NAME
The name of this organization is the GREEN PARTY OF DELAWARE. It is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is commonly referred to as GPDE.  

INTENTIONS AND PURPOSES
A.  We, the members of the GPDE, declare our commitment to exist as a grassroots democratic movement.  Therefore, our core operating principles include deliberation, openness, transparency, mutual respect, honesty, free flow of information, accountability, full participation, responsiveness, inclusiveness, individual responsibility, limited discretion of elected and appointed leaders, discourse, and discussion.

B.  We intend these by-laws, and any future by-laws adopted by the GPDE, to be consistent with these principals.  It is also our intent that GPDE will be an evolving organization, consciously striving to become a better grassroots democratic organization, while serving to effectively realize other Green Party Key Values.

C.  The GPDE is an independent political party affiliated nationally with the Association of State Green Parties (ASGP) and shares kinship with the Green Party internationally through our common adherence to the Ten Key Values of:
     1.  Grassroots Democracy
     2.  Social Justice
     3.  Ecological Wisdom
     4.  Nonviolence
     5.  Decentralization
     6.  Economic Justice
     7.  Gender Equity and Cooperation
     8.  Respect for Diversity
     9.  Personal and Global Responsibility
   10.  Future Focus

D.  The GPDE works to affect change through four actions: election of endorsed candidates for public office; legislative action; member/public education, and; direct civic action.  Our adherence to the Ten Key Values inspires and guides our actions.

E.  GPDEšs primary purpose is the nomination and election of GPDE endorsed candidates to public office to effect positive social, economic, and political change in accord with the Ten Key Values.

F.  These by-laws provide the structure for organizing GPDE and through them we seek to establish the relationship between the affiliated parts that make-up its whole.  The affiliated parts of GPDE are given certain authority and responsibility. However, final power in the GPDE lies with the members of GPDE.

SUBORDINATION
The GPDE by-laws are subordinate to the Constitution, the laws and regulations of the United States of America, and the State of Delaware.  Members are compelled to change laws restricting grassroots democracy and other key values held by the Green Party.  

MEMBERSHIP
Any person who is registered Green Party in the State of Delaware is a member of the GPDE.  Members of the GPDE are entitled to fully participate, with exception as specified in these by-laws.

GPDE LOCALS
A.  Intentions of Locals
     1.  GPDE Locals are intended to be semi-autonomous parts of the GPDE with great flexibility in deciding how they operate internally within the requirements of affiliation with GPDE.
     2.  GPDE Locals strive to adhere to the GPDE by-laws, and are guided in their decision making by it, and the Ten Key Values.
     3.  Other interested people are welcome to attend and participate in Local meetings but do not hold voting privileges.

B.  Defining a Local
     1.  A Local is a group of GPDE members who meet on a regular basis to advance the Intentions and Purposes of the GPDE in unity with these by-laws and the Ten Key Values.
     2.  Locals are loosely defined geographically by county, region, or city/town, and are referred to accordingly (for example, the GPDE Newark Local).
     3.  Locals meet at least quarterly.

C.  Establishing Locals
     1.  Locals are approved by the GPDE Coordinating Council (CC) for affiliation with the GPDE based on expressed interest by members of GPDE, their ability to adhere to the         Intentions and Purposes outlined for the GPDE, and a perceived need to establish a Local as determined by the CC.
           a.  A group of GPDE members express their interest in establishing a Local to the CC.
           b.  A majority vote of CC members present and voting for approval authorizes a GPDE Local.
           c.  Locals uphold the Ten Key Values, the Intentions and Purposes of the GPDE, and abide by the by-laws of the GPDE.

D.  Local Membership
     1.  Membership in a Local is extended to any GPDE member at their request.
           a.  In extending membership, the new member agrees to:
               i.   Belong to and vote in only one Local.
               ii.  Adhere to the Intentions and Purposes of the GPDE.
               iii.  Use the Ten Key Values to guide their GPDE activities.
               iv.  Comply with these by-laws.
           b.  New members are encouraged to be active participants in the GPDE.
     2.  A person may claim membership and vote in only one Local at any given time.    
     3.  A person may only transfer membership from one Local to another by giving notice to the Chair of each local involved in the change.
     4.  Unaffiliated members are encouraged to form and/or join a Local.

E.  Local Structure
     1.  Local elects/appoints the following officers, each having the following responsibilities:
          a.  Chair
               i.  Ensures the Local meets requirements needed to maintain its status as a GPDE Local.
               ii.  Prepares reports as requested by the CC.
               iii.  Convenes Local meetings at times and places approved by the Local membership.
               iv.  Develops, or has developed, an agenda that is published and archived prior to each Local Meeting.
               v.   Facilitates, or ensures that a facilitator is selected, for each Local meeting using the developed agenda.
               vi.  Ensures, or selects someone to ensure, that the facility in which the Local meets is available for each meeting and is secure after each meeting.
               vii. Keeps an on-going and accurate roster of Local members so that a person is a member (and votes) in only one local at any given time. This roster is shared with other locals and the CC.
         b.  Clerk
               i.   Keeps Local meeting minutes.
               ii.  Delivers meeting minutes to the Chair in a timely fashion.
               iii. Publishes and archives Local meeting minutes for member access.
               iv.  Notifies the Local membership of scheduled meetings, posting the times, location, and agenda before each meeting.
         c.  CC Representative
               i.   Serves for a period of time determined by the Local, but no shorter than one (1) year.
               ii.  Attends, or ensures that a member of their Local attends, each CC meeting as scheduled.
               iii. Reports to the Local members regarding the activity of the CC for the purpose of increasing Local understanding, cooperation and unity with the CC's activities and the wider GPDE membership.
               iv. Liaisons with the CC regarding financial transactions of the GPDE and financial activities of the Local.
               v.  Liaisons with the CC regarding member concerns and/or proposals.
        2.  Locals may create additional officer positions within the Local and alter their internal structure but must include the above functions.

F.  Local Candidate Endorsement & Revocation
     1.  GPDE Locals are responsible for the endorsement of prospective candidates for local public office in their area of influence.
          a.  Prospective candidates express interest in running for public office to the Local.
               i.  They outline their qualifications, experience, and reason (s) for seeking the endorsement of the Local.
               ii.  They submit their expression of interest in a timely manner giving the Local time to evaluate their candidacy, including contact with and feedback from the Local's membership.
               iii.  They describe their preliminary campaign plans.
           b.  The Local solicits the opinion of its members.
               i.  The Local is encouraged to offer a forum for prospective candidates to openly exchange with its membership. 
               ii.  The Local considers campaign and election time frames when working with the prospective candidates, making an effort to provide its membership with information and coming to a decision to endorse or not in a timely fashion.
           c.  The Local endorses a prospective candidates through a majority vote in favor of endorsement by members present and voting.
           d.  Following the endorsement of the candidate, the Local works to help its members work for the endorsed local candidate's election to office.
      2.  GPDE Locals are responsible for revocation of endorsement for Local candidates.
           a.  If an endorsed Local candidate demonstrates disregard for the GPDE's Intentions and Purposes or the 10 Key Values, the Local may revoke its endorsement by 2/3 vote of its members present and voting.
               i.  The candidate and the CC are notified of the potential revocation of endorsement.
               ii.  If revocation is approved, the candidate and the CC are notified. 
               iii.  The CC advises the State Department of Elections of the revoked endorsement.
               iv.  With revocation of endorsement, GPDE members are discouraged from further support of the former GPDE candidate.

G.  Local Working Committees
     1.  Locals may establish working committees under their supervision, hereafter referred to as Local working committees (e. g., The GPDE Newark Local Working Committee for Universal Health Care Concerns).
          a.  The Local receives and reviews the Local working committee reports, work plans, and approves recommendations from the working committees and/or makes recommendations to the working committees.
          b.  Local working committees are established as a regular committee or an ad-hoc committee.
               i.  Regular Local working committees are long term in nature and continue to function until laid down by the Local.
               ii.  Ad-hoc Local working committees are established for a specific purpose, with a limited time frame, and are automatically laid down when their task is accomplished and/or the Local lays it down.
               iii.  When establishing a committee, Locals specify the type of committee, regular or ad-hoc, being established.

GPDE COORDINATING COUNCIL
A.  CC Composition
     1.  Any member of the GPDE is eligible to serve on the CC.
     2.  The CC is composed of three (3) at-large members, two (2) GPDE National Representatives to the Green Party national organization (Association of State Green Parties/ ASGP), a representative from each GPDE Local (one representative per Local), and a representative from each CC authorized GPDE working committee (one representative per working committee).
     3. The at-large CC members (3), the GPDE National Representatives (2),  and affiliated Local representatives are voting members of the CC, while GPDE Working Committee Representatives are non-voting members of the CC.
     4.  GPDE endorsed elected public officials in Delaware , are non-voting CC members.
     5.  GPDE CC members' names and contact information are posted on the GPDE web site and otherwise made freely available to the membership.
     6.  CC meetings are open to all GPDE members to attend.

B.  CC Member Election
     1.  Candidates for the CC at-large positions and National Representatives are nominated and elected based on their ability to guide the GPDE in our efforts to achieve stated Intentions and Purposes in accord with the Ten Key Values.
     2.  Candidates for CC member and National Representatives may be nominated by a CC appointed ad-hoc working committee and/or from the floor of the Annual Meeting.
           a.  GPDE candidates are given equal access to the GPDE membership prior to their election. 
     3.  For the 2001 Annual Meeting, the GPDE elects two (2) CC at-large members for two (2) year terms and one (1) CC at-large member for a one (1) year term. 
           a.  The one and two year term positions are clearly designated as such to the candidates and the GPDE members.
           b.  Thereafter, CC at-large members are elected for staggered two year terms on an annual basis.
                 i.  Candidates for CC at-large member are elected by a majority vote of the membership present and voting at the Annual Meeting or GPDE Membership Meeting.
                 ii.  In instances where no candidates for the CC membership wins at least a simple majority of votes, an instant run-off is held to determine the election winners.
                 iii.  CC members, duly elected, assume their position immediately.
     4.  Candidates for GPDE National Representative are elected for two (2) year terms at the Annual Meeting.
          a.  National Representatives are elected by a majority vote of the membership present and voting at the Annual Meeting or GPDE Membership Meeting.
          b.  For the 2001 Annual Meeting, one (1) position will be for two years and the other for one (1) year.
          c.  Thereafter, the National Representatives are elected for staggered two year terms.
          d.  In instances where no candidate wins a majority of the vote, an instant run-off system is used to determine the winning candidate.

C.  CC Meetings
    1.  The CC meets as often as necessary to fulfill their responsibilities but meet at least quarterly. 
    2.  The CC designates one or more of its members to be responsible for convening and facilitating CC meetings.
    3.  A quorum of no less than 3/4 of the voting CC members is required for any vote taken by the CC.
    4.  CC meetings are open to all GPDE members to attend.
          i.  The CC notifies the membership of scheduled CC meetings, by posting the time, location, and agenda before each meeting.

D.   CC Purposes/Functions/Responsibilities
    1.  Leadership - The CC is the leadership body of the GPDE and exercises a general administrative and oversight function for the GPDE.
         a.  The CC is charged to oversee implementation of statewide programs and projects that advance the Intentions and Purposes of the GPDE including, but not limited to, membership, communications, publicity, and by-laws.
         b.  The CC is responsible for acting as the main contact and spokespersons for the GPDE with regards to outside persons or organizations.
         c.  The CC is empowered to make decisions on behalf of the GPDE with the exception of the following that require approval of the full membership:
              i.   Adoption of by-laws and amendments to such.
              ii.  Election of CC at-large members and the National Representatives.
              iii. Adoption of the GPDE platform planks.
              iv.  Selection of a representative to national or regional conferences.
              v.   Removal of members from the CC.
              vi.  Removal of GPDE members from membership.
              vii. Endorsement or revocation of endorsement of candidates for national or statewide elected office.
        d.   The CC promotes the establishment of affiliated GPDE Local organizations.
               i.  The CC upholds Locals to carry on active and effective political activity within their area.
        e.  The CC strives to have GPDE members elected to positions of leadership and appoint representatives who adequately serve the diversity of populations in Delaware and their needs.
   2.  Communications - The CC facilitates communication with and between the various Locals and GPDE working committees, as well as the general membership, to ensure concerns of membership and organizational tasks are being addressed.
        a.  The CC publishes, or arranges for publication, a semi-annual Newsletter.
        b.  The CC facilitates statewide and national candidate campaign forums.  
    3.  Working Committees - The CC may establish working committees under their supervision, hereafter referred to as GPDE working committees (e. g., The GPDE Working Committee for Candidate Search).
         a.  From the GPDE membership, the CC appoints the GPDE working committee members, with exception as specified in the by-laws.
              i.  The CC designates a convener/facilitator from the working committee members to schedule and conduct the first working committee meeting.
              ii.  Working committees are composed of no less than three (3) members.
          b.  The CC receives and reviews the GPDE working committee reports, work plans, and approves recommendations from the working committees and/or makes recommendations to the working committees.
          c.  GPDE working committees may be established as a regular committee or an ad-hoc committee.
                i.  Regular GPDE working committees are longer term in nature and continue to function until laid down by majority vote of the CC.
                ii.  Ad-hoc GPDE working committees are established for a specific purpose and limited time frame and are automatically laid down when they agree their task is accomplished and/or the CC lays it down.
         d.  The CC may consider consolidation of separate Local working committees into statewide GPDE Working Committees when such consolidation is seen as beneficial to the GPDE.
               i. A proposed consolidation of Local working committees under the supervision of the CC requires the approval of the Locals involved in the consolidation.
               ii  If approved by a Local, the CC may designate them to oversee the newly formed GPDE working committee.
               iii.  In such instances where a Local agrees to oversee a GPDE working committee, it reports its activities to the CC.
               iv.  Laying down of a GPDE working committee receiving a Local's oversight requires the approval of the CC by a majority vote of those present and voting.
    4. GPDE Annual Meeting - The CC is responsible for convening the Annual Meeting.
          a.  The CC convenes the Annual Meeting by notifying members of GPDE.
                i.   The Annual Meeting is held in the months of April or May of each year at a time which affords member access.    
                ii.   The CC provides an annual report of its activities to the members at the Annual Meeting.
                iii.  The CC appoints a Meeting Chair.
                iv.  The CC, or its designee, makes necessary arrangements for the Annual Meeting, including adequate accommodations, preparing an agenda and conducting elections.
                v.  The CC, or its designee, ensures that the membership is notified of the Annual Meeting, including an agenda, at least 20 days prior to the established date.
          b.  GPDE Annual Meetings are conducted according to a clear and uniform set of rules of order to be adopted by a majority vote in favor by members present and voting at the GPDE Annual Meeting.
                i.  If the GPDE membership is unable to adopt rules of order by majority vote, an ad-hoc GPDE Working Committee on Rules of Order is appointed by the CC.
                ii.  The ad-hoc working committee researches various rules of order and, at the next Annual Meeting or GPDE Membership Meeting, whichever comes first, give GPDE members their recommendations.
    5.  GPDE Membership Meetings - GPDE Membership Meetings are called by the CC according to the perceived needs of the GPDE or at the request of the membership.
         a.  The CC, or its designee, considers scheduling a GPDE Membership Meeting at the request of GPDE member (s) or Local(s) upon receipt of a written request through their CC Representative.
         b.  Upon a 2/3 vote in approval by the CC members attending and voting, a GPDE Membership Meeting is held within 60 days of CC approval.
              i.  The CC appoints an GPDE Membership Meeting Chair.
              ii.  The CC gives the GPDE membership at least 20 days notice of a called GPDE Membership Meeting that includes an agenda.
              iii.  The CC, or its designee, is responsible for making the necessary arrangements for a GPDE Membership Meeting.
        c.  When 1/5 or more of GPDE members submit a written petition for a GPDE Membership Meeting, the CC is obliged to schedule and then conduct a GPDE Meeting within 60 days of receipt of the written petition.
   6.  Endorsement of Candidates - The CC is responsible for recommending the endorsement of prospective candidates for national and statewide public office to the membership.
        a.  Prospective candidates for public office express their interest to the CC where they outline their qualifications, experience, and reason(s) for seeking the endorsement of the GPDE.
               i.  Prospective candidates submit their expression of interest so the CC has time to evaluate their candidacy, especially contact with and feedback from Locals.  The CC solicits the opinion of the GPDE membership regarding their support of the prospective candidates, working with the Locals to achieve this goal.
              ii. The CC discusses with candidates their seeking GPDE endorsement, their qualifications to hold public office as a Green Party member, as well as the benefits and requirements of endorsement.
         b.  The CC decides by a majority vote of members present and voting which prospective candidate to recommend to members at the Annual Meeting.
         c.  Endorsement of a candidate is conditional upon:
              i.  The candidate having a campaign committee independent of GPDE and complying with Delaware filing and financial disclosure requirements.  
              ii. The candidate's support of and commitment to carrying out the Intentions and Purposes of the GPDE as well as adhering to the Ten Key Values.  
              iii.  The candidatešs campaign committee being solely responsible for all of its financial obligations and for compliance with all requirements of the law for reporting campaign income and expenses.
              iv.  Accepting campaign contributions within donor limits set by the GPDE in its platform.                          
         d.  Endorsement of national and statewide candidates is made by GPDE members at the Annual Meeting or GPDE Membership Meeting.
              i.  The decision to endorse is made by a majority vote of members present and voting in favor of endorsement.
         e.  ASGP candidates for president and vice-president of the United States are selected proportionally according to the vote of members present and voting at the Annual Meeting.
         f.  The GPDE National Representatives are required to vote for the national candidates at the ASGP convention according to the proportional votes cast by GPDE members at the preceding Annual Meeting.
         g.   With the endorsement of a local, statewide or national candidates, the CC works with GPDE Locals for the endorsed candidates' election to office.
         h.  As available and at the discretion of the CC, seed funds may be distributed to national, statewide, or local candidates or their election committees from GPDE resources. 
    7.  Revocation of Endorsement for Candidates - The CC is responsible for seeking revocation of endorsed national or statewide candidates.
         a.  If an endorsed national or statewide candidate demonstrates gross and repeated disregard for the GPDE's Intentions and Purposes or the Ten Key Values, the CC seeks to revoke its endorsement.
              i.  The CC, by a 2/3 vote of those present and voting in favor, calls for an GPDE Membership Meeting to discuss and vote upon revocation of endorsement.
              ii.  By a 2/3 vote of the GPDE members present and voting for revocation, the GPDE's endorsement of a candidate is revoked.
              iii.  With revocation of endorsement, GPDE members are encouraged not to support the candidate further.
              iv.  The CC advises the State Department of Elections of the revoked endorsement.

E. CC Officers
    1.  The voting members of the CC elect, by a  majority vote of those present and voting,  Clerk, Treasurer, and By-laws Officer from all CC members.
         a.  All voting members of the CC are eligible to serve as CC officers.
         b.  Election of CC officers is completed within 30 days of the election to the CC members.
         c. The names, positions, and contact information of newly elected CC officers are posted on the GPDE web site.
         d.  Terms for the Clerk, Treasurer, and By-laws Officer are for one year.
         e.  The CC members select a meeting convener/facilitator from among the full CC membership. 
              i.  Rotation of this responsibility is encouraged so that leadership abilities are developing among CC members.
         f.  The CC Clerk is responsible for:
              i.  Minute-taking, or arranging for someone to take minutes, at all CC meetings, Annual Conventions, and GPDE Membership Meetings, preparing those minutes for publication and archiving.
              ii.  Maintaining and updating, or arranging for someone to maintain and update, the GPDE data base of member information and the GPDE membership e-mail list.
              iii.  At the CC's instruction, contacting the membership via s-mail and/or e-mail.
              iv.  Developing and distributing, or having developed and distributed, the semi-annual GPDE Newsletter.
              v.  Developing and maintaining, or arranging for someone to develop and maintain, a GPDE web page.
       g.  The CC Treasurer is responsible for:
               i.  Receiving and disbursing GPDE funds as approved and directed by the CC.
               ii.  Maintaining accurate and timely records of financial transactions.
               iii.  Examination of GPDE accounts and presenting a summary annual financial report at each Annual Meeting.
               iv.  Developing and presenting summary financial reports as requested by the CC.
               v.  Filing with the State Department of Elections and the US Department of Internal Revenue financial reports required by applicable statute and regulation.
       h. CC By-laws Officer is responsible for:
               i.  Reviewing the continuing operations of the GPDE at all levels to ensure proper implementation of the by-laws.  
               ii.  In circumstances where the by-laws are not being followed, making appropriate corrective recommendations and advising the full CC membership.  In instances where the CC is in gross or repeated violation of the by-laws, the CC By- laws Officer may appoint and convene an ad-hoc GPDE Working Committee on CC By-laws Violations under the supervision of the CC By-laws Officer.
               iii.  Calling an GPDE Membership Meeting when a CC member is under investigation.  Only after a concerted effort to effect positive change, the GPDE working committee may, by a 3/4 vote in favor by those present and voting, by-pass the authority of the CC to schedule an GPDE Membership Meeting.
               iv.  Reviewing the operations of the GPDE with established by-laws so that amendments to it may be considered.
               v.  Convening ad-hoc GPDE working committees to address by-law amendment proposals.
    2.  Reassignment of CC Clerk, Treasurer, and By-laws Officer is completed by a majority vote of CC members present and voting.

F.  CC Resignation and Vacancy
    1.  CC members may resign their positions by writing to the CC giving one (1) month notice of their intentions.
    2.  A CC position is considered vacant when a member fails to attend two (2) consecutive meetings without notification or four (4) meetings within a six (6) month timeframe.
          a.  The CC fills any vacancy on the CC by appointment until the next Annual Meeting or GPDE Membership Meeting, which ever comes first, at which time a successor is elected by the membership.
          b.  In filling any vacancy, the CC attempts to choose a person who will represent the needs of the entire membership, avoiding factionalism when possible, as well as selecting a person who has the ability to carry out the responsibilities of the CC.

AMENDING GPDE BY-LAWS
A. Any member or Local of the GPDE may propose amendment(s) to the by-laws by notifying the CC By-laws Officer, through their CC Local Representative, of the proposed by-laws amendment(s).

B. The CC By-laws Officer reviews the proposed amendment(s) for merit, consulting with the Local or person(s) making the proposal for clarification or further understanding.

C. After due consideration and in the opinion of the CC By-laws Officer, the proposed by-law amendment does not hold merit, they respond in writing to the Local or person(s) who submitted the proposed amendment, explaining their decision and reasoning on the matter.  
     1.  A report of the written decision is made to the CC.

D.   If, in the opinion of the CC By-laws Officer, the proposed by-laws amendment does hold merit, the Local or person(s) who submitted the proposed amendment are notified of its acceptance for further committee review, and the CC By-laws Officer recommends the formation of an ad-hoc GPDE Working Committee on By-laws Amendments to the CC.
     1.  The GPDE membership is informed of the proposed by-law amendment and are invited to participate in its development.
     2.  By a majority vote of CC members present and voting in favor, the CC authorizes the formation of an ad-hoc GPDE working committee.
           a.  The CC appoints the members of the ad-hoc working committee.
           b.  The ad-hoc working committee is composed of the CC By-laws Officer who serves as convener and chair of the ad-hoc committee, at least two (2) other GPDE members selected by the CC, one being a representative from the Local or person (s) submitting the proposed by-law amendment.
     3.  One(1) selected representative of the Local or a person who was involved in proposing the by-laws amendment is required to be a member of the ad-hoc working committee.
           a.  If no one agrees to serve on the ad-hoc working committee from the Local or person (s) submitting the proposed amendment, the CC By-laws Officer may dismiss the proposal at their discretion.
           b.  If, in the opinion of the CC By-laws Officer, the proposed by-laws amendment is so compelling and important to the GPDE, they may choose to form a committee without the participation of a person involved in proposing the by-laws amendment, as approved by the CC.
       4.  Within 30 days from the acceptance of the proposed by-laws amendment by the ad-hoc working committee, the ad-hoc working committee reviews the proposal and determines merit.
       5.  If, after due consideration and in the majority opinion of working committee members present and voting, the proposed by-law amendment does not hold merit, the committee instructs the CC By-laws Officer to respond in writing to the Local or person(s) who submitted the proposal, explaining their decision and reasoning on the matter.  
           a.  Any decision not to proceed with the proposed by-law amendment by the ad- hoc working committee has no appeal.
           b.  The working committee, through the CC By-laws Officer, provides suggestions to the Local or person(s) who submitted the proposed amendment(s), encouraging their future consideration and involvement in developing by-laws amendments.
           c.  The proposed by-laws amendment, or a proposal essentially the same as the original,  may not be re-submitted to the CC By-laws Officer for consideration until a 90 day period has expired from the date of the amendment(s) rejection.
       6.  The ad-hoc working committee has the discretion to modify the proposed by-law amendment while under its consideration, as needed, to make the proposed amendment more clear and understandable, as long as the original intention/purpose of the proposed amendment is maintained in any subsequent version.  
       7.  If, after due consideration and in the opinion of at least 2/3 of working committee members present and voting, the proposed by-law amendment does hold merit, the CC By-laws Officer instructs the CC to place the matter of the proposed by-law amendment on the agenda for the next Annual Meeting or GPDE Membership Meeting, which ever comes first.
           a.  If, in the opinion of the CC, the proposed by-law amendment is in need of immediate consideration by the GPDE membership, the CC has the discretion to call a GPDE Membership Meeting by a 2/3 vote of CC members present and voting.
           b.  The proposed by-law amendment(s) are made available to the GPDE membership for their review 20 days prior to the Annual Meeting or GPDE Membership Meeting.
           c.  With the proposed change to the by-laws, the ad-hoc working Committee clearly specifies to the membership information needed to make informed decisions including:
               i.  The exact wording of the proposed amendment.
               ii.  Which section(s) of the current GPDE By-laws are amended by the proposal.
               iii.  Why the proposed amendment is recommended.
               iv.  The likely impact of approval on the membership/GPDE.
           d.  At the Annual Meeting and/or GPDE Membership Meeting, the proposed by-law amendment(s) and the change(s) it brings to the GPDE by-laws are discussed over a period of time established by the CC.
               i.  Changes to the proposed by-law amendment are not accepted at the Annual Meeting or GPDE Membership Meeting.
           e.  A 2/3 vote by members present and voting in favor of the proposed by-law amendment ratifies it into the GPDE By-laws.
               i.  Duly ratified, the amended by-laws take effect immediately.
               ii.  The amended by-laws are published and archived for member access.
           f.  If a proposed by-law amendment is not passed by the GPDE membership with the necessary vote margin, a motion to have the amendment(s) returned to the CC By-laws Officer or reintroduced with modification may be accepted from the floor.
               i.  By a majority vote of the GPDE membership at the Annual Meeting or GPDE Membership Meeting, the proposed by-laws amendment may be sent back to the CC By-laws Officer for their further consideration and/or modification.
               ii.  As an alternative, especially when it appears that only slight modification to a proposed by-law amendment is needed to obtain GPDE membership approval, a modified proposed by-law amendment may be reintroduced to the GPDE membership for a vote through a motion from the floor at the Annual Meeting or GPDE Membership Meeting.

DISSOLUTION OF THE GPDE
In the event that the GPDE does not hold an Annual Meeting or GPDE Membership Meeting for a period of three consecutive years, the GPDE is dissolved and the Treasurer pays over and delivers such assets as may be the property of the GPDE to the Association of State Green Parties or its successors or assigns. This transfer is made in full compliance with any applicable law.