Requirements
The following requirements are also outlined in Section IX of the NCGP's Bylaws.
Any group of North Carolina Green Party members from a defined geographic area of the state encompassing at least 3 counties may form a regional affiliate of the North Carolina Green Party (NCGP). To do this, the regional group must
1) consist of at least five NCGP members,
2) commit to support and uphold the Green Party's Ten Key Values,
3) elect officers,
4) hold at least two publicly announced meetings in a six-month period,
5) establish bylaws that define membership, principles of governance, geographic region, and its decision-making process—and the chapter's bylaws must be in compliance with the NCGP's own bylaws, and
6) encompass at least 3 counties
Regional chapters may include local branches that function under the bylaws and structure of the regional chapter.
Documentation of the attainment of these requirements should be sent to the NCGP's Coordinating Committee's secretary as an application to become an affiliated regional chapter of the state party. See the Affiliation with the NCGP section below.
If the regional chapter chooses to raise or spend its own money, it must also register as a legal political committee with the North Carolina State Board of Elections, elect a treasurer who must become certified by the State Board of Elections, and comply with all state campaign finance laws. The preceding are requirements of the state of North Carolina. All information on meeting these requirements can be found at www.ncsbe.gov under "Campaign Finance." The chapter's officers may also contact the NCGP's treasurers for assistance with these compliance issues. However, the regional chapter is not required to register as a legal political committee in the eyes of the state if the chapter opts to not collect any monies and to instead have its activities directly funded by the state party.
Best Practices and Guidance for Forming a Regional Chapter or Local Branch
We have a Local Growth Chair who can guide your group through the process of becoming an affiliated regional chapter of the NCGP. Get in touch at [email protected].
Read these informational guides from the Green Party of the United States (GPUS), from our state party, and from our Triangle regional chapter:
1) NCGP Platform
2) GPUS Platform
3) NCGP Bylaws
4) Triangle Green Party Bylaws
5) GPUS Organizing Tools
6) GPUS Process Manual—for holding meetings and decision-making
Affiliation with the NCGP
Once your group has met all the Requirements listed above, it should be ready to take the big step of seeking official affiliation with the NCGP. If your organization is ready, please fill out our online NCGP Affiliation Form and submit it to us. New and revived affiliates receive seed money for growth from the NCGP.