5.2 County Council

5.2.1 Council Meetings

The Council shall meet at regular intervals in an open meeting at a time and place determined by the Council which meets the requirements given in Section 4.1.

If any member present has unresolved concerns regarding any proposal before the Council, a vote shall be taken. Only Councilors may cast votes at Council meetings.

All votes shall be by show of hands except when voting in elections or to suspend members.

5.2.2 Responsibilities of the Council

The Council shall be responsible for the performance of administrative, managerial, financial, political and executive functions required by the GPAC. These shall include, but not be limited to:

• Development of a Plan of Operations -- The County Council shall develop an Annual Plan of Operations for the GPAC.

• Proposing a budget -- The Council shall develop a budget compatible with the Plan of Operations in terms of the allocation of resources and period covered.

• Raising funds -- The Council shall develop and implement fund raising strategies. The Council may not levy dues or make financial contribution to the GPAC a precondition for membership or participation.

• Disbursing funds -- The County Council shall be responsible for the disbursement of funds as necessary for GPAC operations.

• Selecting delegates to state meetings of the GPCA.

• Making endorsements in extra-municipal elections -- The Council may recommend endorsement in extra-municipal elections. Locals shall be informed of meetings where endorsements for campaigns and candidates in their area will he recommended at least two weeks in advance and may provide advice to the Council.

• Reporting to the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)

• Communicating with the government and media

• Maintaining records of all GPAC financial activity

• Legally binding contracts and lawsuits -- The Council may enter into binding contracts and lawsuits on behalf of the GPAC.

• Establishing and monitoring committees

• Nominating and removing officers

• Employing paid staff -- The County Council may, within budgetary constraints, employ and terminate paid employees.

• Opening and Closing Elections -- The County Council may open and or close extra-municipal partisan elections in accordance with Green Party of California Bylaws.

• Conducting extra-municipal partisan campaigns -- The County Council may conduct extra-municipal partisan elections within the guidelines of the Plan of Operations.

• Certifying locals and associations

• Arbitrating disputes between locals -- The County Council may serve to arbitrate disputes between locals and/or associations of the GPAC provided both parties agree to be bound by the Council's decision.

• Suspending members

5.2.3 Removal and Replacement of County Councilors

Removal -- Councilors may resign from office by sending written notice to the Secretary and/or Council. When a Councilor changes residency to a location outside of Alameda County, changes party affiliation, does not attend two Council meetings in a period of one year without sending proxy, or dies, the Council may remove them from office by resolution and shall notify the Secretary of the vacancy.

When a vacancy occurs on the Council the Secretary shall publish it in the district(s) where vacancies exist.

Replacement -- The Council may fill any vacancy by nominating a GPAC member from the district where the vacancy has occurred and confirming the nominee at a County Council meeting.

5.2.4 Proxies to the Council

Councilors may send proxies in their place to GPAC Council meetings. Proxies must be GPAC members from the same district as the Councilor.

To designate a proxy a Councilor must either provide written authorization to the Secretary or verbal notification to two non-proxy Councilors attending the meeting.

5.2.5 Closed Meetings

The Council may meet in closed session for legal matters, i.e., lawsuits or the termination of paid employees.

The minutes of closed meetings shall be made available as soon as it is legally advisable to do so.

5.2.6 Suspension of Membership

GPAC members who act in an irresponsible manner may be suspended by the Council for a period of up to 90 days.

No member may be suspended until a hearing has been held at an open Council meeting where the member(s) charged with irresponsible behavior are allowed at least (15) fifteen minutes to refute the charges and respond to questions from all present as well as ask questions.

Irresponsible behavior may be defined as, but is not limited to, verbal or physical assault on another member, theft, fraud and/or repeated disruption of GPAC meetings. Suspended members may not attend GPAC meetings and may not make proposals by proxy.

Suspension shall not interfere with any member's voting rights in government sponsored elections, or with any other government-granted legal rights.

5.2.7 Unspecified Duties

All duties not specified herein will be the responsibility of the County Council.