Amend the Local Union By-Laws as follows:
New Article E ~ Campaign on Political Education (COPE)
The Executive Board is authorized to establish a political action committee, also referred to as COPE. The COPE PAC will serve as a sub-committee of the Executive Board.
The name of this committee shall be Galt Campaign on Political Education (GCOPE).
The general purpose of the Committee is to support and further the goals and policies of the Local Union. The specific purposes are:
1. To support candidates and positions on local and state ballot measures endorsed by the Local Union.
2. To further the common good and general welfare by promoting improvements in public education and support for all students.
3. To promote the welfare of our active and retired members and teachers and classified members in general.
4. To encourage the improvement of benefits, compensation, working conditions and retirement status of our active and retired members and current certificated and classified personnel in general.
GCOPE COMMITTEE: The GCOPE Committee shall consist of five members in good standing who are contributors to the GCOPE account as outlined in (E) below. The control and direction of the Committee shall be vested in a GCOPE Chair who shall be appointed by the Executive Board. The union treasurer shall be the GCOPE treasurer. One at-large member shall be appointed by the Executive Board. The remaining two members of the committee shall be elected by a majority vote of the GCOPE membership. A separate bank account will be established for the committee requiring two signatures. The GCOPE committee shall have control over the funds and affairs of the PAC and shall establish and carry out all policies and activities. The GCOPE Committee may delegate all or some of the responsibilities of the PAC to the Executive Board, a committee of the Board, or a separate committee comprised of members appointed by the Board. Elections for the GCOPE shall take place in odd numbered years.
COPE FUNDING: All funding of the GCOPE account is on a voluntary basis. Payment to the GCOPE account makes individual members eligible to serve on the GCOPE committee, vote for members on the GCOPE committee, and otherwise participate in GCOPE functions. Union members gain eligibility to participate in GCOPE functions through the completion of one of the following steps:
1. For May 2010 only: submit a $10 “buy in” contribution before June 1 and then set up voluntary payroll contribution of at least $1 a month to the GCOPE account by June Or,
2. Beyond June 2010: submit a $40 “buy-in” contribution one week prior to any GCOPE function and then set up voluntary payroll contribution of at least $1 a month to the GCOPE account. Or,
3. Submit $40 “buy-in” contribution one week prior to every COPE function.
Setting up an automatic monthly $1 contribution through payroll to the GCOPE account after initial “buy-in” keeps members eligible for future GCOPE functions. Any discontinuation of the monthly payroll contributions will require a subsequent “buy-in” in order to regain GCOPE eligibility. The Committee may accept contributions from persons who are not union members, subject to the approval of the Board. Non-union members may not participate in any GCOPE functions.
THE ENDORSEMENT PROCES: The GCOPE Committee is responsible for carrying out the endorsement process which shall consist of the following steps:
1. Send candidate questionnaire to all declared candidates in race(s). Enclose a letter from the local GCOPE committee and have a specific timeline on when and how to complete questionnaire.
2. REQUIRE ALL CANDIDATES who seek local’s endorsement to fill-out questionnaire. NO CANDIDATE should receive endorsement of local without first filling out questionnaire.
3. Questionnaire should be mailed out at least 2 weeks prior to local’s interview
a. GCOPE committee shall be the interview panel. All local members who have made voluntary deductions as indicated in (E) above are eligible to attend the interviews.
b. The interview session shall be announced to the membership a minimum of five business days in advance.
c. The GCOPE committee shall organize and conduct the interview session.
6. Moderate Discussion: After all interviews are completed, candidates will be asked to leave and a discussion/debate shall take place among members present. The GCOPE Chair shall facilitate the discussion using Robert’s Rules of Order.
7. The GCOPE Committee shall communicate which candidate(s) the local union shall endorse and why within two business days of the conclusion of the endorsement meeting.