D1: Constitution

Constitution

Article 1. Name, Membership and Objectives

1.1. The name of the organisation is “Young Greens of England and Wales”.

1.2. The accepted abbreviations are “Young Greens” or “YG” and in all
publications this name and abbreviations shall be synonymous.

1.3. The geographical boundaries of the Young Greens are England and Wales.

1.4. The Young Greens aim to encourage young people to become active in politics
and within the Green Party of England and Wales.

1.5. The Young Greens consists of all members of the Green Party of England and
Wales: aged 29 years or less;

1.6. full-time and part-time students regardless of age (where a part time
student is defined as a person who is studying for at least 14 hours per week (
inclusive of contact and self directed study hours) at a school, college or
university, and is studying on a course with a length of 3 months or more;

1.7. Membership of the Young Greens includes voting rights to all elections in
accordance with this constitution.

1.8. An individual’s membership of the Young Greens can be permanently
terminated by an absolute two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Committee
with the agreement of the Chair of the Democracy and Accountability Committee.
Where the individual is a member of those committees, they will not be able to
vote on or be required to approve the termination and the absolute two-thirds
majority will exclude that individual.

1.9. Termination of membership can only occur if their membership is considered
to be detrimental to the work of the Young Greens. Prior to that, however, the
Young Greens Complaints and Disputes Procedure should have been used, as
outlined in Article

Article 2. Organisation

2.1. The Young Greens is composed of individual members, committees and
Affiliated Groups, whose constitutions, aims and values should be consistent
with those of the Young Greens and the Green Party of England and Wales.

2.2. The Young Greens will be run by an Executive Committee, defined in Byelaw 1

2.3. There will be a Democracy and Accountability Committee with responsibility
for constitutional affairs and inclusivity, as defined in Byelaw 2

2.4. There will be a Green Students Committee consisting of two Co-Convenors and
five Non-Portfolio Officers, defined in Byelaw 3

2.5. The Executive Committee, Democracy and Accountability Committee will be
elected at the Young Greens Annual General Meeting according to the provisions
in Section E of the Standing Orders.

2.6. There will be two Safeguarding Officers with responsibility for the
safeguarding and wellbeing of members, as defined in Byelaw 9.

2.7. Subcommittees may be formed by the Executive Committee, as defined in
Byelaw 7.

2.8. All other groups outside of the committees defined in clauses 2.2 - 2.4
will be named Affiliated Groups, including Groups for the Regions of England,
Wales, Local Groups, Liberation Groups, and Special Interest Groups.

2.9. Affiliated Group constitutions should state that they are a part of the
Young Greens of England and Wales and not contradict the Young Greens
constitution in any way.

2.10. For a group to be affiliated, they must be accepted by an absolute
majority vote of the Executive Committee.

2.11. The Executive Committee must keep a list of affiliated groups and review
it each year after Convention.

2.12. An affiliated group of the Young Greens can be disaffiliated by an
absolute two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Committee if they are in
violation of this constitution or if their membership is considered detrimental
to the work of the Young Greens.

Article 3. Amendment of the Constitution

3.1. This constitution may only be amended by a two-thirds majority vote at a
General Meeting.

3.2. The byelaws to this constitution which all have the status of parts of this
constitution may be amended, created or revoked by a two-thirds majority vote at
a General Meeting.

3.3. A minor change to the constitution and standing orders, for the purpose of
the editing power that is held by DAC, is defined as one where the meaning of a
clause, or outcome of a clause, has not been altered (although it may be
clarified); and the change is for the purposes of correcting errors or
inconsistencies in typography, spelling, or grammar; clarifying a meaning, or
correcting the numbering of clauses.

Article 4. The Standing Orders

4.1. The Standing Orders govern all elections and democratic processes such as
General Meetings within the Young Greens.

4.2. The Standing Orders must be followed at all times. They can be amended by a
two-thirds majority at a General Meeting.

4.3. Where there is a perceived contradiction between the Constitution and
Standing Orders, the Democracy and Accountability Committee shall rule on the
correct interpretation with precedence given to the Constitution.

Article 5. Complaints and Disputes

5.1. There shall be a Complaints and Disputes Subcommittee (C&D) of the
Democracy and Accountability Committee.

5.2. C&D will be constituted of a permanent representative from the Democracy
and Accountability Committee (hereby known as the DAC Rep), who will chair the
group, as well as four volunteers from the Young Greens membership, to make five
total members. Two of these four spaces should be advertised first to the Young
Greens Liberation Group Co-Chairs, with priority given to Young Greens of Colour
and Young Greens Women of Colour, before being opened to the wider membership if
no volunteers step forward who are Liberation Group Co-Chairs. Where there are
too many volunteers, selection will be made by DAC; candidates may be put on a
reserve list that would be used when other members are recused (see ). Where
there are too few volunteers, the remaining membership will be drawn by lots
from: Co-Convenors of Groups of the Regions of England, and Wales; Green
Students Committee members; and Young Green Liberation Group Co-Chairs. At least
two members of C&D should not be self-defining men.

5.3. C&D should have 5 participating members for every case dealt with. A
reserve list of members may be created by DAC in order to ensure that this is
possible, as members may be taking leave of absence. It may also be that members
have personal interests in the outcome of a case, or possess personal or
professional relations, amicable or otherwise, with those involved in a case.
Applications for recusal may be made by members of C&D, DAC, EC any Young Green
directly involved within a case, and are submitted to DAC, and may be done so by
or on the behalf of a member of C&D. A majority vote from DAC determines if a
member is recused. If the DAC Rep is recused, C&D is to vote on an acting Chair
for a case, who must be a member of C&D. Recusal should happen before the point
of formal intervention (the implementation of Section B.3).

5.4. C&D membership will be from its initiation until the following Young Greens
Convention, after which C&D will be re-formulated following Article 5.3. It is
permissible to re-volunteer. Complaints and Disputes will be dealt with by a
single C&D only and will not be passed on between re-formulations (except in the
case of resignations). This may lead to persons carrying out C&D duties for as
long as a complaint of dispute takes to judge on.

5.5. Members are to submit complaints based on breaches of the Young Greens
Constitution, Young Greens Standing Orders, Green Party Constitution, Green
Party Standing Orders, Green Party Code of Conduct or any other organisational
policies of the Green Party of England and Wales and Young Greens, including
anti-harassment and Safe Space policies.

5.6. Any complaints about another member of the Young Greens, or disputes that a
member feels they need help resolving, should go in the first instance to the
C&D. If for whatever reason a member does not feel comfortable approaching any
C&D member, they may go to Young Greens Staff, Young Greens Membership and
Inclusion Officer or to the Democracy and Accountability Committee.

5.7. In the first instance when a complaint is lodged, a member of the C&D will
speak to involved parties and attempt to resolve the issue informally whilst
maintaining clear records, in accordance with Article

5.8. Where any involved parties feel that hasn't worked, or where any parties
refuse the informal intervention, the complaint should be made in writing. All
involved parties will have equal chance to state their own case.

5.9. C&D Subcommittee will consider the complaint and make a judgement, in
writing, to all parties. Judgements should include a ruling on whether there
have been breaches of the Young Greens Constitution, Young Greens Standing
Orders, Green Party Constitution, Green Party Standing Orders, Green Party Code
of Conduct or any other organisational policies of the Green Party of England
and Wales and Young Greens, including anti-harassment and Safe Space policies.

5.10. After a judgement, C&D Subcommittee will make a recommendation of action
to either or both complainants. In cases where there is a need for disciplinary
action, to DAC or another relevant body where appropriate. These disciplinary
actions may include, but are not limited to:

5.10.1. Ban from Young Greens Events/Spaces, for a period of up to 12 months

5.10.2. Suspension of Young Greens membership, for a period of up to 12 months

5.10.3. Censure from holding a position within the Young Greens, for a period of
up to 12 months

5.10.4. Permanent termination of membership, as outlined in Article 1.8

5.11. Where the case is deemed to be serious enough, C&D Subcommittee may
recommend a suspension for the period of the investigation and which must be
agreed by the Chair of the Democracy and Accountability Committee.

5.12. If the recommended action(s) following a judgement are not followed by the
involved parties, C&D should make recommendations of action to the EC or DAC.

5.13. If an individual; wishes to appeal a judgement made by C&D, they may do so
by communicating to DAC. The grounds for an appeal are if new evidence emerges,
or if C&D broke procedure. DAC should look over the evidence presented by the
appellant and may make a ruling on whether the appeals process should be
initiated. In this case, appeals will be heard by a new group formulated on the
same basis as C&D in but excluding C&D members that made the original judgement.
This may be drawn from the list of reserve members.

5.14. There should be clear minutes and records of actions kept of all C&D
meetings. These may be disclosed beyond C&D at the discretion of C&D
Subcommittee, and a need for confidentiality and fair treatment must be
considered. C&D are to submit reports of each case to DAC. DAC will then include
a general, anonymous summary of these in their annual report.

5.15. A response to all initial complaints should be made to the initiator of
the complaint within 48 hours of receiving the complaint, in which the standard
process is outlined to them and how C&D intend to carry out the informal
mediation.

5.16. Informal mediation should start within 5 days of a complaint or dispute
being lodged.

5.17. A judgement should be made within 3 weeks of a complaint or dispute being
lodged in writing following informal mediation failing or where the written
statement refuses informal mediation.

5.18. Any requests for updates from any involved party should be responded to
within 72 hours.

5.19. Extensions to these deadlines should be sought from DAC in extenuating
circumstances

5.20. Malicious complaints made against a Young Greens member are serious and a
breach of the principles outlined in the Constitution as well as the GPEW Code
of Conduct. C&D Subcommittee will dismiss malicious complaints and may notify
relevant parties that a malicious complaint has been made.

Article 6. The Young Greens Record of Policy Statements

6.1. There shall be a Young Greens Record of Policy Statements (hereafter YG
RoPS) that contains contemporary policy statements from the Young Greens of
England and Wales.

6.2. Actions from Young Green bodies should not contradict statements in the
RoPS.

6.3. Statements may be submitted to the YG RoPS by a simple majority vote of a
motion submitted to a General Meeting. Alternatively, statements may be
submitted to the YG RoPS by a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee,
with the consent of DAC. All statements added between General Meetings are to be
reported to the following Young Greens Annual General Meeting by DAC and
recorded in DAC quarterly reports.

6.4. Statements may be removed from the YG RoPS by a simple majority vote of a
motion submitted to a General Meeting. Alternatively, statements may be removed
from the YG RoPS by a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee, with the
consent of DAC. All statements removed between General Meetings are to be
reported to the following Young Greens Annual General Meeting by DAC and
recorded in DAC monthly reports.

6.5. After five years of a statement being entered into the YG RoPS, it is
considered to be in grace as recorded by EC. This means that it will be reported
to be in grace to the following Young Greens General Meeting by EC, who will
give members the chance to vote on whether it should stay in the YG RoPS, which
requires a simple majority. This restarts the five-year placement of that
statement into the YG RoPS.

6.6. The YG RoPS should be publicly available.

Article 7. The Young Greens Record of Organisational Statements

7.1. There shall be a Young Greens Record of Organisational Statements
(hereafter YG RoOS) that contains organisational policies from the Young Greens
of England and Wales.

7.2. Actions from Young Green bodies should not contradict statements in the
RoOS.

7.3. Statements may be submitted to the YG RoOS by a simple majority vote of a
motion submitted to a General Meeting. Alternatively, statements may be
submitted to the YG RoOS by a simple majority vote of the EC, with the consent
of DAC. All statements added between General Meetings are to be reported to the
following Young Greens Annual General Meeting by DAC and recorded in DAC
quarterly reports.

7.4. Statements may be removed from the YG RoOS by a simple majority vote of a
motion submitted to a General Meeting. Alternatively, statements may be removed
from the YG RoOS by a simple majority vote of the EC, with the consent of DAC.
All statements removed between General Meetings are to be reported to the
following Young Greens Annual General Meeting by DAC and recorded in DAC
quarterly reports.

7.5. Each year DAC will review the RoOS and bring a list of statements they
judge to be out of date to Convention for a vote of retention or removal.

7.6. The YG RoOS should be publicly available.

Article 8. The Young Greens Record of Structural Procedures

8.1. There shall be a Young Greens Record of Structural Procedures (hereafter YG
RoSPs) that contains a record of the following:

8.1.1. All rulings of the Democracy and Accountability Committee.

8.1.2. The text of all passed Motions of Censure and Commendations, alongside
accompanying vote numbers and outcomes.

8.1.3. All records of successful Votes of No Confidence, and motions of the same
effect, anonymous vote results, and vote outcomes - all information shall be
anonymous.

8.1.4. All records of Subcommittee formations.

8.2. The Democracy and Accountability Committee may add items to the YG RoSPs.

8.3. Entries may be removed by a simple majority vote of a motion submitted to
Convention. All statements added between Conventions are to be reported to the
following Young Greens Annual General Meeting by DAC and recorded in the next
quarterly DAC report.

8.4. The YG RoSPs shall be available to all Members of the Young Greens.

Article 9. Safeguarding and Safe Spaces Policy

9.1. Safeguarding is the responsibility of every Young Green. Young Greens will
follow the guidance regarding safeguarding in the RoOS.

9.2. The Young Greens are committed to providing an environment free of racism,
sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, religious discrimination or any other
types of oppression, including, but not limited to, oppression against non-
binary identities and sex workers.

9.3. The Young Greens are committed to providing an environment free of
bullying, name-calling or any forms of abusive behaviour.

9.4. The Young Greens are committed to challenging these types of oppression
whenever they occur in Young Greens spaces.

9.5. The Young Greens are committed to having a victim centred approach when
safe spaces are jeopardised.

9.6. The Young Greens will follow guidance regarding safe spaces in the RoOS.

9.7. When it comes from outside of the Young Greens but within the Green Party,
individuals in the Young Greens are encouraged to report all forms of oppression
or discrimination including hate crime to the Green Party of England and Wales
through the standard complaints procedures for further investigation into these
matters. Individuals may contact the Young Greens Complaints and Disputes
Committee to receive support in doing so.

Article 10. Internal Financial Policy

10.1. Finances shall be managed on a bi-national scale by the Executive
Committee, who shall have the power to raise, spend, and manage funds.

10.2. The Executive Committee will manage the finances of the Young Greens in
the best interest of the organisation.

10.2.1. They shall make sure that the organisation’s resources are only used to
support or carry out its aims and strategy.

10.2.2. They will make balanced and adequately informed financial decisions,
thinking about the short term as well as the long term.

10.2.3. They will avoid putting themselves in a position where their duty to the
Young Greens conflicts with their personal interests or personal loyalties.

10.2.4. They shall not take inappropriate risks with the organisation’s
resources.

10.2.5. They shall comply with any restrictions on spending funds.

10.3. The Young Greens shall keep an up-to-date reserves policy in the Record of
Organisational Statements (RoOS) which shall:

10.3.1. Fully justify and clearly explain how much we will keep in reserves

10.3.2. Outline how and when the reserves can be spent

10.3.3. Outline how often the reserves policy shall be reviewed

Byelaws

Byelaw 1. The Young Greens Executive Committee

1.1. There shall be an Executive Committee (hereafter referred to as “the
Executive Committee” or “EC”) which shall consist of:

1.1.1. Two Co-Chairs, of which at least one must not be a self-defining man.

1.1.2. Treasurer.

1.1.3. The Green Students Committee Co-Convenors, of which at least one must not
be a self-defining man.

1.1.4. Elections Officer

1.1.5. Digital Communications Officer

1.1.6. Press Officer

1.1.7. Campaigns Officer

1.1.8. Events Officer

1.1.9. International Officer

1.1.10. Membership and Inclusion Officer

1.1.11. Political Education and Training Officer

1.1.12. Liberation Officers (from each formally constituted Liberation Group)

1.1.13. Under 18s Officer

1.1.14. Wales Officer

1.2. EC Elections shall be carried out according to Section E of the Standing
Orders, following the procedures, timescale and gender balance rules described
therein.

1.3. The aim and responsibility of the EC is to:

1.3.1. Provide an overall direction and strategic planning.

1.3.2. Support all members and bodies within the Young Greens.

1.3.3. Represent the Young Greens externally, including running the website and
social media and representing the Young Greens at events.

1.4. EC members shall individually provide a quarterly report to the membership
which is made available for all members. A quarterly online question and answer
session hosted by DAC should follow and be promoted to all members with a call
for questions.

1.5. EC Members shall provide an end of year report to the Young Greens Annual
General Meeting.

1.6. Vacant positions may be co-opted at any time throughout the year following
the procedure outlined in Section E7 of the Standing Orders.

1.7. The quorum for EC decisions is an absolute majority of all EC members.

1.8. An absolute majority of the Executive Committee may delegate authority,
responsibilities, and powers over a set area to a set subset of the Executive
Committee for a set period.

1.9. The Executive Committee shall have a handover period.

1.9.1. The handover period will be two weeks, counted from the last day of
Convention.

1.9.2. The outgoing Executive Committee members shall be expected to provide a
handover to the incoming Executive Committee. They shall decide what form this
will take.

1.9.3. Throughout the handover period the outgoing Executive Committee shall be
able to make decisions except monetary and expenditure decisions concerning more
than 2% of Young Greens reserves or monies (where a series of decisions shall
count towards this threshold) - such decisions shall require pre-approval from
the incoming Executive Committee.. The incoming Executive Committee shall have
the power to veto any decisions made.

1.9.4. The Co-Chairs shall report any decisions taken by the outgoing Executive
Committee in their three month accountability report.

Byelaw 2. The Democracy and Accountability Committee

2.1. There shall be a Democracy and Accountability Committee (hereafter known as
“the Democracy and Accountability Committee” or “DAC”) which shall consist of:

2.1.1. Five members, where one member is selected within as Chair.

2.1.2. The Chair shall be selected at the first meeting of DAC after the Annual
Ballot.

2.1.3. The position of Chair may also be taken as a job-share between two
members of DAC who will then be Co-chairs.

2.1.4. If the Chair or Co-chairs resigns, DAC shall select a new Chair or Co-
chairs at their next available meeting.

2.2. Elections will be carried out according to Section E of the Standing
Orders, following the procedures, timescale and gender balance rules described
therein.

2.3. The aim and responsibility of the Democracy and Accountability Committee is
to:

2.3.1. Uphold this Constitution, Byelaws and Standing Orders.

2.3.2. Oversee updates and clarifications to these, including through elections
and the Annual General meeting.

2.3.3. Make rulings on interpretations of this Constitution and to declare acts
constitutional or otherwise.

2.3.4. Make minor changes to the Constitution and the Standing Orders to ensure
it is standardised and accurate, as outlined in Article 3 of this Constitution.

2.3.5. As part of this role, the Democracy and Accountability Committee will run
the Annual General Meeting and Winter General Meeting as described in Sections B
and D of the Standing Orders.

2.3.6. Additionally, the Democracy and Accountability Committee is responsible
for ensuring accountability of the Young Greens at large.

2.4. The Chair of the Democracy and Accountability Committee has the right to
attend all meetings of the Executive Committee, but not vote, as a
representative of the Democracy and Accountability Committee and should be
consulted on major decisions.

2.5. The Democracy and Accountability Committee members shall individually
provide a quarterly report to the membership, which is made available to all
members, and an end-of-year report to the Young Greens Annual General Meeting.
These shall detail any minor changes made to the constitution and standing
orders.

Byelaw 3. The Green Students Committee

3.1. The Green Students Committee shall be led by two Co-Convenors.

3.2. The Co-convenors shall be elected in line with Section E of the Standing
Orders following the procedures, timescale and gender balance rules described
therein.

3.3. The aim and responsibility of the Green Students Committee is to:

3.3.1. Ensure that the Executive Committee is kept up to date on issues
affecting students and to lead campaigning on those issues.

3.3.2. Encourage Young Greens to stand for elected positions in relevant student
-led organisations, including but not limited to, their students unions, NUS, or
UCU (if they are eligible).

3.3.3. Support any Young Greens holding those elected positions in relevant
student-led organisations.

3.3.4. Ensure that the Young Greens are involved with campaigns run by the NUS,
and other relevant student-led organisations.

3.3.5. Liaise with external bodies that are relevant to student issues and
campaigning.

3.3.6. Promote campaigns and organisations relevant to the students movement to
the Young Greens membership.

3.3.7. Work with the Executive Committee to support the Young Greens Students
Societies and ensure their effective running.

3.4. Vacant positions may be co-opted at any time throughout the year following
the procedure outlined in the standing orders.

Byelaw 4. The Young Greens International Committee

4.1. Liberation Groups shall represent individuals who face current and historic
oppression, discrimination and/or are marginalised in wider society due to a
shared characteristic.

4.2. The Young Greens International Committee shall be led by the International
Officer.

4.3. The International Officer shall be elected in line with Section E of the
Standing Orders following the procedures, timescale and gender balance rules
described therein.

4.4. There should be no more than 5 members of the International Committee, in
addition to the International Officer.

4.5. The aim and the responsibility of the Young Greens International Committee
is to:

4.5.1. Ensure that the Executive Committee is kept up to date on international
issues pertaining to the Young Greens of England and Wales.

4.5.2. Champion the values and interests of the Young Greens of England and
Wales among our international partners.

4.5.3. Build and maintain a network of relationships with Young Green
organisations from around the world.

4.5.4. Communicate international participation and collaboration opportunities
to both the Young Greens of England and Wales and its membership.

4.5.5. Plan and manage positive and active participation in the statutory events
of our international partner organisations, i.e. Federation of Young European
Greens General Assembly and Global Young Greens Congress.

4.5.6. Encourage and support any member of the Young Greens of England and Wales
putting themselves forward for a role in any of our international partner
organisations, i.e. Federation of Young European Greens or Global Young Greens.

4.6. Vacant positions may be co-opted at any time throughout the year following
the procedure outlined in the standing orders

4.7. International Committee members shall individually provide a quarterly, six
month, and annual report to the membership which is made available for all
members. The International Committee Members shall not partake in the quarterly
online question and answer sessions hosted by DAC but their reports shall be
promoted to all members with a call for questions and answers via email.

4.8. International Committee Members may be removed from office via a vote of
confidence of the International Committee or via a vote of confidence at an
accountability session of a General Meeting.

Byelaw 5. The Liberation Committee

5.1. Liberation Groups shall represent individuals who face current and historic
oppression, discrimination and/or are marginalised in wider society due to a
shared characteristic.

5.2. Liberation Groups shall ensure that the voices and perspectives of people
in marginalised groups are well represented and heard within the structures and
policies of the Young Greens and the wider Green Party.

5.3. Young Greens members are free to join any Liberation Group which they self-
identify as a member of. As such, these groups shall be organised and led by
self-identifying members.

5.4. The current list of Liberation Groups is as follows:

5.4.1. Disability.

5.4.2. LGBTIQA+.

5.4.3. People of Colour.

5.4.4. Women.

5.4.5. Women of Colour.

5.5. A new group can be set up if all the following criteria are met:

5.5.1. The proposed group face current and historic oppression, discrimination
and/or are marginalised in wider society based around a shared characteristic.

5.5.2. The proposer can demonstrate that at least 5 members will actively join
the group.

5.6. EC shall use their discretion in approving the creation of new Liberation
Groups between General Meetings and shall bring a paper of ratification to the
next Annual General Meeting, or to an Emergency General Meeting if this happens
to occur first.

5.7. Each Liberation Group shall elect from their membership at least two Co-
chairs, where no more than one self-defines as a man. If for any reason, the
Liberation Group cannot run the election, DAC will run the election on their
behalf.

5.7.1. Each Liberation Group will elect one Liberation officer with the
exception of the LGBTQIA+ Young Greens which will have two Liberation Officers
“LGBTQIA+ Officer and Trans Officer”

5.8. The election should be organised by said Liberation Group using a system of
Single Transferable Vote, for which advice can be sought from DAC, to ensure
that the rules in Byelaw 5.7 are satisfied.

5.9. Liberation Groups may be additionally led by a committee, with the number
of positions and the election or co-option timescale at the discretion of the
Liberation Group members.

5.10. Each Liberation Group will reserve a seat on the committee for their
Liberation Group Officer.

5.10.1. The Liberation Group Officer will be elected through the Annual Ballot
in accordance with Section E of the Standing Orders.

5.10.2. The Liberation Group Officer will not be able to also hold the position
as Co-Chair of the Liberation Group

5.11. The Liberation Group Co-Chairs, or Committee where appropriate, are in
charge of moderating any online spaces they group holds, organising training
days and meet-ups, upholding the Safe Space policy at all times, and
representing their Liberation Group concerns through the Liberation Group
Officer and to the Membership and Inclusion Officer.

5.12. Liberation groups are required to adopt a constitution.

5.12.1. A Liberation Group's constitution may be amended at its Convention
meeting or through additional means outlined in its constitution.

5.12.2. Failure to adopt a constitution shall result in adoption of a model
constitution provided by the Democracy and Accountability Committee.

Byelaw 6. International Affiliation

6.1. The Young Greens of England and Wales is a full member organisation of the
Federation of Young European Greens (FYEG).

6.2. The Young Greens of England and Wales is a member of the Global Young
Greens (GYG) by virtue of its membership of FYEG.

6.3. As a member of both organisations, the Young Greens will endeavour to send
at least one delegate to the FYEG General Assembly or GYG Congress each year.

6.4. The first International Delegate shall be appointed by EC from the
membership of either EC or the International Committee.

6.5. If there are to be any further delegates, they should be appointed from the
general membership by EC.

6.6. No more than half of the total number of International Delegates shall
self-define as a man.

6.7. Additional observers for the General Assembly may be appointed by EC.

6.8. In the event of the Global Young Greens Congress being held the same year
as the FYEG General Assembly, this election shall occur twice - all members,
despite any prior delegate status, are able to be a candidate in this election,
in line with Section E of the Standing Orders.

6.9. At the FYEG General Assembly, the first delegate and the elected
International Delegate shall be given one vote each (as permitted by the FYEG
Constitution). The first delegate shall consult EC for advice on how to vote on
motions, but further delegates may vote independently; they can seek advice from
EC and indeed agree with the EC delegate vote.

6.10. If any member of the Young Greens of England and Wales wishes to run for
election to any roles within FYEG or GYG, they must consult and seek the
nomination of the EC.

Byelaw 7. Special Interest Groups

7.1. Members with concerns on a specific issue or set of issues may form a
Special Interest Group in order to develop policy positions and pursue campaigns
within the structure and strategy of the Young Greens.

7.2. Young Greens members are free to join any Special Interest Group, in
accordance with any rules on eligibility as defined by the group.

7.3. The current list of Special Interest Groups is as follows:

7.3.1. Under 18s

7.4. A new group can be set up if all the following criteria is met:

7.4.1. The proposer can demonstrate that at least 5 members will actively join
the group.

7.5. EC shall use their discretion in approving the creation of new Special
Interest Groups between General Meetings and shall bring a paper of ratification
to the next Annual General Meeting, or to an Emergency General Meeting if this
happens to occur first.

7.6. Each Special Interest Group shall elect from their membership at least two
Co-chairs, where no more than one self-defines as a man. If for any reason, the
Special Interest Group cannot run the election, DAC will run the election on
their behalf.

7.7. The election should be organised by said Special Interest Group using a
system of Single Transferable Vote, for which advice can be sought from DAC, to
ensure that the rules in 7.6 are satisfied.

7.8. Special Interest Groups may be additionally led by a committee, with the
number of positions and the election or co-option timescale to be decided at the
discretion of the Special Interest Group’s members.

7.9. Special Interest Groups are required to adopt a constitution.

7.9.1. A Special Interest Group's constitution may be amended at its Convention
meeting or through additional means outlined in its constitution.

7.9.2. Failure to adopt a constitution shall result in adoption of a model
constitution provided by the Democracy and Accountability Committee.

Byelaw 8. Subcommittees

8.1. The formation of subcommittees is separate from the Executive Committee's
power to delegate defined in Byelaw 1.8 and therefore not subject to its
requirements.

8.2. Subcommittees may be formed where a simple majority vote of the Executive
Committee has passed.

8.3. Subcommittees shall be formed for a specific period of time, with a
specific remit, after which their mandate may be extended for a specific period
of time by simple majority vote of the Executive Committee.

8.4. At least one member of the Executive Committee shall sit on a subcommittee
at any given time, and subcommittees shall be chaired by a member of the
Executive Committee.

8.5. Members who are not on the Executive Committee may also sit on a
subcommittee with the discretion of the Executive Committee.

8.6. The Executive Committee may overrule a decision made by a subcommittee by a
simple majority vote.

8.7. The Executive Committee may dissolve a subcommittee early by a two-thirds
majority vote.

8.8. A General Meeting may instruct the Executive Committee to form a
subcommittee by passing a resolution.

8.8.1. Such a resolution must provide the requirements defined in byelaw 8.3.
Failure to do so will mean there shall be no requirement for the Executive
Committee to form the subcommittee.

8.8.2. If the Executive Committee fails to form a subcommittee that has been
properly mandated by a resolution within a month of its passing, this shall be
recorded in the YG RoSPs.

Byelaw 9. Safeguarding Officers

9.1. There shall be two Safeguarding Officers.

9.2. The Safeguarding Officers shall be elected by and from the Executive
Committee annually, no later than six weeks after Convention each year.

9.3. The Safeguarding Officers will be elected using the Single Transferable
Vote (STV) system with a provision for negative voting (re-open nominations,
acronym RON).

9.3.1. Single Transferable Vote quota for election is calculated as follows:
total valid vote divided by one more than the number of seats up for election
plus one (or rounded up) to avoid ties: (TVV/(seats+1)) +1.

9.4. Voting will take place via secret, secure online ballot arranged by the
Democracy and Accountability Committee (DAC).

9.5. DAC is responsible for counting the votes.

9.6. No more than one Safeguarding Officer may self-identify as a man.

9.7. Except in cases of resignation or removal from post, the Safeguarding
Officer and their Deputy shall be in post until the next Executive Committee
elects new Safeguarding Officers. The term shall not be more than fifteen
months.

9.8. The Safeguarding Officers have the duty to:

9.8.1. Lead on the development of safeguards for the Young Greens.

9.8.2. Promote the safety and welfare of children and young people in the Young
Greens.

9.8.3. Promote good safeguarding practice and procedure within the Young Greens.

9.8.4. Contribute to a review of Young Green safeguarding policy and procedure
every two years, or sooner if required.

9.8.5. Receive and appropriately record information from anyone who has
safeguarding concerns.

9.8.6. Assess such information promptly and carefully, clarifying or obtaining
more information where necessary.

9.8.7. Follow Young Greens safeguarding policy and procedure in the RoOS in
full, including with regard to consultation and referral.

9.9. It is not their job to decide whether a child or a young person has been
abused or not.

9.10. The Safeguarding Officers may be dismissed by an absolute majority of the
Executive Committee.

9.11. The Safeguarding Officers shall have a handover period.

9.11.1. The handover period will be two weeks, counted from the day new
Safeguarding Officers are elected.

9.11.2. The outgoing Safeguarding Officers shall be expected to provide a
handover to the incoming Safeguarding Officers. They shall decide what form this
will take.