Amendments Approved February 8, 2022

Constitution

Article I: NAME

The name of this committee shall be the Montgomery County Committee of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania, hereinafter referred to as the Committee.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of the Committee is to proclaim and to implement the Statement of Principles of the National Libertarian Party by engaging in political and educational activities in Montgomery County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

An individual endorsing the purposes and principles of the National Libertarian Party may become and remain a member of the Committee subject to the provisions of the Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules.

ARTICLE IV. ORGANIZATION

Section 1 - Officers

The officers of the Committee shall be a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. All of these officers shall be elected at an annual Winter meeting of the Committee by attending members and shall take office immediately upon the close of such meeting.

Section 2 - Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the control and management of all the affairs, properties, and funds of the Committee consistent with this Constitution, its Bylaws, and its Rules.

The Board of Directors of the Committee shall be composed of the following:

• The four elected officers of the Committee.
• The immediate past chair
• One member, chosen, by the committee, of each of the standing committees

Section 3 - Judicial Committee

3.1 - Composition

The Judicial Committee shall be composed of three members appointed by the Board of Directors.

A member of the Judicial Committee must reside in Montgomery County (PA), and may not serve as an officer of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania or as an officer of any County Committee of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania.

3.2 - Length of Term

The term of a member of the Judicial Committee shall run through the period of the next Winter Meeting and until a successor is appointed.

3.3 - Scope of Authority

The Judicial Committee shall be the final body of appeal in all matters regarding interpretations of the Constitution, Bylaws, or Rules of the Committee, subject to the provisions that a decision of the Judicial Committee can be overturned by a three-quarters vote of the Winter meeting of the Committee.

ARTICLE V. ANNUAL WINTER MEETING

The Committee shall hold an annual Winter meeting to conduct such business as may properly come before it at a time and place to be set according to the Bylaws and in compliance with the Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules. This meeting shall occur prior to the Spring meeting of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania.

ARTICLE VI. BYLAWS

The Bylaws are hereby affixed to and subordinate to the Constitution.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS

The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of all members in attendance at a Winter meeting of the Committee.

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Bylaws

ARTICLE I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE (OBJECTIVE)

Section 1 - Purpose

The purpose of the Committee is to conduct the following activities consistent with the Statement of Principles:

• Disseminate Libertarian political philosophy by entering into political information activities
• Nominating and supporting candidates for countywide and local political office
• Supporting statewide Libertarian Party Candidates
• Supporting national Libertarian Party Candidates.

Section 2 - Scope

The Committee shall conduct its activities primarily within Montgomery County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Committee may coordinate its efforts with County Committees in other Counties. It may also organize libertarian activities in those Counties without County Libertarian Organizations.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.1 - Establishing Membership

Any person who consistently attends and supports Committee functions, who adheres to libertarian principles, and who generally supports the purposes and principles of the National Libertarian Party shall be considered a member of the Montgomery County Libertarian Committee.

Section 1.2 - Definition of Member in Good Standing

Any person residing in Montgomery County (PA) who regularly attends at least two (2) business meetings or committee functions per year, shall be considered a member in good standing.

Any person residing outside Montgomery County (PA) who regularly attends at least two (2) business meetings or committee functions per year, upon a majority vote of committee members residing in Montgomery County (PA) present at the person's second or subsequent meeting, shall be considered a member in good standing.

Section 2 - Eligibility for Committee officers

Any person who is nominated to be an officer of the Committee must be a member in good standing of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania, and, unless prohibited by law, a registered Libertarian within the County of his/her residence. Members whose residence is outside of Montgomery County (PA) may be nominated, but only upon a three-fifths (3/5th) vote of committee members residing in Montgomery County (PA) present for the nomination.

Section 3 - Dues

The Committee intends to operate on voluntary contributions. However, the Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine the amount of dues necessary for membership in the Committee, and may determine one or more classes of membership with different amounts of dues for each.

Section 4 - Suspension of Membership

The Board of Directors, or the membership at two consecutive meetings, shall have the power to suspend a member for cause by a two-thirds vote during a scheduled meeting.  A member may be suspended "for cause" for:

1. For misrepresenting the principles of the Committee.
2. For endorsing or campaigning for, in the name of the Committee, a candidate for public office in opposition to one nominated by the Committee, State, or National Libertarian Party.
3. For running for office purporting to have been nominated or endorsed by the Committee without having received such nomination or endorsement.
4. For other reasonable cause.

The duration of the suspension shall be at the discretion of the Board of Directors, but may be reevaluated or overturned by a two-thirds vote of the membership at the next public meeting.  Notice of suspension is subject to written appeal within fifteen days of notification. Failure to appeal shall result in membership suspension.

Section 4.1 – Limitation on Non-Resident Members

A member of the Committee whose residence is outside of Montgomery County (PA) may have their membership revoked at any business or public meeting of the Committee on a three-fifth (3/5th) vote of Committee members present whose residence is inside Montgomery County (PA).

Section 5 - Membership Suspension Appeal

Upon written appeal by the member, the Judicial Committee shall hold a hearing concerning the suspension.  Within three days of the hearing, the Judicial Committee shall rule to either uphold the termination or restore them to a member in good standing. A failure to rule shall be deemed as restoring them to a member in good standing.

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS

Section 1 - Chair

The Chair shall preside at all public meetings and at all meetings of the Board of Directors. He or she shall be the chief executive officer of the committee.

Section 2 - Vice-Chair

The Vice-Chair shall act as an assistant to the Chair.

Section 3 - Secretary

The Secretary shall take and keep minutes of all party meetings and all meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall maintain a current list of all members of the Committee.

Section 4 - Treasurer

The treasurer shall receive, disburse, and account for the funds of the Committee under the supervision of the Chair and the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall compile a quarterly report, which shall consist of a balance sheet and the profit and loss schedule shall be available to members upon request. The treasurer shall file all required reports on behalf of the Committee with government agencies.

Section 5 - Suspension

The Board of Directors, or the membership at two consecutive meetings, shall have the power to suspend an officer for cause by a two-thirds vote during a scheduled meeting.    An Officer may be suspended "for cause" for:

1. For failing to perform the duties of the elected position to a reasonable standard.
2. For misrepresenting the principles of the Committee.
3. For endorsing or campaigning for, in the name of the Committee, a candidate for public office in opposition to one nominated by the Committee, State, or National Libertarian Party.
4. For running for office purporting to have been nominated or endorsed by the Committee without having received such nomination or endorsement.
5. For other reasonable cause.

Notice of suspension is subject to written appeal within fifteen days of notification. Should the suspended officer fail to appeal, the office shall be declared vacant by default.

Section 6 - Appeal

Upon written appeal by the suspended officer, the Judicial Committee shall hold a hearing concerning the suspension.  Within three days of the hearing, the Judicial Committee shall rule to either uphold the suspension (thereby vacating the office) or restore the officer to full authority. A failure to rule shall be deemed as restoring the officer to full authority. 

Section 7 - Vacancies

In the event of vacancies or suspensions, the Board of Directors shall appoint interim officers to complete the term of office vacated, and the membership will vote to confirm at the next public meeting. Should the members fail to confirm these appointments, the members will conduct nominations, and elections will be conducted by the membership to fill the positions for the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE IV. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1 - Meeting Notification

The Board of Directors shall meet at such time and place as may be determined by a call of the Chair or by the written request of one third or more members of the Board. A notice of the time and place of all meetings shall be provided to each member of the Board of Directors not less than seven days prior to said meeting.

Section 2 - Public Meetings

The Board shall hold at least four public meetings each year.

ARTICLE V. THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE

Section 1 - Organization

The Judicial Committee shall elect a chair who shall receive all appeals and petitions and schedule hearings so as to obtain a quorum of the Judicial Committee. When a hearing is requested, the chair shall be allowed three days to set the date of the hearing.

Section 2 - Hearing Notification

The Judicial Committee must provide at least ten days notice to each of the interested parties to a hearing unless an earlier date is agreed to by the Judicial Committee and the participants.

Section 3 - Limit

The hearing must be held within thirty days from the time the request is received by the Judicial Committee.

Section 4 - Representation

Each party to a hearing shall have the right to represent his or her interest in the manner of his or her choosing.

Section 5 - Rulings

The Judicial Committee must provide a ruling within ten days of the conclusion of a hearing. 

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

Section 1 - Standing Committees

The standing committees of the Committee shall be <none>. The duties, composition, and reporting requirements shall be determined from time to time by the Board.

Section 2 - Working Committees

There shall be such working Committee appointed by the Chair as the Board of Directors deems appropriate. Working committees shall exist at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII. NOMINATIONS OF CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE

Section 1 - Nominations

Candidates for County and local office shall be nominated by the Committee in consultation with the appropriate Municipal Committees. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for approving all nominations. The Board of Directors shall have the power to nominate candidates for Special Elections, nominate substitute candidates as provided in the State Election Code, and nominate proxy candidates for petitioning purposes.

ARTICLE VIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these Bylaws.

ARTICLE IX: ELECTIONS

Votes cast for "None of the Above" shall be considered valid in any nomination or election. Should a majority of the votes be cast for "None of the Above", none of the losing candidates for that position may be selected to fill the vacancy for that term of office, or be nominated for that office in that particular election.

In elections or nominations having more than one possible winner, the number of votes received by NOTA shall be divided by the number of winning positions for which there are candidates.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

These bylaws may be amended at the annual meeting by a simple majority vote