Libertarian Party of York County
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I – NAME
This organization shall be known as the Libertarian Party of York County.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE & GOALS
The Libertarian Party of York County (also called the “county party”) is established to promote the values and principals of liberty through political, educational and social activities.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 – MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS. Persons wishing to become a voting member of Libertarian Party of York County must meet the following membership requirements: 1) they must have registered their membership with the secretary by signing the pledge; and 2) they must have paid dues as specified in Section 2 to the county party or a county committee.
SECTION 2 – DUES. Dues shall be set by majority vote of the membership present subject to review at the next regular meeting of the county party. Only members whose dues are paid up to date are permitted to vote.
SECTION 3 – ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. Individuals not meeting membership requirements may attend meetings as guests of members and may participate in meetings in a non-voting capacity subject to the discretion of the Chairman.
SECTION 4 – MEMBERSHIP TERMINATION. A member is terminated when: 1) the member notifies a member of the Executive Committee that they no longer wish to be a member; 2) dues are more than 60 days in arrears; or 3) upon a two thirds vote of the members present.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
SECTION 1 – GENERAL. Three permanent officer positions are established as follows: Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. One or more Vice-Chairpersons may be created pursuant to SECTION 3 below. Additional officer positions and permanent committee chairpersons may be created by majority vote at any regular meeting. Officers and permanent committee chairpersons are members of the Executive Committee. Officers shall take office immediately upon election by the membership.
SECTION 2 – CHAIRPERSON. The Chairperson (also referred to as the “chair”) shall preside over meetings, appoint members to permanent and special committees and perform such other duties as may be delegated by the Executive Committee or the membership.
SECTION 3 – VICE CHAIRMAN. At least one Vice-Chairperson shall be elected if no Vice Chairperson is elected pursuant to Article IV Section 8. The Vice-Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson and perform such other duties as may be delegated by the Executive Committee or the membership. Vice-Chairs or an appointed substitute shall make reports on the activities of their respective county committee. In the event there are multiple Vice-Chairpersons, the Chairperson will determine an order of precedence in the event it is necessary for the Vice-Chair to perform the duties of the Chair. In the event that vice-chairs are elected by county committees any vice-chair not representing a county committee and holding office at the adoption of this section may serve out their term.
SECTION 4 – SECRETARY. The Secretary shall keep minutes, correspondence and other non-financial records of the county Party and carry out such functions duties as may be delegated by the Executive Committee or the membership.
SECTION 5 – TREASURER. The Treasurer shall keep county Party funds, financial records, make disbursements as directed by the county Party or the Executive Committee and carry out such duties as may be delegated by the Executive Committee or the membership.
SECTION 6 – PERMANENT COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS. Permanent or standing committees may be created by a majority vote with a quorum present at any meeting. Creation of such committees will be duly noted in the By-laws. The Chairman appoints and removes members of permanent committees.
SECTION 7 – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Officers and permanent committee chairpersons are members of the Executive Committee. The function of the executive committee is to coordinate county party activities between regular meetings of the membership and to authorize officer and committee action within the restraints of this constitution and the by-laws. The Executive Committee may adopt such rules of procedure as they deem appropriate.
SECTION 8 – COUNTY COMMITTEES. When at a meeting of the county party it is judged that sufficient members exist to form a county committee within the county, this may be done by a majority vote of those present. Each county committee shall be organized as follows:
1. Each county committee will be governed by the county party constitution and bylaws as is applicable to the county committee. The county committee may make create additional by-laws provided they do not conflict with the county party constitution or by-laws.
2. Each county committee shall elect officers and make other committee assignments consistent with the county party constitution.
3. One member of the county committee shall be designated to represent the county committee to the county party. This individual will be a Vice-Chairperson on the county party.
4. Each county committee may raise and spend moneys independent of the county party. County party resources may be used to support the activities of the county committee. Each county committee may endorse candidates for office provided the candidates meet any requirements as specified by the county party.
5. It is the intent of this section to cause semi-autonomous political committees to come into existence in order to expand the membership and resources of the Libertarian Party within the county. It is further the intent to accord each county committee the greatest possible independence of action consistent with established policies of the county party.
6. Members who are enrolled by a county committee will pay dues to the county party.
7. A county committee may represent itself as the Libertarian Party of York County in its correspondence and official documents.
8. A county committee may be dissolved by a two thirds vote at any county party meeting
SECTION 9 – ELECTION AND VACANCIES. Officers shall be elected for one year terms on a date specified in the by-laws. When vacancies occur where there is less than six months remaining in the officer’s term, an acting officer may be appointed by the Chair to fill the unexpired term. Otherwise the position shall be filled by nomination and election at the next two monthly meetings consistent with the annual election procedure; in such a case the Chair may appoint an acting officer until that election occurs. All members must receive prior notification of time and place of all elections.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS
SECTION 1 – REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular monthly meetings shall be held at a regular date every month as provided for in the by-laws. The chair may with suitable notice reschedule a specific meeting as circumstances warrant.
SECTION 2 – SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee or by petition of one third of the entire membership. The Secretary shall notify all members of special meetings.
SECTION 3 – QUORUM. A Quorum for a regular or special meeting shall be one-third of the “active membership”. The “active membership” shall consist of all members of the county party who have not missed the last three consecutive regular and special meetings. The secretary will keep a running roster of members attending past meetings to determine this quorum at any given time. A Chair or Vice-Chair must be present at any meeting.
SECTION 4 – PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE. All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order. At the discretion of the Chairman, the rules of procedure under Robert’s Rules may be interpreted loosely and in an informal manner provided the spirit of Robert’s Rules is maintained. By a majority vote of those present, the Chair may be required to strictly adhere to Robert’s Rules.
SECTION 5 – VOTING. All decisions at meetings shall be by majority vote except as provided for in this constitution.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
This constitution may be amended by a two thirds vote of those present at a regular meeting provided that the amendment is offered at a prior regular meeting and all members receive written notification of the proposed amendment prior to the time of the vote.
ARTICLE IX – BY-LAWS
Permanent policies and rules of procedure may be established by majority vote with a quorum at any meeting and will be incorporated into written by-laws as necessary providing that they do not contradict this constitution.
ADOPTION
Adopted this 13th day of February 1996.
Last Amended 11 February 1997