To educate and activate members in support of progressive causes and candidates.

Membership

To be eligible for membership a person must pay annual dues. Membership status is required to vote in the annual officer elections or to vote on any item brought to the membership that requires membership approval, including donations of WGG funds to non-profit organizations.

Annual Dues

Annual dues are $20 and may be paid at any time for the calendar year. Changes in dues may be proposed by the Executive Committee and presented to the membership for approval.

Use of Membership Dues

Dues are used to pay for room rental space for monthly meetings, reimbursement to WGG Executive Committee for expenses for WGG business and for donations to non-profit organizations.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is composed of 4 officers elected by the membership: President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Immediate Past President serves on the Executive Committee as well as three at-large members and the Communications Manager, all appointed by the President from the general membership. Suggested duties of the Executive Committee can be found in Appendix A. This committee meets as needed.

Annual Meetings

The Annual Meeting is held in December each year, at which time the members elect officers for the new calendar year and vote on any matters that require membership approval.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee is appointed by the president two months before the Annual Meeting. The committee is composed of three (3) WGG members who are not current office holders. The committee will call for officer nominations by the members four weeks before the Annual Meeting. Two weeks before the meeting, the Nominating Committee will present the slate of officers to WGG membership to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. Nominations will be accepted from the floor at the Annual Meeting.
Term of Office is two years to begin on January 1st following the election at the Annual Meeting. Terms are staggered in order to provide continuity. Two officers will be elected every election cycle.

Monthly Meetings

WGG Meetings are held once a month (usually on the 1st Monday of each month). During election years monthly meetings are suspended (typically August through Election Day to allow for volunteer workdays at the Travis County Democratic Party (TCDP) Coordinated Campaign HQ.

Audio or Video Taping is not allowed at WGG meetings without the advance approval of the Executive Committee. This rule protects our members’ privacy.

Guidelines for WGG volunteer work

The WGG organization commits to recruit volunteers from its membership for the TDCP Coordinated Campaign from August through Election Day during each election cycle. There is no requirement for WGG members to participate.
Organizations who need volunteers for a project (labor) may make a request to the President to inform the membership of a volunteer opportunity. WGG members, individually, choose to sign up for any opportunities offered.

Guidelines for WGG Fundraising

The WGG organization does not have a fundraising arm: either to raise money for the WGG organization or to raise money for other organizations, candidates or causes. The WGG organization does not lend its name to other entities to label any of their projects as “WGG projects” or to fundraise using the WGG name. Each WGG member, individually, may choose to participate in fundraising and/or contribute to any organization, candidate or cause.

Guidelines for Supporting Candidates:

WGG supports and works for candidates who reflect our progressive values. However:

1. During the primary election cycle (which includes runoff elections):
   a) as an organization, WGG will not endorse any candidate;
   b) WGG members agree to refrain from using the WGG email list or Facebook page to endorse candidates;
   c) candidates are requested to limit posts to our Facebook page to announcements and information about events.
2.  During the general election cycle WGG supports and works for the Democratic party nominees.  Individual members are free to support and work for any candidate of their choice during any phase of an election cycle.

Protocol for candidates attending WGG meetings:

1. Only candidates invited to participate in a WGG candidate forum may distribute their campaign literature at a WGG meeting.
2.  All candidates, including invited forum participants and those who attend as visitors, may actively campaign at the adjournment of meetings (outside of the meeting venue).
3.  No yard signs are allowed into the venue.