Bylaws
Mid-Missouri Green Party
Approved March 9, 2025
Statement of Purpose
The Mid-Missouri Green Party (MMGP) is a political group affiliated with the Missouri Green Party and the Green Party USA. The Green Party strives to promote a vision of a community-based society in ways that both empowers people and fosters the growth of sustainable relationships between the community and the natural world for a healthy existence.
The MMGP shares the vision of governance expressed in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution State of Missouri:
“That all constitutional government is intended to promote the general welfare of the people; that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry; that all persons are created equal and are entitled to equal rights and opportunity under the law; that to give security to these things is the principal office of government, and that when government does not confer this security, it fails in its chief design.”
As Greens, we understand that there is a close relationship between the
environmental crisis and social problems as well as between the destruction of our world and political and economic systems. The major threat to life on this planet is its domination by multinational corporations and political and economic structures whose functioning requires them to place profit and short-term gain before ecological and human needs. Healing our world and improving human relations with the rest of nature for future generations means that we must actively address the need to replace the system of uncontrolled and destructive growth with one that respects the beauty and diversity of life.
We endorse the following ten key values of the Green Party USA:
Ecological Wisdom
Grassroots Democracy
Nonviolence
Personal and Global Responsibility
Decentralization
Feminism and Gender Equity
Community-based Economics and Economic Justice
Future Focus and Sustainability
Respect for Diversity
Social Justice and Equal Opportunity
The MMGP further advocates the following tenants:
–Universal Health Care free to all people, funded by total graduated taxation.
–Comprehensive free education pre-kindergarten through post high school education and training.
–Sustainable locally based economic system.
–Non-industrialized, locally centered, organic/regenerative, sustainable agriculture and food system.
–Reform of the criminal justice and policing system based on respect and compassion for and service to humanity.
–Replacing or transforming the Pentagon of war and violence with an institution with the mission of pursuing peace and justice for all.
–Replacing the profit driven society and the concentration of wealth in a few hands with a society that spreads wealth for equal opportunity for all economic levels of reality.
–Making climate change a state and national emergency by ending use of fossil fuels and developing non-toxic, sustainable alternative energy sources for application on the local level and providing models for more simplistic, more satisfying living.
–Welcome all immigrants into our midst and set up a due process system of processing and vetting and integration, and assisting countries of origin to transform oppressive conditions into safe societies.
–Stop the violence based economic and armed intrusions into foreign countries and provide assistance to enable equal access to living resources for all people.
–Promote and defend personal rights and advocate social responsibility to defend those rights and promote true democratic values and functions in our nation and the world in our homes, private lives, work places, our communities, and our governances.
Article 1: Introduction
These bylaws are designed to help the Mid-Missouri Green Party (MMGP) accomplish its goals, empower its participants, and become a model for social change. These bylaws aim to promote the sharing of responsibility and to develop the capabilities of those who participate in MMGP meetings and public actions. The General Meeting (GM) makes all fundamental decisions, and committees have only those powers delegated to them. The Coordinating Committee (CC) is the officers of the Party that administrates the functions of the General Meeting. Any disagreements concerning interpretation of these bylaws should be resolved according to the principles for which this organization stands.
Article 2: Membership
2.1 Membership requirements: Any person who agrees with the tenants and statements in the Statement of Purpose, strives to support the work of the MMGP, and
is not a member of another Missouri Green local chapter, may pay annual dues and thereby become an active member of the MMGP. Membership begins at the start of the fiscal year, beginning on January 1. Membership ends by giving formal notice of resignation to the Coordinating Committee, to be honored immediately. or by decision of the General Membership after a thorough review of the situation. Members who have not paid dues for the current year shall be considered inactive.
2.2 Powers of members: Active members of the MMGP have the power to determine all policy, call and endorse public actions, select and remove officers, remove errant members, and change the bylaws of the organization to be done at a General Meeting. Bylaw changes requires a 2/3 vote of members present. Responsibilities may also be delegated to committees.
2.3 Spokespersons: Every member is encouraged to speak and act on behalf of the MMGP. Official spokespersons, who may make announcements for the MMGP and speak publicly on its behalf include the following:
a. Members chosen at a GM for specific tasks.
b. The Coordinator, Secretary, or Outreach Coordinator, or other officer of the CC.
c. An active member designated by the Coordinator or the Coordinating Committee or the General Meeting.
2.4 Removal of members: An active member may be removed when:
a. Another active member presents written cause at a GM, and
b. A hearing is held at a GM of the charges of misconduct where the defendant is invited to present a defense to the cause of action, and
c. A majority of active members present vote for removal at that or a later meeting.
d. Removed members may be also be reinstated by a majority vote at a subsequent GM.
Article 3: Coordinating Committee
3.1 Members: The Coordinating Committee (CC) shall consist of the following five
officers: A Coordinator, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Technology Coordinator,
and an Outreach Coordinator, and any other member with a designated function.
3.2 Duties:
a. Between General Meetings, the CC shall meet as necessary to make decisions and endorsements on behalf of the MMGP that are consistent with its principles and membership decisions. The CC shall present all such decisions and endorsements at the next GM for review.
b. At least seven days prior to each GM or CC meeting, the CC shall post notice
of the meeting as required in Article 5.
c. The CC will be responsible for approving expenses up to $100 per purchase. The CC cannot approve expenses totaling more than $300 per month without first consulting the membership at a GM.
d. All members of the CC shall promote continuity of the MMGP by actively encouraging and supporting all active members’ involvement in the organization.
3.3 Paid Employees: Paid employees of the MMGP shall not serve as officers of
the CC.
Article 4: Committees
4.1 Creation: The GM may vote to create committees and must determine the powers, scope, and membership of any such committee.
4.2 Responsibilities: Committees will select a facilitator for each committee meeting and make reports to the GM. A quorum for committee meetings shall be three active members.
4.3 Projects, programs, and expenses: Each committee must describe all proposed
projects and programs at the GM. Committee expenses of up to $100 per year may be
approved by the CC/GM.
4.4 Dissolution: Committees may be dissolved at any time by a vote at a GM. A
committee may be suspended by the CC. Any such suspension
must either be revoked or made permanent by the membership at the next GM.
Article 5: Meetings
5.1 Attendance and announcement: All GMs shall be open to all active members. Also identified persons interested in the Green Party are invited to attend and participate as determined by the GM. All meeting locations, dates, and times shall be published at least one week before they occur.
5.2 Publication: The CC shall mail, email, and/or publicly post on a website maintained by the MMGP, the time and location of the upcoming GM to all active members, and to interested friends. This notification should include minutes from the previous GM, the proposed facilitator and agenda for the upcoming GM, and the dates and locations for all upcoming committee meetings. The CC shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the maximum possible number of members is given timely notice.
5.3 Frequency: GMs shall be held monthly or as determined by the current GM.
5.4 Special meetings: Special GMs may be called by a majority of officers or 20 percent of active members. The CC will be responsible for notifying members in advance of special GMs.
5.5 Quorum: All GMs must have a quorum present to make decisions. A quorum is 20 percent of all active members. Meetings with less than a quorum may have discussions without making official decisions.
5.6 Voting: All active members may vote at GMs. Recognized visitors may have voice but no vote. Any active member may call for a vote during the discussion of a proposal. The facilitator will determine if a majority wish to vote. Votes may have one or two steps:
a. First, the facilitator will ask for consensus; and, if there are no objections, the vote is over;
b. If there is no consensus, then the vote shall be determined by a simple majority of those members voting.
For purposes of determining a majority, abstentions will not count as votes but will
be recorded in the minutes.
5.7 Order of issues at GMs:
a. The Coordinator or facilitator will open the meeting and ask for approval of the minutes of the previous meeting and of the agenda proposed by the CC. If there is not consensus on suggested changes, they will be determined by majority vote.
b. Committee reports should include:
(1) The dates of all meetings since the last GM;
(2) The number of active members who were in attendance;
(3) Ongoing and proposed activities;
(4) The date, time, and location of the next meeting, and;
(5) The phone number and/or email of the contact person for the committee.
(6) A copy of the committee report shall be given to the Secretary.
c. Unfinished/Old business.
d. New Business.
e. Announcements of upcoming events.
5.8 Meeting schedule: The General Meeting will determine the frequency of meetings with the time and location of each meeting to be announced in accordance with section 3.2 b.
Article 6: Officers
6.1 Elections and terms of office: General officers and the Coordinating Committee are the same–a Coordinator, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Technology Coordinator, and an Outreach Coordinator. Terms of office are one year. Officers are selected by majority vote. Regardless of when an officer is elected to a position, elections for every General Office shall be held the first GM of each calendar year.
6.2 Vacancies: If a general officer is unable to serve, misses several consecutive CC meetings or GM, the other general officers may declare that position vacant at the next GM so members can elect a person to fill the remainder of the term. The former officer may be re-elected by the GM.
6.3 Removal: The GM may vote to remove any officer for good reason.
6.4 Replacement: When a general office is vacated, or a general officer removed, an election to fill the office will be held during the following GM.
6.5 Interim Officers: If a general officer vacates, resigns, or is removed from office, the CC may elect an interim officer to fill the office until a regular election can be held at the next GM.
6.6 Duties of general officers (Coordinating Committee):
a. The Coordinator shall:
(1) Ensure that there is a location for every GM.
(2) Prepare the agenda of each meeting and manage each meeting.
(3) Ensure notice of each meeting is sent out with minutes and reports from the secretary and the treasurer, if available.
(4) Speak and/or select designees to speak on behalf of the MMGP.
(5) Seek the development and maintenance of contacts with groups that share Green values and are working on projects similar to those of the MMGP.
(6) Supervise the activities of all committees and/or any persons employed by the MMGP.
(7) Cover for other officers who are not in attendance.
b. The Secretary shall:
(1) Record minutes of GMs, which include all decisions made. The minutes will also contain committee reports and the treasurer’s summary.
(2) Assist the coordinator to ensure that notice of GMs is given pursuant to section 3.2 b.
(3) Assist the coordinator in keeping membership forms and soliciting memberships at all GMs.
(4) Coordinate correspondence with other Green or “green” allied groups.
c. The Treasurer shall:
(1) Open and/or maintain a bank account to hold monies collected and to pay bills with purchased checks. The bank account shall have both the coordinator’s and the treasurer’s names on the account and on the checks.
(2) Receive all membership dues, donations, and other income and keep a detailed record for sharing at GM meetings.
(3) Maintain an account of all funds.
(4) Ensure that a report of receipts, expenditures, and balance is delivered when requested to the GM.
(5) Email reminders of annual dues to all members.
(6) Prepare and publish an annual fiscal year end financial report to the general membership.
(7) Propose a dues structure during the first GM meeting of the new year.
d. The Technology Coordinator shall:
(1) Create, document, and maintain MMGP websites and other on-line communication links for members and the general public, as authorized by the CC.
(2) Advise and assist the CC, election candidates, and general membership with access to online services, including MOGP databases and websites and other communication tools.
(3) Coordinate or co-coordinate any technology-related MMGP committees.
e. The Outreach Coordinator shall:
Represent the MMGP along with the CC at public and political events where Green Party values and tenants can be displayed and promoted.
1. Coordinate recruitment of new members.
2. Coordinate the development of educational materials and party beliefs for sharing with the membership, members of the public interested in the Green Party, and with media outlets.
3. Establish and maintain contacts with other groups and organizations in the community with similar goals to the Green Party.
4. Seek out suitable candidates for the MMGP to run in local elections to be reported to the GM.
5. Strive to establish and maintain diversity among the membership.
6.7 A representative to the Missouri Green Party Coordinating Committee (Chapter Representative) shall be selected by the MMGP GM, in compliance with the State Bylaws, to represent the MMGP at the State MOGP CC meetings and to report on those meetings at the next Chapter GM. The Chapter Representative position may be held by any active member and will be considered as part of the MMGP CC.
