Supporting Member status

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The "Supporting/Auxiliary Member Status" might no longer be in effect if new Bylaws are adopted this week-end.  They still apply for the current convention (February 2024).

From the party's Constitution:  Article III - Membership

Membership categories are defined as follows:

A. Member - As defined in ORS 248.002(4), an individual who is registered as being affiliated with the party.

B. Supporting Member - A member of the party who subscribes to the Statement of Principles and has made an annual contribution as defined in the bylaws.

C. Auxiliary Member - An individual who is not eligible to register to vote with the State of Oregon but has met all the other qualifications for supporting membership.

Supporting and Auxiliary members can vote in internal Grern party matters.

From the party's Bylaws:  Article III - Membership (definitions)

A) For purposes of voting on Green Party matters at the conventions (particularly candidates and bylaw changes) a Supporting Green Party member shall be defined as any person registered as a Green Party member at the Secretary of State for two years OR a registered Green who also contributed either:

  1. the equivalent of 30 minutes a month for three months in volunteer time with a local chapter, which can include participation at a meeting, campaigning or organizing. Contributions do not include discussions on social media; and/or
  2. the equivalent amount in financial contributions based on a living wage based on the following calculator: http://livingwage.mit.edu/states/41/locations

For emphasis and clarification:  The donation requirement is waived for people who have been registered with the party for two or more years from the date of the convention.

Registration with the secretary of state and either type of contribution must have been fulfilled 30 days prior to the date of the convention and during the 395 days prior, i.e. the year preceding the qualification date. 

Anyone desiring to take exercise their vote in a convention must be credentialed by her/his local chapter or representatives, or by the SCC if there were no recognized local chapter or representatives.

If a person does not meet the criteria, they can still participate at a convention but cannot vote at that convention.

B) People who are not supporting or auxiliary members may attend meetings, but can not vote.

C) A supporting or auxiliary member may begin to vote at the second meeting they attend.

D) Notwithstanding the above, any member may attend party conventions and may vote in the nomination of candidates for public office.

Note

Auxiliary Members:

Auxiliary members are those not able to register to vote through the Secretary of State.  Those members must contact the Green Party directly and express their registration with the party.  The Steering Committee has discussed voting rights for Auxiliary members.

It was agreed and determined that Auxiliary members who meet the requirement of Supporting members AND register with the Green party in writing can vote at Green Party conventions.

The voting rights of Auxiliary members, which include underage and/or undocumented Oregon residents are not explicitly defined in the bylaws.  The bylaws are scheduled for an update in September 2023.

The above is inline with the Green Party's platform and principles of grassroots democracy.  Party leadership supports and promotes active participation, so people can have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.