Deep Green Resistance:
By-Laws
Article 1: General
Article 2: Steering Committee
Article 3: Administration
Article 4: Membership
Article 5: Chapters
Article 6: Meetings
Article 7: Caucuses
Article 8: Conflict Resolution
Article 9: Finances
Article 1: General
Section 1: Name and Affiliation
The name of this organization shall be Deep Green Resistance (often abbreviated “DGR”).
Section 2: Purpose
DGR’s goal is to advance the aboveground strategies laid out in the book Deep Green Resistance: Strategy to Save the Planet, including, but not limited to:
a)Building a culture of resistance against industrial civilization;
b)Normalizing the idea of underground resistance; and
c)Engaging in aboveground political struggles.
Section 3: Dissolution
Any action to dissolve the organization must be approved by a two-thirds vote of eligible voting members, as well as a unanimous vote of the Steering Committee. If the organization is dissolved, the finances and other assets will be distributed to the 501c3 non-profit organization, Fertile Ground Environmental Institute.
Section 4: Statement of Principles
a)The soil, the air, the water, the climate, and the food we eat are created by complex communities of living creatures. The needs of those living communities are primary; individual and social morality must emerge from a humble relationship with the web of life.
b)Civilization, especially industrial civilization, is fundamentally destructive to life on earth. Our task is to create a life-centered resistance movement that will dismantle industrial civilization by any means necessary. Organized political resistance is the only hope for our planet.
c)Deep Green Resistance works to end abuse at the personal, organizational, and cultural levels. We also strive to eradicate domination and subordination from our private lives and sexual practices. Deep Green Resistance aligns itself with feminists and others who seek to eradicate all social domination and to promote solidarity between oppressed peoples.
d)When civilization ends, the living world will rejoice. We must be biophilic people in order to survive. Those of us who have forgotten how must learn again to live with the land and air and water and creatures around us in communities built on respect and thanksgiving. We welcome this future.
e)Deep Green Resistance is a radical feminist organization. Men as a class are waging a war against women. Rape, battering, incest, prostitution, pornography, poverty, and gynocide are both the main weapons in this war and the conditions that create the sex-class women. Gender is not natural, not a choice, and not a feeling: it is the structure of women’s oppression. Attempts to create more “choices” within the sex-caste system only serve to reinforce the brutal realities of male power. As radicals, we intend to dismantle gender and the entire system of patriarchy which it embodies. The freedom of women as a class cannot be separated from the resistance to the dominant culture as a whole.
Section 5: Code of Conduct
a)Civilization, especially industrial civilization, is fundamentally destructive to life on Earth. Organized political resistance is the only hope for our planet. Our task is to create that resistance movement. With this goal in mind, we agree to adhere to the following Code of Conduct in our organizing groups:
b)Political Action: DGR groups will only engage in aboveground, non-violent activities. These can include legal demonstrations as well as civil disobedience.
c)Solidarity: Members of DGR remember that many non-indigenous nations and peoples acquire their wealth and power through ongoing land theft and genocide. One task of the non-indigenous is to build solidarity with indigenous people in defending the land, preserving traditional cultures, and protecting sacred ceremonies from exploitation.
d)Justice: We are enmeshed in overlapping systems of sadistic power built on stolen wealth, white privilege, misogyny, and human supremacism. As individuals, it is our responsibility to acknowledge those systems, overcome our entitlement, and make alliance with the dispossessed. Collectively, it is out task to bring those systems down.
e)Liberty: DGR groups have a zero-tolerance policy for the abuse of anyone, human or nonhuman. Physical integrity and emotional safety are basic human rights that DGR is sworn to defend. DGR will banish any members who rape, batter, or abuse any living creature. Masculinity, with its militarized psychology and its violation imperative, has to be abandoned personally and dismantled globally.
f)Character: DGR is a serious undertaking that requires loyalty, commitment, integrity, and courage. Members are expected to treat everyone with respect.
g)Security: All DGR members are required to abide by principles of security culture and to address breaches directly. Both lax security and paranoia are dangerous to our organization. All non-political illegal activity puts everyone at risk and is inappropriate for members. DGR groups are required to educate new members on security culture.
Article 2: Steering Committee
Section 1: Steering Committee
a)The Steering Committee is composed of seven to eleven members. Three of these members are the “Advisory Board”, which is unelected and permanent, and also made up of formal members of the organization. The other four to eight members are elected from among the general membership.
b)The purpose of the Advisory Board includes providing long-term continuity in organizational direction and to ensure that DGR remains aligned with the radical principles outlined in the DGR book.
c)If a member of the Advisory Board is unable to continue their functions due to death, disability, or any other reason, they can be replaced at the discretion of the remaining members of the Advisory Board.
d)All Steering Committee members are expected to provide a report to the Steering Committee on each bi-weekly conference call, miss no more than 2 out of every 4 conference calls, and contribute to each quarterly Steering Committee report.
e)In the event of a security emergency or other extenuating circumstance, a Steering Committee vote may be convened with a quorum of five Steering Committee members including all three Advisory Board members.
f)The Steering Committee is devoted to leadership, long term visioning, and strategizing for the future of the organization.
g)In voting matters, the Steering Committee will operate under standard practices to avoid conflicts of interest, such as notifying the Steering Committee when a real or perceived conflict of interest may exist and not participating in voting or discussions in such situations.
h)The Steering Committee shall release a quarterly report to the membership with organizational updates.
i)The material powers of the Steering Committee are:
(1)Membership Censure or Termination
If a charge is brought to the Conflict Resolution Committee that a member has acted against the Code or Conduct or Statement of Principles, the Steering Committee can call a vote amongst them to decide whether the transgression in question is grounds for action, including but not limited to dismissal from the organization.
(2)Funding Allocation
The Steering Committee will review each quarterly Member Action Proposal (MAP) at the start of each three month funding cycle, and will advise the Finance Director on which projects to prioritize for funding. After the Finance Director draws up a proposal of which proposals will receive funding, the Steering Committee will either approve that proposal or send it back for edits.
(3)By-Law Amendments
The By-Laws, Statement of Principles, and Code of Conduct can only be modified or amended by a unanimous vote of the Steering Committee.
(4)Administrative Term Extension
If a member of the Administrative Committee wishes to hold his or her position for another term instead of appointing a successor, the extension of his or her term must be approved by a majority vote of the Steering Committee including all three Advisory Board members.
(5)Administrative Appointments
New administrative appointees may be nominated by both Steering Committee members and the previous holder of the position in question, and will be decided by a majority vote of the Steering Committee. In the event that a member of the Administrative Committee is unable to complete their term AND unable to appoint an appropriate replacement, appointing someone to fill the position is the responsibility of the Steering Committee.
(6)Official Statements
When necessary, official statements representing DGR's organizational stances must either originate with the Steering Committee OR be approved by a unanimous vote of the Steering Committee.
(7)Administrative Oversight
The Steering Committee will hold periodic conference calls to review administrative functions of the Administrative Committee.
Section 2: Nominations
a)Any member in good standing who has maintained membership for 9 months may be nominated to serve by members of the Steering Committee. Questions of standing regarding whether nomination is appropriate will be decided by the Advisory Board.
b)Members who are nominated for a position in the Steering Committee, and who accept their nomination, should write or record a statement (not to exceed 300 words or 2 minutes in length) to provide personal background on their experience and desire to hold the position.
c)Members are encouraged to remember that putting members of marginalized groups into Steering positions is a high priority.
Section 3: Elections
a)Elections for the elected Steering Committee members will be held annually at the end of each calendar year, and all full members (non-probationary) ofDeep Green Resistance are eligible to vote.
b)To facilitate smooth transitions between Steering Committee groups, Committee members shall serve rolling 2-year terms, with a portion of the Committee being replaced any given year.
c)Nominations for new Steering Committee positions should be made by December 10th of each year, and elections held by December 20th.
d)No individual member shall hold a Steering Committee position for more than oneconsecutive term. After a year without holding a position, this member would again be eligible to do so. However, a single term may be extended to 3 years if circumstances require.
e)If it is necessary to add new member(s) to the Steering Committee in the middle of a year, the standard process shall be followed, but the process may be expedited within reason if necessary.the Steering Committee shall vote internally to add new members as needed.
Section 4: Meetings
The Steering Committee will maintain a “Record of Decisions” that will be open to all members and be briefly updated after each meeting. One member of the Steering Committee shall volunteer to maintain this list on the DGR forum and update it with relevant information.
Section 5: Positions
Elected members of the Steering Committee will hold specific positions. Each member will act as a “point person” for issues relating to their position. Note that Steering Committee members are strongly encouraged to delegate regular tasks relating to their role to other DGR members. This is to allow Steering Committee members to focus on the “big picture” of strategy and organizational direction.
Steering Committee Positions and responsibilities are:
a)Membership Director(s)
i)Supervising and helping to trouble-shoot issues relating to membership interviews, volunteer coordination, and the MAP cycle.
ii)Responsible for staffing or delegating the roles of MAP Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Chapter Coordinator, Conflict Resolution Committee, Personnel Coordinator, and New Member Interviewers.
b)Recruitment Director
i)Works to improve rates of recruitment and retention for members and volunteers.
c)Chapter Director
i)Oversees the formation and progress of chapters, maintains the map and directory of chapter information. Encourages and supports Chapter activity.
d)Security Director
i)Advising for all members on practical issues relating to underground promotion, security culture, and security protocols within DGR.
ii)Keeping track of our security culture resources and internal education.
iii)Being available to advise members who are contacted by law enforcement.
iv)Supervises the Underground Promotion Committee and the Password Coordinator.
e)Administrative Director(s)
i)Responsible for staffing or delegating Email Coordinator and Monthly Member Call Coordinator positions.
ii)Responsible for coordinating bi-weekly Steering Committee conference calls.
iii)Responsible for organizing Steering Committee elections and annual review of Administrative positions.
iv)Overseeing any necessary changes to bylaws and policies.
v)Ensuring that the Steering Committee produces a report each quarter.
f)Media/Outreach Director(s)
i)Supervising and helping to trouble shoot social media and other duties relating to literature, resources, and outreach.
ii)Responsible for staffing or delegating social media positions and Literature Coordinator position.
iii)Supervises and ensures that our online presence is organized, maintained, and expanded.
iv)Responsible for staffing or delegating Website Coordinator and Forum Coordinator positions.
g)Finance Director
i)Ensuring that DGR finances are organized, documented, and accounted for.
ii)Encouraging and coordinating fundraising efforts.
iii)Providing finance reports each quarter to aid in MAP funds dispensation, and yearly reports at the DGR conference.
iv)Distributing money as needed for DGR operations.
v)Supervises the Store Coordinator.
vi)The Finance Director position requires an assistant position in order to prevent fraud and misappropriation of funds. Duties shall be split between the two people in an appropriate fashion to achieve segregation of duties. The assistant shall not be a member of the Steering Committee.
h)Strategic Director
i)Responsible for supporting DGR members and chapters on issues relating to strategy.
ii)Supervises the campaigns coordinator.
iii)Responsible for overseeing yearly process of reviewing and settting organizational goals and strategy.
Article 3: Administration
Section 1: General
a)Administrative positions (such as News Service Director and Personnel Coordinator) are official roles within DGR that are separate from the Steering Committee.
b)The purpose of the Administrative positions is to perform the basic functions that keep the organization running.
c)If possible, members of the Steering Committee should not serve in Administrative roles to allow time and energy for overall planning.
Section 2: New Appointments
a)Administrative terms will currently be indefinite. As our organization grows, we may move to an election system for these positions. Each February all administrative positions will be reviewed so that people can step down if they need to do so.
b)New administrative appointees may be nominated by either Steering Committee members, the previous holder of the position in question, or by any DGR member and will be decided by a majority vote of the Steering Committee. Nominees must be members in good standing with at least 6 months of membership in DGR.
c)Members who are nominated for Administrative positions, and who accept their nomination, should write or record a statement (not to exceed 300 words or 2 minutes in length) to provide personal background on their experience and desire to hold a certain position to be posted on the forum.
d)Members who are interested in entering a certain administrative role should make this interest known to the member currently holding that position to discuss expectations and suitability.
e)In the event that an Administrator is unable to continue their work AND unable to appoint an appropriate replacement, appointing someone to fill the position is the responsibility of the Steering Committee. Members who are departing an administrative role are encouraged to nominate a successor and call a Steering Committee vote with enough time to train and acclimate the successor to their role.
f)If a current Administrative member wishes to hold his or her post for another term instead of appointing a successor, this must be approved by a vote of the Steering Committee. If they vote against that person continuing in that role, the Admin in question must appoint a successor.
Section 3: Positions
a)Administrative positions may change over time to accommodate changing organizational needs. Current positions include:
(1)News Service Editor-in-Chief
Responsible for the operation of the DGR News Service.
(2)Personnel Coordinator
Organizes and updates roster of member information, oversees the joining process and the development of recruits into members, as well as the training of new interviewers. Acting head of the Personnel Committee.
(3)Email Coordinator
Checks the main DGR email account and forwards emails to appropriate personnel.
(4)Member Call Coordinator
Coordinates the planning of regular conference calls for all DGR members. Facilitates and works to improve the function of these calls.
(5)MAP (Member Action Proposal) Coordinator
Oversees the quarterly submissions of Member Action Proposals, fields inquiries throughout the year about navigating the MAP system, works with the Member Director to keep track of which members are active/dues-paying.
(6)Assistant Finance Director
Works with financial and fundraising teams. Manages the DGR bank account, draws up proposed list of funding from member/chapter quarterly proposals, disburses money.
(7)Store Coordinator
Works with the finance team to coordinate sales and stocking for the DGR store (books, shirts, etc.)
(8)Literature Coordinator
Works to create, update, and distribute official DGR literature including pamphlets, handouts, and other educational materials, and assists members in using and distributing these materials.
(9)Website Coordinator
Oversees the maintenance and updating of the website, as well as all website-related logistics. Assists with Chapter websites.
(10)Forum Coordinator
Oversees the maintenance and moderation of the forum.
(11)Volunteer Coordinator
Responsible for tracking “help needed” positions in DGR.
(12)Translations Coordinator
Responsible for coordinating translations of DGR materials into various languages.
(13)Underground Promotion Coordinator
The UGP Coordinator works to promote and normalise the need for Underground Resistance.
(14)Campaigns Coordinator
Works to support and assist DGR members and allies in the organizing of campaigns and actions.
(15)Password Coordinator
Responsible for tracking DGR login information for official accounts. This login material is to be kept encrypted and secured at all times. Also tracks who has access to passwords, and helps coordinate periodic password changes.