PROPOSED NEW SET OF BYLAWS FOR LPAC at 1/24/2024 Convention

 PROPOSED NEW BYLAWS submitted to LPAC by LPIN to be more in compliance with state and national regulations and to be more similar to other Indiana County Libertarian Parties.

Acceptance of these bylaws and any amendments will be voted on at the Jan, 28, 2024, noon LPAC convention in Mad Anthony's back room, 2002 Broadway, Fort Wayne, IN.

-- THE BELOW IS A DRAFT OF A PROPOSED SET OF BYLAWS, NOT APPROVED AS OF THIS POSTING. -----

Bylaws of the Libertarian Party of Allen County

 (NOT VOTED UPON OR ADOPTED YET -- 1/24/2024) -->As amended at the Annual Convention January 28, 2024

Article I:    Name, Identity and Structure

Article II:   Purpose, Functions and Principles

Article III:  Membership

Article IV:  Business Meetings

Article V:   Officers and Directors

Article VI:  Conventions

Article VII: Adoption, Amendments, Standing Rules

 

ARTICLE I - NAME, IDENTITY, STRUCTURE

Section 1. Name: The name of this organization will be the Libertarian Party of Allen County (Indiana), hereinafter referred to as the "LPAC."

Section 2. Structure: The LPAC is a political organization constituted by its membership, directed by its executive committee, governed by its Business Meetings, and affiliated with the Libertarian Party of Indiana, hereinafter referred to as the "LPIN."

Section 3. Bona fide party: The LPAC is a bona-fide political party under the laws of the state of Indiana, authorized to receive political contributions. The LPAC accepts political contributions in the name of the LPAC or the Libertarian Party of Allen County.

Section 4. Device: The official device of the LPAC and all candidates nominated by the LPAC will be identical to the device set forth by the Libertarian Party of Indiana. 

Section 5. Address: The mailing address of the LPAC shall be that designated by the Chairperson of the

LPAC.

ARTICLE II - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE, FUNCTIONS AND PRINCIPLES

Section 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 seeking a principled and innovative approach to local government; inclusive communication with the public, and accountability for our officials.

Section 2. Functions: The primary functions of the LPAC are: (a) to recruit, nominate and elect candidates to all city, county, township, judicial, and town offices within Allen County; (b) to assist the LPIN in the recruitment, nomination and election of candidates to state legislative and judicial offices affecting all or parts of Allen County; and (c) to select and field LPAC delegates and alternate delegates to the annual business meeting of the LPIN’s annual convention, hereinafter jointly referred to as "the state convention."

Section 3. Principles: The LPAC affirms the following principles:

a)    That all people possess certain unalienable natural rights, and that among these are rights to life, liberty, justly acquired property, and self-governance.

b)    That the only moral basis of government is the preservation and protection of unalienable natural rights.

c)     That no person or institution, public or private, has the right to initiate the use of physical force, coercion, or fraud against another person, 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, provided 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

Section 1. Membership Established: The LPAC hereby establishes membership in the LPAC.

Section 2. Membership Requirements: Membership in the LPAC is open to all residents of Allen County who are also either:

1.     current members of the LPIN, or

2.     contributed $20 to LPAC in the previous 12 months and signed the Member Pledge.

 

The LPAC may implement, amend, or repeal, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at convention or at a regular business meeting, an additional minimum annual contribution to the LPAC to establish membership.

Section 3. Membership Privileges: Membership in the LPAC will be required to speak and / or vote in all Business Meetings and conventions of LPAC. An LPAC member must be a current LPIN member prior to their nomination for public office or to be elected an officer of LPAC.

Section 4. Membership Suspension: The voting members at any LPAC Business Meeting or convention shall have the authority to suspend, terminate or refuse membership in the LPAC to any individual, who is otherwise a member of the LPIN, by a three-fourths (3/4) vote. In such event, the LPAC will immediately notify the individual by certified mail of the suspension, termination or refusal, and the reasons for such, affording the individual the right to appeal to the LPAC at one of its next two Business Meetings. The voting members of the LPAC may uphold the suspension, termination, or refusal by majority vote at said appeal. Upon appeal or the expiration of the time allotted for appeal, the decision of the LPAC to suspend, terminate, or refuse membership in the LPAC will be final and binding for a period of one year, after which time the individual may re-apply for membership in the LPAC by written request, subject to majority vote.

ARTICLE IV - BUSINESS MEETINGS

Section 1. Meetings: The LPAC shall hold a Business Meeting at least once every thirty (30) days at a regular date, time, and location. Reasonable notice shall be given to all LPAC members. The Chairperson shall determine the meeting's agenda, subject to change by majority vote at the meeting.

Section 2. Purpose: The purpose of the Business Meeting is to control and manage all the affairs and property of the LPAC consistent with these bylaws. All decisions over the expenditure of LPAC property shall be by majority vote.

Section 3. Quorum: A quorum at the Business Meeting will consist of five members of the LPAC or two-thirds (2/3) of active LPAC members, whichever is least.

Section 4. Executive Committee: An Executive Committee is created, consisting of the officers of the LPAC and any directors. The committee will have the authority to manage and control the affairs and property of the LPAC by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the executive committee, subject to approval at the next monthly Business Meeting.

ARTICLE V – OFFICERS and Directors

Section 1. Four Officers: The Officers of the LPAC will be a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The offices of Chair and Treasurer may not be combined. The Officers in place at the time of the adoption of these bylaws will remain in office until the next regularly scheduled election of Officers.

Section 2. Officers Requirements: Officers must be residents of Allen County and current members of the LPIN at least 30 days prior to the LPAC Annual Convention. Officers must maintain their residency in Allen County and their LPIN membership.

Section 2. Election of Officers: During odd-numbered years, the Officers of the LPAC will be elected at the Annual Convention for terms of two (2) years. The Officer nominee who receives the most votes in each race will be elected. Officers will be selected by secret ballot unless there is only one nomination for the office, in which case election may be made by acclamation. Officers will take office at midnight on the

day of the Annual Convention and serve thereafter until midnight on the day of the next Annual Convention held during an odd-numbered year.

Section 3. Roles and Responsibility of Officers:

a)    Chairperson. The Chairperson will be the head of the LPAC, presiding over all meetings and conventions of the LPAC. The Chairperson is the official spokesperson for the LPAC. The Chairperson may appoint and populate such committees as are deemed necessary to conduct the business of the LPAC.

b)    Vice Chairperson. The Vice Chairperson will serve as presiding officer in the absence of the Chairperson. The Vice Chairperson will be responsible for the training and coordination of precinct committee persons.

c)     Secretary. The Secretary will record the minutes of all LPAC meetings and conventions. The Secretary will be the custodian of these bylaws and their amendments, the minutes of all meetings and conventions, committee reports, standing rules, and correspondence designated by the Chairperson. Based on information from the Treasurer, the Secretary will be responsible each year for notifying LPAC members by a method reasonably certain to reach each member of the forthcoming expiration of their LPAC membership.

d)    Treasurer. The Treasurer will be custodian of all funds. The Treasurer will be the chief financial officer responsible for the filing of all campaign finance forms for the LPAC. The Treasurer will be responsible for maintaining the current list of LPAC members and for providing this list to the Secretary prior to the annual expiration of memberships. The fiscal year of the LPAC will begin on January 1 of each year and ends on December 31st of the same year. The treasury of the LPAC will be audited at the end of the fiscal year by either the executive committee or by a professional accounting firm selected by the executive committee. The audit will be reported to the general membership at the first regular business meeting following the audit's conclusion.

Section 4. Removal of Officers: Officers who are elected in convention may be removed only by two-thirds (2/3) vote in convention or a Special Convention.

Section 5. Vacancies: In event of removal or resignation of any officer, the Chairperson shall notify all LPAC members in writing of such vacancy. Such vacancies may be filled by majority vote in convention or at the next Business Meeting following the notice.

Section 6. Directors: The executive committee may appoint Directors to the Executive Committee. Each appointment will be by resolution and requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire membership of the executive committee. A Director will serve until the next election of Officers of the LPAC unless removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire membership of the executive committee. The resolution of appointment for each Director will include a functional title and will specify the responsibilities of the directorship. Directors may be paid and/or be granted voting rights in the executive committee at the discretion of two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire membership of the executive committee.

Section 7. Standing Rules: The Standing Rules of the LPAC will be in harmony with these bylaws, will be written, and will be made available for general use. Standing rules may be adopted by three-fourths (3/4) vote at a Business Meeting, or by two-thirds (2/3) vote at convention. Standing Rules may be repealed by two-thirds (2/3) vote at a Business Meeting, or by a majority vote at convention.

Section 8. Authority to Contract: The Chairperson and the Treasurer will have the sole authority to expend LPAC funds for goods or services without prior approval granted at a regular business meeting. Such expenditures and authority to contract shall extend only to the day-to-day operations of the LPAC and will be limited to two-hundred-fifty dollars ($250).

Section 9. Meetings Open to the Public: All Business Meetings of the LPAC shall be open for observation by the public.

ARTICLE VI - CONVENTIONS

Section 1. Annual Convention: The LPAC will hold an Annual Convention each calendar year at least

fifteen (15) days prior to the Annual State Convention. The Annual Convention will be used to elect Officers of the LPAC; to nominate candidates of the LPAC; to make an annual reporting of the LPAC's financial condition; to amend these bylaws; and to elect delegates and alternate delegates from the LPAC to the state convention. During years in which an election is held, the Annual Convention of the LPAC shall nominate candidates for public office. During odd-numbered years, the Annual Convention shall elect the Officers of the LPAC.

Section 2. Attendance and Participation: Attendance at the Annual Convention is open to all LPAC members. A nominal fee may be charged each attendee by the LPAC to defray the cost of the convention facilities. Only LPAC members who were LPAC members in good standing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the Annual Convention may speak and vote in said conventions on the nomination of candidates, the selection of delegates to the state convention, the election of LPAC Officers, amendments to these bylaws, and any other business brought before the membership for consideration.

Section 3. Quorum: A quorum necessary to nominate candidates to any public office or to elect delegates and alternate delegates to the state convention of the LPIN will consist of eight (8) members of the LPAC or two-thirds (2/3) of active LPAC members, whichever is least.  A quorum necessary to elect any officers of the LPAC and to amend these bylaws will consist of eight (8) members of the LPAC or two-thirds (2/3) of active LPAC members, whichever is least. A quorum needed at any convention to remove an LPAC officer will consist of fifteen (15) members of the LPAC or three-fourths (3/4) of active LPAC members, whichever is least.

Section 4. Notice of Convention: Regardless if all convention decisions pertain exclusively to LPAC members, the Chairperson will publish to all members of the LPAC the date, time, location, proposed rules, and proposed agenda of the Annual Convention at least thirty (30) days prior to such convention by a method reasonably certain to reach such members, including by newsletter.

Section 5. Duties: The Chairperson of the LPAC will serve as the Chairperson of the LPAC Annual Convention. The Secretary of the LPAC will serve as the Secretary of the LPAC Annual Convention. In the event that either the Chairperson or the Secretary of the LPAC is unable to serve respectively as Chairperson and Secretary of the Annual Convention, such positions and responsibilities will devolve, in cardinal order, to the Vice Chairperson and Treasurer of the LPAC.

Section 6. Order of Business: The order of business of the Annual Convention will include but is not limited to the following:

a)    After the Call to Order, the first item of business is to credential and seat LPAC members to the Annual Convention.

b)    The second item of business is the reading and approval of the minutes of the first preceding Annual Convention.

c)     The third item of business is to adopt rules for the Annual Convention.

i.      The Chairperson will submit proposed rules for initial consideration.

ii.     The credentialed members of the LPAC will adopt said rules by majority vote. In the absence of the adoption of rules, the Chairperson shall adopt rules on their own initiative.

d)    The fourth item of business is to adopt an agenda for the Annual Convention.

i.      The Chairperson will submit proposed agenda for initial consideration.

ii.     The credentialed members of the LPAC shall adopt said agenda by majority vote. In the absence of the adoption of agenda, the Chairperson shall adopt rules on their own initiative.

e)    The fifth item of business is the annual financial report by the Treasurer of the LPAC.

f)      The sixth item of business is the nomination and election of Officers of the LPAC.

g)    The seventh item of business is the nomination of candidates for city, county, township, judicial, and town offices and the slating of candidates to state legislative and state judicial offices affecting all or parts of Allen County for nomination at the Annual State Convention.

h)    The eighth item of business is the amendment of the Bylaws and Standing Rules of LPAC.

Section 7. Motions in Writing: All motions to amend these bylaws shall be in writing and submitted to the Chairperson at least fifteen (15) days prior to the convention.

Section 8. Credentials: The Treasurer will be responsible for verifying the LPAC and LPIN membership of each speaker and / or voter at convention according to the subject matter of the decision to be taken. No voting by proxy will be permitted. Only LPAC members who were LPAC members in good standing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the Annual Convention may be credentialed for participation at the convention.

Section 9. Nomination of Candidates: In appropriate years the Annual Convention shall nominate candidates for all city, county, township, town and judicial offices within Allen County. In appropriate even-numbered years, the Annual Convention shall assist the LPIN by slating candidates to state legislative and state judicial offices affecting all or parts of Allen County. The qualifying nominee who receives the highest number of votes in each race will be declared the nominee of the LPAC.

Section 10. Election of Delegates to LPIN Convention: If the Annual Convention is held prior to the state convention of the LPIN, it will be used to elect delegates and alternate delegates to such state convention. If the Annual Convention is held after the state convention, a prior Business Meeting of the LPAC shall be used to elect said delegates. Any delegate positions which are not filled by these methods prior to the state convention shall be filled by the appointments of highest-ranking officer of the LPAC in attendance at the state convention.

Section 11. Special Conventions: Special Conventions may be convened by a three-fourths (3/4) vote at the Business Meeting or shall be convened by the Chairperson of the LPAC upon written request or petition of two-thirds (2/3) of all current members of the LPAC. The Chairperson will provide notice of the dates, times, location, and particular subject matter of Special Convention to all members of the LPAC at least fifteen (15) days prior to such event. Special Conventions are limited to the subject matter agreed upon and shall otherwise be run by the same provisions which govern the Annual Convention

ARTICLE VII - ADOPTION, AMENDMENTS, AND STANDING RULES

Section 1. These bylaws will be adopted when approved by a two-thirds (2/3) of LPAC members attending an Organizing Convention. These bylaws will take effect on the first Monday following their approval.

Section 2. These bylaws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of credentialed LPAC members attending the Annual Convention. Every amendment will take effect on the first Monday following the enactment.

Section 3. Affiliation with LPIN. The LPAC hereby ratifies the bylaws of the LPIN and authorizes the Officers to certify such by submitting a signed Petition for Affiliation and a copy of these bylaws to the LPIN.

Amended on the xxth day of Month 20xx, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the LPAC members attending the LPAC Annual Convention.

Amended on the xxth day of Month 20xx, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the LPAC members attending the LPAC Annual Convention.

Amended on the xxth day of Month 20xx, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the LPAC members attending the LPAC Annual Convention.

Amended on the xxth day of Month 20xx, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the LPAC members attending the LPAC Annual Convention.