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The Libertarian Party of Okaloosa CountyThe Party of Principle - Individual Rights, Free Markets, and Limited Government |
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10 Sep 2009 Statement of Principles, Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules of the Libertarian Party of Okaloosa County
Statement of Principles We, the members of the Libertarian Party, challenge the cult of the omnipotent state and defend the rights of the individual. We hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, as long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose. Governments throughout history have regularly operated on the opposite principle, that the State has the right to dispose of the lives of the individuals and the fruits of their labors. Even within the United States, all political parties other than our own grant to government the right to regulate the lives of individuals and seize the fruit of their labor without their consent. We, on the contrary, deny the right of any government to do these things, and hold that where governments exist they must not violate the rights of any individual: namely 1) the right to life – accordingly we support the prohibition of the initiation of physical force against others; 2) the right to liberty of speech and action – accordingly we oppose all attempts by government to abridge the freedom of speech and the press, as well as government censorship in any form; and 3) the right to property – accordingly we oppose all government interference with private property, such as confiscation, nationalization, and eminent domain, and support the prohibition of robbery, trespass, fraud and misrepresentation. Since governments, when instituted, must not violate individual rights, we oppose all interference by government in the areas of voluntary and contractual relations among individuals. People should not be forced to sacrifice their lives and property for the benefit of others. They should be left free to deal with one another as free traders; and the resultant economic system, the only one compatible with the protection of the individual rights, is the free market. Article 1. Name and Object Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Libertarian Party of Okaloosa County hereinafter referred to as the LPOC Section 2. The object and purpose of the LPOC is to engage in political action in Okaloosa County of the State of Florida, to serve as an affiliate organization of the Libertarian Party of Florida in State Politics, and to serve the Libertarian Party in national politics. Section 3. The purpose of the LPOC is to implement and give voice to the principles embodied in the Statement of Principles currently adopted by the LPOC by:
Article 2. Membership Section 1. LPOC membership is open to whomever signs the pledge: “ I hereby certify that I do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as a means to achieve political or social goals.” Section 2. Matters pertaining to membership classification shall be prescribed in the Standing Rules Article 3. Officers and Executive Committee Section 1. The officers of the LPOC shall be a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The duties and election of the Officers shall be specified in the By-Laws. By amendment to these articles by the 1994 Party Convention, provisions may be made for additional officer positions. Officers shall comprise the Executive Committee. Section 2. The powers of the Executive Committee shall be prescribed in the By-Laws and Standing Rules, to provide the control and management of all the affairs, properties and funds of the LPOC consistent with this Constitution. Article 4. Meetings *Section 1. The LPOC shall hold a General Meeting at least two times a year to be scheduled by vote of the Executive Committee. Every reasonable means will be used to notify the general membership 15 days in advance of the General Meeting date. Section 2. The conduct of the business and meetings of the Executive Committee shall be prescribed by the By-Laws and Standing Rules. Article 5. Statement of Principles Section 1. The Statement of Principles of the Libertarian Party is hereby ratified Article 6. Adoption and Amendments Section 1. This Constitution shall be adopted when approved by a simple majority of the members of the April 1994 meeting. Section 2. Amendments to the Constitution may be made by the General membership as proscribed in the By-Laws. The By Laws Article 1. Membership** Section 1. Suspension of Officers and members shall be reserved to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall have the power to suspend Officers or members by two-thirds vote. Article 2. Officers and Executive Committee Members Section 1. Election * Non-Officer members of the Executive Committee will be elected at the annual election meeting for a term of one year. The term begins at the close of the election meeting and ends at the adjournment of the next election meeting. Officers will be elected for two year terms. The office of Chairperson and Treasurer will run staggered to the offices of Secretary and Vice-Chairperson. To implement this structure, the 1994 annual election meeting will elect the officeholders of Chairperson and Treasurer for one year. A simple plurality is required for the election. A tie will be broken by a toss of the coin.
Section 2. Vacancies
Section 3. Duties*
Section 4. Meetings of the Executive Committee
Section 5. Unable to form a quorum/non scheduled elections* In the event the Executive Committee is permanently unable to form a quorum, remaining members of the Executive Committee, or volunteers from the general membership, will advertise and stage new elections within 60 days of the date the quorum became ineffective. A)All Executive Committee members shall undergo elections, including those who are still active B)If the date the quorum became ineffective is within six months of the date of scheduled elections, the term of the elected officers will extend to a maximum of two years and six months. C)If the date the quorum became ineffective is greater than six months from the date of scheduled elections, the officers shall campaign for reelection at the scheduled time. D)In order to maintain staggered election times, in the event a non scheduled election must be held, the Chairman and Treasurer will have a term of one year (maximum of one year and six months in office) to be followed by a normal two year term if they are reelected and the quorum remains effective. E)Every reasonable means will be used to notify the General membership 15 days in advance of the non scheduled election, and rules regarding proxy and absentee voting. Article 3. Meetings : Objects of Action Section 1. Agenda
Section 2. General – Robert’s rules of Order shall be the Parliamentary authority for all matters not covered by the Constitution, By-Laws and Standing Rules. Section 3. Finance and Accounting
Article 4. Adoption and Amendments* Section 1. Adoption of the By-Laws shall be consistent with the adoption of the Constitution. Section 2. Amendments may be made by a proposal from the floor of any General Meeting and is approved by a majority vote of the membership in attendance, and by any proxy or absentee votes cast in accordance with established rules. The proposal must be made in writing. The Standing Rules Article 1. Membership** Section 1. Any individual registered to vote as a Libertarian in Okaloosa County has the privilege of voting in the annual elections, the right of appointment to committees, the right to attend committee meetings as an observer or a witness the right of nomination to the office for which they are qualified by law. Section 2. Membership shall be reviewed annually through the voting list of the Supervisor of Elections. This membership shall be credential for all meetings and elections of the LPOC. Article 2. Fees and Donations** Donations should be made to the LPOC in keeping with the laws governing donations to political parties and candidates. Such funds shall be expended at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Article 3. Election of Officers, Nomination of Candidates.** Section 1. All candidates for any office or political office will be asked to confirm libertarian principles before nomination and support by the LPOC Executive Committee. Candidates must have qualifications according to the law for the office they seek. A majority vote of the Executive Committee is necessary to nominate a candidate for public office. Section 2. All candidates nominated must be able to serve if elected. Article 4. Executive Committee Meetings Section 1. The Executive Committee shall meet at such time and place as directed by the Chairperson, or at the written request of one-third or more of the Executive Committee. Notice shall be given in such manner to insure a quorum. Section 2. The Executive Committee may without meeting, conduct business by communication, voting on questions put to them by or with the approval of the Chairperson. Such vote shall be kept by the Secretary until the next meeting and then such vote shall be incorporated in the minutes. A majority vote of the Committee shall prevail. If an affirmative majority vote of more than one-half the members is not recorded within thirty days (30) the question will have failed. Section 3. Proxy voting shall not be allowed, but members can vote on specific questions by written notice. Voting by telephone can be conducted if no objections are raised. Section 4. The Executive Committee, after review with the member concerned, may, by a two-thirds vote, suspend a member of the party, or an officer of the Executive Committee. Section 5. The immediate past Chairperson shall serve on the Executive Committee and be entitled to all due notices, but shall not have the right to vote. Article 5. Spokesperson Section 1. The Chairperson shall speak for and at the direction of the Executive Committee and the Party. Section 2. Persons speaking for the LPOC shall have the express approval of the Chairperson, or reserve their comments to personal comments. Article 6. Annual election Meeting Agenda Section 1. The Executive Committee shall manage all election meetings. Section 2. Any members may request the Executive Committee to include on the agenda any item. Such requests shall be made in writing to the Chairperson within seven days of the election meeting. Section 3. The agenda must include all items required by the By-Laws and the Standing Rules. Article 7. Annual Election Date* Section 1. The annual election date shall be within the first calendar quarter of each year as determined by the Executive Committee. Under no circumstances will the annual election date be extended past the first quarter. Every reasonable means will be used to notify the General membership 15 days in advance of the annual election date. Section 2. Special elections of the LPOC may be called by the Executive Committee whenever necessary and appropriate. Article 8. Nomination of Political Candidates Section 1. Nominees for political office must be members of the LPOC, the LPF and the LP. Section 2. Endorsement of political candidates from other political parties is not permitted. Article 9. Amendments to the Standing Rules Section 1. Adoption of the Standing Rules will be consistent with the Constitution. Section 2. The Standing Rules may be changed by a majority vote of the members at a General Meeting. Section 3. No change in the rules of the Executive Committee may have the effect of imposing a head tax on the membership. Section 4. No change in the rules by the Executive Committee shall have the effect of disenfranchising a member. Section 5. No change in the rules shall deny the autonomy of the individual member, except as provided in the Constitution and By-Laws. * indicates sections changed at the 10 Sep 09 General Meeting ** indicates sections changed at the 5 Jan 08 General Meeting |
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LPOC Statement of Principles, Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules of the Libertarian Party of Okaloosa County 10 Sep 2009 At bottom of page |
