation at every level of government and to ensure that our public representatives are fully accountable to the people who elect them. We will also work to create new types of political organizations that expand the process of participatory democracy by directly including citizens in the decision-making process.
  2. ECOLOGICAL WISDOM Human societies must operate with the understanding that we are part of nature, not separate from nature. We must maintain an ecological balance and live within the ecological and resource limits of our communities and our planet. We support a sustainable society that utilizes resources in such a way that future generations will benefit and not suffer from the practices of our generation. To this end we must have agricultural practices that replenish the soil; move to an energy efficient economy; and live in ways that respect the integrity of natural systems.
  3. SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY All persons should have the rights and opportunity to benefit equally from the resources afforded us by society and the environment. We must consciously confront in ourselves, our organizations, and society at large, barriers such as racism and class oppression, sexism and heterosexism, ageism and disability, which act to deny fair treatment and equal justice under the law.
  4. NONVIOLENCE It is essential that we develop effective alternatives to our current patterns of violence at all levels, from the family and the streets, to nations and the world. We will work to demilitarize our society and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being naive about the intentions of other governments. We recognize the need for self-defense and the defense of others who are in helpless situations. We promote nonviolent methods to oppose practices and policies with which we disagree, and will guide our actions toward lasting personal, community and global peace.
  5. DECENTRALIZATION Centralization of wealth and power contributes to social and economic injustice, environmental destruction, and militarization. Therefore, we support a restructuring of social, political and economic institutions away from a system that is controlled by and mostly benefits the powerful few, to a democratic, less bureaucratic system. Decision-making should, as much as possible, remain at the individual and local level, while assuring that civil rights are protected for all citizens.
  6. COMMUNITY BASED ECONOMICS We recognize it is essential to create a vibrant and sustainable economic system, one that can create jobs and provide a decent standard of living, for all people, while maintaining a healthy ecological balance. A successful economic system will offer meaningful work with dignity, while paying a "living wage" which reflects the real value of a person's work. Local communities must look to economic development that assures protection of the environment and workers' rights, broad citizen participation in planning, and enhancement of our "quality of life". We support independently owned and operated companies which are socially responsible, as well as co-operatives and public enterprises that spread out resources and control to more people through democratic participation.
  7. FEMINISM We have inherited a social system based on male domination of politics and economics. We call for the replacement of the cultural ethics of domination and control, with more cooperative ways of interacting which respect differences of opinion and gender. Human values such as equity between the -sexes, interpersonal responsibility, and honesty must be developed with moral conscience. We should remember that the process that determines our decisions and actions is just as important as achieving the outcome we want.
  8. RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY We believe it is important to value cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity, and to promote the development of respectful relationships across these lines. We believe the many diverse elements of society should be reflected in our organizations and decision-making bodies, and we support the leadership of people who have been traditionally closed out of leadership roles. We acknowledge and encourage respect for other life forms and the preservation of biodiversity.
  9. PERSONAL AND GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY We encourage individuals to act to improve their personal well being and, at the same time, to enhance ecological balance and social harmony. We seek to join with people and organizations around the world to foster peace, economic justice, and the health of the planet.
  10. FUTURE FOCUS AND SUSTAINABILITY Our actions and policies should be motivated by long-term goals. We seek to protect valuable natural resources, safely disposing of or "unmaking" all waste we create, while developing a sustainable economics that does not depend on continual expansion for survival. We must counter-balance the drive for short-term profits by assuring that economic development, new technologies, and fiscal policies are responsible to future generations who will inherit the results of our actions. Our overall goal is not merely to survive, but to share lives that are truly worth living. We believe the quality of our individual lives is enriched by the quality of all of our lives. We encourage everyone to see the dignity and intrinsic worth in all of life, and to take the time to understand and appreciate themselves, their community and the magnificent beauty of this world.


Charter.

(yet to be written)



Bylaws.

  1. DEFINITION. The Blue Ridge Greens, herein abbreviated "BRG", is a community-level political club allied with Green politics. These bylaws shall replace those of 1998.
  2. GEOGRAPHY.
    1. The unifying landmark of BRG is the Blue Ridge at the edge of the Appalachian mountain system. Domain shall be defined in the Standing Rules.
    2. For the purpose of organizing within state parties, the range shall include all the following territory not claimed by other locals:
      1. Virginia west of 77º43'W longitude;
      2. North Carolina west of 79º12'W longitude;
      3. South Carolina west of 82ºW longitude;
      4. Georgia north of 34ºN latitude;
      5. Tennessee east of 84ºW longitude;
      6. Kentucky east of 84ºW longitude;
      7. West Virginia south of 39º44'N latitude; and
      8. Maryland west of 77ºW longitude.
  3. MEMBERSHIP.
    1. Membership is voluntary.
    2. Membership shall not be limited by the rules of any other organization.
    3. Membership shall not be denied on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic origin, orientation, citizenship, penal status, or condition of servitude.
  4. BUSINESS MEETINGS.
    1. Quorum for business meetings shall be set by the Standing Rules at a number three or greater.
  5. AFFILIATION.
    1. BRG may seek or approve affiliation with other organizations by consensus. Affiliation may be suspended by majority or ended by three-fifths.
    2. BRG shall have no affiliation with any organization that limits the membership of BRG.
  6. AMENDMENTS.
    Charter
    The Charter may be amended by a three-quarters vote with notice, followed by consent of two thirds of the members.
    Bylaws
    The Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote with notice. Any member may request a revote within six months.
    Standing Rules
    The Standing Rules may be amended by a majority vote with notice or a three-quarter vote without notice.
    Rules of Order
    The Rules of Order may be amended as provided in the Standing Rules.
  7. OFFICERS.
      Officers shall serve a one-year term.
      1. Representative.
        1. The Representative shall serve on Interim Committee of the state party.
      2. Alternate Representative.
        1. The Alternate Representative shall serve on Interim Committee of the state party in the absence of the Representative.
      3. Treasurer.
        1. The Treasurer's duties shall be outlined in the Standing Rules.
      4. Contact.
        1. The Contact's duties shall be outlined in the Standing Rules.
      5. Alternate Contact.
        1. The Alternate Contact's duties shall be outlined in the Standing Rules.
      6. Panjandrum.
        1. Each Panjandrum shall represent the Blue Ridge Greens at any meeting, not of a committee, at which the attendance of the Blue Ridge Greens is required, when mere members of the Blue Ridge Greens are prohibited from participation.
      7. Alternate Panjandrum.
        1. Each Alternate Panjandrum shall be assigned an ordinal number to establish the order of substitution for a Panjandrum.
      8. Other officers.
        1. The other officers shall be listed in the Standing Rules.
      9. Webmaster
        1. The Webmatster's duties shall be outlined in the Standing Rules.
      10. Committee Members.
  8. Key Values
  9. CHARTER.
  10. BYLAWS.
  11. STANDING RULES.
  12. RULES OF ORDER.


Standing Rules.

  1. GEOGRAPHY.
    1. Practical. For the purpose of political presence, the domain shall include all the following territory:
      1. the cities of Roanoke, Salem, and Bedford;
      2. the counties of Roanoke, Botetourt, Franklin, Craig, and Monroe;
      3. that portion of Floyd County within 21 miles or 34 kilometers of the Mill Mountain Star; and
      4. that portion of Bedford County within 32 miles or 51 kilometers of the Mill Mountain Star.
  2. BUSINESS MEETINGS.
    1. Quorum shall be three members.
    2. A meeting may be conducted by telephone by unanimous consent.
    3. There shall be a good faith effort to notify all members who live within the 540 area code of all meetings.
  3. OFFICERS.
    1. Treasurer.
      1. The Treasurer is responsible for all financial transactions.
      2. The Treasurer shall serve on the Budget and Finance Committees.
      3. The Treasurer is prohibited from filing reports with any government agency.
    2. Treasurer.
    3. Contact.
    4. Alternate Contact.
    5. Webmaster
      1. The Webmaster shall maintain the BRG web page.
    6. Clerk.
    7. Recording Secretary.
    8. Corresponding Secretary.
    9. Convenor.
      1. The convenor shall keep the membership list current.
      2. The convenor shall call meetings.
    10. Comptroller.
    11. Financial Secretary.
    12. Organizer.
      1. The organizer shall serve on the Membership Committee.
  4. CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE.
    1. Candidates for political office
    2. Candidates for public office
      1. Designation.
      2. Nomination to public office in partisan election.
      3. Endorsement.
      4. Proxy.
  5. CHANGES.
  6. COMMITTEES.
    1. Activism.
    2. Affilition.
    3. Audit.
    4. Budget.
    5. Conservation.
    6. Consumption.
    7. Ecology.
    8. Environment.
    9. Finance.
    10. Fundraising.
    11. Labor.
    12. Membership.
    13. Outreach.
    14. Planning.
    15. Political (autonomous)
      1. Municipal.
      2. District.
      3. State.
    16. Publicity.
    17. Recycling.
    18. Steering.
    19. Transportation.
  7. COUNCIL.
    1. All officers shall serve on the Council.


    Rules of Order.

    (yet to be written)

    Free speech on the Internet

    Questions? Comments? Send mail to aloe@rev.net.

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    Last revised: 11 May 2008
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