Young Greens Convention 2022
9th and 10th of July
Convention Definitions
AGM
Convention is the location of our Annual General Meeting, or AGM, where we vote on changes to our constitution, policy motions and elect our new committees. For most of convention, we will be in workshops, but there are a number of specific sessions where we will all be voting, asking questions to candidates and making speeches about motions.
Attunement
Attunement is a one minute silence held at the start of meetings including the AGM to allow everyone to collect their thoughts and prepare for the discussion. If those present feel that a debate is getting too heated any member can call for a minute of attunement to allow the atmosphere of the room to settle before debate continues. This should be done by raising an inclusion card.
Amendment
Amendments are suggested changes to proposed motions, which have been proposed in advance after the motions were published. After the motion has been proposed, the proposers of the amendment will then be called up to speak for the amendment. A for and against debate will follow on the amendment, followed by a vote on whether the amendment should be accepted to the motion. After this vote has taken place, debate will resume either on other amendments, or the motion as a whole. If you have not read them, you can read them at https://convention.younggreens.org.uk/democracy.
Constitution
The Constitution sets out how the Young Greens organisation works, including all the different committees and groups within the Young Greens, and the fundamental principles of the Young Greens. You can read copies of them on the walls in the main hall, or by going to https://convention.younggreens.org.uk/democracy.
Elections
Voting for the Young Greens elections opened by email two weeks ago and will close on Saturday. For roles where there were no nominations, there will be a paper ballot held at Convention, or in Liberation group meet-up sessions. If you would like to put yourself forward for these roles, please see SPC for information or go to https://convention.younggreens.org.uk/democracy. Voting closes at midday on Sunday.
Emergency Motions
Emergency motions are motions which have been submitted after the closing of motions in October and have to be on a topic which has arisen since this date. These can be proposed by giving the text of your motion to SPC (deadline TBC). The motions will be taken on Sunday during the AGM slot.
Hustings
Hustings are an opportunity to hear from candidates for the roles in the Young Greens elections and your chance to ask the questions you want them to answer. There are two blocks of hustings which will cover different roles, with the candidates for the same role answering the same questions during the same block.
Motion
Motions are items being put to convention for us to vote on. These have been proposed in advance and will be taken during the AGM. A proposer will propose the motion with a short speech and then anyone is able to speak against the motion, or ask questions. Debate will flow between the for and against sides until there are no more speeches left, or the chair feels enough debate has been had. If you have not read them, you can read them at https://younggreens.org.uk/events/convention/motions.html.
Prioritisation Ballot
In order to decide which motions are most important to members, we hold a prioritisation ballot, where each member is given a few stickers and able to place them against the motions they would like to be heard first. The motions will be taken in order of how many votes each motion gets.
Procedural Cards
In your welcome pack you will also find your blue procedural cards. You can use these cards to signal to the chair of the AGM if you would like to raise a procedural motion or a point of information. It is at the chair’s discretion to interrupt the debate to allow you to speak under the following criteria:
- Taking the motion in parts (provided the motion can be understood in parts)
- Refer the motion back to the proposer/Executive Committee
- For the motion not to be put
- Minor textual amendments
Taking By Parts/Taking A Motion By Parts
For some motions or amendments people may agree with one part of the proposal but not another so can move a procedural motion (see Procedural Cards) to take by parts. This then treats the motion/amendment as if it was two separate motions/amendments which must each be voted on. Motions/Amendments may only be taken by parts if each part would be understandable as a single motion/amendment and so can’t be used to just get rid of a few words which don’t make sense on their own.
Refer Back
If somebody agrees with the general intent of a motion but disagrees with the way it has been proposed they can move a procedural motion (see Procedural Cards) to refer back. This must then be voted on and if successful either the proposer(s) of the motion will be asked to work on the wording and formulation of the motion to be brought back to the next AGM or the Executive Committee will be asked to work on the proposal.
Not to be put
If somebody thinks that a motion should not be heard at all, they can put a procedural motion for it not to be put. This means the motion will not be discussed or voted on any further.
Minor Textual Amendment (MTE)
Minor textual amendments to correct small errors e.g. spelling, or friendly amendments (where the proposer of the motion and proposer of the amendment agree) can be accepted during the debate.
Standing Orders (SO)
The Standing Orders describes how the different procedures of the Young Greens working including how the AGM works and how we elect Young Greens to serve on different committees. You can read copies of them on the walls in the main hall, or by going to https://younggreens.org.uk/events/convention/motions.html.
Voting Cards
In your welcome pack you have three cards, your voting card is your green card. This is used to signal your vote during the AGM, and to show you have taken a ballot paper for elections happening over the weekend. The chair of the AGM will ask you to show your card at various points, and you will need to raise it high for them to see.
Freedom of Movement
Whether we travel for work, for study, for love, or for any of a hundred other reasons, we are all enriched by freedom of movement
Environmental protection
An extreme Brexit puts many of the environmental protection laws we currently have at risk
Real democracy
The terms of Brexit weren’t on the ballot paper. We need a people’s vote on the final deal and our place in Europe
Freedom of Movement
Whether we travel for work, for study, for love, or for any of a hundred other reasons, we are all enriched by freedom of movement
Environmental protection
An extreme Brexit puts many of the environmental protection laws we currently have at risk
Real democracy
The terms of Brexit weren’t on the ballot paper. We need a people’s vote on the final deal and our place in Europe
We believe in being brave, in speaking our minds and together we can do politics differently
I joined a party that was ‘the least bad of the biggest two’ where I lived, but I quickly realised that I couldn’t campaign for a party that didn’t share my commitment to environmental and social justice. The planet doesn’t have enough time for compromise or to hope to change other parties from the inside.
Dominic Tristram
I joined in 2004 to counter a government that had taken us into an illegal war, ignored huge protests against war, privatisation and neoliberalism. Since then I’ve stood for election, been a councillor, been part of local and national campaigns, and been one of those many radical dissenting voices.
Samir Jeraj
What the Green Party means to me is that, it is genuinely the party that stands for people and social justice, and I know I can add more value the great work the party is already doing.
Kaltum Osman
Dominic Tristram
“I joined a party that was ‘the least bad of the biggest two’ where I lived, but I quickly realised that I couldn’t campaign for a party that didn’t share my commitment to environmental and social justice. The planet doesn’t have enough time for compromise or to hope to change other parties from the inside.”
Samir Jeraj
“I joined in 2004 to counter a government that had taken us into an illegal war, ignored huge protests against war, privatisation and neoliberalism. Since then I’ve stood for election, been a councillor, been part of local and national campaigns, and been one of those many radical dissenting voices.”
Kaltrum Osman
“What the Green Party means to me is that, it is genuinely the party that stands for people and social justice, and I know I can add more value the great work the party is already doing.”