Forming NSW local groups

The Greens NSW welcomes new local groups. We aim to have local groups in every state and federal electorate in NSW.

It is expected that local groups will represent local communities rather than electorates. Some electorates - particularly in rural areas - include a number of distinct communities; there are also many communities that straddle electoral boundaries. For these reasons there may be several local groups operating within a single electorate. The Constitution lays down a procedure for pre-selection of candidates in these cases. Beyond that, it is up to the local groups to coordinate their activities.

To form a local group -

• Attend meetings of neighbouring local groups and of the Delegates Council, partly to become familiar with the party and its practices, and partly to give other members the opportunity to get to know you. Affiliation of a new group requires the support of other groups, which you are unlikely to get if you are unknown to other members
  
• Make sure you understand the Charter and Constitution. Section 5 of the constitution contains the formal rules for new local groups
  
• Collect details of prospective group members (or existing non-group members)
  
• Technically, a group must have at least four members if it intends to send delegates to The Greens NSW; in practice a group needs at least eight active members to operate effectively. There is also a question of equity with other groups: since local groups have equal representation at Delegates Council meetings (one delegate each), there is a perception that they should be of approximately similar size.
  
• Hold a meeting. At this meeting you should:
  

• Elect office bearers
  
• Formally acknowledge that you accept the Charter and Constitution of the Australian Greens and the Constitution of The Greens NSW
  
• Formally agree that you wish to affiliate with The Greens NSW
  
• Agree to open a bank account and nominate the account signatories. (This is a bank requirement.)

The minutes of this meeting are the formal document to initiate your application for affiliation with The Greens NSW. Discuss the matter with the state convenor and with the local groups whose delegates will support your application.

Attend the Delegates Council meeting prior to the meeting at which you intend to affiliate, so that your intention to affiliate can be minuted. If you cannot attend in person, notify the Secretary in writing of your intention to affiliate, so this can be minuted.