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Process
for Reviewing and Endorsing Issues
This process
is intended to facilitate the selection of issues1 that will receive an
official endorsement and support from the HCGP. The endorsement process
is designed to do three things: 1) to ensure that issues only receive
an endorsement if they truly recognize and support issues that are reflective
of the key values of the Green Party; 2) to encourage participation from
members of the HCGP in the decision-making process; and 3) to show that
an HCGP endorsement of an issue carries with it the support and work of
individual party members.
Step 1:
INITIAL INTERNAL SCREEN
The HCGP Steering Committee or a designated workgroup puts potential issues
through "Green Screen for Issues Part 1" (attached). Although
there are no "right" answers to these questions, there are answers
that are inconsistent with Green Party values. The Steering Committee
or designated workgroup shall determine whether or not the issue lives
up to the spirit and principles of the Greens based on the results of
this questionnaire. If the issue passes the screen, it moves on to Step
2.
Step 2:
STEERING COMMITTEE VOTE
It should be noted that completion of Step 2 is available for those issues
that require immediate attention. In most cases, it is highly recommended
that the Steering Committee members complete each of the seven steps before
endorsement is official.
As the elected
representatives of the party, the HCGP Steering Committee may vote to
endorse the issue. If consensus is reached, the issue is officially endorsed
by the HCGP. If consensus is not reached, or if any Committee member believes
that further review is in the best interests of the party, the issue moves
on to Step 3.
Step 3:
FORMAL SCREEN
The HCGP Steering Committee or designated workgroup sends a representative
of the issue a copy of the "Green Screen for Issues Part 2"
(attached) to be filled out and submitted back to the Steering Committee.
Step 4:
STEERING COMMITTEE VOTE ON BRINGING A SPOKESPERSON BEFORE GENERAL BODY
Upon the return of the questionnaire, the Steering Committee reviews the
answers to the questionnaire and votes on whether to bring a spokesperson
before the General Body. As with the initial screen, there are no "right"
answers to these questions, so the HCGP Steering Committee shall determine,
based on this set of questions, whether or not the issue lives up to the
spirit and principles of the Greens. If the issue passes, the representative
is invited to appear before the General Body.3
Step 5:
SPOKESPERSON APPEARANCE BEFORE GENERAL BODY
The issue spokesperson formally addresses the HCGP General Body at the
monthly meeting and answers questions from the members. The HCGP Steering
Committee introduces the issue to the General Body as one that has passed
both screening steps in the endorsement process. The two screens (with
answers) are made available to the membership. At this point, the spokesperson
may appeal to individuals for support.
Step 6:
HCGP GENERAL BODY VOTES ON ISSUE ENDORSEMENT
The HCGP Steering Committee presents its endorsement recommendation to
the General Body and asks for consensus. The General Body may debate,
but the goal of the meeting is to determine whether or not the issue receives
a formal HCGP endorsement. If there is no moral objection to the endorsement,
the process moves to Step 7.
Step 7:
FORMAL ENDORSEMENT OF ISSUE
The HCGP Steering Committee issues a formal endorsement of the issue to
the media. The Steering Committee lobbies the General Body for help with
the issue and actively pursues volunteers, if appropriate. The Steering
Committee or workgroup acts as the official liaison between the issue
and the General Body.
Internal
Questionnaire for Potential Issue Support
(a.k.a. "Green Screen for Issues, Part One")
This document
represents Step One in deciding whether the Harris County Green Party
(HCGP) will support and/or endorse a issue. This document should be used
by the Steering Committee or a recognized HCGP Workgroup as the initial
screening mechanism for determining if a issue is viable for HCGP support.
If the issue does not meet the criteria of this screen, there should be
no need to consider the issue further.
If the issue does meet the criteria of this screen, it will be moved to
the second step of the Support/Endorsement process as outlined in the
"Process for Reviewing and Endorsing Green-friendly Issues"
document.
The HCGP seeks out progressive issues that we believe have the ability
to make a difference in the lives of people through the promotion of green
values. Because we believe strongly in our principles, we want to ensure
that a issues' position(s) is consistent with HCGP values. The Green Party's
Ten Key Values are the following: Social Justice, Community-Based Economics,
Nonviolence, Decentralization of Power, Future Focus and Sustainability,
Feminism, Personal and Global Responsibility, Respect for Diversity, Grassroots
Democracy, and Ecological Wisdom.
The results of this questionnaire will be made available to any interested
member of the HCGP.
Issue Name___________________________
Action Sought
(if applicable) ___________________________
1. Has this
group/organization spoken publicly about the Green Party?
Yes ___ No ____ N/A ___
1b. If so,
were the comments toward the Green Party positive or negative?
Positive ____ Negative ______
2. Briefly
comment on this issue's relationship toward Greens.
3. Did this
issue approach the HCGP for endorsement? Yes ___ No ____
4. Comment
on how this issue promotes the Ten Key Values.
5. Are there
any Ten Key Values with which the issue does not agree or are ambiguous?
If so, comment briefly on which ones and why.
6. Briefly
comment on some of the ways in which this issue could promote the Green
party and its values to the general public.
Issues
Questionnaire for Harris County Green Party Endorsement
(a.k.a. "Green Screen for Issues, Part 2")
The Harris County Green Party (HCGP) designed this questionnaire to facilitate
the selection and endorsement of issues. The HCGP seeks out progressive
issues that we believe have the ability to make a real difference in the
lives of the people through the promotion of green values. Because we
believe strongly in our principles, we would like to know more about your
issue and whether your positions are consistent with our values. The Green
Party's Ten Key Values are the following: Social Justice, Community-Based
Economics, Nonviolence, Decentralization of Power, Future Focus and Sustainability,
Feminism, Personal and Global Responsibility, Respect for Diversity, Grassroots
Democracy, and Ecological Wisdom.
Please answer in your own words the following questions. Your answers
will be reviewed by our Steering Committee (the elected body of the HCGP)
and made available to our membership. Your answers will form the basis
of our decision for formally supporting and/or endorsing your efforts.
1. Do you believe the Green Party can make a useful contribution to American
political life? How?
2. Please
briefly discuss how your issue promotes the Ten Key Values.
3. Are there
any Ten Key Values with which you do not agree? If so, comment briefly
on which ones and why.
4. Please
tell us of others who have endorsed your issue.
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