The Libertarian Party of Alameda County

CONSTITUTION

Libertarian Party of Alameda County in California

an Affiliate of the Libertarian Party of California

As Amended January 12th, 2023.

We, the members of the Libertarian Party of Alameda County, hold that:

No person, group or government should have the authority or right to initiate physical force against anyone excepting situations involving an actual threat of imminent attack;

Every person has the right to live her/his life in any manner and involving any behavior that does not involve force, fraud, theft, property damage or negligent disregard for peoples’ health or safety;

The only moral justification for government is to protect people’s rights to life, liberty and property and people’s pursuit of happiness;

The right to acquire wealth and property, justly, is a corollary to the right to life;

Using force to take wealth or property from one person for the benefit of another person is coerced sharing, not charity;

Free enterprise and voluntary economic transactions and relationships should be maximized and politically-driven preferences, laws and regulations should be minimized.

Article I. Identity

The name of this organization shall be the Libertarian Party of Alameda County in California. The Libertarian Party of Alameda County (LPAC) is a regional affiliate of the Libertarian Party of California (LPC). The LPAC membership shall consist of the members of the LPC within the county of Alameda, California.

Article II. Purpose

Section 1. Statement of Purpose. The purpose of the LPAC is to organize, coordinate and

promote Libertarian Party activities within Alameda County and the Bay Area.

Section 2. Mission Statement. The Libertarian Party of Alameda County supports Libertarian candidates for public office and promotes Libertarian principles and positions.

Article III. Organization

Section 1. LPAC Membership.

(a) To maintain good standing, a member must: 1) pledge to adhere to the Libertarian Party’s non-initiation-of-force principle, 2) pay annual dues and 3) not have her/his membership suspended (as described in the LPAC Bylaws).
(b) Any member with good standing with both the LPC and the LPAC:

Has full voting rights with regard to election of LPAC Officers and other Executive Committee Members.
Is eligible to stand for election as an Officer or Executive Committee member as described in Section 2 of this Constitution.

Section 2. Officers and Other Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of four LPAC Officers – Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer – and as many as three Other Executive Committee Members whose duties and responsibilities are described in Article III, Section 4 of the LPAC Bylaws.

Section 3. Term-of-Office. The term-of-office for all LPAC Officers and Other Executive Committee Members shall not exceed thirteen months. Any LPAC member in good standing is eligible to be an Officer or other Executive Committee Member.

Article IV. Normal Business Meetings and Annual Membership Meeting

Section 1: Annual Meeting. The Party shall hold an Annual Meeting to elect its Officers, Executive Committee members, and conduct other business as shall properly come before it. Notification shall be sent to all Central Committee members at least thirty days, but not more than sixty days, prior to said meeting. Such notice shall specify the reason for the meeting, as well as a time and place reasonably accessible to the membership.

The Annual Meeting shall always be held in the month preceding the Libertarian Party of California Annual Convention.
“None of the Above” shall always be included as an option for election of all Party offices.

Section 2: Business Meetings. The Party shall hold a Business Meeting at least once every three months, or once a quarter, for the purposes of conducting Party business. A written or verbal notice of the time and place of these meetings shall be given to Central Committee members not less than seven days prior to said meeting.

Section 3: Executive Committee Meetings. The Executive Committee shall meet at such time, place and through whatever means may be determined by action of the Executive Committee, by call of the Chair, or by the written request of one-third or more of the members of the Executive Committee. A written or verbal notice of the time and place of these meetings shall be given to each member of the Executive Committee, as well as Central Committee members, not less than two days prior to said meeting. All meetings of the Executive Committee shall be open for observation to all Central Committee members.

Section 4: Transaction of Business Outside of Meetings. The Executive Committee may transact business outside of meetings via email, or any other agreed upon electronic medium. All votes shall be counted and recorded by the Secretary as roll call votes. Voting will end after 48 hours have passed from the Secretary’s announcement of the issue to be voted upon, and votes from two-thirds of the Executive Committee members have been received, or in 120 hours from such announcement, whichever occurs first. Up until the vote is finalized, a member may change their vote. If, at the expiration of the applicable period, a quorum of the Executive Committee has not voted, the motion being voted upon shall be considered failed. The Secretary shall keep a record of the motions and votes, and make them available in the same fashion as they would minutes from any Executive Committee meeting.

Section 5: Quorum. A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for any aforementioned meeting or transaction of business.

Article V. Bylaws

The Bylaws of the LPAC are subordinate to the Constitution and are hereby attached.

Article VI. Amendments

This Constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote of the LPAC Executive Committee at any Business Meeting, provided that 1) the amendment was proposed at a previous Business Meeting and 2) notification about the proposed amendment accompanies the notice for the Business Meeting at which the amendment is to be considered.

Article VII. Compliance

At such time as the LPC is or becomes qualified for ballot access in California, the Constitution and Bylaws of the LPAC shall be amended by the LPAC Executive Committee as necessary to conform to the provisions of the California Election Code.

BYLAWS

Libertarian Party of Alameda County in California

an Affiliate of the Libertarian Party of California

Article I. Purpose and Scope

The purpose of the Libertarian Party of Alameda County, California is to organize, coordinate and promote Libertarian Party activities within Alameda County, California and the Bay Area in a manner that is consistent with the: 1) Constitution and Bylaws of the Libertarian Party of California, 2) Constitution and Bylaws of the Libertarian Party of Alameda County, California and 3) Libertarian Party’s non-initiation of force principle.

The Libertarian Party of California shall be referred to herein as the LPC. The Libertarian Party of Alameda County shall be referred to herein as the LPAC. The Constitution of the Libertarian Party of Alameda County, California shall be referred to herein as the Constitution. These Bylaws shall be referred to herein as LPAC Bylaws.

Article II. Membership

Section 1. Qualifying for LPAC Membership. Membership in the LPAC is open to any individual who fulfills the following requirements to be a member in good standing:

(a) Affirm agreement with the following statement of principle regarding non-initiation-of- force: "I hereby certify that I do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as a means of achieving political or social goals."
(b) Status as an LPAC Member is not suspended by the LPC or by the LPAC Executive Committee (per LPAC Bylaws Article II, Section 2).
(c) Annual membership dues are current (per LPAC Bylaws Article II, Section 4).

An individual LPAC member in good standing shall be referred to herein as Member. All Members of the LPAC shall be referred to collectively herein as Members.

Section 2. Member Suspension. Any Member may be suspended, for cause, by a two-thirds vote of a quorum of the LPAC Executive Committee. Cause for suspension may include:

(a) Behavior that is inconsistent with the non-initiation-of-force principle.
(b) Taking action or communicating on behalf of the LPAC without authorization from the LPAC Executive Committee.
(c) Theft or otherwise unauthorized (by the LPAC Executive Committee) use of LPAC funds.
(d) Participating in LPAC activities in a manner that is not: 1) constructive, 2) ethical or
3) respectful toward LPAC Executive Committee, LPAC Members, partner organizations and collaborators.

Section 3. Member Suspension Appeal. A suspended Member may be appealed to the LPAC Executive Committee within thirty days of his/her suspension via written notification of the LPAC Chair. The appeal will be adjudicated during the next scheduled Business Meeting. If the suspension is not overturned by a two-thirds vote of a quorum of the LPAC Executive Committee during that meeting, then the suspension shall continue until such time as:

(a) Two-thirds of a quorum of the LPAC Executive Committee votes to end the suspension. (b) The suspension is overturned by the LPC Executive Committee or Judicial Committee.

Section 4. Annual Membership Dues. Annual Membership Dues of $25 per year will be collected from each Member. As stipulated by the LPC Bylaws, annual dues paid shall be allocated as follows:

(a) New Member: 100% of dues paid for a new membership shall accrue to the LPAC.
(b) Existing Member: dues paid for membership renewal shall accrue 60% to the LPAC and 40% to the LPC.

Article III. Executive Committee

Section 1. Officers and Other Executive Committee Members. The LPAC Executive Committee shall include four elected Officers – Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer – and up to three non- officer Executive Committee members.

LPAC Officers shall hereinafter be referred to as Officers, and no-officer LPAC Executive Committee members shall be referred to hereinafter as Other Executive Committee Members. The LPAC Executive Committee shall be referred to hereinafter as Executive Committee.

Section 2. Qualifications. Any person who is a member in good standing (pursuant to LPAC Bylaws Article II, Sections 1 and 2) shall be eligible for election to the LPAC Executive Committee.

Section 3. Term-of-Office. Officers and Other Executive Committee Members shall serve a term-of- office not to exceed thirteen months (396 days); after which incumbents must stand for (re)election.

Section 4. Roles and Responsibilities. The primary roles and responsibilities of Executive Committee Members are as follow:

(a) Chair – is the Chief Executive Officer of the LPAC and preside at all meetings of the LPAC Executive Committee.
(b) Vice-Chair – assists the Chair in providing leadership to the LPAC; perform duties of the Chair in the event that s/he is unable or unavailable to do so.
(c) Secretary – is the recording and reporting officer of the LPAC (per LPAC Bylaws Article IV, section 7); assist with LPAC documents/communications and provide reports to/coordinate with the LPC Secretary as needed.
(d) Treasurer – is the LPAC’s fiduciary officer whose duties include managing the receipt, expenditure and accounting of funds, financial reporting and recordkeeping (per LPAC Bylaws Article 7); provide reports to/coordinate with the LPC Treasurer as needed.
(e) Other Executive Committee Members – participate in all discussion, debate and vote on all LPAC business matters; perform other duties per the direction and discretion of the Executive Committee.

Section 5. Termination. An Executive Committee member may be terminated from office for cause including, but not limited to:

(a) Failure to maintain status as a Member as described in LPAC Bylaws Article II, Section 1.

(b) Behavior or activities that are inconsistent with provisions described in LPAC Bylaws Article II, Section 2.
(c) Not attending two consecutive Business Meetings (as described in LPAC Bylaws Article IV) without prior notification of the Executive Committee or not attending three consecutive Business Meetings during the current term in office.

Termination requires a two-thirds vote of all Executive Committee Members who are not the subject of said termination. The position of a terminated Executive Committee Member shall be declared vacant.

Section 6. Replacing an Executive Committee Member. The Executive Committee shall, by a majority vote, appoint a replacement for a terminated Executive Committee Member to complete the current term-of-office. Such a replacement may stand for election at the next Annual Membership Meeting (as described in LPAC Bylaws Article IV, Section 3).

Article IV. LPAC Meetings

Section 1: Annual Meeting. The Party shall hold an Annual Meeting to elect its Officers, Executive Committee members, and conduct other business as shall properly come before it. Notification shall be sent to all Central Committee members at least thirty days, but not more than sixty days, prior to said meeting. Such notice shall specify the reason for the meeting, as well as a time and place reasonably accessible to the membership.

The Annual Meeting shall always be held in the month preceding the Libertarian Party of California Annual Convention.
“None of the Above” shall always be included as an option for election of all Party offices.

Section 2: Business Meetings. The Party shall hold a Business Meeting at least once every three months, or once a quarter, for the purposes of conducting Party business. A written or verbal notice of the time and place of these meetings shall be given to Central Committee members not less than seven days prior to said meeting.

Section 3: Executive Committee Meetings. The Executive Committee shall meet at such time, place and through whatever means may be determined by action of the Executive Committee, by call of the Chair, or by the written request of one-third or more of the members of the Executive Committee. A written or verbal notice of the time and place of these meetings shall be given to each member of the Executive Committee, as well as Central Committee members, not less than two days prior to said meeting. All meetings of the Executive Committee shall be open for observation to all Central Committee members.

Section 4: Transaction of Business Outside of Meetings. The Executive Committee may transact business outside of meetings via email, or any other agreed upon electronic medium. All votes shall be counted and recorded by the Secretary as roll call votes. Voting will end after 48 hours have passed from the Secretary’s announcement of the issue to be voted upon, and votes from two-thirds of the Executive Committee members have been received, or in 120 hours from such announcement, whichever occurs first. Up until the vote is finalized, a member may change their vote. If, at the expiration of the applicable period, a quorum of the Executive Committee has not voted, the motion being voted upon shall be considered failed. The Secretary shall keep a record of the motions and votes, and make them available in the same fashion as they would minutes from any Executive Committee meeting.

Section 5: Quorum. A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for any aforementioned meeting or transaction of business.

Article V. Executive Committee Annual Election

Section 1. Annual Election. Executive Committee members shall be elected during the Annual Meeting which shall occur no less than one month prior to the end of Executive Committee members’ term-of-office.

Section 2. Election Voting. A simple majority of votes cast by Members in attendance is required to elect all Executive Committee members. In the event that no candidate receives a majority of votes cast, there will be as many as two run-off votes between the two candidates receiving the most votes. If, after two run-off votes, no candidate receives a majority of votes cast then a coin flip shall be used to determine the winner.

Section 3. Speeches. Before voting occurs, each candidate and/or their designated representative(s) may speak for a total of three minutes.

Section 4. Unanimous Consent. Executive Committee Members as a group may be elected without voting for individual candidates upon unanimous consent of Members in attendance.

Article VI. Working Committees

Section 1. The Executive Committee may establish Working Committees as necessary and, for each such Working Committee, shall: a) appoint a Chair and b) provide necessary guidance regarding the scope, purpose timing, budget, expected results and products.

Section 2. Working Committees exist under the authority of and at the convenience of the Executive Committee.

Article VII. Finances and Accounting

Section 1. The fiscal term of the LPAC shall begin on the first day of each calendar year and end on the final day of each calendar year.

Section 2. All expenditures must be approved by a majority vote of a quorum of the Executive Committee.

Section 3. The Executive Committee shall establish and approve and the Treasurer shall implement a transparent and efficient system of accounting for and reporting of LPAC financial matters.

Article VIII. Amendments to these Bylaws

These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of Members in attendance during any Business Meeting, provided that: 1) the amendment was proposed at the previous Business Meeting or
2) notice about the nature and text of amendments proposed by an Executive Committee Member is provided to Members at least thirty days prior to the Business Meeting during which the amendments will be considered.

Article IX. Parliamentary Authority

Robert's Rules of Order as Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by The Constitution and The Bylaws.

Article X. Delegates to Libertarian Party Conventions
Section 1. Any Member in good standing is eligible to represent the LPAC at the LPC Convention and the National Libertarian Party Convention.

Section 2. Each Officer and Other Executive Committee member shall be eligible to serve as a delegate to the LPC Convention. If the LPAC’s convention delegate allocation is less than the number of members in the Executive Committee, then seniority – as an Executive Committee member – shall be used to determine which Executive Committee members will serve as delegates.

Section 3. Each Officer and Executive Committee member may appoint one delegate or alternate delegate to participate in the LPC Convention. If the LPAC’s convention delegate allocation is less than the number of members in the Executive Committee, then seniority – as an Executive Committee member – shall be used to determine which Executive Committee members may appoint Delegates.

Section 4. LPAC’s delegates and alternate delegates to the LPC convention, not including executive Committee members and their appointees (pursuant to Article X. Sections 2 and 3 of these Bylaws) shall be approved by a majority of a quorum of the Executive Committee.