“I disagree with the assertion that, ‘a premature vote on proposed bylaw
changes at the Fall 2017 National Committee Meeting resulted in conflicting
and ambiguous language within the bylaws’. Further, I believe this proposed
measure is fear based and would seek to maintain an egregious barrier to
participation by the grassroots National Committee Members in the governance
of the National CP, and therefore should not be adopted.”
- J.R.Myers, CPMT National Committee Member #1
****************************************************************************
A Proposal to Correct Contradictory Bylaw Language that Was Created at Fall 2017
NCM.
Whereas the bylaws of the Constitution Party are the fundamental and core rules by which we operate
and govern ourselves and
Whereas contradictions within the bylaws create ambiguity and confusion and
Whereas a premature vote on proposed bylaw changes at the Fall 2017 National Committee Meeting
resulted in conflicting and ambiguous language within the bylaws therefore
The National Committee Members of the Constitution Party of Missouri propose the following bylaw
change to the National Committee of the Constitution Party of the United States:
Section 2.6 – National Committee Meetings
OLD:
34. At least one meeting of the National Committee per year shall be held with the members of the
35. Committee physically gathering together in one place. The National Committee may vote to
36. hold one or both meetings via electronic means or conference call. Other meetings may be held
37. via electronic means or conference call.
NEW:
34. At least one meeting of the National Committee per year shall be held with the members of the
35. Committee physically gathering together in one place. The National Committee, under
36. extraordinary circumstances, may vote to hold one or both meetings via electronic means or
37. conference call. Other meetings may be held via electronic means or conference call.
*********************************************************************************
“We already possess ample means to regulate the internal processes and procedures of the
National Constitution Party. Therefore, there is no need to, ‘Increase Protection for our
Bylaws and Organizational Structure - Physical Presence.’ This is another fear based
effort that will result in stifling Party growth. For one thing, the CP is not the Republic.
There is no danger that we are about to be deluged by hostile takeover forces bent on our
destruction. We need to utilize available technology to welcome new members with
energy, creativity and resources. We need to decrease the cost for National Committee
Members to play. This proposal needs to be rejected as anti-growth.”
- J.R.Myers, MTCP NCM #1
****************************************************************************
Increase Protection for our Bylaws and Organizational Structure – Physical Presence.
Whereas, the Constitution of the United States is effectively the By-Laws of the Republic and
Whereas, the Framers intentionally made alteration of the Constitution a difficult and drawn out
procedure, not to be changed for light and transient reasons, and
Whereas the bylaws of the Constitution Party are the fundamental and core rules by which we operate
and govern ourselves and
Whereas even small changes to the bylaws can have profound consequences and
Whereas it is in the best interest of the party that all National Committee members be as informed as
possible on proposed bylaw changes and
Whereas the ability to ask questions and gain a full understanding of proposed benefits and potential
consequences resulting from proposed bylaw changes is essential and
Whereas proposed bylaw change discussions are often very lengthy and contentious and
Whereas formal discussions on proposed bylaw changes during NC meetings are often limited by time
and
Whereas members routinely discuss proposed changes with other members before, after and during the
meeting breaks and
Whereas remote (electronic) participation in proposed bylaw motions, discussions and amendments at
NC Meetings will certainly extend the time required to discuss, amend and adopt bylaw changes
Therefore, the National Committee Members of the Constitution Party of Missouri propose these
bylaw changes to the National Committee of the Constitution Party of the United States:
ARTICLE VI – Amendments
NEW Append
Voting Eligibility
C. In addition to all other defined voting requirements in these bylaws, a National Committee Member
shall only be eligible to vote on bylaw changes if they are physically present at the primary meeting
location in which the vote is held.
A quorum for bylaw changes shall be at least one eligible representative from a majority of the eligible
member state affiliates. Eligible remote (electronic) attendees may cast or withhold, a proxy attendance
vote toward establishment of a quorum for bylaw changes.
*********************************************************************************
“While I understand the motivation of wanting a reliable revenue stream, this will further
alienate affiliates and members. We do not need to be closing the gates. We need to be
finding ways to welcome and utilize new talent, develop new generations of leaders and
move forward now. This measure must be rejected as reactionary, and again, fear based
and punitive to the membership.”
- J.R.Myers, CPMT NCM#1
***************************************************************************
B) State Assessments – “in good standing” - restrictions on EC participation for
non payment.
Whereas the Constitution Party of the United States operates on a limited budget and
Whereas the Constitution Party assists states in many areas, such as ballot access, and
Whereas without funding the Constitution Party would be unable to provide such assistance to affiliate
states and
Whereas state assessments represent a significant portion of Constitution Party funding and
Whereas decisions regarding budgeting and special projects are voted on by the National Committee
and
Whereas it is unfair and unequal for affiliate states that choose not to pay their annual assessment to
have an equal voice in the budget and other financial interests of the party
Therefore, the National Committee Members of the Constitution Party of Missouri propose these
bylaw changes to the National Committee of the Constitution Party of the United States:
Section 2.3 – Membership
A. Membership from State Affiliates
OLD:
28. Each member may vote in a National Committee meeting upon payment of the National Committee
member fee for that calendar year.
NEW:
An Affiliate State will be deemed to be a member “in good standing” at any point in a calendar year in
which the annual state assessment has either been paid in full for entire calendar year or for which a
pro-rated amount has been paid through the date in question using not smaller than monthly increments.
An affiliate state will be deemed to be a member in good standing “for a calendar year” for which the
state's entire annual assessment has been paid in full prior to the last day of the year in question.
A National Committee member will be deemed to be “in good standing” for any calendar year in
which the National Committee member fee has been paid for the National Committee Member for
that calendar year.
Section 2.4 – Officers
A. Elected Officers
NEW - insert:
To be eligible to be an officer elect, an individual must be a National Committee Member in good
standing and represent an affiliate state member that is either a) in good standing at the time of the
election or b) was in good standing for the calendar year prior to the election.
The elected officers shall be:
ARTICLE III – Executive Committee
NEW – append:
Each member of the Executive Committee shall be entitled to cast one vote of equal value with all
other members of the committee, on matters that come before the committee, provided that the
member's respective state is/was an affiliate state member in good standing at some point during
the six (6) month period prior to the date said vote is to be cast. Proxy votes are not permitted.
*********************************************************************************
B) State Assessments – “in good standing” - restrictions on EC participation for
non payment.
Whereas the Constitution Party of the United States operates on a limited budget and
Whereas the Constitution Party assists states in many areas, such as ballot access, and
Whereas without funding the Constitution Party would be unable to provide such assistance to affiliate
states and
Whereas state assessments represent a significant portion of Constitution Party funding and
Whereas decisions regarding budgeting and special projects are voted on by the National Committee
and
Whereas it is unfair and unequal for affiliate states that choose not to pay their annual assessment to
have an equal voice in the budget and other financial interests of the party
Therefore, the National Committee Members of the Constitution Party of Missouri propose these
bylaw changes to the National Committee of the Constitution Party of the United States:
Section 2.3 – Membership
A. Membership from State Affiliates
OLD:
28. Each member may vote in a National Committee meeting upon payment of the
National Committee member fee for that calendar year.
NEW:
An Affiliate State will be deemed to be a member “in good standing” at any point in a calendar
year in which the annual state assessment has either been paid in full for entire calendar year or
for which a pro-rated amount has been paid through the date in question using not smaller than
monthly increments. An affiliate state will be deemed to be a member in good standing “for a
calendar year” for which the state's entire annual assessment has been paid in full prior to the
last day of the year in question.
A National Committee member will be deemed to be “in good standing” for any calendar year in
which the National Committee member fee has been paid for the National Committee Member for
that calendar year.
Section 2.4 – Officers
A. Elected Officers
NEW - insert:
To be eligible to be an officer elect, an individual must be a National Committee Member in good
standing and represent an affiliate state member that is either a) in good standing at the time of the
election or b) was in good standing for the calendar year prior to the election.
The elected officers shall be:
ARTICLE III – Executive Committee
NEW – append:
Each member of the Executive Committee shall be entitled to cast one vote of equal value with all
other members of the committee, on matters that come before the committee, provided that the
member's respective state is/was an affiliate state member in good standing at some point during
the six (6) month period prior to the date said vote is to be cast. Proxy votes are not permitted.
