Green Left constituting

Those of us who like William Morris and EP Thompson and are well aware that Karl Marx was quite keen on ecology are beginning to punch above our weight...here is the draft Green Left constitution, comments welcome and hopefully useful to other ecosocialist fractions around the globe.



DRAFT GL CONSTITUTION
1. The Green Left (hereinafter GL), is a group open to members of the Green Party of England & Wales , (hereinafter GPEW), who share its aims outlined in the Ecosocialist Manifesto, Paris 2001.

2 AIMS
The aims of GL shall be to develop and advocate eco-socialist and anti-capitalist policies within GPEW and the Green movement, Trades Unions and the labour movement nationally, internationally, locally and regionally.

It shall do this by putting forward policy and campaign proposals to GPEW, the general public, the Green movement, Trades Unions and the labour movement nationally, internationally, locally and regionally.
It shall campaign on behalf of its aims by participating in Trades Union and other political and cultural events and by drafting and distributing appropriate publicity materials.

GL shall encourage Trades Unions, individuals and other appropriate and ethical organisations to give financial and other support to GPEW and shall encourage Trades Unions (at Branch, local regional or national level) to affiliate to GPEW. The actual mechanics of affiliation shall be dealt with by the Trades Union Liaison sub-committee of GPEX.


3 MEMBERSHIP
Membership of GL shall be open to any current members of GPEW. who share the aims and objectives of GL The usual method of joining will be payment of a subscription as agreed by he GL steering committee.

4 COMMITTEE
The GL Steering Committee shall comprise Co-conveners, Secretary, Membership Secretary and Treasurer, TU Liaison Officer. Other Committee posts may be created by the Committee as necessary subject to ratification by a meeting of GL.

The Committee shall normally be elected at the AGM.

5 MEETINGS
The Annual general Meeting (AGM) of GL shall normally take place annually and be open to all GL members

Ordinary meetings of GL shall be open to all GL members

Extra Ordinary General Meetings can be called by petition of 25% of GL members or 10 GL members (whichever is the larger). EGMs can consider and enact motions to re-elect the Committee.

Steering Committee meetings shall take place if necessary between other meetings; usually they shall be open to all GL members

Where possible an Ordinary meeting of GL shall be held at GPEW National Conference, this may be additional to the normal schedule of Ordinary meetings of GL.


6 DECISIONS
Decisions at GL meetings shall be by majority vote where necessary. Contentious or tied issues may be decided by a poll of all GL members

Committee members may take decisions or communicate on behalf of GL between Ordinary meetings of GL on matters that arise during these times, their decisions and communications shall be subject to ratification by a meeting of GL.


7 FUNDS
GL shall raise funds on its own behalf or for GPEW for campaigns in line with GL aims.

GL shall open a bank account to keep its funds which shall be spent in pursuance of its aims. (IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO INSERT PARA FROM BANK RE AUTHORISED SIGNATORIES HERE)


8 LOCAL GROUPINGS
GL shall encourage the formation of local GL groups and or GL groups based on membership of a particular Trade Union or workplace

9 The GL constitution maybe changed at an AGM or an EGM.