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Our Constitution

The GO Constitution

Constitution of Greens Organise

Adopted on 02.06.25

1. Commencement

1.1. Greens Organise shall be an association consisting of such persons as have been admitted as Members pursuant to Clause 4.

2. Aims

2.1. The Aims of Greens Organise shall be:

  1. To pursue an internationalist and eco-socialist transformation of society so that resources are held in common and society is run in the interests of people, not profit;
  2. To pursue racial liberation, sex and gender liberation, trans liberation, the liberation of LGBTIQA+ people, class liberation, religious liberation, disabled liberation – in sum, total liberation from systems and ideologies that oppress people on the basis of their identity and experience;
  3. To mobilise a diverse working class in pursuit of the aforementioned aims;
  4. To work within the Green Party of England & Wales (‘Green Party’) to make it an effective force to achieve the aforementioned aims; and
  5. To promote the success of the Green Party as a means to achieving the aforementioned aims.

2.2. Greens Organise may do all such things as may reasonably advance its Aims, including but not limited to:

  1. Building and strengthening links with labour, social, racial justice and environmental movements;
  2. Promoting its Aims among the wider political Left;
  3. Promoting political education among Green Party members to build a shared understanding of the Green Party’s role in achieving the Aims;
  4. Promoting and coordinating action within the Green Party’s structures; and
  5. Supporting and promoting Green Party campaigns.

3. General Principles of Organisation

Decision-making

3.1. In making decisions, Members and Supporters shall endeavour to achieve consensus by comradely discussion, deliberation and reflection.

3.2. Notwithstanding Clause 3.1 and subject to any other contrary provision, decisions by any group or meeting in Greens Organise may be made by assent of a simple majority of the Members who are present and voting.

3.3. Members and Supporters shall have regard to the oppression different groups face in society and endeavour to empower all to participate fully in Greens Organise.

Attendance and observance

3.4. Members and Supporters may observe any meetings and other events arranged by any group within Greens Organise.

3.5. Notwithstanding Clause 3.4, a group within Greens Organise may exclude a Member or Supporter who is not otherwise entitled to participate in a meeting or event from observing it, provided that excluding them is a proportionate means of:

  1. maintaining confidentiality;
  2. protecting strategically sensitive information; or 
  3. achieving some other legitimate aim.

Transparency

3.6. Any person who arranges a meeting of a group within Greens Organise shall make a note of the meeting available for inspection by a Member or Supporter at their request.

3.7. The Steering Group shall make this Constitution, any Terms of Reference created under it, and any Code of Conduct and Discipline adopted pursuant to it, available for inspection by a Member or Supporter at their request.

Accessibility

3.8. Members and Supporters shall endeavour to make all meetings, communications, events, and other ways of participating in Greens Organise accessible to all those entitled to participate.

4. Membership

4.1. Subject to Clause 4.4 and any Code of Conduct and Discipline adopted pursuant to Clause 11, any person who:

  1. Is a member of the Green Party;
  2. Has declared their support for the Aims; and
  3. Agrees to abide by such Code of Conduct and Discipline as Greens Organise may from time to time adopt;

may be admitted as a Member of Greens Organise.

4.2. Any person who would be eligible to be admitted as a Member pursuant to Clause 4.1 but for the fact they are not a member of the Green Party, may be admitted as a Supporter of Greens Organise.

4.3. Admission as a Member or Supporter shall be attained by application to the Steering Group.

4.4. Notwithstanding Clauses 4.1 and 4.2, the Steering Group may set periodic membership fees, payment of which shall be a condition of being a Member or Supporter, to be approved at the next General Meeting.

5. General Meetings

Membership Rights

5.1. The Members acting in General Meeting, except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, may conduct the affairs of Greens Organise.

5.2. All Members are entitled to attend and vote in General Meetings, and all Supporters are entitled to attend as non-voting participants.

Procedure

5.3. The Steering Group shall convene an Annual General Meeting, to take place no later than 14 calendar months since the preceding Annual General Meeting.

5.4. Notwithstanding Clause 5.3, a General Meeting may be convened by:

  1. Decision of the Steering Group; or
  2. A written request received by the Steering Group from 10% of the Members, or 100 Members, whichever is the smaller number.

5.5. Any General Meeting convened pursuant to Clause 5.4.b shall take place no later than 28 days after the written request is received by the Steering Group.

Business and notice requirements

5.6. General Meetings shall be chaired by a Co-Chair of the Steering Group, failing whom the Steering Group shall appoint another from its number to act as chair.

5.7. The business of a General Meeting shall include:

  1. A report presented by the Co-Chairs;
  2. For an Annual General Meeting, accounts for the preceding year and a draft budget presented by the Treasurer, for approval by the meeting;
  3. Reports from any Local Groups;
  4. Consideration of Resolutions; and
  5. Such other matters for discussion as the Steering Group may decide.

5.8. The Steering Group shall send to the Members and Supporters notice of a General Meeting no later than 21 days prior to the General Meeting date. Notice will include:

  1. Details of the time, date, and how to participate in the meeting; 
  2. Instructions of how to submit Resolutions for consideration by the meeting; and
  3. As far as reasonably possible, an outline of the anticipated subject matter of the meeting.

5.9. Where reasonably requested by a Member or Supporter, the Steering Group shall make provision for remote participation in a General Meeting, and shall make reasonable adjustments to ensure full participation.

5.10. The Steering Group shall send to the Members and Supporters written copies of all reports, accounts, budgets, Resolutions and other documents to be considered at the General Meeting no later than 7 days prior to the meeting date.

Resolutions

5.11. Resolutions to be considered at a General Meeting shall be submitted in writing to the Co-Chairs no later than 14 days prior to that General Meeting. Each Resolution shall require:

  1. A proposing Member; and
  2. three additional named Members to co-propose.

5.12. Notwithstanding Clause 5.10-5.11, Resolutions may be accepted at any time at the sole discretion of the Co-Chairs provided that:

  1. They have been submitted in writing;
  2. They have a proposing Member, and three additional named Members to co-propose;
  3. The Steering Group judges that there exist special circumstances which prevented their submission by the deadline outlined in Clause 5.11; and
  4. They do not purport to:
    1. Amend or replace this Constitution pursuant to Clause 12;
    2. Dissolve Greens Organise pursuant to Clause 13;
    3. Trigger a Special Ballot pursuant to Clause 10.2; or
    4. Recall an Officer of the Steering Group pursuant to Clause 6.9.

5.13. Proposed amendments to draft Resolutions may be accepted at any time, at the sole discretion of the meeting chair.

Quorum and decision-making

5.14. General Meetings shall have a quorum of 50 Members or 10% of the Members, whichever is the smaller number, failing which no decisions can be taken.

5.15. Subject to any contrary provision in the Constitution, decisions of a General Meeting shall be made by a Resolution of a simple majority of the Members who are present and voting.

6. Steering Group

Role

6.1. The Steering Group shall discharge all duties and instructions delegated to it by this Constitution and by General Meetings.

6.2. The Steering Group shall conduct the day-to-day activities of Greens Organise in pursuit of its Aims, including but not limited to:

  1. Organising campaigns, events, actions and related activities;
  2. Managing external communications and communications with Members and Supporters;
  3. Raising, collecting and disbursing money;
  4. Ensuring compliance with such relevant laws and regulations as may be in force from time to time;
  5. Setting out a Safeguarding Policy and ensuring its implementation;
  6. Providing suitable fora for open discussion among Members and Supporters;
  7. Promoting coordination between Local Groups and other bodies within Greens Organise;
  8. Providing the bodies referenced in Clause 6.2.g and any Electoral Returning Officer with such facilities as they may reasonably require to perform their activities.

6.3. Subject to any limitation or modification whatsoever by this Constitution or a Resolution of a General Meeting, the Steering Group shall have all the powers reasonably required to carry out the duties and activities set out in Clauses 6.1-2.

Composition

6.4. The Steering Group shall comprise 12 Officers without portfolio, who shall be Members of Greens Organise. 

6.5. Each Officer’s term shall begin immediately following the conclusion of their election by the procedure outlined in Clause 10, and end at the conclusion of the next election to their post.

6.6. Steering Group meetings shall have a quorum of 6 Officers, failing which no decisions can be taken.

Special duties

6.7. The Steering Group shall elect from its number:

  1. Two Co-Chairs, at least one of whom shall be a woman or non-binary person, who shall facilitate the Steering Group’s work, chair its meetings, and set its agenda;
  2. A Treasurer, who shall be primarily responsible for managing the finances of Greens Organise; and
  3. A Compliance Officer, who shall be primarily responsible for ensuring Greens Organise complies with relevant laws, rules and regulations.
  4. A Safeguarding Officer, who shall be primarily responsible for devising and implementing a Safeguarding Policy to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of minors in Greens Organise.

6.8. Notwithstanding Clause 6.7, all members of the Steering Group shall be jointly responsible for discharging its duties.

Casual vacancies

6.9. One or more Officers of the Steering Group may be recalled from post by a Resolution of two-thirds of the Members who are present and voting at a General Meeting.

6.10. If an Officer leaves, is recalled from, or ceases to be eligible for their post during their term, the Steering Group may co-opt a new Officer to serve the remainder of their term.

6.11. An Officer co-opted pursuant to Clause 6.10 may not vote or count towards a quorum in Steering Group decisions or meetings.

7. Special decisions: endorsements

7.1. The Steering Group may endorse or otherwise support candidates for election, selection or another process within the Green Party if:

  1. Any endorsement or support has been subject to reasonable consultation with the Members and Supporters; and
  2. The Members have approved the endorsement or support through an open democratic process, whether at a General Meeting, through an electronic ballot, or by such other means as the Steering Group may decide.

8. Working Groups

8.1. The Steering Group may create Working Groups, which may comprise Members, Supporters, and employees of Greens Organise.

8.2. The Steering Group may delegate to a Working Group:

  1. Tasks required for discharging its responsibilities under Clause 6.2; and
  2. Such of the Steering Group’s powers as are necessary to complete those tasks.

8.3. The Steering Group shall draft Terms of Reference for any Working Group created pursuant to Clause 8.1, specifying:

  1. The Tasks and powers delegated to the Working Group pursuant to Clause 8.2;
  2. The lifespan of the Working Group;
  3. Who may participate in that Working Group; and
  4. How that Working Group shall conduct its affairs, including by reporting to the Steering Group;

which draft Terms of Reference the Steering Group shall present to the next General Meeting for approval.

8.4. Prior to approval of Terms of Reference at a General Meeting pursuant to Clause 8.3, Working Groups may operate on a provisional basis.

8.5. The Steering Group may amend the Terms of Reference for any Working Group, subject to approval under the procedure described in Clause 8.3.

8.6. The Steering Group may remove Working Groups at its discretion.

9. Local Groups

9.1. Local Greens Organise groups (‘Local Groups’) shall pursue the Aims and activities of Greens Organise within a defined geographical area (‘Local Area’), and shall comprise the Members and Supporters resident in that Local Area.

9.2. Subject to Clause 9.3, Local Groups may be created by:

  1. Decision of the Steering Group; or
  2. Resolution of the Members at a General Meeting.

9.3. A Local Group may only be created if:

  1. At least 10 Members express a desire to form the Local Group on the same terms; and
  2. The body deciding to create the Local Group judges that its formation is conducive to the effective operation of Greens Organise in that Local Area.

9.4. The Members referenced in Clause 9.3.a. shall, in consultation with the Steering Group, draft Terms of Reference for any Local Group, to specify:

  1. The responsibilities and powers of that Local Group;
  2. The Local Area that Local Group covers;
  3. How that Local Group shall conduct its affairs, including by reporting to General Meetings;

and which draft Terms of Reference the Local Group Members shall present to the next available General Meeting for approval.

9.5. Prior to approval of Terms of Reference pursuant to Clause 9.4, a Local Group may operate on a provisional basis at the discretion of the Steering Group.

9.6. Once approved, Local Group Terms of Reference may be amended or replaced by a Resolution of the Members at a General Meeting.

9.7. A Local Group may be terminated by a decision of the Members in it, or by a Resolution of two-thirds of the Members who are present and voting at a General Meeting.

10. Elections

The Ballot

10.1. The Officers of the Steering Group shall be elected by the Members in an Annual Ballot, which shall conclude no later than 14 calendar months following the conclusion of the preceding Annual Ballot.

10.2. Notwithstanding Clause 10.1, a Special Ballot of the Members to elect the Officers of the Steering Group may be triggered by:

  1. Decision of the Steering Group;
  2. A Resolution of two-thirds of the Members who are present and voting at a General Meeting; or
  3. The remaining Officers of the Steering Group being too few in number to reach a quorum pursuant to Clause 6.6.

10.3. A Special Ballot triggered pursuant to Clause 10.2 shall be held to conclude no later than 42 days after the relevant condition in Clause 10.2 is satisfied.

Electoral Returning Officer

10.4. The Steering Group shall appoint from among the Members an Electoral Returning Officer (‘ERO’), who shall not be an Officer or employee of Greens Organise and shall have no personal or financial interest in the outcome of any Ballot.

10.5. The ERO shall conduct any Ballot required to be held during their appointment, ensuring to do so fairly, honestly, and impartially.

Electoral system and eligibility

10.6. Subject to Clause 10.7, in any Ballot:

  1. Each Member shall be entitled to cast one vote per vacancy on the Steering Group; and
  2. Each Member may cast a maximum of one vote for an individual candidate.

10.7. In any Ballot the eligible voting Members shall be those who were admitted as Members before the notification of Members pursuant to Clause 10.14.

10.8. Subject to Clause 10.10, if the number of valid nominations received pursuant to Clause 10.15 is less than or equal to the number of vacancies on the Steering Group, then the nominees shall be deemed to be elected.

10.9. Subject to Clause 10.10, in determining which candidates have been elected, the ERO shall select those with the highest number of votes.

10.10. In any Annual Ballot or Special Ballot, the ERO shall ensure that:

  1. At least five candidates shall be elected who are women or non-binary candidates; and
  2. At least two candidates shall be elected who are Global Majority candidates.

10.11. An individual candidate may fill more than one of the quotas in Clause 10.10, and the quotas shall be applied simultaneously rather than consecutively.

10.12. If at the conclusion of an election:

  1. It has not been possible to fill a quota in Clause 10.10 from the candidates in the election; or
  2. Any posts on the Steering Group remain vacant due to an insufficient number of candidates;

the Steering Group shall co-opt Officers to fill the vacancies and in so doing shall satisfy any quotas that remain unfilled.

10.13. Subject to any other clause, the ERO shall determine further technical details of any Ballot before conducting it, and shall communicate those details to Members.

Election timetable

10.14. The ERO shall notify Members of any Ballot no later than 28 days prior to the conclusion of that Ballot, such notice to contain:

  1. The election timetable, including all nomination and voting deadlines and when the Ballot is to conclude;
  2. Details of the roles to be filled; and
  3. How to stand for election and vote.

10.15. The ERO shall allow a nominations period of no less than 14 days, in which nominations shall be submitted to them in writing to include:

  1. A nomination submitted by the candidate;
  2. Statements of support from five other Members, to be confirmed by the ERO; and
  3. Any other materials, such as a candidate manifesto, election communication or photograph, as may be reasonably requested by the ERO.

10.16. The ERO shall allow for a voting period of no less than 7 days, during which time voting shall take place electronically. 

10.17. Where requested by a Member, the ERO shall make reasonable adjustments to ensure voting is fully accessible.

10.18. After the Ballot’s conclusion, the ERO shall communicate the results to the Members and Supporters.

11. Conduct and Discipline

11.1. Greens Organise may adopt, amend or replace a Code of Conduct and Discipline (‘Code’) by a Resolution of two-thirds of the Members who are present and voting at a General Meeting.

11.2. Any Code adopted pursuant to Clause 11.1 may:

  1. Specify principles and rules of conduct with which Members and Supporters shall comply;
  2. Set out procedures for receiving complaints and investigating alleged breaches of the Code;
  3. Set out procedures for mediating and adjudicating complaints in connection with the Code;
  4. Specify procedures for remedying a breach of the Code, which in exceptional circumstances may include suspending or expelling a Member or Supporter;
  5. Specify conditions in which a person who is otherwise eligible to be admitted as a Member or Supporter of Greens Organise may be refused admission; and
  6. Empower and task persons to carry out the procedures set out in the Code.

11.3. The approach of Greens Organise to conduct and conflict will focus on accountability, healing and making amends rather than punishment and exclusion, wherever possible.

12. Amendment

12.1. This Constitution may be amended or replaced by a Resolution of two-thirds of the Members who are present and voting at a General Meeting.

13. Dissolution

13.1. Greens Organise may be dissolved by a Resolution of two-thirds of the Members who are present and voting at a General Meeting.