BYLAWS of The Libertarian Party of
Allen County
Approved at the 2021 Annual
Convention
Saturday, Feb.
6, 2021, 5-8pm
Liberty
Diner, 2929 Goshen Rd., Fort Wayne, IN
Article I Name,
Identity, and Structure
Article II
Statement of Purpose, Function, and
Principles
Article III
Membership
Article IV
Business Meetings
Article V
Officers
Article VI
Conventions
Article VII
Adoption, Amendments, Standing Rules, Affiliation
ARTICLE I – NAME, IDENTITY, AND STRUCTURE
Sec 1. Name. Libertarian Party of Allen County (Indiana),
hereinafter referred to as the “LPAC”.
Sec 2. Structure. The LPAC is a political organization constituted
by its membership and is affiliated (see Art VII, 4) with the
Libertarian Party of Indiana, hereinafter referred to as the “LPIN”.
Sec 3. Bona Fide Party. The LPAC is a bona fide political party
under the laws of the State of Indiana and is authorized to receive political
contributions. The LPAC accepts political contributions in its name.
Sec 4. Device. The official device of the LPAC shall be a
monochrome silhouette of the Statue of Liberty, a symbol which is also known as
Lady Liberty.
Sec 5. Address. The current
mailing address of the LPAC is the Treasurer’s mailing address. (Adopted 4/15/2018, and typo fixed 1/5/2020.)
This section shall be amended as necessary.
ARTICLE II – STATEMENT OF PURPOSE, FUNCTION, AND PRINCIPLES
Sec 1. Purpose. The primary purpose of the LPAC is to promote
individual liberty and to eliminate the intervention of government in moral,
social, and economic affairs by fielding and supporting Libertarian candidates
for public office.
Sec 2. Function. To recruit, nominate, and elect candidates for all
county, city, township, and town and judicial offices within Allen County; to
assist the LPIN in recruitment, nomination, and election of candidates to State
legislative and U.S. Congressional offices that affect all or part of Allen
County; to select LPAC delegates and alternate delegates to the annual business
meetings of the LPIN’s annual convention, hereinafter referred to as the “State
Convention”.
Sec 3. Principles.
a. That all people possess certain
natural rights, to wit: the right to life, liberty, justly acquired property,
and self-governance.
b. That the only moral basis of
government is the preservation and protection of those rights.
c. That no person or institution,
public or private, has the right to initiate the use of physical force or fraud
against another person or institution, and that all people are bound, without
contract to abstain from infringing upon the natural rights of other people.
d. That all people are entitled to
choose their own lifestyles so long as they do not forcibly impose their values
on others.
e. That the voluntary and
unrestricted exchange of goods and services is fundamental to a peaceful and
harmonious society.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Sec 1. Any person may join the Libertarian Party of Allen
County if that person meets the following requirements:
#1) A legal citizen of the United
States of America and/OR subject to the jurisdiction thereof,
#2) Maintains a residence inside
of Allen County. (Adopted 4/21/2017)
and
#3) Signs a membership form including an endorsement of
Libertarian basic values and pledge to uphold Libertarian basic values. (added 2/6/2021)
b. Membership dues and renewal period and any other
membership requirements or information may be added or changed on the form, and
application and enforcement enabled, by a 3/4 vote of officers at any business
meeting or emergency meeting or LPAC convention. (added 2/6/2021)
Sec. 2. All Allen County residents who are current members of the
LPIN are considered members of the LPAC. (This sentence moved to Art. III, Sec. 2
& adopted 4/21/2017)
Sec. 3. Anyone who is a member of the LPIN and is from an
unaffiliated county can be made a member of the LPAC by a 2/3 vote at
convention or by a 3/4 vote at a business meeting. (Moved to Art III, Sec. 3
4/21/2017. Originally adopted 20 Nov 06)
Sec. 4. Expulsion of members.
a)
Any member of the LPAC may be expelled and banned from attending
business meetings. To expel a member
will require a unanimous vote of all officers.
All officers must explain in
writing to the membership the basis of their decision, if the expelled person
requests it. (The last phrase added 2/6/2021)
b) The person being
expelled will have the right to appeal to the membership of the LPAC at the
next (or current) business meeting. Banning will not apply to this one-time
meeting. The membership may override the
decision with a simple majority vote.
c) The banned person may be submitted by an
officer for re-instatement by majority vote of the officers. (All
of Sec. 4 adopted 4/21/2017)
ARTICLE IV – BUSINESS MEETINGS
Sec 1. Meetings. The LPAC shall hold business meetings monthly or
as needed to conduct LPAC business. The date, time, and location shall be
determined by the Chairperson. Reasonable notice shall be given to all LPAC
members. The Chairperson shall determine the meeting agenda subject to change
by majority vote at the meeting.
a) No proxy voting. (Adopted
4/21/2017, and moved from Art. III, Sec. 3, 2/6/2021)
b) “Attendance”or “present” is defined as each individual
being able to interact in 2-way communication with all in attendance. (added
2/6/2021)
Sec 2. Purpose. The business meeting serves to control and manage
all of the affairs and property of the LPAC consistent with these bylaws. All
expenditures of the LPAC property shall be made by a motion from the floor,
have been seconded and passed by majority vote of the members present.
Sec 3. Quorum. A quorum at the business meeting shall be the
presence of the Chairman and another officer
plus 10% of registered members. In
absence of such, all officers may constitute a
quorum, or two officers and 3
LPAC members. (added 2/6/2021)
This definition applies to all Allen County
Libertarian meetings, conventions, and business where a quorum is required.
Sec. 4 - Business meetings may be deemed private for Libertarian
Party members only and thus may exclude non-members. (Adopted 4/21/2017)
Sec. 5 - While most business meetings are open to the public, it
may be necessary to ban a non-member from attending a certain meeting.
This may be done by a simple majority vote of officers. The
officers may be overridden by a majority of the membership in attendance. (Amended 2/6/2021) The officers
must state the cause for banning an individual. (Adopted 4/21/2017)
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
Sec 1. Four officers. The officers of the LPAC shall be in ranked order (Amended
2/6/2021) a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. These four officers are required to be members
of the LPIN and LPAC
(Amended 2/6/2021).
Sec 2. Election of officers. Officers of the LPAC shall be elected
at the annual convention for two-year terms. (2-year terms adopted
4/15/2018)
The sequence will be in their ranked order starting with
Chairperson, unless a majority of officers determined another order, and
included that order in the convention notice.
NOTA (None of the Above) will always be on the ballot.
Elections will be conducted in this manner: after a round
of voting for one office, any candidate earning 51% or more is declared the
winner; if none, then the lowest scoring candidate is dropped and another vote
is taken in the same way until a 51% winner is reached.
Officers shall be elected by
secret ballot unless uncontested, in which case election may be by acclimation.
Tallying of the vote shall be by an officer not on that
ballot and one or more persons unrelated to and un-influenced by any candidate
on that ballot.
Officers shall take office upon
the close of the annual convention and serve thereafter until the final
adjournment of the next convention at which officers are elected. (Amended
2/17/2019)
Sec 3. Roles and responsibilities of the officers.
a) Chairperson. The
Chairperson shall preside over all business meetings and conventions and shall
be the official spokesperson of the LPAC. The Chairperson may appoint such
committees as are deemed necessary to conduct LPAC business.
1.)
The Chairperson shall be responsible for signing all checks written by the Treasurer.
(Adopted 18 July 05.) (Amended 17
Feb. 2019)
b) Vice Chairperson. The
Vice Chairperson shall serve in the absence of the Chairperson and shall be
responsible for the training and coordination of precinct committee persons. (Amended 17 Feb. 2019)
c) Secretary. The Secretary
shall record the minutes of all LPAC meetings and conventions, be the custodian
of said minutes, the bylaws and its amendments, committee reports, standing
rules, and correspondence designated by the Chairperson.
1.)
The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining a master list of all information
required under Article 5, Section VIII and dispersing this information in a
timely manner to all other officers. (Adopted 13 June 05)
d) Treasurer. The Treasurer
shall be the custodian of all assets, be responsible for the filing of all
campaign finance forms, and for maintaining the list of current LPAC members.
1.) The
Treasurer shall be responsible for writing all checks to pay debts incurred by
the Libertarian Party of Allen County. (Adopted 18 July 05)
Sec
4. Removal of Officers.
a) Officers who are elected in
convention may be removed only by 2/3 vote in convention or ¾ vote at a business
meeting for cause.
b) An officer may be removed by all the remaining officers
in a vote at any time, that vote subject to reversal if not approved at the
next business meeting by a ¾ vote or a 2/3 vote at a sooner county
convention. (Amended 2/6/2021)
Sec 5. Vacancies. In the event of removal or resignation of any
officer the Chairperson shall give notice to all LPAC members of such vacancy.
The Chairperson may fill such vacancies pending majority approval of the LPAC
membership at the next business meeting following the notice.
If a majority approval vote fails, nominations for
candidates from the floor will be taken and voted upon, in the same method as
convention voting. (Amended 2/6/2021)
In case of a tie vote, the Chair or acting Chair gets two
votes. (Amended 2/6/2021)
Sec 6. Standing rules. For the LPAC to be in harmony with these
bylaws and to facilitate the smooth flow of business at meetings and
conventions standing rules may be written and made available for general use.
Standing rules may be adopted by ¾
vote at a business meeting or 2/3 vote in convention. Standing rules may be
repealed by a 2/3 vote at a business meeting or simple majority at convention.
Sec 7. Authority to Contract. No one shall have the authority to
contract for goods or services on behalf of the LPAC without the consent of the
Chairperson and/or the Treasurer. The Chairperson and the Treasurer have
the authority to purchase office related materials or services.
Sec 8. Knowledge of all operational assets. All officers shall be
informed of any and all information that may be needed to operate any accounts,
offices, security codes, computer accounts, passwords and any other information
that may be deemed necessary. (Adopted
13 June 05)
ARTICLE VI – CONVENTIONS
Sec 1. Annual convention. The LPAC shall hold an annual convention
(amended 12/26/2018), ideally prior to the LPIN state convention. It shall be
used to: elect officers of the LPAC; to make annual report of the LPAC
financial condition; to amend the bylaws and standing rules (Amended 2/6/2021); to elect delegates and
alternate delegates from the LPAC to the LPIN state convention; and to nominate
candidates for public offices in accordance with Article I, Section 2 of these
bylaws. (Amended 2/6/2021)
Sec. 2 ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
LPAC members may vote without delay at the LPAC
convention. (Amended
2/6/2021)
However, a person who is only an
LPAC member must be a member for 30 days before the LPAC convention to be
elected an officer. [See Art. III, Sec. 2]
(Amended 4/15/2018)
Attendance at the annual
convention is open to all LPAC members and their guests. Until we get really
big the convention shall be free of charge, but a nominal fee may be charged to
defray the cost of the convention facilities. Only LPAC members may vote to
elect officers of the LPAC; to amend these bylaws; to elect delegates and
alternate delegates from the LPAC to the LPIN State convention; and to nominate
candidates for public office.
Sec 3. Notice of convention. The Chairperson shall notify all LPAC
members of the date, time, location and agenda of the annual convention at least
30 days prior to such convention by any method reasonably certain to reach the
membership. (Amended from 45 to 30 days
4/15/2018)
Sec 4. Order of business. After the call to order the first order
of business is to credential and seat the members of the LPAC. The
minutes of the last convention shall be read and approved. The Chairperson may
submit or adopt rules and/or agenda on his or her own initiative, subject to
the approval by simple majority of the membership present. The Treasurer shall
give the LPAC’s annual financial report.
Sec 5. Motions in writing. All motions to amend these bylaws shall
be made in writing and submitted to the Chairperson prior to the call to order.
The Chairperson shall present them to the membership for approval by simple
majority.
Sec 6. Credentials. The Chairperson shall appoint a member to
verify membership in the LPAC. Only verified members present shall be allowed
to vote on any business introduced in convention. No voting by proxy shall be
allowed.
Sec 7. Nomination of candidates. The annual convention shall
nominate candidates for county, city, township, and town offices within Allen
County. Individual members may declare their candidacy for office. Approval of
nominations made by either method shall be by simple majority. Nominations or
declarations of US Congressional, State Legislative, or Judicial offices
affecting all or part of Allen County shall be made and approved by simple
majority.
Sec 8. Election of delegates to the LPIN convention. The annual
convention (or a business meeting prior to the State convention) shall be used
to elect delegates and alternate delegates to the State convention. Any
delegate positions not filled prior to the State convention may be filed by
appointments made by the highest ranking LPAC officer planning to attend the
State convention, with the consent of the appointee.
Sec 9. Candidate endorsement. The LPAC shall not endorse any
candidate who opposes a candidate that is nominated by the LPIN or the LPAC.
The LPAC membership should carefully consider in convention or at the business
meeting the endorsement of any non-member declaring their candidacy as a
Libertarian.
Sec. 10: In the event of a
tie vote for the election of officers, delegates or the nomination of
candidates, the Chairman’s vote will count twice unless the vote involves the
sitting Chairman.
a) If the
same vote involves the sitting
Chairman, then the highest-ranking officer not affected by the vote shall have
their vote counted twice. (Amended 4/15/2018)
ARTICLE VII – ADOPTION, AMENDMENTS, STANDING RULES, AFFILIATION
Sec 1. Adoption. These bylaws shall be adopted when approved by a
majority of LPAC members present at the
annual convention at which the bylaws were presented for adoption. These bylaws
shall take effect immediately upon the close of the convention.
Sec 2. Amendments. These bylaws may be amended by 2/3 of the votes
counted of LPAC members attending the annual convention. All amendments shall
take effect immediately upon the close of the convention.
Sec 3. Standing Rules. Standing rules may be introduced as a motion
by any LPAC member and adopted, rescinded, or amended at any annual convention
or business meeting. See Article V, Section 6.
Sec 4. Affiliation with LPIN. The LPAC hereby ratifies these bylaws
and authorizes the undersigned officers to petition the LPIN for official
affiliation in accordance with existing LPIN requirements.
Typo in Art VI, Sec 1, corrected
and approved 12-26-2018.
Amendments approved Feb. 17, 2019,
Jan. 5, 2020, Feb. 6, 2021, at annual
LPAC conventions.
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