The Reform Party of Texas
"If you want reform, vote Reform."

  

2002 National Convention Proposal

Cover Letter

August 9, 2002

Reform Party USA
Mr. Frank Reed, Executive Director/Acting Secretary

It is with great pleasure that I submit to you the following proposed amendment to the RPUSA Constitution from the Reform party of Texas.

It is the desire of the Reform Party of Texas that the enclosed document, entitled "RPUSA Bylaws and Rules", be presented to the 2002 Reform Party National Convention for adoption. The Reform Party of Texas, having debated and approved the document, approved the following Resolution at our 2002 State Convention:

Resolved: To endorse and advance the amended RPUSA Constitution, entitled "RPUSA Bylaws and Rules", to be presented to the RPUSA National Convention for adoption.

Please publish the enclosed proposed amendment and the accompanying commentary on the RPUSA website as previously agreed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.

David Collison
Reform Party of Texas
State Secretary-Treasurer

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Commentary on Proposal

Commentary promoting adoption of the new Proposed Bylaws & Rules of the Reform Party of the United States of America:

Major changes from the previously adopted Constitution:

1) Election of officers by the National Committee: All officers have a responsibility to perform a specific job for the organization; in the case of the RPUSA that function is between national conventions. The qualifications for those eligible to hold these positions of responsibility are in the adopted parliamentary authority, which is a part of the current "Constitution." Changing the selection of the officers to the National Committee, from the national convention, will give the continuing representatives of the State Party Organizations an opportunity to choose their own officers, preferably based on ability, and will conform to the corresponding responsibilities that exist between national conventions, and give the National Committee a presence on the Executive Committee.

The term of office, beginning on December 1, is to provide for stability after the nomination is made, with no change-over of officers during the height of a presidential campaign. New officers would have nearly a full term of office under their belt when the presidential campaigns are in full swing; they would not have to develop a relationship with the media instantaneously to promote a presidential candidate, or obtain records from the previous office holders for making required reports to the FEC when the reports are numerous and most highly scrutinized.

The National Committee can determine for itself when it will hold its own elections prior to the beginning of the officer's terms. The National Committee will, therefore, provide for as long or as short a transition period for their new officers as the committee deems advisable.

2) National platform to come from the state party organizations: The only members of the RPUSA are State Party Organizations; no individual may become a member. Since the RPUSA is a creation of, and for the benefit of, the member state party organizations, the platform that will attach to the members' choice of presidential candidate should be restricted to planks proposed by the membership. A non-member should not have the ability to circumvent his own state party to propose a platform plank on his own, one that an individual state party member did not get approved by his own state party organization. An added benefit of this provision would be more direct individual member participation in their own state party organization; by limiting the ability to determine what the RPUSA adopted as its legislative goals to those positions of the actual members, this could also encourage growth of, and participation in, the state party organizations.

3) Addition of three more regions: This is strictly to decrease the physical size of some of the regions. While most of the current regions in the eastern part of US are fairly compact, those on the west side of the Mississippi River are geographically enormous. Since the regions are not involved with political philosophies, but are involved with administration of the delegated business between conventions, and communications with the state party organizations, there can be no impact on the positions of the RPUSA by making some of the regions smaller, thereby increasing the number of regions and a more representative vote on the Executive Committee.

4) National Committee "members" with a term of office: This is a solution to the continuing problem of determining the National Committee membership for each meeting. There is no current stability in this body, even though the National Committee is charged with the responsibility of insuring the between-convention business is conducted. Since the National Committee is the assembly that is made up of representatives of all the member state party organizations, this provision would eliminate the need for "credentialing" for each of the sessions, and provide for that committee's business to be conducted in an orderly manner. This would not prevent any state party organization from recalling and/or replacing their own representatives, but an occasional replacement, as certified by the state party organization, would not necessitate a new credentials verification during the National Committee's term. An allegation of impropriety over a replacement member, raised before the new member obtained official identification as a voting member, would affect only a replacement member of the National Committee during each term, and only at the beginning of the replacement's term of office.

5) Selection of standing committee members by the state party organizations, with one from each SPO for the platform committee, and one from each region (selected from SPO nominees by the respective Regional Representative) for the specialized committees of rules, communications and finance (an exception to the one per region can be made by the National Committee) - and committee members to serve a term corresponding to that of the Regional Representatives: It is against the existing rules for people to join a committee on their own, and this proposal is to conform to the current rules - those rules require the announcement of each committee's membership before the committee can meet; once the membership has been announced, that is the membership for the entire term of the committee.

The platform committee, being the one committee that deals with state party organization business, having a representative function, each member state party organization should have a representative on this committee to give voice and advocacy to the committee debates and consideration.

The other committees, rules, communication and finance, deal only with the business of the RPUSA convention and the business that continues between conventions. These committees require specialized knowledge to perform the function of the committee, and since there is no representative function for these committees, providing for the membership to be determined on a regional basis will assure that each region can have a qualified person on these committees.

6) An addition to the responsibilities of the State Party Organization (Article IX) to provide for minimal levels of party organization within the state (local precinct/ward, county, and state): This is not a requirement for affiliation, but an attempt to guide the state parties in organizing their own party organizations to enable them to function as a legitimate party. Local organizations are necessary to get out the vote for candidates at all levels, and a delegate, by definition, is one who holds the delegated authority of others. Providing guidance for the election of state convention delegates from a pre-state organizational level is simply conforming to the legal definition of a delegate.

7) Convention Credentials Committee made up of one person from each region: This provision is simply to provide for that committee's makeup. Since the credentials committee is not a filtering committee, and has no police powers, its authority over delegates is limited to resolving contests between competing delegates or delegations if it can do so with a degree of certainty. This committee does have the responsibility for insuring that all the members are "eligible," which means the committee has the responsibility for determining the valid members, based on the past convention records; it is to ensure an accurate allocation of convention delegates for each member. The committee can register only the delegates from the legitimate members, and it has the responsibility for registering all uncontested delegates, including those contests the committee has resolved.

8) Special Committees created only by one of the assemblies, which can delegate only their own authority: This is simply a clarification of the existing rule that no person or assembly can delegate authority it does not possess.

 

Other changes from the previously adopted Constitution:

There are extensive rewordings to clarify the existing procedures, and responsibilities, in an attempt to eliminate the multiple misperceptions and assumptions that have persisted because of the poor wording in the original document.

The sections related to the "publication" of the RPUSA rules, that were more appropriate for a corporate annual report, is eliminated.

The provision for separate Bylaws is eliminated. The current practice of parliamentary law is for there to be only one document, called a Constitution, or Bylaws. The title of the controlling document is immaterial to its contents and their effect.

Changing the title of the RPUSA's controlling document to "Bylaws & Rules" from the current "Constitution" does not, by itself, change the purpose of that document. Another name could be used for the controlling document of the RPUSA, but its contents would have the same purpose and effect regardless of the title. It is hoped that changing the title will eliminate the misperceptions over what the RPUSA is, a "national party committee," the designation of which is conferred only by the FEC. The title of the controlling document, "Constitution," has been the source of misunderstanding by individual participants in the RPUSA from the outset; the renaming is an attempt to eliminate the misperceptions and eliminate a source of internal strife and contention. Bylaws is the word most commonly in use.

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Proposed Amended RPUSA Rules

 

REFORM PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BYLAWS & RULES

ARTICLE I Name

The name of this national Party Association shall be the Reform Party of the United States of America ("Reform Party" or "RPUSA").

ARTICLE II Object

The Object of the Reform Party shall be to:

  1. Establish and operate as a major national political party committee composed of affiliated State Party Organizations from each state;
  2. Nominate and endorse candidates for President of the United States and for Vice President of the United States;
  3. Assist in the election of such candidates;
  4. Assist with public voter education;
  5. Promote the platform and policies adopted by the convention that are consistent with the Reform Party Principles.

ARTICLE III National Convention

Section 1. There shall be a National Convention in each presidential election year. Each session shall be consecutively numbered.

Section 2. The National Convention shall be responsible for the governance of the Reform Party and its interim assemblies, and providing for the fulfillment of the Object of the Reform Party.

Section 3. The National Convention shall be composed of the following Delegates:

  1. The Executive Committee
  2. Three Statewide Delegates from each State Party Organization
  3. One Delegate for each U.S. Congressional District.

Section 4. Qualifications for a person to be eligible to be a Delegate shall be such that each Delegate shall:

  1. be a member of their State Party Organization, as determined by the State Party Organization rules and applicable state laws.
  2. be elected as provided in the Rules of their State Party Organization.
  3. be registered with the convention Credentials Committee upon arrival at the Convention site. No person shall be deemed to be a Delegate, who is not so registered.
  4. No person shall be required to pay a personal assessment or fee as a condition of serving as a national convention Delegate or Alternate.
  5. No person shall hold more than one Delegate seat.

Section 5. State Party Organization rules pertaining to Delegate qualifications, eligibility, election or appointment, term of office, conditions of continuing service, removal from office, vacancies, duties, powers, subjection, participation, and voting rights, shall be observed.

Section 6. Any Delegate may be removed by vote of three-quarters vote of the registered Delegates of the National Convention. The seat of a Delegate so removed shall become automatically and immediately vacant; an advisory notice from the convention Secretary shall be sent to the Credentials Committee upon such removal.

Section 7. Each State Party Organization is entitled to Alternate Delegates in equal numbers as Delegates. Each Alternate Delegate shall meet the same qualifications as a Delegate, and shall have no voting rights until re-registered as a Delegate.

Section 8. The National Convention shall:

  1. be the supreme governing body of the Reform Party at the national level, subject only to the provisions of these Bylaws.
  2. have the exclusive power to grant Official Affiliation to State Party Organizations.
  3. act on reports from the National Committee Officers and Committees.
  4. adopt a national Reform Party platform, and any amendments thereto, by two-thirds vote of the registered Delegates; the platform shall not be inconsistent with the Statement of Principles and shall not infringe on federally protected constitutional rights of individuals.
  5. adopt and maintain a national Statement of Principles, including any amendments thereto, by two-thirds vote of the registered Delegates;
  6. provide for rules and procedures for the nomination and endorsement of candidates for the office of President and Vice President of the United States.
  7. authorize the existence of all subordinate and interim committees;
  8. act upon such other matters as the National Convention deems appropriate.

Section 9. Sessions of the National Convention shall be such that:

  1. The National Convention shall be called into session once each presidential election year. A Convention shall be scheduled and arranged by the Executive Committee, or the National Committee. A Call to National Convention shall be properly issued by the National Party Chairman upon two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee or majority vote of the National Committee.
  2. Notice of each session of the National Convention shall be given in writing, by means of a Call to National Convention. Such a Call to National Convention shall:
  1. be mailed to each affiliated State Party Organization and all known Delegates and Alternates not more than ninety days and not less than thirty days prior to the date of the first scheduled business meeting of the session being called,
  2. specify the date, hour, and place of the convention,
  3. contain such other information as is directed to be included.
  4. be mailed by the National Secretary.
  1. The quorum of a session of the National Convention shall be a majority of all registered Delegates.
  2. Emergency Convention
  1. Special conventions may be called upon the declaration of an emergency.
  2. A case of emergency shall be deemed to exist upon such being officially declared by two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee or a majority vote of the National Committee.
  3. A Special Convention shall be scheduled and arranged by the Executive Committee, or the National Committee, and the National Secretary shall properly issue a Call to National Convention.
  4. An official declaration of emergency shall in no way remove, alter, or have precedence over any provision of these Bylaws.
  1. The determination, allocation, exercise and tally of Delegate votes shall be such that:
  1. Only Delegates who have been properly registered and are in attendance at the time of the vote shall be eligible to vote. Each Delegate shall have one and only one vote.
  2. Each Delegate shall report to the State Party Organization of which he or she is a member.

Section 10. The minutes and Resolutions of the National Convention shall be recorded in writing, be properly filed with Reform Party Executive Committee and National Committee, be distributed to each State Party Organization, and be made available to the public.

ARTICLE IV National Committee

Section 1. The National Committee shall be responsible for the day-to-day business and affairs of the Reform Party between sessions of the National Convention. Such responsibilities shall include:

 

  1. The nomination and election of National Committee Officers.
  2. The filling of Officer vacancies,
  3. Providing for the clear interpretation of the Bylaws of the Reform Party,
  4. Formulating and promoting statements of public policy, which are consistent with the Reform Party Statement of Principles,
  5. Providing for the raising, budgeting, disbursing and accounting of the monies for the operation of the Reform Party in amounts sufficient to fulfill the Party Object;
  6. Providing for ongoing Reform Party public relations and voter education,
  7. Providing for the keeping, filing and archival storage of the official books, records and lists of the Reform Party, and
  8. All other actions appropriate or necessary to carry out these provisions and carry on the successful operation of the Reform Party at the national level.

Section 2. The National Committee shall be composed of:

  1. The Executive Committee,
  2. Three Committee Members from each State Party Organization and one Member from the District of Columbia Party Organization.

Section 3. A National Committee Member's term of office shall begin at the close of the national convention in presidential election years, or on August 15 in non-presidential election years. Each National Committee Member shall serve for two years or until their successor is elected.

Section 4. Each National Committee Member shall have electronic communication ability and shall be democratically elected by their State Party Organization, in compliance with their State Party Rules and the state's election laws.

Section 5. Each National Committee Member shall be subject to the applicable provisions of these Bylaws, the Rules of their State Party Organization, and their state election laws. The State Chairman or Secretary, as determined by their party, shall certify the State Party Organization's National Committee Members to the National Committee Secretary.

Section 6. The sessions of the National Committee shall be such that:

  1. The National Committee shall meet one or more times in each calendar year.
  2. A National Committee meeting shall be called by the Chairman, by resolution of the Executive Committee, or by written action of one-fourth of all National Committee members.
  3. The National Committee may meet by teleconference or electronic means.
  4. The National Committee may conduct a vote by mail on any matter that does not require a debate. A vote by mail of the National Committee may be conducted by resolution of the Executive Committee.

Section 7. A quorum of the National Committee shall be a majority of the registered National Committee Members.

Section 8. The National Committee shall report to the National Convention. All reports shall have been adopted by a majority vote.

Section 9. Whenever an official communication to a National Committee Member shall have been returned by the postal or parcel delivery service, the National Secretary shall immediately notify the Chairman and Secretary of the Member's State Party Organization.

ARTICLE V Executive Committee

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the National Committee Officers and the Regional Representatives.

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for conducting the day to day business and affairs of the Reform Party, between meetings of the National Committee. The responsibilities and duties of the Executive Committee shall include:

  1. Public relations and voter education in keeping with the platform and principles;
  2. Maintaining and keeping all national books, records and lists of the Reform Party;
  3. Insuring that all reports to the Federal Election Commission are timely made;
  4. Maintaining and providing Delegate lists and National Committee Member lists;
  5. Creation and supervision of the convention Credentials Committee, which shall consist of one person from each region chosen by the respective Regional Representative from among persons selected by the State Party Organizations in the region. The Credentials Committee shall receive the delegate lists from affiliated State Party Organizations, register all delegates at convention, and report to the convention assembly;
  6. Procuring facilities for national conventions and National Committee meetings;
  7. Insuring the Standing Committees and the Special Committees are functioning so as to fulfill the provisions of these Bylaws and the object of the Reform Party;
  8. The Executive Committee shall select each committee's chairman from among the committee's members. The chairman of the Executive Committee shall announce each committee's membership.
  9. Providing for such organizational, administrative and financial support as the National Convention may require for its organization and operation;
  10. Providing for such organizational, administrative and financial resources as may be required to fulfill the Object of the Reform Party;
  11. All actions appropriate or necessary to carry out the provisions of these Bylaws, the actions of the National Convention, and proper resolutions and directives of the National Committee;
  12. All actions appropriate or necessary between conventions.

Section 3. The Executive Committee shall meet as necessary to conduct the business of the Reform Party. Executive Committee meetings may be called by the Committee Chairman or upon action of any three Executive Committee Members. The Executive Committee may meet by teleconference or electronic means.

Section 4. A quorum of the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the Executive Committee Members.

Section 5. The Executive Committee shall report to the National Convention. All reports shall have been adopted by a majority vote.

Section 6. Regional Representatives:

  1. Regional Representatives shall be elected by the respective region's National Committee Members who shall meet in caucus for the election.
  2. A Regional Representative's term of office shall begin at the close of the national convention in presidential election years, or on August 15 in non-presidential election years. Each National Committee Member shall serve for two years or until their successor is elected.
  3. To be eligible as a Regional Representative a person must be a member of an affiliated State Party Organization, but need not be a National Committee Member.

Section 7. The duties of each Regional Representative shall be:

  1. Be a Member of the Executive Committee;
  2. Be a conduit for informational flow between the State Party organizations in the respective Region and the Executive Committee;
  3. Provide all organizational help possible and practical to the State Party organizations in the respective Region when requested;
  4. Compile a list of qualified candidates for Committee Chairmen who have the ability, experience and knowledge for each Committee, for use by the National Committee chairman in making recommendations for these positions.
  5. Compile a list of any special talents that have been identified within the state parties for potential service to the national party committee.

Section 8. The regions are defined as:

  1. New England Region - Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
  2. Northeast Region - Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C.
  3. Atlantic Region - North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
  4. Southeast Region - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi
  5. Midwest Region - Kentucky Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio
  6. North Central Region - North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin
  7. Central Region - Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri
  8. Southwest Region - Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
  9. Northwest Region - Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
  10. Pacific Region - Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah

Section 9. A Regional Representative may be removed for cause by a two-thirds vote of the registered National Committee Members in the particular Region.

Section 10. In the event of a Regional Representative vacancy, such vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term by vote at a caucus of the National Committee Members in the particular region.

ARTICLE VI Standing Committee General Provisions

Section 1. There shall be Standing Committees as follows.

  1. Rules - The Rules Committee shall be responsible for: developing and proposing amendments to these Bylaws and other procedural rules, including amendments thereto, for the conduct of the national convention and its committees; working with various State Party Organizations in development of their state party rules; such other duties as may be assigned;
  2. Platform - The Platform Committee shall be responsible for: receiving the platform planks adopted by affiliated state party organizations, compiling, reviewing, and recommending planks for adoption by the National Convention; developing and proposing amendments to the national party Statement of Principles; other such duties as may be assigned;
  3. Communications - The Communications Committee shall be responsible for: developing and implementing plans to keep party members informed on various public and internal party issues; developing internal party communications including maintenance of the national website; other such duties as may be assigned;
  4. Finance - The Finance Committee shall be responsible for: fundraising at the national level; assisting the National Treasurer in the performance of assigned duties; advising the various State Party Organizations regarding fundraising and other financial issues; other such duties as may be assigned;

Section 2. Standing Committee members shall serve a term corresponding to that of the Regional Representatives, or until their succcessors have been chosen. Standing Committees shall be comprised as follows:

  1. Platform: One person from each State Party Organization, chosen by each state party organization according to their rules.
  2. Rules, Communications and Finance: Each committee shall consist of one person from each region, chosen by the Regional Representative from among the qualified persons selected for each respective committee by the State Party Organizations in the region; the National Committee may provide, by election as nominated by the Executive Committee, for a special exception to the regional limit to allow more than one person from each region to serve on these specialized committees.
  3. The Executive Committee shall elect the committee chairman from among the committee's members.
  4. Members of each Standing Committees shall be announced by the Executive Committee Chairman.
  5. No person shall simultaneously hold more than one of the following positions: Standing Committee Chairman, Standing Committee Vice-Chairman or Officer.

Section 3. Each Standing Committee shall report to the National Convention. Each Sub-Committee shall report only to its parent Committee. All reports shall have been adopted by majority vote of the Sanding Committee; each committee shall provide for a minority report.

Section 4. Each Standing Committee shall be subject to the provisions of these Bylaws, the directives of the National Convention, and proper resolutions of the Executive Committee or National Committee.

Section 5. Each Standing Committee shall meet as necessary to conduct the committee's business. Committee meetings may be called by the Committee Chairman or upon action of any two of the committee members. Standing Committees may meet by teleconference or other electronic means.

Section 6. Any standing committee member repeatedly found to be in violation of the rules shall be reported by the committee chairman to the entity selecting the offending member for resolution or corrective action.

ARTICLE VII Special Committees

Section 1. Special Committees may be established for specific purposes within the authority of the creating assembly, by action of the National Convention, Executive Committee, or National Committee.

  1. Members of any Special Committee shall be selected by the authority creating the committee.
  2. The responsibilities of each Special Committee shall be stated when the committee is established.
  3. Each Special Committee shall be subject to the provisions of these Bylaws and to the proper resolutions and directives of its creating authority.

Section 2. A Special Committee shall meet at the call of its chairman or upon action of any two members and may conduct business by teleconference or other electronic means.

Section 3. Each Special Committee shall report to its creating authority and to the National Convention if appropriate. Each Sub-Committee shall report to its parent Committee. All reports shall have been adopted by a majority vote.

ARTICLE VIII National Committee Officers

Section 1. The National Committee Officers shall be Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2. The Officers shall have the following responsibilities:

  1. The Chairman shall preside over meetings of the National Committee and Executive Committee and act on behalf of the party to carry out the resolutions of the National Convention, the Executive Committee, and the National Committee.
  2. The Vice-Chairman shall assist the Chairman and serve as the presiding officer in the absence of the Chairman.
  3. The Secretary shall: have custody of the official copy of these Bylaws and any other rules adopted by the party; attend all National Conventions, National Committee and Executive Committee meetings and record the proceedings thereof, maintain the records (except financial) of the party; provide official notice of all National Conventions and meetings of the Executive Committee and National Committee; perform other duties as may be assigned by the National Convention, National Committee, or Executive Committee.
  4. The Treasurer shall: have custody of the party funds and shall keep full and accurate records thereof in books belonging to the party; deposit all monies and other valuable effects to the name and to the credit of the Party in such depositories as may be designated by the Executive Committee; prepare and timely file required federal reports; disburse funds in accordance with the resolutions of the Executive Committee, the National Committee or National Convention; report on the financial status of the Party at each meeting of the Executive Committee, the National Committee and the National Convention.

Section 3. Each Officer shall be elected in even numbered years by a majority vote of the National Committee. Each Officer shall be elected by roll call vote, reported by state.

Section 4. Each Officer shall serve for two years or until their successor is elected. Each new term of office shall begin on December 1 of even-numbered years.

Section 5. To be eligible as an Officer a person must be a member of an affiliated State Party Organization, but need not be a National Committee Member. Nominations shall be accepted from the floor when made by any member of the electing assembly.

Section 6. No Officer shall serve in the same Office for more than three consecutive terms. No person shall serve as an Officer for more than six consecutive terms.

Section 7. An Officer may be removed for cause by:

  1. a two-thirds vote of the National Committee, or
  2. a majority vote of the National Convention.

Section 8. Officer vacancies may be filled by a majority vote of the National Convention or the National Committee. A person filling such vacancy must be eligible for election as a National Officer. An Officer vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the existing term, and the person so elected shall assume office immediately upon election.

Section 9. Each Officer shall be subject to the Bylaws, the proper directives and actions of the Executive Committee and National Committee, and actions of the National Convention.

Section 11. The Chairman shall be a non-voting ex-officio member of all Standing and Special committees except the Nominations Committee and Credentials Committee.

Section 10. There may be a National Executive Director. Upon resolution adopted by a majority of the membership of the National Committee, the Chairman may name any member of an affiliated party to fill the position of Executive Director upon confirmation by a majority vote of the Executive Committee or National Committee.

  1. The Executive Director shall not be a Party Officer or Member of any Committee and shall report to the Executive Committee and National Committee.
  2. The Executive Director shall have responsibilities and duties for any day-to-day activities of the Party, as determined by the Executive Committee or National Committee.
  3. The Executive Director shall be subject to the provisions of these Bylaws, the Resolutions and actions of the National Convention, and the proper directives of the National Committee and Executive Committee.
  4. The Executive Director may be removed from the position by majority vote of the Executive Committee or National Committee.

ARTICLE IX State Party Organizations

Section 1. An Affiliated State Party Organization shall be responsible for conducting all Reform Party state level business and affairs in its constituent state and for providing for the successful operation of a major state political party which is in keeping with the Principles and Object of the Reform Party of the United States of America. No state party organization shall be obligated to use the name Reform Party.

Section 2. An affiliated State Party Organization shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining minimal levels of party organization, including local precinct or ward, county and state, in keeping with the operation of a major state political party. A state convention should be comprised of delegates from a designated pre-state level convention.

Section 3. The affiliated State Party Organizations shall comprise the membership of the Reform Party.

Section 4. Affiliation shall be granted to no more than one State Party Organization in any state, the District of Columbia, or territory of the United States of America. Each State Party Organization shall be subject to the laws of their state and any applicable federal laws.

Section 5. An affiliated State Party Organization shall be eligible to receive all the Delegate seats which are available to be allocated to the State Party Organization. An affiliated State Party Organization and its members shall be eligible to participate without restriction in the national affairs of the Reform Party, including all sessions of the National Convention and all national committees, subject only to the limitations contained in these Bylaws.

Section 6. An affiliated State Party Organization shall have no less than one-fourth of its registered Delegates in attendance at each session of the National Convention. An affiliated State Party Organization shall insure that any registered delegate departing prior to the convention's adjournment checks out with the Credentials Committee before leaving.

Section 7. Each Affiliated State Party Organization, for continuity purposes, and each organization which seeks affiliation, shall provide the Executive Committee with:

  1. true, current and complete copies of its Constitution, Bylaws, or Rules;
  2. copies of all legally required state organizational filings;
  3. any appropriate additional information as is similarly requested of all State Party Organizations.

Section 8. Official Affiliation of a State Party Organization

  1. Once obtained, Official affiliation shall continue until such time as it is formally removed by a national convention.
  2. Additional Official affiliations shall be granted by a recorded vote of the National Convention.
  3. Official affiliation of a State Party Organization may be removed only by a two-thirds vote of the registered Delegates of the National Convention.

Section 9. Temporary Affiliation of a State Party Organization

  1. Temporary Affiliation shall be granted by a two-thirds vote of the membership of the National Committee.
  2. Temporary Affiliation shall continue until such time as it is removed or until the close of the National Convention following affiliation; Temporary affiliation automatically and immediately expires on adjournment of the session of the National Convention which follows the date such Temporary Affiliation was granted.
  3. A member of a State Party Organization which has Temporary affiliation shall not be eligible to be elected as an Officer or Regional Representative.
  4. A member of a State Party Organization which has been granted Temporary affiliation shall not be entitled to vote on questions pertaining to affiliation of his or her own State Party Organization.

Section 10. Suspension of Official Affiliation of a State Party Organization

  1. Official Affiliation of a State Party Organization may be suspended only by a two-thirds vote of the registered Delegates of the National Convention.
  2. Such suspension shall be imposed by means of a Resolution of the National Convention. Such a Resolution shall:
  1. Specify the reason and basis for the suspension,
  2. specify the provisions of the Bylaws which support the suspension,
  3. specify the conditions under which the suspension shall be lifted,
  4. specify the end date of the suspension time period,
  5. specify the manner in which the fulfillment of such conditions shall be verified, and
  6. specify the authority which shall verify fulfillment of such conditions.
  1. Such suspension shall not exceed a period of twelve calendar months.
  2. The votes of members of a State Party Organization which is so suspended shall not be counted.
  3. A State Party Organization which is so suspended and which fails to fulfill the conditions to lift such suspension shall automatically and immediately forfeit its Official affiliation upon the end date of such suspension.

Section 9. A State Party Organization should allow none of its National Committee seats to remain vacant for more than sixty days from the effective date of a written resignation, removal from position or second absence from a National Committee Meeting if such absences have not been excused by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE X General Provisions

Section 1. All financial reports and all budget reports, given or approved by any Reform Party Committee or any Reform Party Officer, shall be prepared in keeping with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as are established by the Financial Standards and Accounting Board.

Section 2. No dues, fees, financial assessments, administrative fees, subscription fees or member fees shall be implemented or required.

Section 3. No Officer or Committee member shall be compensated for services rendered except for reimbursement of legitimate personal expenses incurred in the performance of one's official duties.

Section 4. An officer or committee chairman shall resign his office upon announcing as a candidate for any public office.

Section 5. A staff member of a candidate for nomination may not hold a party office.

Section 6. The minutes of all Reform Party meetings shall be available upon request.

Section 7. There shall be no proxy voting or voting by proxy.

Section 8. Definitions of certain words used in the Bylaws shall be such that:

  1. The words "Party" and "Reform Party" shall mean the Reform Party of the United States of America.
  2. The words "Party Member" shall mean any person eligible to vote in the next election of the President of the United States who identifies himself or herself as a member of the affiliated State Party Organization in his state of residence and meets such requirements as provided in the Rules of their State Party Organization.
  3. The words "State Party Organization" shall mean an organized body of citizens who have formed an organization for the purpose of nominating candidates for public office and obtaining ballot access for candidates in the name of the organization.
  4. An affiliated Party Organization in the District of Columbia shall also be identified as a "State Party Organization" with one (1) Congressional District Delegate and one (1) National Committee Member for a total of two National Convention Delegates. U.S. Territories and Possessions establishing Party Organizations shall each, upon affiliation, also be identified as a "State Party Organization" with one (1) National Committee Member and one Congressional District Delegate for a total of two National Convention Delegates.
  5. The words "mail", "by mail" or "mailed to" shall mean delivery of a written document or documents via the First Class Mail service of the United States Postal Service or delivery of written documents via a delivery service that is as or more reliable and that is as fast or faster than that of the First Class Mail service of the United States Postal Service.
  6. The words "vote by mail" shall include fax or other electronic means such as email provided the response can be reliably verified as originating from the qualified voting individual.
  7. The words "proper" or "properly" shall mean in keeping with all applicable provisions of these Bylaws, the adopted parliamentary authority, and all applicable provisions of the rules of State Party Organizations and their state laws.
  8. The word "meeting" shall also include teleconferences, video conferences, computer conferences or other electronic means allowing for direct interaction by the qualified participants and for which official minutes are taken or a transcript is made documenting the participants and any actions taken.

Section 9. No person shall hold any position provided for in these Bylaws who is not a member of an affiliated State Party Organization.

Section 10. Honorary titles or positions may be conferred upon individuals by Resolution of the National Convention.

Section 11. The provisions of the Bylaws shall be severable and separately enforceable. Should any Article, Section, sub-section or provision herein be invalidated or declared void, all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 12. The interpretation, meaning and effect to be given the provisions of the Bylaws shall not be inconsistent with federal law or common parliamentary usage.

Section 13. Affirmative support for the RPUSA Statement of Principles shall be a condition of continuing service as a Delegate, Alternate Delegate, National Committee Member, Regional Representative, Officer, or Committee member.

ARTICLE XI Individual Reform Party Members

Individual Reform Party Member participation rights shall be such that:

  1. In a state which has no State Party Organization such as is provided for in these Bylaws, a person who identifies himself or herself as a Reform Party member shall have no Reform Party participatory rights except such rights as are accorded to any other citizen.
  2. In a state which has an Officially Recognized or Provisionally Recognized State Party Organization, a person who identifies himself or herself as a Reform Party Member but does not also identify himself or herself as a member of his or her state's State Party Organization shall have no participatory rights except such rights as are accorded to any other citizen.

Citizens of states which have no State Party Organization who express an interest in establishing a State Party Organization in their state shall be listed by the Executive Committee. Such a list shall be provided to other similarly interested citizens of such state upon the request of such citizens until such time as a State Party Organization is established in such state.

ARTICLE XII Parliamentary Authority and Interpretation

Section 1. The rules contained in the current edition of "Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised" shall govern this convention and all its committees in all cases to which they are applicable and are not specifically inconsistent with these Bylaws.

Section 2. Interpretation of the meaning and effect to be given to the provisions of the Bylaws shall be as determined by the National Convention. Any ambiguities may be resolved by the affected assembly.

ARTICLE XIII Amendment

These Bylaws may be amended by the National Convention. Previous notice is required for any proposed amendment that could infringe any right of an affiliated State Party Organization.

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