Note on the Organization of State Green Parties:

Several documents in this database relate to the establishment of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to carry out the issue-oriented activities of the Greens. This structure emanated from the previous work done by attorneys working to establish a focused plan for the growth of the state Green Parties in the United States. This structure is explained below, and includes a Main body called the State Green Party, with two arms - the Political Action Committee (PAC) and a non-profit corporation.

I. The State Green Party - operates as an unincorporated association, under a set of state bylaws. Local organizations are represented within the state Green Party, according to the number of votes allotted to them by the state bylaws. This unincorporated association then maintains two sub-organizations, which are primarily fundraising structures for both the political and non-political aspects of Green Party organizing:

A. The State Green Party Political Action Committee (PAC) - formed through application to the State Bureau of Elections or Department of State (whichever handles electoral matters). The PAC will have a treasurer and a secretary, which can be chosen by the State Green Party. The PAC would raise and spend monies on candidates, campaigns, and politically oriented activities.

B. The State Green Party Fund - a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation that exists to accept tax deductible contributions to the Greens. The monies accepted into the Fund must be used for non-political purposes. The monies can be used to further green issues, to donate to other (c)(3) organizations, and to hold conventions, gatherings, etc. Primarily, this Fund should focus on funding a State Clearinghouse, which would be responsible for disseminating information on green issues out to all state activists. Monies from the fund could be used for an office, supervisors, postage, computer systems, etc. A State Clearinghouse is especially important to disseminate news of statewide and national importance to green activists.

Note: This structure is intended as a Model that offers the Greens and the Green Party a full spectrum of organizing capability. Many states will find that only one of the structures is necessary, some will find that both are necessary to operate as the Greens within the State. Sample organizing documents for the Green Party Fund are available on this Web Page in the Documents category. Documents for the PAC must be gotten from your state elections department. Assorted copies of sample bylaws will eventually be posted to this Web site as well, beginning with the Bylaws of the Maine Green Party, the Ohio Green Party, and the New Mexico Green Party.

Questions about this structure should be directed to Tom Linzey, Esq. at (717) 530-0931 or to tal@cvns.net. Note: These Articles of Incorporation are designed to satisfy the requirements imposed by Oregon State Law. Other states may impose slightly different requirements - the key difference being the listing of the Directors directly in the Articles of Incorporation. Call Tom Linzey, Esq. for these additional requirements if you reside in the Eastern portion of the Country (717) 530-0931 or Jody Neal-Post, Esq. if you reside in the Western portion of the U.S. (505) 268-7263.

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