womens-network
Established: 28 May 2016 Amended: 1 June 2019 Amended: 15 August 2019 Amended: 8 June 2020
NAME
- The name of the group shall be the Victorian Greens Women’s Network (VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network).
MEMBERSHIP
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network shall be open to all members of the Australian Greensthe Australian Greens (The Greens) Incorporated, incorporated under the *Associations Incorporation Act 1991* (ACT) with association number A02626 (Victoria) (AGVAustralian Greens Victoria) who identify as women. AGVAustralian Greens Victoria members who do not identify as women are permitted to attend VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network meetings, conferences, and events as allies and observers (at the discretion of the office bearers), but may not vote, block consensusthe circumstance in which no member of the party body who is in attendance objects to the proposal being passed, having been given the opportunity to do so or be office bearers.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network shall annually elect a Convenor, Secretary, a Representative to the Australian Greensthe Australian Greens (The Greens) Incorporated, incorporated under the *Associations Incorporation Act 1991* (ACT) with association number A02626 Women’s Working Group and a Treasurer. Office Bearers will be elected by members present at the Annual General Meeting or, failing consensusthe circumstance in which no member of the party body who is in attendance objects to the proposal being passed, having been given the opportunity to do so being reached, they will be elected by secret ballota secret ballot that uses a single transferable vote quota-preferential voting system, allows the option of not allocating further preferences, uses Robson Rotation, and provides an option of voting to ‘Seek Further Candidates’ of all members present at the Annual General Meeting. When necessary, a Returning Officer will be elected to supervise the conduct of ballots. The group may elect co-office bearers for any of these positions.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network may elect additional office bearers when required.
An office bearer may be removed by consensusthe circumstance in which no member of the party body who is in attendance objects to the proposal being passed, having been given the opportunity to do so or a two-thirds majority vote by the members of the VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network.
PURPOSE OF THE GROUP
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network shall serve as a network, forum and social space for members of the AGVAustralian Greens Victoria, Greens voters and those who are aligned with Greens issues who are committed to women’s empowerment and gender equality.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network will promote and advocate for solutions to address structural issues that impede women, especially marginalised women, from participating fully in electoral politics and free and fair debate within party structures.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network will highlight and advocate for gender equality and women’s rights in accordance with AGVAustralian Greens Victoria policya statement of principle and intent about what government should do and within an intersectional and feminist framework, promoting respect for women and their equal participation in social, working and economic life.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network will support the election of women candidates into leadership and elected representative positions at all three levels of government, and to internal AGVAustralian Greens Victoria leadership roles. In particular, the VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network will support the election of people who have experienced intersectional discrimination.
ROLES OF THE GROUP
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network shall work to achieve equal representation of women in elected positions, internally and externally. The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network will advocate for systemic reform through measures such as affirmative action in accordance with the AGVAustralian Greens Victoria constitution and best practice.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network will function as a network to connect people working towards women's empowerment and gender equality through forums, meetings, training and social events.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network will advocate for a gender lens on all AGVAustralian Greens Victoria policies and practices to support and underpin social and economic equality for women.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network will support the preselection and election of female candidates for all three levels of government through mentoring, training, information sessions and support, opportunities to volunteer for women candidates, and the
opportunity to meet and connect with elected officials.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network will liaise with the AGVAustralian Greens Victoria state representative on women’s issues where possible to advance the work of the VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network in parliament and the public.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network shall work to raise awareness within and outside the AGVAustralian Greens Victoria of the role of intersectionality in the oppression of women, and to actively redress the impacts of multiple oppressions by supporting women who have experienced intersectional discrimination to take on leadership roles, including as candidates, office bearers, council members and other representatives.
BUDGET
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network has no authority to incur debts or secure loans on behalf of the party.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network may make arrangements with the AGVAustralian Greens Victoria Treasurer to open and operate a bank account.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network may only expend funds in accordance with an agreed budget.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network Treasurer in consultation with the VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network Convenor will be responsible for approving expenditure in the budget, although any VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network member may request funding from the VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network office bearers.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network Treasurer in consultation with the VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network Convenor is responsible for acquittal in coordination with the AGVAustralian Greens Victoria Treasurer.
COMMUNICATION AND DECISION MAKING
VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network meetings will be conducted in accordance with AGVAustralian Greens Victoria meeting procedures.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network may operate an internal AGVAustralian Greens Victoria email list.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network shall meet at least six times per year, either in person or via electronic means.
Valid meetings of the VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network shall be those advertised to the group’s members at least 7 days in advance and attended by at least five VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network members including at least one office bearer of the VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network network.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network shall not make decisions on behalf of the AGVAustralian Greens Victoria, except when delegated by State Council to do so.
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network members and participants at meetings and events shall be bound by the AGVAustralian Greens Victoria Membership Code of Conduct.
Any decisions made by meetings of the VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network shall be minuted and sent to the AGVAustralian Greens Victoria Secretary within ten days of the meeting.
VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network members are expected to abide by social media guidelines as outlined on the relevant platforms.
QUICK DECISION MAKING GROUP
VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network may establish a Quick Decision Making Group (QDMGQuick Decision Making Group) for instances where urgent decisions need to be made before the next scheduled meeting of VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network. It shall operate in accordance with the provisions set out in part 50 of the AGVAustralian Greens Victoria Constitution, the main points of which are as follows:
a)QDMG membership shall consist of any two of the office bearers and two other members;
b)the QDMG quorum shall be three members;
c)QDMG decisions must be made by consensus;
d)all QDMG decisions shall have immediate effect, but be put to the next meeting for ratification; and
e)a written record shall be kept of all QDMG decisions.
ANTICIPATED LONGEVITY
REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY
The VGWNVictorian Greens Women's Network shall provide a written report to each AGVAustralian Greens Victoria Annual State Conference on:
a)current membership; b)meeting activity; c)progress on areas that are within the purpose and roles; and d)any reports from the Representative to the Australian Greensthe Australian Greens (The Greens) Incorporated, incorporated under the *Associations Incorporation Act 1991* (ACT) with association number A02626 Women’s Working Group.