American Socialist Voter

Here from the start each small group "Local" will choose its own legal status. A basic constitution is a simple two part having Articles One & Two regardless of method to keep this simple and uncomplicated. If a Local wishes it can take the extra step and create a corporate charter as a not-for-profit. All these first options to consider and the legality issue, it is a good idea to consult professional help to protect the Local.

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the organization shall be the ___________________________________ .

Please consider the exact name as this will be legal and binding. Any trademark or copyright will be held against the whole Local if a problem arises and to protect the Local if another uses the name without permission.

Something many do not think about is the acronym used as well for their Local which can be added to the "Section" or somehow used in the "Clause." 

Unincorporated or to Incorporated?  Don't forget your acronym.  Legal advice?

ARTICLE II

OBJECT

The object of the organization shall be to __________________________________ .

Many get this wrong for one or two main reasons. Either the statement is too short lacking clear details or the statement is overly long lack any clearly defining details.

If a statement is short, the group might ask several questions among itself or ask from like minded Socialists for more details before anything can go wrong as they often do when opinions fly in meetings.

Now if a statement is long what can be added are Clauses that single out more details to answer questions of procedure and authority.

Here is the biggest chance to make new friends and enemies alike on the left. Simply add a unity section if there isn't a clause in the objective Article. This one point is so imprtant due to the alphabet soup socialists parties and groups not working on the same page because of a few cyber-bullies ruining the whole movement out of selfish actions and words. Time to show them what real socialism is in modern society - we are not dead Russians - by working on the Unity Clause page today. Help us help you bring in what we all know is the right thing to do. 

If the Local went for the legal option and formed a not-for-profit corporate charter the second half of formal documents would then follow as the constitution for the Local as its normal continuation. 

ARTICLE III

MEMBERS

Section 1. Admission.

Section 2. Fees and Dues.

Section 3. Resignation.

Section 4. Honorary Membership.

Section 5. Organized States.

Clause 1. A Local.

Clause 2. A Chapter.

ARTICLE IV

UNORGANIZED STATES (MEMBERS AT LARGE)

Section 1. 

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers.

Clause 1. Chair

Duties 1. 

Abilities 1. 

Authority 1.

Clause 2. Vice Chair

Duties 1.

Abilities 1.

Authority 1. 

Clause 3. Speaker of the National Committee

Duties 1.

Abilities 1.

Authority 1. 

Clause 4. Chair pro tempore of the National Committee

Duties 1.

Abilities 1.

Authority 1. 

Clause 5. General Secretary

Duties 1.

Abilities 1.

Authority 1. 

Section 2. Nominations.

Section 3. Election.

Section 4. Limitations and Terms.

Section 5. Vacancy in Office.

ARTICLE VI

ORDERS OF SUCCESSION

Section 1. In case of the removal of the Chair from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice Chair shall become Chair.

Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice Chair, the Chair shall nominate a Vice Chair who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of the National Committee.

Section 3. Whenever the Chair transmits to the Chair pro tempore of the National Committee and the Speaker of the National Committee his/her written declaration that he/she is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his/her office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice Chair as Acting Chair.

Section 4. Whenever the Vice Chair and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as National Committee may by law provide, transmit to the Chair pro tempore of the National Committee their written declaration that the Chair is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his/her office, the Vice Chair shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting Chair until elections can be held.

Thereafter, when the Chair transmits to the Chair pro tempore of the National Committee and the Speaker of the National Committee his/her written declaration that no inability exists, he/she shall resume the powers and duties of his/her office unless the Vice Chair and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as the National Committee may by law provide, transmit within four days to the Chair pro tempore of the National Committee and the Speaker of the National Committee their written declaration that the Chair is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his/her office. Thereupon the National Committee shall decide the issue, assembling within fourteen days for that purpose if not in session. If the National Committee, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if the National Committee is not in session, within twenty-one days after National Committee is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote that the Chair is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his/her office, the Vice Chair shall continue to discharge the same as Acting Chair; otherwise, the Chair shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

ARTICLE VII

ANNUAL CONVENTION

Section 1. Annual Convention.

Section 2. Delegates.

Section 3. Special Meetings.

Section 4. Quorum.

ARTICLE VIII

COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing. -

THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Clause 1. Composition.

Clause 2. Duties.

Clause 3. Meetings.

THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL COMMITTEE

Clause 1. Composition

Clause 2. Duties.

Clause 3. Meetings.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Clause 1. Composition

Clause 2. Duties.

Clause 3. Meetings.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Clause 1. Composition

Clause 2. Duties.

Clause 3. Meetings.

AUDITING COMMITTEE

Clause 1. Composition

Clause 2. Duties.

Clause 3. Meetings.

Section 2. Special. -

COMMITTEE for the general purpose of _______  __________ .

Clause 1. Composition

Clause 2. Duties.

Clause 3. Meetings.

ARTICLE  IX

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1. Rules. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with theses bylaws and any special rules of order the organization may adopt.

ARTICLE X

REFERENDUM

Section 1. 

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Section1. Amending. These bylaws may be amended at the annual convention, special meeting of the whole organization, or a referendum of the whole organization, by members in good standing whos names and votes to be recorded and posted shall move by a two-thirds vote the whole organization, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing and publicly posted on its front page, in black 12 point font, at least 60 days before the meeting.

ARTICLE XII

CONDUCT

 text here

ARTICLE XIII

SPEAKING

 text here

ARTICLE XIV

MOTIONS

 text here

ARTICLE XV

TERM LIMITS

 text here

ARTICLE XVI

FILLING VACANCY OF OFFICE

 text here

ARTICLE XVII

OBLIGATION OF ATTENDANCE

 text here

ARTICLE XVIII

REGULAR MEETINGS

Section 1. National -

Section 2. State -

Section 3. Local -

Section 4. Youth -

ARTICLE XIX

METHODS USED TO CONDUCT MEETINGS, MINUTES THEREOF, QUORUM ACCESSIBILITY

Section 1. Method. -

a. Meetings of the National or State can be held by phone or video conference via the internet, never shall both at the same time.

b. Meetings for the Local shall be conducted in person no less than twice every six months.

Section 2. Minutes. -

a. Meeting minutes shall be posted publicly for both the National and State. Copies of all minutes are to be printed and mailed to members in good standing with 30 days after each posting for review by the body.

b. The minutes for each Local shall be mailed by regular first class service to both the State and National for record purposes.

Section 3. Quorum accessibility. -

a. Each member is entitled to have access to the member's complete contact list to utilize the mail services additionally.This serves as means of determinacy for a quorum. The fulfillment of the democratic aspect of being social.

b. A complete contact list must include the following:

• Full name.
• Street address.
• Phone number.
• Email. 
• Current expected expiration of dues and status.

Status being:

• Member Honorary. Cannot vote.
• Members suspended. Cannot vote temporarily, date assigned to release.
• Member in good standing. Able to vote. 
• Member in arrears, not notified. Able to vote.
• Member in arrears, notified with two months notice. Able to vote.
• Member in arrears, notified, in last two months of notice. Cannot vote.
• Member in arrears, must resubmit application for membership. Name to be kept listed for a period no more than twelve (12) months.