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Article III

General Principles and Guarantees

This article covers the guaranteed rights of members in GEO, including the right to be a member, to hold fair elections, to access accurate information about accounting and organizational finances, and participation in decision-making.

Proposed Changes

Updating the constitutional anti-discrimination language to be identical to the collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, the article is simplified by combining the "Rights to Membership" section with the "Democratic Elections" section.

Why are these changes are recommended?

These changes make sure that we uphold the same standards against discrimination that we advocate during bargaining.

Constitutional Language

Current Language

III. General Principles and Guarantees
  • A. Rights to Membership: No person otherwise eligible for membership in this Organization (as provided herein) shall be denied membership for any reason.
  • B. Democratic Elections: Members shall have the right to fair and democratic elections, at all levels of the Organization. This includes due notice of nominations and elections, equal opportunity for competing candidates, and proper election procedures which shall be constitutionally specified.
  • C. Right to Hold Office: Members shall have an equal right to run for and hold office, subject only to constitutionally specified qualifications, uniformly applied.
  • D. Accounting of Funds: Members shall have the right to a full and clear accounting of Organization funds at all levels. Such accounting shall include, but not be limited to, periodic reports to the membership by appropriate fiscal officers and annual audits of all financial records by independent auditors not otherwise connected with the Organization upon petition of twenty (20) percent of the membership or in order to satisfy the requirements of law or when required by labor federations with which the Organization may be affiliated.
  • E. Participation in Decisions: Members shall have the right to full participation through discussion and vote, in the decision-making processes of the Organization, and to information required for the full exercise of this right.

Proposed Language

III. General Principles and Guarantees
  • A. Rights to Membership: Every person eligible for membership, as provided herein, shall have the right of membership and an equal opportunity to hold office regardless of race, creed, color, ethnic or religious background, national origin, descent or nationality, native language, ancestry, marital status, familial status, parental status, pregnancy status, number of dependents, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, or membership in any social or political organization.
  • B. Democratic Elections: Members shall have the right to fair and democratic elections at all levels of the Organization. This includes due notice of nominations and elections, equal opportunity for competing candidates, and proper election procedures which shall be constitutionally specified.
  • C. Accounting of Funds: Members shall have the right to a full and clear accounting of Organization funds at all levels. Such accounting shall include, but not be limited to, periodic reports to the membership by appropriate fiscal officers and annual audits of all financial records by independent auditors not otherwise connected with the Organization upon petition of twenty (20) percent of the membership or in order to satisfy the requirements of law or when required by labor federations with which the Organization may be affiliated.
  • D. Participation in Decisions: Members shall have the right to full participation through discussion and vote, in the decision-making processes of the Organization, and to information required for the full exercise of this right.

 
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