I. Introduction - Goals of
the Accreditation Process
1. To assure that
applicants understand:
a) the Green Party of the United States, its goals, values and
plans,
b) the criteria we expect them to fulfill,
c) the resources available from the Green Party of the United States
to assist them in party-building in order to fulfill the
criteria
2. To assist applicants in the application process.
3. To speedily deliberate and make recommendation to the NC.
II. Criteria for State
Party Membership in the Green Party of the United States.
1. Acceptance of the four
pillars of the international Green Party movement [ecological
wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy, non-violence] or the
Ten Key Values as guiding principles.
2. Organized and run in accordance with these values.
3. A statewide organization open to, and reflective of, a statewide
membership.
4. Agrees to support national candidates selection by Green
convention.
5. Makes good faith effort, where reasonable, to achieve ballot
status.
6. Makes good faith effort to run state and local candidates.
7. Has applied to GREEN PARTY for accreditation, and has included
written by-laws, platform, and other documentation with that
application.
8. Has a history of networking with other environmental and social
justice organizations.
9. Evidence of commitment to, and good faith efforts to achieve,
gender balance in party leadership and representation.
10. Evidence of good faith efforts to empower individuals and groups
from oppressed communities, through, for example, leadership
responsibilities, identity caucuses and alliances with
community-based
organizations, and endorsements of issues and policies.
III. Role and Duties of
Accreditation Committee.
1. To prepare and
distribute application materials and instructions.
2. To review applications and make recommendations.
3. To hear appeals and grievances.
4. To review disaffiliation requests.
5. To recommend disaffiliation based on outcome of 3) or 4).
IV. Accreditation Process.
1. Application to the
Green Party of the United States
Applications should be
delivered to the secretary of the Green Party of the United States,
who will notify the NC that the application has been received, then
forward the application to all members of the accreditation
committee for review. The accreditation committee may request
additional paperwork, eg. by-laws, platform, etc. and assurances, in
order to determine that the applicant party satisfies the criteria
listed above.
2. Accreditation Committee
Review
Process should be speedy and non-bureaucratic. If we are to err, it
should be on the side of permissiveness. Applicant should experience
us as a welcoming committee and their advocate to the NC.
3. An accredited state
party which has failed to cast votes for a period of six months, or
has not sent delegates to two consecutive meetings of the National
Committee, may be assigned to temporary inactive status, upon
recommendation of the Accreditation Committee and majority vote of
the National Committee. Parties assigned to temporary inactive
status will retain GREEN PARTY accreditation and, insofar as
possible, will continue to receive NC correspondence; but shall not
be counted toward the NC quorum.
4. Should a party with
temporary inactive status not regain its active status within one
year, the Accreditation Committee may recommend a formal
disaffiliation vote by the NC.
5. Report to Coordinating
Committee.
The committee shall makes it report to the NC, except in
extraordinary situations, within 60 days of receiving the
application. The report may be presented either to a meeting of the
NC, or via e-mail, whichever can be done most promptly. The report
to the NC should explain the committee's findings for each of the
eight affiliation criteria, and recommend for or against approval of
the application.
6. Appeals Process
An application which is contested by an individual or group may
require the gathering of extensive evidence by the committee. This
might include an on-site visit by an authorized representative of
the committee. A written report should be mailed or e-mailed to the
NC and the matter should be discussed and decided and the next
general meeting of the GREEN PARTY National Committee. Should the
accreditation committee recommend against approving an application,
the committee is obligated to report that negative recommendation to
the applicant party, giving the applicant party adequate time to
prepare an appeal to the NC.
V. PROCEDURES FOR REVOCATION
OF ACCREDITATION
1. ABOUT GPUS
2. APPLICATION PACKET
3. THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS
4. ACCREDITATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS
5. PROCEDURES FOR CAUCUS AFFILIATION
6. Addendum: Santa Barbara resolution
1. ABOUT GPUS
1.a: The Green Party of the United States is a
federation of independent, State-level Parties. (Around the
country, local Green organizations are represented in different
ways, depending on by-laws and representational systems; GPUS
rules, however, require that its members be State-level
organizations serving statewide constituencies.)
1.b: When a caucus exists, and gains
accreditation by GPUS, it sends an elected voting delegate
and an alternate to the GPUS National Committee, and up to
three voting members to each Standing Committee. Additional
individuals from your caucus, with the assent of your elected NC
delegate, are welcomed to volunteer for GPUS's various working
committees.
1.c: For additional information about the
Green Party of the United States:
1.c.1: GPUS's home page is www.gp.org
1.c.2: Our by-laws are available at:
www.gp.org/documents/bylaws.shtml
1.c.3: The Green Party's operating
procedures are:
www.gp.org/documents/rules.shtml
1.c.4: The Green parties' platform can be found at: www.gp.org/platform.shtml
2. APPLICATION PACKET
To apply for GPUS membership, your caucus is
invited to submit a completed application packet, which should
include the following documentation in the order indicated:
2.a.1: A letter of application addressed to
the Co-chairs of the Accreditation Committee which indicates the
date and setting of the application decision (i.e., annual meeting
2/15/01, teleconference 3/22/02, on-line decision 6/18/02),
including a list of at least 100 members in at least 15 GPUS-
affiliated states, containing name, address, and state party
membership of each member (see section 6.b.1-5 below).
2.b The name, address and state party
membership of up to three delegates to the Diversity Committee.
2.c: The current by-laws of the caucus.
2.d: The current platform of the caucus.
2.e: A list of at least 100 members, in at
least 15 GPUS affiliated states, containing name, address, phone
number (if available), email address (if available) and state
party membership of each member.
2.f: Additional materials that the
Accreditation Committee can read and use
to establish your caucus' credentials. This could include
newsletters, news
clippings, incorporation papers or other legal documents,
literature, etc.
3. THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS
3.a: Identity Group Formation: When anyone in
the Green party becomes aware of an identity group being
interested in forming a caucus, that person will notify the
Diversity Committee.
3.b: Receipt of Application: Once a
caucus is ready to consider accreditation, its official
representatives will send two copies of the letter o application
and packet (the Application) to the GPUS national office, once
addressed to the co-chairs of the Accreditations Committee (AC),
the other to the co-chairs of the Diversity Committee (DC).
It is strongly suggested to also send as much of the packet as
possible via email to the Accreditations and Diversity Committees
at their respective email addresses. The AC and the DC will
keep each other completely updated in all areas of identity caucus
accreditation.
3.c: Committee Assignment, liaisons: As soon
as the Application is received, the AC and the DC shall each
assign a committee member to the application. The AC shall
communicate to the applicant the AC and DC members assigned to the
application, indicating the AC shall be the primary contact for
official communications regarding the accreditation process and
the DC shall assist and facilitate the process, acting as an
advocate for the applying caucus. Both the AC and the DC co-chairs
shall forward the application to all members of their respective
committees for review.
3.d: Evaluation process: The AC shall notify
the National Committee that the application has been
received. The Accreditation Committee may request additional
paperwork, clarifications and assurances, in order to determine
that the applicant party satisfies the criteria listed
below. The Accreditation Committee review process should be
speedy and non-bureaucratic. If we are to err, it should be
on the side of permissiveness. Applicant should experience
Greens as a welcoming committee. The Diversity Committee
will assist the caucus in formation to complete the necessary
documentation, working hand in hand with the Accreditation
Committee.
3.e: Report to and vote by the Coordinating
Committee: Except in extraordinary situations, the AC shall make
its report to the NC in the form of a formal proposal, within 60
days of the AC chair receiving a complete application.
A complete application is one that includes all of the
documentation necessary for the NC to make an informed decision
and shall be considered received when the national office issues
notices of its receipt to the applying caucus.
The proposal shall be presented according to
the customary procedure to submit proposals for discussion and
vote by email or at a national meeting of the NC, whichever can be
done most promptly. The proposal to the NC should explain
the committeeıs findings for each of the accreditation criteria,
and recommend for or against approval of the application and
accreditation of the Identity Caucusıs one delegate and one
alternate to the NC. Any request for clarification
directed to the AC or the DC shall be addressed without
prejudice.
If the AC and the DC cannot reach consensus on
the report, the proposal shall include both the AC and the DCıs
recommendations. A two-thirdıs majority vote is required to
approve an Identity Caucus.
3.f: Appeals process: Should the AC and
the DC recommend against approving an application, the AC is
obligated to report that negative recommendation to the applicant
caucus, giving the applicant caucus thirty days to prepare an
appeal to the NC.
3.g: Additional Documentation: The NC
may require the gathering of additional evidence. This might
include on-site visits by authorized representatives of the NC to
caucus headquarters, gatherings or other meetings. A written
report with specific recommendations should be communicated to the
NC and the matter should be discussed and decided a the next
general meeting of the NC.
4. Goals of the Accreditation Process
4.a: To ensure that applicant Identity
Caucuses and State Parties understand:
i. The goals, values, plans and organization
of the Green Party of the United States,
ii. The criteria Identity Caucuses and state parties are
expected to fulfill.
iii. The resources available from the GPUS to assist Identity
Caucuses and state parties in party-building in order to
fulfill the criteria.
4.b: to verify that Identity Caucuses and
state parties are indeed bona-fide organizations meeting the
values and criteria set forth in this proposal and related
documents.
4.c: To welcome new Identity Caucuses and
their representatives, and
facilitate their integration into the party.
5: Criteria for Identity Caucus Membership in
the GPUS
The Caucus must:
5.a: Accept of the four pillars of the
international Green Party movement [ecological wisdom, social
justice, grassroots democracy, non-violence], or the GPUS's Ten
Key Values, as guiding principles.
5.b: Be organized and run in accordance with
these values.
5.c: Be open to and reflective of natural
members of the Identity Caucus.
5.d: Have held at least one meeting and will
continue to hold such meetings not less than annually.
5e: Have elected its leadership and delegates
in a democratic and transparent manner.
5.f.: Agree to support national candidates
selected at the national Green Nominating Convention.
5.g: Maintain a current list of at least 100
members in 15 state parties with name, address and their state
party membership.
5.h. Represent a historically disenfranchised
or underrepresented and significant sector of the population.
6. Temporary Inactive Status
An accredited Identity Caucus which has failed
to cast votes for a period of six months, or has not sent
delegates to two consecutive meetings of the Coordinating
Committee, may be assigned to temporary inactive status, upon
recommendation of the Accreditation Committee and majority vote of
the National Committee.
Caucuses assigned to temporary inactive status
will retain GPUS accreditation and, insofar as possible, will
continue to receive NC correspondence; but shall not be counted
toward the NC quorum.
7. Revocation of Accreditation for
Inactivity
Should a caucus with temporary inactive status
not regain its active status within one year, the Accreditation
Committee may recommend a formal revocation vote by the NC.
Addendum: Santa Barbara resolution.
Here is the specific wording of the resolution
approved in Santa Barbara, establishing the basic framework for
accrediting caucuses:
IDENTITY CAUCUS ACCREDITATION PROCESS (IDCAP or
ICAP)
Adopted July 2003, Washington D.C.
When a caucus for an underrepresented group has formed, that caucus will submit its application for accreditation according to the same procedures used for state party accreditation. A caucus application will include documentation of caucus membership, showing that 100 individuals, from at least 15 states, who are both members of the underrepresented group itself, and of their respective state Green parties, have joined the caucus; and that the caucus uses democratic procedures for its internal leadership selection and general decision-making. As with state parties, the caucus application will include documentation for the caucus's by-laws, principles, history and activities.
(Notes: gp.org/documents/accreditation.shtml
is the original caucus accreditation process document that was
posted on GP.org. It was incorrectly labeled at the time as
the "Addendum on Accreditation". See web.archive.org/...documents/rules.html
for verification purposes.)
INTRODUCTION
These fiscal policies are
intended to make possible a higher level of Green political
activity, while safeguarding the independence of the Green Party,
the autonomy of its member parties, and the accountability of its
political and fiscal officers.
INCOME
Individuals: Contributions
from individuals will be accepted in amounts as permitted by law and
all excess contributions will be returned. The names of all
individuals contributors will be in the public domain.
Organizations: No
contributions will be accepted from political action committees
(PACs) without the express authorization of the National Committee.
Grants or contributions from foundations or other non-profit
organizations will be accepted up to a limit of $2000 per year per
grantor.
No contributions will be
accepted from for-profit corporations.
The Treasurers annual
report to the National Committee will partially consist of the most
recent Federal Elections Commission report which is viewable in the
public domain and includes details on contributions by category as
well as the names and addresses of all contributing parties,
individuals, and organizations.
MERCHANDISING
Green Party merchandising
projects (T-shirts, bumper stickers, supplies, etc) shall be
authorized by the National Committee or the Steering Committee. Any
such merchandising must be consistent with the Green Party's purpose
in design, materials, production, marketing and distribution, and
should always reflect the dual goals of building public awareness
and support for our member Green parties, while generating income
for the Green Party.
Merchandising project
leaders and committees shall be designated by the Steering Committee
or by the National Committee in a proposal format. The Treasurers
annual report to the National Committee will detail all
merchandising activities including expenses, income, type and
quantities, for each merchandise item or project. There shall be a
clear accounting of various merchandising projects by the
merchandising project leaders to the Green Party Treasurer.
LOANS
To cover emergencies,
sudden expenses, or seed funds for special projects, amounts of
$2000 or less may be borrowed, with the express written
authorization of the Green Party Steering Committee.
Larger loans must be
approved by a vote of the full National Committee.
Whether or not the
National Committee approval is required, proposals to borrow in any
amount (including the loans source, amount, terms, and purposes)
must be reported to the National Committee prior to the final
execution of any loan agreement. Any such loan agreement must be
signed by the Treasurer and at least one other member of the
Steering Committee, on behalf of the Green Party.
Loan proceeds will be
deposited in the Green Party's general operating account. The
Treasurers annual report to the National Committee will include a
full report on the status of all outstanding loans.
INVESTMENTS
Green Party funds may not
be placed in any instrument whatsoever other than Green Party bank
accounts without the express, advance, and specific authorization of
the National Committee.
EXPENDITURES
Expenditures from the
Green Party's general operating account shall be made by Treasurer
upon written request only when such expenditures have been
authorized in the Green Party's interim, annual, or revised annual
budget.
All expenditures must be
made by check or credit card.
The Treasurer, when
authorized in an approved budget, may make expenditures from the
general funds up to a maximum of $2000 for individual payment
without additional signatures from another designated Steering
Committee member. For payments in excess of the amount of $2000 the
Treasurer shall request and obtain an electronic approval from the
designated Steering Committee member for each payment. The
designated Steering Committee member shall be on the banking
signature card.
The Treasurer shall also
make individuals payments when the Steering Committee approves
discretionary expenditures under policies set forth in these rules.
A petty cash fund will be
managed in the national office for the handling of small local
expenses with monthly reports of this fund to the accountant and
treasurer.
All expenditures will be
recorded and accounted for using accepted banking and accounting
practices, and a report of all expenditures, including payees and
amounts, will be available for member review at the national office.
Bank statements along with
their associated banks reconciliations will be available to any
member of the National Committee or Steering Committee upon request.
REVENUE SHARING
Once per calendar year,
state parties are expected to make available to the Green Party
their donor lists for the purpose of fundraising for the Green
Party. The Green Party will allow other arrangements to be
substituted in lieu of forwarding of state donor lists with the
approval of the Green Party Fundraising Committee.
The Fundraising Committee
as well other committees/ caucuses/ networks shall coordinate with
the duly designated authority of each such state party the timing of
any solicitation of state donors so as to avoid conflict between the
state and national party fundraising efforts.
Representatives of the
Green Party and representatives of accredited state parties shall
negotiate the percentage of revenue which shall be remitted by the
Green Party to each state party from the use of each state donor
list for direct mailing and events. The Green Party shall, upon
request of any state party, make an accounting to the state party of
the receipts attributable to donors of the states donor lists.
In those instances where
donations are so shared between the state and the national parties
the maximum contribution allowed by state and federal regulations
shall be allowed to the state and national parties and all sharing
shall be done on a net revenue basis. Before any shared contribution
in a given year is accepted from a donor it will need to be
determined by the Treasurer as to whether the donors state can
accept their full share of the money for use by the state party. If
not, the assistance of the state treasurer and the national
Treasurer shall be required for a decision as to the disposition of
the states share of the donors contribution.
Every Green Party request
for donations will include a check off box for up to 50% of state
sharing at the donors request.
FUNDRAISING POLICY
The Green Party of The
United States Fundraising Committee is the committee primarily
responsible for the raising of funds for the operation of The Green
Party of The United States.
The Green Party will be
making ongoing personal solicitations to donors in all states
throughout the year.
Caucuses, other committees
and networks may engage in the raising of funds solely for their own
operations as long as they provide timely notice of their efforts to
the Green Party Fundraising Committee. They may also choose to
coordinate and/or partner their fundraising efforts with the Green
Party of The United States. Each accredited caucus, committee and
network will create a yearly fundraising plan and provide a copy of
same to the Green Party Fundraising Committee. In either case,
whether the fundraising is done jointly or solely there shall be
coordination with the Green Party Treasurer or designee (i.e. the
accountant, and/or the operations, fundraising, or political
directors) for the completion of the necessary record keeping, the
filing of any required reports and the banking of the monies being
generated from the fundraising efforts. In addition there shall be
an accounting of all monies expended in the fundraising efforts and
in the operations following the fundraising efforts.
The Green Party Treasurer
or designee shall provide each Treasurer of each accredited caucus,
committee, and network the requisite financial forms, either in
hardcopy or electronic format, to carry out their duties.
The Green Party Treasurer
or designee shall provide, on a monthly basis, each Treasurer of
each accredited caucus, committee, and network statements reflecting
all monies deposited and spent.
Each accredited caucus,
committee and network will provide to the Treasurer or designee
a working budget for each fundraising event.
At a minimum the following
will be provided to the Treasurer or designee: date of event, type
of event, purpose of event, projected startup costs, and receipts
expected.
Any state participating in
combined fundraising efforts with the Green Party will provide the
same information as above. The Green Party Treasurer or designee
shall provide copies of all appropriate documents to the Steering
Committee, Finance Committee, and Fundraising Committee upon request
or when appropriate.
FISCAL MANAGEMENT
BANK ACCOUNTS
The Green Party shall
maintain at a minimum a general operating account for check writing
and depository purposes and a general reserve account for placement
of the party's reserve funds. Transfers between these accounts may
be made by the Treasurer as needed in accordance with annual budget
or upon specific directives from the Steering Committee.
CREDIT CARD POLICY
The Treasurer, in
consultation with the Steering Committee and the Finance Committee,
is authorized to obtain credit cards under the name of The Green
Party of The United States, in order to facilitate normal fiscal
operations of The Green Party of The United States.
The use of the Green Party
credit card or any other persons credit card for Green Party
expenditures does not constitute a loan under this fiscal policy as
long as the bill is paid in full each month. It is the intention of
the Green Party to pay all credit cards charges in full when due
except for any disputed items that were charged on the card. Any
decision not to pay the full amount is subject to the loan
provisions of this fiscal policy.
Only the Treasurer is
automatically authorized to hold a credit card for which the Green
Party is responsible. For any other person, such as staff or
committee members to be issued a credit card, the Finance Committee
must make a recommendation for the Steering Committee approval.
Additional cards will be
designated for that individual so that the charges to it can be
traced to each cardholder.
The Finance Committee
shall institute guidelines for credit limits and authorized usage
limits for any credit card issued under the name of the Green Party
based upon the authorized monthly budgetary needs of each
cardholder.
All people herein issued
credit cards are required to file a report to the Treasurer and/or
accountant each month by the 10th day of the following month,
indicating what each charge to the credit card is for, and what
budgetary line item covers that expense. Repeated failure to provide
this information is grounds for cancellation of charging privileges
and return of the card at the Treasurers request.
The Green Party credit
card may not be used for non-party expenses, or any unauthorized
expenses, under any circumstance. If any person issued a Green Party
credit card uses it for any unauthorized expense, the Treasurer may
cancel the charging privileges of that card and request immediate
return of the card as well as require immediate repayment of the
unauthorized expenses.
The Finance Committee, or
any staff and/or volunteers assigned by it, is authorized and
required to monitor the use of the Green Party credit card to ensure
that this policy is followed and enforced.
BUDGETING
Interim budget: Until a
budget is approved, funds may only be spent for administrative
expenses for the Green Party, including but not limited to personnel
costs, literature costs, post office box, communications (postage,
phones and website maintenance) and expenses associated with Green
Party meetings or an Green Party sponsored nominating convention.
All such expenses must be approved by the National Committee. Moneys
may be spent on dues, or for co-sponsorships with non-Green Party
organizations, only with the advance and specific approval of the
National Committee.
Annual budget: The
Steering Committee will propose an annual budget to the National
Committee at each years National Committee meeting which falls next
prior to December 31st or propose it on line before November 15. The
National Committee will then vote to approve or reject the proposed
budget at the meeting or on line. The annual budget will only be
considered approved after it has been passed by a vote of the
National Committee.
The Green Party's fiscal
year will be the calendar year ( January 1- December 31).
The annual budget will
incorporate anticipated expenses and income from all sources. A
Green Party reserve fund will be established with a target of three
months of Green Party operating expenses. Once approved, the annual
budget will limit the purposes and amounts of the Green Party's
allowable expenditures, and no expenditures may be made that are not
in that budget. Appropriate mid-year revisions to the annual budget
may be proposed by the Steering Committee at any time, but require
approval by the National Committee. The Green Party's budget will be
a public document.
The Green Party Steering
Committee is authorized to approve minor expenditures not included
in the budget for administrative or emergency matters without prior
approval of the National Committee up to a limit of $1000 per month.
The National Committee must be informed by email of such an
expenditure within one week. The Steering Committee is also
authorized to modify expenditures for administrative purposes due to
unforeseen changes in costs or plans, limited to total expenditure
of $1000 per month.
APPROPRIATIONS AND
REIMBURSEMENTS
Authorization of
expenditures in the budget does not authorize Green Party
committees, employees or other representatives to actually spend
these funds without specific and separate written permission of the
Treasurer or the Steering Committee. A budget is a projection of the
desired expenditures and does not guarantee that funds will be
available.
In order to guarantee
reimbursement of expenditure by any committee, employee or other
representative, such person must have written permission to spend
funds as authorized by the budget or this fiscal policy. The
Treasurer may choose to authorize, and any individual may choose to
make an expenditure, based on oral permission, but this does not
constitute a binding debt on the Green Party.
In order to avoid
confusion regarding reimbursement, simplify Green Party reporting
and assure a proper fiscal practice, committees, employees and
representatives of the Green Party should make every effort to plan
ahead and have expenses paid directly by the Green Party to avoid
the need for reimbursements.
It is the policy of the
Green Party of the United States to pay actual and necessary
expenses incurred by authorized Party members and employees when
they travel outside their city of residency while conducting
official business for the Green Party.
All travel by Party
members and employees must be approved by the committee on which the
person serves or for employees by their supervisor(s). Committees
should not expect the Green Party to pay for all committee members
to attend events.
It is not the intention of
the Green Party to pay for delegates or committee members travel to
and from the annual meetings and conventions except to enhance
diversity. Specifically, to increase the number of
participants who are people of color, women, L.G.B.T.I . (lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender, inter sex), youth, the disabled, and any
other traditionally disenfranchised group. While the primary
responsibility for travel assistance for delegates and committee
members rests with the state parties that those individuals
represent, it is of such vital importance to the growth of the Green
Party to enhance diversity that the national party will allow the
Diversity Committee to allocate funds from the annual budget and to
raise additional funds to provide financial assistance for delegates
and committee members who represent the above mentioned groups.
Per the fiscal policy on
expenditures, all travel expenditures must be approved by the
treasurer prior to commitment of any funds.
In the case of Steering
Committee (SC) members may receive an equal amount of travel funds
at the beginning of each budget year. If a SC members travel exceeds
the budgeted amount the SC can vote to disburse discretionary travel
funds for a one time allocation to that member for specific
activity. Travel expenditures by each SC member will be limited by
the amount of funds in their travel account. A SC member may
transfer funds from his or her own account to that of authorized use
for a portion of their allocation to another SC member if authorized
by a vote of the SC.
The treasurer will provide
periodic updates of travel expenses for committees and Steering
Committee members. All committees and SC members are advised to keep
track of their spending.
Reimbursable travel
expenses will include but not limited to: registration fees,
lodging, transportation, meals and a child care allowance. The
reimbursable amount for mileage and food will be paid as determined
by the Internal Revenue Service for business travel. For example in
2002 mileage was on average $.365 per mile. See http://www.irs.gov
for details prior to travel.
Every effort must be taken
to purchase the least expensive travel. This may include staying
over on a Saturday night by some airlines. The least expensive class
of ticket must be purchased. Purchase tickets well in advance for
best price. When possible negotiate for an exception for refund and
flight changes with airlines.
When selecting lodging the
least expensive union facilities will be given first choice. If a
union facility is not available then the least expensive guideline
applies. In all cases members should select lodging where they feel
safe and comfortable.
At the point where the
Green Party has contracted with a travel agency, all travel will be
scheduled through that agency.
Party members who require
advances before traveling must request the funds in a timely manner
from the Treasurer and must obtain authorization in writing from the
committee, caucus or network they are representing.
All authorized travel by
party members and employees will be reimbursed for all reasonable
and necessary expenses upon presentation of receipts, paid bills,
etc.
All reimbursable travel
must be reconciled with receipts within 30 days of reimbursable
travel.
Prohibited travel
expenses:
Travel by family or
companions, except expenses for child care, meals or other expenses
incurred prior to or after the end of the official travel with the
exception of meals while traveling directly to and from activities.
Meals and entertainment
that are not approved by the Green Party Treasurer as well as any or
all portions of official travel hosted and/or paid for by others.
Mileage traveled using
personal vehicle while not on official travel status
Guest travel
The party may host guests
in their official capacities that require travel funds. The Green
Party SC will vote to approve funds from the discretionary travel
funds prior to extending the invitation. The proposal for such funds
will include the name of the guest, the official purpose of the
travel, the itinerary, and the maximum amount to be disbursed.
REPORTING AND AUDITING
At each years National
Committee meeting next following the end of the fiscal year
(December 31st), the Treasurer shall make an annual report to the
National Committee, detailing the prior years fiscal activities
which will partially consist of the appropriate Federal Elections
Commission report(s) which are viewable in the public domain and
include many details on these fiscal activities.
There will be a standing
Finance Committee whose primary task is to monitor fiscal activities
only. The duties of the Finance Committee are to ensure the fiscal
policies are complied with, consult with staff and the Steering
Committee as well as make recommendations to the National Committee
for fiscal policy changes, prepare annual budgets and draft
occasional budget amendments for the consideration of the National
Committee. The Finance Committee will also oversee the daily affairs
of party finances such as bank accounts, methods of disbursement,
etc., as well as obtain an independent annual audit of our financial
affairs by a certified public accountant when authorized by the
Treasurer and the Steering Committee.
The Treasurer and
accountant will consult with the Finance Committee on our fiscal
policies, and the Finance Committee is authorized to bring issues
concern to the Steering or National Committee and temporarily halt
transactions if they raise concern. The Steering Committee with the
direction of the National Committee shall implement whatever actions
are recommended in order to continue financial transactions.
Membership on the Finance
Committee will be, at a minimum, the Treasurer, the accountant, the
designated Steering Committee member who is on the banking signatory
card, and any Steering Committee members who choose to join. Any
member of the National Committee may join with voted approval of the
National Committee. With the approval of their affiliated state
party, persons who are Green Party members but not National
Committee members may join if approved by the National Committee.
Prospective committee
members for the Finance Committee shall inform the Steering
Committee of their interest, so that the Steering Committee may call
for a timely election for approval of the new member. Members may
serve until they resign or are removed by their state party. Members
may also be removed for cause by the National Committee upon a
proposal from the Green Party Steering Committee. The Treasurer
shall be the one of the chairpersons of the Finance Committee and
the designated Steering Committee person who is on the banking
signatory card shall be the other co-chairperson of this committee.
AMENDMENTS TO THESE FISCAL
POLICIES
Amendments to these
policies may be proposed by any member of the Green Party National
Committee at any time, in according to accordance with the same
rules used to adopt or amend any other procedure of the Green Party
of The United States. All committee, caucus, and network bylaws,
rules and procedures are superseded by these fiscal policies of the
Rules and Procedures of The Green Party of The United States.
