American Socialist Voter

Just what is an entitlement?

The entitlement is a just claim to something. In this case the entitlement is that of a member of any Socialist organization.

Optional reference materials to know your rights as a member might include Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, a note binder to keep minutes, legal charter of incorporation as a not-for-profit political organization, and additional works.

Key theoretical terms: universal values, human rights, social, democracy. 

What if my group, local, state, or national does not agree to my entitlement or have a notable representative that I can openly contact or have access to the body for my pet project? 

A member is considered "in good standing" when they meet the agreements made making up their respective charter, constitution, bylaws, rules of order, and standing rules.

Many Socialists use a standard like this example but if they don't you might ask, "Why not?"

• 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.

The just claim for each member in any Socialist organization is very basic; however, it can be hard to make clear as those who do not want you to succeed or vote against their resolutions will stone wall you at every move to muddle or discourage you from taking real (actual) Socialist actions. Remember that if the word "democratic" appears within your ideological theme such as democratic socialism or social democratic then diversity of opinion and tendency are a legal claim. Any malformation or centralizing of authority around a clique is not "democratic." Often times Communist confuse this single point since they use the term democratic centralism calling themselves "democratic" the leading thought being that, "if we are all one then we are democratic only choosing from within the one party." Not a bad idea if you're a Communist, but this isn't the nature of Socialists in general and a key factor in relating the factions within for plenty of disagreement yet to be resolved.

The resolve for each respective group or organization is to act the most democratic by being local and having its own legal charter and associating per its own written and posted policies.

Each member in good standing should have a printed and up-to-date handbook. This handbook should be dated for the period covered, in example, 2008-2009 being the time frame between national, state, or local conventions depending on each groupings policies and papers on file for the total membership to read and guide them. 

The handbook should have printed inside all reference materials each member is expected to know before each meeting.

• U.S. Constitution (Supreme founding document)
• Amendments to the Constitution
• Declaration of Independence
• State Constitution (respective to the membership's state)
  • Local ordinances if any. These could be county or city related.
• National Constitution, Bylaws... cannot be in conflict with state or federal.
• State Constitution, Bylaws...  cannot be in conflict with state, federal, or national.
• Local Constitution, Bylaws...  each local can have its own legal charter filed with the membership's respective state and choose to affiliate with any faction or all, having a unity clause, for Socialists.
• Quorum accessibility in the form of a complete membership listing. All members of any organization have a legal right (in most states this refers back to the Sunshine Act of 1976) to know how to judge if there is a quorum and to have accessibility to this quorum to lobby support of comrades for different resolutions, motions, and the like.

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

Meetings: Not in the handbook, but mailed or posted on-line.

• Minutes, each level of an organization must keep and retain the works of the group. These are legal and binding in a court of law should there be a disputable nature.
• Minutes shall be timely, a draft for peer review at each level or passed upward to the next level will be posted or mailed within 24 hours of the completed meeting.
• Minutes review, a midpoint shall be selected before the next meeting for all changes to meeting minutes.
• Minutes approved, adopted, or accepted will be done before the next meeting is to begin.
• Minutes posted and recorded. All minutes shall be public in compliance with the Sunshine Act of 1976 or any state or local provisions thereof.

This section considers what is fair and just. By example we have a court system to gauge by. When a member is accused of a crime - criminal or civil - it is a serious offense, so too is accusing any member of any such offense. Equal weight for both sides must be reviewed when claims are made.

If any member is accused of a criminal act it should be reported to the police and a formal report made. All evidence to convicting said member should be turned over to the police to aid in their investigation. The question of removing a member from what rights they may have at this point should not be taken. If a criminal case cannot be proven, the member should be allowed to continue duties and/or rights thereof. However, the member that made claim should be checked reviewed for any false claims made. This then becomes a civil matter and too could result in likewise dismissal of a member, but not until the case has been made. * Review or seek professional advice for any and all state or local laws before taking legal concerns. Each local might consider recruiting their own set of professionals for an Advisory Council.

Labeling or name calling should never be allowed i.e. Trot, Stalinist, Nazi, ect. Nor should slander be used i.e. he/she stole/took without actual proof with the ability to turn it over to the police. 

Any level of Judicatory Committee, local, state, or national should never seat elected officers or persons related to officers of the party. This removes a bias.

All Judicatory Committees should have their own remote setting away from the rest and have their own policies posted for public notice, not review or consideration. Each grouping should have the ability to make a judgment and create a public posting for all to read. A log and key wording must be made so others may use this as an open reference source.

Appeals

Every member has a right to appeal and it should be written into their bylaws to help reiterate this point.

If a Local already has a Judicatory Committee and has passed opinion against the Defendant then options are limited. A singular option could be to appeal to all the membership if the member is willing to pay for a mailing by vote to overturn a negative result. This and its outcome must be written into the bylaws and made known. * Remember that professional help is always best, never assume you or someone else knows it all or more than... there are many different organizations out there to help, legal, parliamentarian, Registered Agent, ect.

If a Local is affiliated with a state or national level then each very well will have their own policies. Make sure they are published in a public place and all cases are made known. This is a major factor is affiliation often overlooked and later gets many into trouble due to conflicting issues that cause in-fights between groups. Often times more than not it is best for a Local to remain independent until more local residences have joined giving more voice and diversity to the whole of the group consensus making for a better governance down the road.