Procedure for Approving Coalitions and Endorsements

This Loomio proposal from Brian Bittner passed March 8, 2020.

Requests by coalitions, organizations, legislators or others for support of the Maryland Green Party must be proposed by a member of the MGP Coordinating Council. Any proposal for the MGP to endorse a written call for action, resolution or legislative activity (such as a bill or charter amendment) must include the text under consideration for endorsement. When considering joining coalitions, endorsing organizations or actions (such as advocacy campaigns, marches, demonstrations, etc) or endorsing legislation, the MGP is encouraged to use the following list of questions as a guide for decision-making. Proposals must be made to the entirety of the MGP CC with at least seven days for discussion before a vote or call for consensus.

After deciding to join a coalition or endorse an organization, action or legislation, the MGP should:

-Publish a press release, public post on mdgreens.org, and social media content noting the MGP’s endorsement and goals;

-Ask the coalition, organization or legislative sponsor to issue a public acknowledgement of MGP’s endorsement;

-Assign an MGP volunteer or staff member to maintain regular communication with the coalition, organization or sponsor of the legislation;

-Assign an MGP volunteer or staff member to make regular reports (at least once every other month) to the MGP CC regarding developments in the coalition, organization, or legislation; and

-Re-affirm coalition membership or sponsorship every six months (reviews to be scheduled for March and September or some other appropriate interval) by decision of the MGP Coordinating Council. If the MGP CC declines to re-affirm membership or sponsorship the MGP should issue a public statement announcing the withdrawal of membership or endorsement.

The following questions are designed to help guide the Maryland Green Party in decision-making on: 

-Endorsing actions (such as events or campaigns)
-Publishing announcements about events or organizations it might support
-Joining or maintaining coalitions with other organizations
-Endorsing local, state, or federal legislative efforts

These questions should be considered a guide and not a list of requirements. Answers to these questions are not necessarily disqualifications but can be used as decision-making tools.

1. Is the coalition or organization/action clearly defined?
2. Is the coalition or organization sponsoring an action transparent and open to communication?
3. Do the coalition or organization’s values align with the MGP’s?
4. Are expectations between the coalition or organization understood and appropriate?
5. Does the MGP have identified volunteers or staff available to maintain an ongoing relationship with the coalition or sponsors of an action?

Further questions for examination are listed below:

1. Is the coalition or organization/action clearly defined?

Does the coalition or organization/action have a publicly posted mission?

Is the coalition or organization/action standing or temporary? If temporary, at what point would its goals be considered met? Are plans in place for continuation of its mission after any stated goals are met? If permanent, has it identified major goals or milestones that would allow the MGP to judge its progress? Does it have a strategic/action plan? If it is developing a plan, is the MGP welcome to participate in the formation of the plan?

If part of the coalition or organization/action's goals involve promoting legislation, statements, or other written documents, have they been drafted or completed? Is the MGP welcome to provide feedback and specific edits for consideration?

2. Is the coalition or organization transparent and open to communication?

How is the organization/action led? Is the leadership elected or otherwise selected in a democratic manner? Are leaders publicly identified and available to answer questions or concerns?

Does the coalition or organization/action meet regularly to report on progress and make plans for future action, and are coalition members invited to participate in meetings? Is an individual from the MGP willing to maintain regular communication with coalition partners and report back to the MGP?

3. Do the coalition or organization’s values align with the MGP’s?

What is the organizational (tax) status of the coalition or organization/action? Is it an unincorporated association, incorporated as a non-profit [501(c)3 or 501(c)4], political action committee, or some other type? Are there any legal constraints on its advocacy due to tax status? Does it endorse candidates? What is its endorsement history? Is its endorsement process public, transparent and open to Green candidates? How are its activities funded? Does the coalition or organization have a commitment to racial equity? Has it adopted explicit anti-oppression standards? 

4. Are expectations between the coalition or organization understood and appropriate?   

What are the expectations of the coalition or organization/action? Does it expect financial support? Does it expect MGP members to commit volunteer time? Does it expect public promotion by the MGP? Are its expectations reciprocal? What is it willing to provide the MGP as part of the relationship? Does the MGP have its own goals that it can achieve through its membership in the coalition or support of the organization/action? What are they? Can the MGP communicate any changes it wants to make in its participation to the coalition's leadership? Is the MGP willing to publicly withdraw from the relationship if there are irreconcilable issues?