SECTION I. NAME
A. State Name. (1) The official name of this state political party
is "Georgia Independent American Party. (2) It may also be known as
Independent American Party of Georgia, IAP of Georgia.
B. County Names. (1) The official name of each County Party of the
Georgia Independent American Party shall be (county name) Independent
American Party, (herein "County Party"). (2) Each County Party
may also be known as "Independent American Party (of county name), or
(county name) County Independent American Party.
C. National Name. (1) The Georgia Independent American Party shall
be affiliated with the National Independent American Party (herein
"National IAP"), subject to approval of the National Committee
of the National IAP.
SECTION II. OBJECT
A. IAP Candidates. (1) To further the Georgia Independent American
Party Mission, the State Party shall endeavor to find, nominate, assist
and support candidates for federal, state and local offices, who are wise,
moral and honest, and who will uphold and defend the Constitution for the United States and the State of Georgia. (2) These candidates shall also
adhere to the Mission and Platform of the State Party. (3) The State Party
shall also assist and support the presidential and vice presidential
nominees of the National IAP.
B. Non-IAP Candidates. (1) The State convention may choose to
endorse and/or support non-party candidates for public office, who meet
the ideals expected of State Party candidates, who are not in direct
contest with any State Party or National IAP nominees for public office.
C. Party Assistance. (1) The State party shall endeavor to assist
County Parties and other State Party entities with organization, voter
education, ballot qualification, recruiting, fund raising, public
relations, and other services.
SECTION III. MEMBERSHIP
A. General Members.
(1) A "general member of the Georgia
Independent American Party is any resident of the State of Georgia who
claims membership in the State Party, but who does not necessarily
participate in State or County activities.
B. Active Members.
(1) An "active member" of the State
Party is one who is a registered voter in the State of Georgia, and who
attends, participates and votes at State or County Conventions or meetings
of the State Party. (2) A member may be denied active participation in the
State Party for reasonable cause by two-thirds vote of the state Central
Committee.
C. Good Standing.
(1) An active member in "good standing"
is one who supports the State Party Mission and Platform, Constitution and
Bylaws, and candidates for public office, and who is committed to building
the State Party for the cause of freedom. (2) All State Party officers,
delegates, and candidates for public office (except for president and vice
president) are expected to be active members of the State Party in good
standing.
SECTION IV. CAUCUS ORGANIZATIONS
A. Congressional Caucus.
(1) Each Congressional District with
active members residing in the district may have a Congressional District
Caucus. (2) Such caucuses may meet at prescribed times during meetings of
the State Convention, and at non-convention times as determined by the
caucus members. (3) The caucus shall also elect members from the district
as Congressional District Representatives to the state Executive
Committee. (4) The caucus may nominate its candidate for the U. S. House
of Representatives.
B. Senate Caucus. (1) Each state Senate District with active
members residing in the district may have a Senate District Caucus. (2)
Such caucuses may meet at prescribed times during meetings of either the
State or County Conventions for single-county senate districts, or during
meetings of the State Convention for multi-county senate districts, and at
non-convention times as determined by the caucus members. (3) The caucus
may nominate its candidates for the State Senate seat.
C. Legislative Caucus.
(1) Each state House of Representatives
District with active members residing in the district may have a
Legislative District Caucus. (2) Such caucuses may meet at prescribed
times during meetings of either the State or County Conventions for
single-county house districts, or during meetings of the State Convention
for multi-county house districts, and at non-convention times as
determined by the caucus members. (3) The caucus may nominate its
candidate for the State House of Representatives seat.
D. Precinct Caucus.
(1) Each Precinct District with active members
residing in the district may have a Precinct Caucus. (2) Such caucuses may
meet at any time as determined by the caucus members.
E. Caucus Officers.
(1) Each district caucus may elect officers
such as Chair and Vice Chair, as the caucus members see fit. (2) Elections
shall normally be held on an annual basis during the first caucus meeting
of each year.
SECTION V. COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS
A. Executive Officers.
(1) The county Executive Officers shall
consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. (2) Any two
officer positions may be combined as one. (3) The officers shall be
elected for a two-year term by the County Convention held in odd-numbered
years; and by the county Executive Committee whenever needed to fill an
officer vacancy. (4) The officers shall be members of and preside over the
County Executive Committee and the County Convention. (5) The order of
succession in case of absence or vacancy of the Chair shall be the Vice
Chair, Secretary, Treasurer. (6) Officers may be removed at any time for
reasonable cause by two-thirds vote of the county Executive Committee. (7)
The officers shall meet at least quarterly either in person or by suitable
electronic means. (8) Their duties shall be comparable to those of their
corresponding State Party Executive Officers, but limited in scope to the
county level.
B. Executive Committee. (1) The county Executive Committee shall
consist of the county Executive Officers and a limited number of other
individuals, as determined by the County Convention. (2) The non-Officer
Executive Committee members shall be elected for a one-year term by the
County Convention at its annual meeting; and by existing members of the
Executive Committee to fill committee member vacancies. (3) The Executive
Committee shall meet at least quarterly in person or by suitable
electronic means to; (a) set County Party policy; (b) conduct the affairs
of the County Party organization; (c) approve or reject any actions of the
county Executive Officers; (d) select individuals to fill vacancies for
any position within the County Party jurisdiction; (e) perform other
functions as specified in the Georgia Constitution and these bylaws; and
(f) conduct other appropriate business. (4) The county Executive Officers
may assume the role of the county Executive Committee if that body has not
been organized.
C. County Convention. (1) The County Convention shall consist of
the county Executive Officers, all county Executive Committee members, and
all active members that reside in the county. (2) New party members may be
assigned as delegates to the County Convention at the discretion of the
already seated delegates. (3) The County Convention shall (a) meet at
least annually in person or by suitable electronic means, and elect
non-Officer county Executive members for a one-year term. (b) in
odd-numbered years elect county Executive Officers for a two-year term.
(c) in even-numbered years nominate candidates for public office to county
offices and single-county state senate and house districts within the
county, as needed; and (d) conduct other appropriate business as specified
by the county Executive Committee, in the Georgia Independent American
Party Constitution and elsewhere in these Bylaws. (4) The county Executive
Committee may assume the role of the County Convention if that body has
not been organized.
D. Special Committees. (1) County Special Committees may be created
by the county Executive Committee for specific County Party purposes and
limited periods of time, and may be dissolved at any time by the county
Executive Committee. (2) Committee chairs and members shall be determined
by the county Executive Committee. (3) Each special committee may create
subcommittees that are limited in scope, function and time confines of the
parent committee.
SECTION VI. STATE ORGANIZATION
A. Executive Officers. (1) The state Executive Officers shall
consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. (2) The officers
shall be elected for a two-year term by the State Convention held in
odd-numbered years, and by the state Executive Committee whenever needed
to fill an office vacancy. (3) The officers shall be members of and
preside over the state Executive committee, state Central Committee, and
the State convention. (4) The order of Succession in case of absence or
vacancy of the Chair shall be the Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer. (5)
Officers may be removed at any time for reasonable cause by a two-thirds
vote of the state Central Committee. (6) The officers shall meet at least
quarterly either in person or by suitable electronic means.
B. Officer Duties. (1) The state Chair shall (a) preside over the
Executive Officers and all State Party Meetings, (b) be the sole spokesman
for the State Party, and (c) oversee and coordinate the activities of the
State Party organizations within the state. (2) The state Vice chair shall
(a) assist the state Chair in his duties; (b) and perform other duties
assigned by the state Chair. (3) The state Secretary shall (a) notify all
appropriate members of scheduled state meetings; (b) keep minutes and
records for all such meetings; (c) report minutes of meetings when
appropriate; (d) maintain a database of all active members within the
state; and (e) file any State Party non-financial reports required by law.
(4) The state Treasurer shall (a) maintain all State Party financial
records; (b) report on State Party finances when appropriate; (c) make
deposits and expenditures as directed by the state Executive Committee;
and (d) file any financial reports required by law. (5) The several
officers shall also (a) perform duties specified elsewhere in these Bylaws
and in the Georgia Independent American Party Constitution; and (b)
perform other functions related to their respective positions.
C. Executive Committee. (1) The state Executive Committee shall
consist of the state Executive Officers and three elected or appointed
representatives from each organized Congressional District Caucus. (2) The
Executive committee shall meet at least quarterly in person or by suitable
electronic means to (a) set State Party policy; (b) conduct the affairs of
the State Party organization; (c) determine the maximum number of State
Convention delegates allowed for each county (based roughly on
population); (d) approve or reject any actions of the state Executive
Officers; (e) select individuals to fill vacancies for state, county,
caucus or committee positions that have not been filled by other
appropriate means; (f) perform all other functions specified in the
Georgia Independent American Party Constitution and these Bylaws; (g) and
conduct other appropriate business. (3) The state Executive Officers may
assume the role of the state Executive Committee if that body has not been
organized; and may act temporarily for the Executive Committee in urgent
matters until the Executive Committee can be convened.
D. Central Committee. (1) The state Central Committee shall consist
of the state Executive Officers, all non-Officer members of the state
Executive Committee, and the County Chairs (or their representatives) from
each organized County Party. (2) The Central Committee shall meet at least
annually in person or by suitable electronic means to (a) approve or
reject any actions by the state Executive Officers or the state Executive
Committee; (b) perform other functions as specified in the Georgia
Independent American Party Constitution and these Bylaws; and (c) conduct
other appropriate business (3) The state Executive Committee may assume
the role of the state Central Committee if that body has not been
organized.
E. State Convention. (1) The State Convention shall consist of the
state Executive Officers (as delegates-at-large, and all state delegates
elected at the several County Conventions. (2) Other State Party members
may be seated as delegates to the State Convention at the discretion of
the already seated delegates. (3) The State Convention shall meet annually
in person or suitable electronic means to (a) elect non-Officer state
Executive Committee members for a one-year term; (b) in odd-numbered years
elect state Executive Officers for a two-year term; (c) in even-numbered
years nominate candidates for public office for federal, state and
multi-county offices, and for local offices not voted on by a County
Convention, as needed, and (d) conduct other appropriate business as
specified by the state Executive Committee, in the Georgia Independent
American Party Constitution and elsewhere in these Bylaws. (4) The State
Convention, for reasonable cause and by two-thirds vote, may overturn the
nomination of candidates for public office by a County Party or District
Caucus election, and elect new Nominees. (5) The state Central Committee
may assume the role of the State Convention if that body has not been
organized.
F. Standing Committees. (1) The state Standing Committees shall
consist of the Rules, Events, Membership, Issues, and Media Committees.
(2) The Rules Committee shall draft procedural rules for meetings, and
advise on proposed changes to the Georgia Independent American Party
Constitution and these Bylaws. (3) The Events committee shall plan and
coordinate State Party activities. (4) The Membership Committee shall plan
and coordinate recruiting efforts. (5) The Issues Committee shall oversee
Platform development and assist candidates with campaign issues. (6) The
Media Committee shall conduct public relations, prepare campaign
materials, and maintain the State Party web site. (7) These committees may
perform other related functions as determined by the state Executive
Committee.
G. Special Committees. (1) State special committees may be created
by the state Executive Committee for specific purposes and limited periods
of time, and may be dissolved at any time by the state Executive
Committee. (2) Committee chairs and members shall be determined by the
state Executive Committee. (3) East special committee may create
subcommittees that limited to the scope, function and time confines of the
parent committee.
SECTION VII. NATIONAL ORGANIZATION
A. National Committee. (1) The State Convention at its annual
meeting shall elect Representatives and Alternates to the National
Committee of the National IAP for a one year term (2) Alternates shall be
numbered as 1st, 2nd, etcetera.
B. National Convention.
(1) The State Convention at the times
specified by the National IAP shall elect Delegates and Alternates to the
National Convention of the National IAP for a term through the end of the
presidential election year. (2) Alternates shall be numbered as 1st,
2nd, etcetera.
C. Vacancies. (1) The state Executive Committee if in session, or
else the state Chair or his representative, may temporarily appoint
individuals to fill vacancies in the Georgia Independent American Party
delegations to the National Committee or National Convention.
SECTION VIII. GENERAL
A. Constitution and Bylaws. (1) These Bylaws shall be in harmony
with, and subservient to, the Georgia Independent American Party
Constitution. (2) These Bylaws are severable in that if any portion hereof
be declared void, all other portions shall remain binding and effective.
(3) All provisions of the Georgia Independent American Party Constitution
shall be considered a prime part of these Bylaws. (4) All State and County
Party officers, candidates, organizations and members shall adhere to the
Georgia Independent American Party Constitution and these Bylaws.
B. Crossovers. (1) Vacancies in County Chair positions may be
filled temporarily by a member outside of that county when there are no
members in the county available to fill the position. (2) Vacancies in
non-Officer state Executive Committee positions for a Congressional
District may be filled temporarily by a member outside of the
Congressional District when there are no district members available to
fill the position.
C. Notices. (1) All notices for Regular and Special meetings of the
State and County Parties shall be sent to all applicable members via post
or by suitable electronic means between 30 and 45 days prior to the
scheduled meeting. (2) The notices shall include the date, time, location,
proposed agenda, and purpose for which the meeting is called. (3)
Emergency Meetings for a bonafide emergency may be called with minimal but
adequate notice. (4) For Special and Emergency meetings, only the business
proposed in the notice agenda may be considered or acted upon at the
meeting.
D. Quorums. (1) The quorum for a meting of the State or County
Conventions shall be whoever is in attendance. (2) A quorum for all other
State or County Party meetings shall consist of at least one-half of the
Committee Members. (3) If there is lack of quorum, business may still be
conducted, but all votes of an enduring nature must be submitted to all
vote-entitled Committee Members either by post, courier or suitable
electronic means for ratification by the same voting percentage that would
have been required for the original vote.
E. Voting. (1) All questions or issues before State and County
Party meetings shall require a majority vote of those voting, except where
specified otherwise in the Georgia Independent American Party Constitution
or these Bylaws. (2) No individual shall have more than one vote. (3)
There shall be no proxy voting.
F. Elections. (1) Whenever there are two or more State or County
Party candidates seeking the same officer position or nomination for
public office, voting shall be done by secret ballot. (2) A choice of
"none of the above" shall also be a valid choice. (3) If there
is a plurality winner among candidates, then one or more run-off elections
of the highest vote getters shall be immediately held until there is a
majority winner. (4) In case of an election tie, lots shall be drawn by
the candidates who are tied, to determine the winner.
G. Parliamentary Rule. (1) Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised,
when not in contradiction to the Georgia Independent American Party
Constitution and Bylaws, shall be followed at all State and County Party
meetings, unless suspended for the meeting by two-thirds vote of the
voting Members present.
SECTION IX. AMENDMENTS
A. Proposing. (1) Amendments or revisions to these Bylaws may be
proposed by majority vote of the state Executive Committee or the State
Convention. (2) Such amendments or revisions must be in harmony with the
Georgia Independent American Party Constitution.
B. Ratification. (1) Proposed amendments or revisions to these
Bylaws may be ratified by a three-fifths vote of the state Central
Committee at a Regular meeting held any time after three months from the
proposal date.
C. Waiver. (1) Any provision of these Bylaws may be waived by
three-fourths vote of the state Central Committee at any Regular or
Special meeting for a period not to exceed six months or until the next
meeting of the Central Committee.
SECTION X. ADOPTION
A. Establishment. (1) These Bylaws shall be established upon
majority vote of the organizing body of the State Party.
B. Interim Provision. (1) Contrary to the provisions of Section IX,
these Bylaws may be amended or revised by majority vote of the state
Central Committee at any time within one year of the establishment of
these Bylaws.
