BYLAWS
Adopted
during the monthly meeting at Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 15th, 2001
ARTICLE
ONE: ASSOCIATION NAME
Section
1.01. The name of the organization is the Tulsa Area Libertarians,
hereinafter referred to as the "Association.” From time to time,
the Association may refer to itself as “TAL".
ARTICLE
TWO: DURATION
Section
2.01. The duration of the Association shall be perpetual.
ARTICLE
THREE: AFFILIATION
Section
3.01. The Association is to become affiliated with the Libertarian Party
of Oklahoma in accordance with ARTICLES THIRTEEN and FOURTEEN of the
Bylaws of the Libertarian Party of Oklahoma, hereinafter referred to as
the “State Party.” Once such affiliation is completed, the language
of this Article should be amended to properly reflect such
affiliation.
Section
3.02. In order that it may represent the State Party, the Association
will endeavor to obtain a Charter from the State Executive Committee, in
accordance with ARTICLE FOURTEEN of the Bylaws of the State Party.
ARTICLE
FOUR: OBJECTIVES
Section
4.01. The objectives of the Association are to enable citizens of the
Tulsa area to organize into a political Association and promote the
Libertarian principles necessary to the existence of a free society by:
(a)
Publicizing the principles of libertarianism and securing ballot
recognition and voter registration rights;
(b)
Seeking out, developing, nominating, and campaigning for the
election to public office of Libertarian candidates who pledge adherence
to the Declaration of Principles of the Association, and supporting
these Libertarians during their continuance in office;
(c)
Extending cooperation to other organizations and groups when this
furthers libertarian principles and objectives.
ARTICLE
FIVE: MEMBERSHIP
Section
5.01. Membership in the Association shall consist of Registered
Libertarians and Enrolled Libertarians. Registered Libertarians shall be
those who are registered Oklahoma voters with the political affiliation
of Libertarian, and whose rights and privileges regarding voting, voter
registration, and being a candidate for public office are granted to
them by the State of Oklahoma. Registration as a Libertarian voter with
the State of Oklahoma is not sufficient for voting participation within
the Association as an Officer, or Convention Delegate, such
participation being reserved to Enrolled Libertarians. Enrolled
Libertarians are those who have paid the dues as provided by the
authority of the Tulsa Area Libertarians, and who have signed the
Affirmation designated in Section 5.02. The dues may be paid annually,
biennially or for life. Those Enrolled Members of the Association who
are also registered voters must be registered as Libertarians (should
the State of Oklahoma recognize the State Party) or as Independents
(should the State Party not be recognized by the State of Oklahoma).
Section
5.02. Affirmation of Principle - Enrolled members of the Association
must sign in affirmation of the following statement: "I hereby
certify that I do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as
a means of achieving political or social goals."
Section
5.03. Enrolled Members of the Association shall have the right to
participate in official affairs and governance of the Association in
accordance with these Bylaws. Such right shall be inviolate and the
willful abridgment of such right by an officer or member of any
committee of the Association shall be sufficient cause for removal of
such officer or committee member. At any time a vote is taken, those
eligible to vote shall do so in person. No proxy voting shall be allowed
by the Association.
Section
5.04. Enrolled members of the Association who are residents of the State
of Oklahoma or are registered to vote in the State of Oklahoma may
attend any meeting of the Association. Any Enrolled members of the
Association may be appointed by the membership or officers of the
Association to any non-elective office. Any Enrolled members of the
Association may serve as an elected officer of the Association.
ARTICLE
SIX: OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section
6.01. The officers of the Association shall be a Chairman, a
Vice-Chairman, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. Election of the Chairman
and Secretary shall be held at the regular Association meeting in
January of each year. Election of the Vice-Chairman and Treasurer shall
be held during the regular Association meeting in July of each year. The
officers-elect will take office upon adjournment of the Association
meeting and shall serve until the adjournment of the next election
Association meeting and until their successors have been elected. Vacant
offices shall be filled by special election at a regularly scheduled
Association meeting.
Section
6.02. No offices shall be combined. Only enrolled members of the
Association who are residents of the State of Oklahoma or are registered
to vote in the State of Oklahoma shall be eligible for election and/or
appointment to any elective office of the Association. Any enrolled
member of the Association in good standing may be appointed to any
non-elective office, position and/or committee of the Association. The
resignation of any officer shall be submitted in writing to the
Secretary of the Association, or lacking a Secretary, to the Treasurer
of the Association. The resignation shall be forwarded to the remaining
Association officers for action.
Section
6.03. The Chairman is the
chief executive officer of the Association and shall coordinate the
activities of the Association members in achieving the objectives and
goals of the Association. The Chairman shall be responsible for the
enforcement of these Bylaws and the carrying out of the directions and
resolutions of the Association in accordance with these Bylaws. The
Chairman shall assist in all National and State Libertarian Association
campaigns and all activities, functions, and campaigns within the State,
and shall serve as a member of all standing committees. The Chairman
shall preside at all meetings of the Association. The Chairman shall be
the primary spokesperson, but may delegate this function to any other
Association member in good standing. The Chairman shall insure that all
state and federal laws pertaining to political organizations are
complied with and make provision for legal services for the Association.
Section
6.04. The Vice-Chairman
shall act as assistant to the Chairman and shall perform such duties as
the Chairman shall assign, and perform the duties of the Chairman in the
absence of the Chairman and/or until a successor Chairman is chosen by
the membership of the Association. The Vice-Chairman shall serve on the
following Standing Committees: Outreach and Public Relations.
Section
6.05. The Secretary shall be
the recording officer at all Association meetings and shall maintain
such records for future use and be responsible for all correspondence of
the Association. The Secretary will also maintain the TAL Library and be
responsible for the tracking of the books owned by TAL. The Secretary
will also serve on the Membership Committee.
Section
6.06. The Treasurer shall be
custodian of all funds of the Association and shall disburse the same in
accordance with decisions to spend such funds by the membership of the
Association. The Treasurer shall keep a strict account of all receipts
and disbursements, with the dates thereof, from whom received and to
whom disbursed, and the purpose thereof. The accounts of the Treasurer
shall be accessible during normal business hours to any Enrolled Member
of the Association in good standing if that member so requests in
writing on twenty-four (24) hours advance notice. The Treasurer shall
report at such time or times as requested by the membership of the
Association in such form as will provide all necessary information
relative to the amount of receipts, disbursements, and cash balance,
together with expenditures charged to each item of the budget and the
unexpended balance of the budget items. The Treasurer shall serve as a
member of the Finance Committee. At the end of the Treasurer's term of
office, the Treasurer shall deliver to that person's successor all
monies, property, books, and records of the Association maintained by
that person or in that person's possession.
ARTICLE
SEVEN: COMMITTEES
Section
7.01. Standing Committees.
The following Standing Committees shall be established: Public
Relations, Outreach and Membership. The chairpersons of these committees
shall be responsible for organizing and facilitating the various tasks
of each committee as set out below, devising and maintaining systems to
accomplish those tasks, recruiting members and others to aid in
accomplishing those tasks, presenting plans and budget requirements to
the membership of the Association for approval and funding, holding
regular meetings of their committees, and appointing subcommittees and
overseeing their activities.
Section
7.02. Public Relations Committee.
The purpose of the Public Relations Committee is to organize and
maintain communications between the Association and the public.
Specifically,
these duties shall include organizing and maintaining systems for
communicating with Media outlets, maintaining a database of those Media
outlets, organizing the writing and editing of News Releases and Letters
to the Editor, and in other ways attempting to create a positive public
image of the Association.
Section
7.03. Outreach Committee.
The purpose of the Outreach Committee is to organize and maintain
systems for recruiting new members into the Association and making
direct contact with potential members and voters. Specifically, these
duties will include organizing Association information booths at state
and county fairs and other public events, organizing an Association
Speakers Bureau and arranging for speakers for schools or other groups,
organizing student affiliates at schools and colleges, and developing
training programs for candidates and speakers.
Section
7.04. Membership Committee. The
purpose of the Membership Committee is to maintain the membership
database, keep track of active TAL members, and notify members when
their membership is about to expire. Other duties include sending any
general coorespondence to the membership at large when directed by the
Chairman.
ARTICLE
EIGHT: OPEN ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
Section
8.01. All meetings of the Association, its officers, and any committees
shall be open to the attendance of both the general public and any
representative of the press. This shall not be construed to give any
person the right to participate, unless they have fulfilled all other
requirements for participation as set forth herein.
ARTICLE
NINE: PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Section
9.01. Association officials asked to comment on issues or events shall
not be restrained or restricted from speaking their opinion with the
disclaimer that their statements may not reflect the official opinion of
the Association.
ARTICLE
TEN: FINANCIAL AND FISCAL AFFAIRS
Section
10.01. The Treasurer shall conduct the financial and fiscal affairs of
the Association as he/she deems necessary or as required by law.
Section
10.02. No person acting in his capacity as a member, official, or
employee of the Association shall accept any money contribution or any
other thing of value, except for labor services voluntarily donated,
without tendering a receipt for the contribution showing the source and
date of transfer. However, money received by the Association from mass
collections of cash, or from anonymous sources, shall be accepted,
provided the person taking possession of such monies shall execute an
affidavit declaring that he has no knowledge of the identity of the
contributor. Any member, official, or employee of the Association who
shall be convicted of executing a false affidavit in this regard shall
be immediately expelled from the Association, and/or removed from
office, and/or their employment terminated. Any person expelled or
terminated under this provision shall be barred from participation in
Association affairs for a period set by the officers, not to exceed
seven (7) years.
Section
10.03. Emergency Management of
Association Funds.
The
Chairman and Treasurer, jointly, shall have authority to immediately
withdraw any and all Association funds from deposit in any financial
institution, if, in their opinion, those funds are in jeopardy for any
reason. In the event they shall disagree, the remaining Officers shall
be consulted and their decision shall be final. In the event it becomes
necessary to withdraw such funds, they shall immediately be converted to
cash or precious metals at the best rate obtainable and in whichever
form or portion shall be deemed prudent in an institution believed to be
more secure in the opinion of the Chairman and the Treasurer. Whenever
the Chairman and the Treasurer believe it necessary to invoke the
emergency management authority provided herein, they shall immediately
notify the remaining Officers and request that they, and as many members
as may be able, accompany the Chairman and the Treasurer to witness all
transactions involved, copy necessary documents and records, and monitor
all actions taken by the two officers pursuant to this section of the
Bylaws. The two officers shall be authorized to make such expenditures
as are necessary to safeguard the funds or assets of the Association
pursuant to this section. In no event shall funds or assets of the
Association be transferred or conveyed from within the boundaries of the
forty-eight (48) contiguous states of the United States.
ARTICLE
ELEVEN: ADMINISTRATION
Section
11.01. The officers of the Association shall perform the administration
of the Association as needed or as required by Oklahoma law.
Section
11.02. No officer of the Association shall have the authority to bind
the Association in any contract, lease, or agreement for a period which
exceeds thirty-seven (37) months, except in matters relating to suits at
law in which the Association is itself a party.
Section
11.03. Voter registration information and Membership information in
whatever form or media shall be the property of the Association and the
Executive Council shall adopt standing rules providing for its custody,
security, and utilization.
ARTICLE
TWELVE: AMENDMENTS
Section
12.01. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3)-majority vote
of the members at any duly called meeting, except that this Section
(i.e. Section 14.01.) shall require a three-fourths (3/4) majority to
amend.
Section
12.02. Amendments to these Bylaws shall become effective immediately
upon adoption. The Association shall publish these Bylaws on its web
site and shall make print copies available to any Association Member and
to all interested persons provided, however, that non-members requesting
the Bylaws may be required to pay for that copy.
Section
12.03. These Bylaws may only be amended by vote of the membership at an
Association meeting.
Section
12.04. Proposed amendments to these Bylaws shall be considered at any
Association meeting.
Section
12.05. No amendment to these Bylaws shall change the status of any
person at a Association meeting, for the duration of that Association
meeting. Also, no amendment, in any event, shall invalidate action
properly taken under previous Bylaws.
ARTICLE
THIRTEEN: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section
13.01. The Rules contained in the current edition of ROBERT'S RULES OF
ORDER, NEWLY REVISED, shall govern parliamentary procedure in all
conventions, caucuses, meetings, and committees in all cases to which
they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these
Bylaws and any special rules or order the Association may adopt.
ARTICLE
FOURTEEN: ADOPTION
Section
14.01. These Bylaws shall go into effect upon being adopted by simple
majority vote of the registered participants present and voting at a
regular Association meeting during which a motion for their adoption is
introduced.
|
