SOCIALIST GREEN COALITION – CONSTITUTION
1 PREAMBLE
2 NAME
3 BASIS
4 MEMBERSHIP
5 DEFINITIONS
6 PRINCIPLES
7 AIMS
8 OBJECTIVES
9 FUNCTIONS
10 POWERS
11 LEADERSHIP
COLLECTIVE
12 PORTFOLIOS
13 FINANCE
14 PROCEDURES
15 AMENDMENT
OF THE CONSTITUTION
1 PREAMBLE
This non-hierarchical, democratic,
consensus seeking, participatory collective is founded by autonomous
self-constituted member organisations.
2 NAME
The name of the collective is
Socialist Green Coalition (SGC); the symbol is of a raised fist in the map of
3 BASIS
This constitution seeks to describe
the aims and aspirations of its member organisations, and by their authority,
create a Coalition to advance those aspirations, and cater for their needs.
This constitution makes necessary for the Leadership Collective (Delegates,
Portfolio holders, Candidates and Coalition members of parliament) certain
duties and responsibilities. They are invested with the following democratic
rights, for the better fulfilment of the needs and aspirations of the
Coalition.
4 MEMBERSHIP
4.1 Is open
to any self-constituted group supporting the Coalition’s charter of common principles.
4.2 Member
organisations are completely autonomous.
4.3 Leadership
Collective members will decide on policy by consensus.
4.4 Delegates,
Portfolio holders, Candidates and Coalition MPs are obliged to honour and
respect this Coalition’s constitution, policies, procedures and resolutions.
5 DEFINITIONS
5.1 Accountability
is the democratic right, privilege and power to ensure that all decisions made
on behalf of any person(s) in no way infringe upon their human rights, do not
compromise their dignity and are made with their express consent.
5.2 Candidate
means a democratically selected Coalition activist who takes part in elections.
5.3 Democracy
is a process of empowerment that ensures equality and freedom in decision
making, which all of those involved must explore without inhibition.
5.4 Participatory
democracy gives the highest regard to individual responsibility and commitment,
compared with the representational system that can marginalize
groups and undermine personal decision-making.
5.5 Empowerment
means individual control over decisions affecting ones life without denying any
participatory democratic process.
5.6 Eco-
indicates harmonizing of ecology and economy, both words being derived from
Greek oikos = house (logos = discourse, nomos = a law).
5.7 Eco-Social
is a holistic political attitude. People need to have this revolutionary
approach to change political structures in order to preserve the ecology on
which we all depend.
5.8 Pro-active
means specific actions to heal damage, hurt and suffering of people and their
environments.
5.9 Specism is a view or action that implies that humans can
survive in a viable biosphere without due regard to the rights of other beings
and species, and their environments.
6 PRINCIPLES
We commit ourselves to the actions
necessary to create a society based on the following principles. We assert the
right of every person to:
6.1 Participate
in a democratic system of governance.
6.2 Free
speech, freedom from censorship, access to information, freedom of association
and political activity co-dependent on the right to freedom from harm.
6.3 Freedom
from prejudice due to gender, ethnicity, status, language, sexuality,
preferences, conscience, attire, appearance, age, intellectual or physical
ability.
6.4 Adequate
and suitable shelter, food, clothing, health care, education, recreation,
quality of life, employment, standard of living, economic independence, due
care and attention from society, and a safe vital environment.
6.5 Accessible
open education regardless of age, culture, beliefs, preferences, attire, appearance,
or economic status, free from any ideological bias or imposition from the state
or any other group.
7 AIMS
7.1 Adequate
and appropriate protection of all persons, other species, ecosystems, and
natural materials.
7.2 Redress
of societal, economic, political, environmental and personal injustices.
7.3 An
anti-sexist, anti-racist, non-sectarian, non-specist,
rights and obligations based, inclusive culture.
7.4 An
ecology conducive
to the health, wealth and well-being of this and future generations.
7.5 Sustainable
societal development with all being equal partners in progress.
8 OBJECTIVES
8.1 Express
Coalition member’s rights, needs, grievances and interests in whatever manner
appropriate for a just and fair society free of exploitation, bias, prejudice
and discrimination.
8.2 Confront
economic, social, political and environmental inequities in our society.
8.3 Advance
the standing of the Coalition, so that it is treated with respect and dignity,
and has a significant voice in decisions impacting on its constituent
organisations and their individual members.
8.4 Support
member organisations in providing an environment conducive to the intellectual,
physical and spiritual development of all.
8.5 Form
good relations between Coalition members, the public and other institutions.
8.6 Build
and strengthen the Coalition through support and involvement.
8.7 Initiate
awareness of all relevant issues.
8.8 Provide
information and publications.
8.9 Facilitate
communication between member organisations.
8.10 Cooperate
with any individual(s) or group(s) to further any or all of the above.
9 FUNCTIONS
9.1 Advocate
the concerns of members as a whole, in groups or individually in any matter,
without denying their rights to do so in any other manner which may appropriately
suit their needs or purpose.
9.2 Provide
democratic, effective and positive leadership.
9.3 Monitor
the selection of the Leadership Collective members.
9.4 Pursue
participatory democratic principles and practices and consensus
decision-making.
9.5 Facilitate
matters concerning meetings, collections, petitions and protests arranged by
members.
9.6 Publish
regular progress reports to keep all members informed as to all the activities
of the Coalition.
9.7 Fundraise
for the Coalition.
9.8 Highlight
relevant issues to the public.
10 POWERS
10.1 Exercise
jurisdiction over Portfolio holders, Candidates and Coalition MPs, keep
Portfolio holders, Candidates and Coalition MPs accountable, and have the right
to withdraw membership in accordance with this constitution.
10.2 Assess
Coalition reports and functioning, and make any changes as and when required.
10.3 Administer
the money for use by the Leadership Collective as provided for in this
constitution.
10.4 Advance
the principles, aims, objectives, resolutions and policies of the Coalition
with whatever actions are necessary.
10.5 Appoint
any special commission or working group for the purpose of investigating and
reporting on any matter connected with the work of the Coalition.
10.6 Control
the use of the name, symbols and slogans of the Coalition.
11 LEADERSHIP
COLLECTIVE
11.1 Consist
of one Delegate from each autonomous self-constituted member organisation and
plus all election Candidates and Coalition members of national parliament.
11.2 Must
call for nominations from any person(s) for national elections Candidates.
11.3 Can
select national elections Candidates voluntarily, by consensus or by vote.
11.4 Must
hold an annual Conference.
11.5 May
convene a Special Conference of the Coalition whenever necessary.
11.6 Shall
meet as often as is necessary to function effectively.
11.7 Shall
devote as much time and effort as is necessary to deal properly with Coalition
matters.
11.8 Must use
their initiative to achieve the aims and objectives of the Coalition to the
best of their ability.
11.9 Must not
use their position to unfairly advantage any other organisation they belong to
or favour.
11.10 May not
use their position to pursue their own gains or further the private interests
of any individual(s).
12 PORTFOLIOS
Leadership Collective can select from
its members the following portfolio holders for the better fulfilment of the
duties and functions of the Leadership Collective. The Leadership Collective is
accountable to the Coalition as a whole. Individual Delegates are also
accountable to their participating organisation.
12.1 Spokesperson
12.1.1 Liase
with other organisations and the public.
12.1.2 Promote
the aims and objectives of the Coalition.
12.1.3 Produce
media for the Coalition.
12.2 Administrator
12.2.1 Safe-keep
records, copies of all minutes and letters of the Coalition.
12.2.2 Maintain and update a membership
register.
12.2.3 Convene meetings of the Leadership
Collective.
12.3 Coordinator
12.3.1 Apply the principles, functions and
policies of the Coalition.
12.3.2 Propose strategy that is in keeping
with the Coalition's aims and objectives.
12.3.3 Facilitate projects and activities.
12.4 Treasurer
12.4.1 Keep all
books of account for the Coalition.
12.4.2 Work in
consultation with an external auditor, who will annually audit the Books of the
Coalition.
12.4.3 At the
annual Conference of the Coalition present audited financial statements of
accounts (a balance sheet, a statement of income and expenditure and a budget)
and the reports thereon.
12.4.4 Be the custodian and safe keeper of all
movable and immovable property owned by the Coalition unless otherwise decided.
12.4.8 Operate
all banking accounts as deemed necessary by the Coalition.
12.5 Each
Portfolio holder:
12.5.1 Can serve
for a period of two years.
12.5.2 May be
nominated for a consecutive period of office.
12.5.3 Can
resign anytime during the term of office. The Leadership Collective may then
select a new Portfolio holder.
12.5.4 May share
any of their functions with another Leadership Collective member.
13 FINANCE
13.1 Funding
All funds paid or payable to the
Coalition are the properties of the Coalition. The Coalition has control over
funds paid to it. The Leadership Collective may receive, apportion and pay out
amounts as deemed appropriate. The Leadership Collective is only liable for
debts incurred in accord with this constitution.
13.2 Banking
Accounts
The Leadership Collective can open a
banking account with a reputable bank or building society into which all moneys
belonging to the Coalition are deposited. The signatories for this account are
the Portfolio holders. At least two signatures are to be required for every
transaction.
14 PROCEDURES
The Leadership Collective must
formulate procedures and strategy by consensus to avoid marginal decisions that
may lead to substantial disagreement.
14.1 The
Leadership Collective may purchase, hire or otherwise acquire any movable or
immovable property that they may deem necessary or convenient for the purposes
of the Coalition. Where necessary, they may dispose of or transfer such
property.
14.2 The
Leadership Collective is entitled to enter into contracts with any body or
person in order to carry out the aims of the Coalition.
14.3 Disciplinary
Measures and Termination of Appointment
14.3.1 Any
person can notify the Leadership Collective of a problem or complaint.
14.3.2 The
Leadership Collective shall then determine if the constitution of the Coalition
has been contravened in any manner.
14.3.3 Any
Leadership Collective member accused of contravening the constitution, policies,
procedures or ethos of the Coalition must be given the opportunity to be heard
by the Leadership Collective before the Leadership Collective takes any action.
14.3.4 The
Leadership Collective shall discuss the grievances of all parties.
14.3.5 After a
Leadership Collective member receives written notices of being given that
opportunity and yet refuses or neglects to take advantage of it, then the
Leadership Collective may take action without further reference to that member.
14.3.6 The
Leadership Collective may alter or end the appointment of any Leadership
Collective staff member, Portfolio holder, Candidate or Coalition member of parliament on reasonable grounds, by the rules of
natural justice and fair procedure, by which they give all concerned parties
the opportunity to make representations.
14.4 Right to
Appeal
Any Leadership Collective member has
the right to appeal by written notification should they feel aggrieved by any
decision issued by the Leadership Collective. The Leadership Collective will
enter the issue onto the agenda of the next Coalition Conference.
15 POLICY
AND AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COALITION
Policy consists of resolutions that
supplement and have the same effect as this constitution. This constitution may
be amended by consensus decision of the Leadership Collective if such changes
do not result in a substantial disagreement. The same applies in formulating
policy documents.