The Wisconsin Green Party will elect officers at the Fall 2014 meeting in Milwaukee. All positions are up for election, including 2 co-chairs, secretary, treasurer, 2 Coordinating Council representatives from each congressional district, and 4 Coordinating Council representatives from caucuses (Youth, Women, Diversity, LGBT). All party members in good standing are entitled to vote, and to submit self-nominations.

Read on for information about the positions available, and how to submit self-nominations.

1. The Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs shall work together to coordinate the activities of the organization. The Co-Chairs are empowered to speak publicly for and in the name of the organization on issues of the day and the policies and positions of the organization between Coordinating Council meetings in accordance with our adopted Key Values and Platform. The Co-Chairs may convene Coordinating Council meetings as they deem necessary and must do so at the request of five (5) or more current Members of the Coordinating Council or ten (10) or more Members in good standing of the organization. Co-Chairs contemplating the issuance of statements or press releases not specifically covered by the Key Values or Platform should consult with a majority of the Coordinating Council prior to making any such statement. The Co-Chairs shall be reimbursed for their expenses by the Coordinating Council.

2. Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall take and prepare written minutes of all Membership and Coordinating Council meetings. The Recording Secretary shall make sure that all members of the Coordinating Council receive copies of the minutes within three (3) weeks after each Council meeting. The Recording Secretary shall transmit copies of all minutes to the editor of the newsletter. The Recording Secretary shall maintain the official minutes of the organization. The Recording Secretary shall be reimbursed for any expenses by the Coordinating Council.

3. Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary may also be the Treasurer. The Corresponding Secretary shall maintain a post office box for accepting mail for the organization at such places designated by the Coordinating Council. The Corresponding Secretary shall receive the organization’s mail and answer inquiries for information and literature. Correspondence received requesting answers to policy questions not readily answerable in accordance with the Key Values and Platform shall be referred to the Co-Chairs. The Corresponding Secretary shall maintain the current list of Members in good standing and such records as are necessary. The Corresponding Secretary shall be reimbursed for any expenses by the Coordinating Council.

4. Operations Treasurer. The Operations Treasurer shall maintain the operations bank account and operations funds of the organization in financial institutions designated by the Coordinating Council. The Operations Treasurer shall accept all funds paid to the organization and pay all debts incurred by the organization upon receipt and authorization of the Coordinating Council. The Operations Treasurer shall report on the organization’s financial condition at each Membership and Coordinating Council meeting.

5. Elections Treasurer. The Elections Treasurer shall maintain the elections funds and make disbursements from that account upon authorization of the Coordinating Council. The Elections Treasurer shall maintain the contributions database and shall file all campaign finance reports for the state party with the State Elections Board, the Federal Election Commission and the Internal Revenue Service.

6. The WI Green Party Coordinating Council shall consist of up to 25 members. All members must be members of the WI Green Party, and all efforts will be made to maintain gender-balanced, and ethnic-balanced representation. Five (5) members are the officers of the WI Green Party (two Co-Chairs, Elections Treasurer, Operations Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary). The responsibilities of officers are outlined in Article 4 of the Constitution. Up to 16 members are nominated and elected from the eight WI congressional districts. Up to two members are from each of the eight congressional districts. Each member serves a 2-year term. These 8 (16 in first year) members will be nominated in their district meetings at the Fall Gathering. The election will take place at the full membership meeting. Notification will be sent out three times (in the newsletter, via email, and with Fall Gathering information) that nominations for the congressional district representation will take place at the WI Green Party Fall Gathering. If someone would like to be nominated but cannot attend the gathering, they should send a brief written statement with another member, who will speak on behalf of the member. Up to four (4) members are nominated and elected from caucuses. One each from the following caucuses: Women, Diversity, LGBT and Youth. These are 1-year terms. These 4 members will be nominated in their caucus meetings at the Fall Gathering. The election will take place at the full membership meeting.

The Coordinating Council is charged with implementing the will of the Membership as decided at Membership meetings and otherwise supervising business of the organization. The Council shall educate and inform the membership through publication of a newsletter, Green Wisconsin. The Coordinating Council shall select the number, location, date and time of Membership meetings each year. The Coordinating Council is empowered to speak in the name of the organization between Membership meetings on issues of public importance in accordance with the adopted Key Values and Platform. All decisions of the Council shall be made by facilitated consensus. The Coordinating Council shall meet at least quarterly. Meetings of the Council may be held in conjunction with Membership meetings.

Click here to submit self-nominations for WIGP officer positions.

See the WIGP constitution for more information about officer elections and duties.