CPOT ByLaws

Constitution Party of Tennessee

STATE PARTY BY LAWS

May 14, 2013

Article I - Name

The name of the organization is the Constitution Party of Tennessee (hereinafter referred as the State Party or CPOT).

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of the State Party includes, but is not limited to, promoting and proving America’s founding principles; electing true Constitutionalists to office on the national, state, and local levels; recruiting Constitutionalists, raising funds for election campaigns; and recruiting membership to the State Party.

Article III - Eligibility of State Party Officers and State Executive Committee

To hold office in the State Party the person must be an American citizen, a member in good standing of the party, must have relinquished their membership and/or dissociated themselves with any other political party, and must have successfully completed the candidate vetting process details of which are contained in Article XIII and Article XIV.

Article IV - State Party Officers

The officers for the State Party will include: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Vice- Treasurer, and Secretary.

Article V - Structure of the State Party Executive Committee

The State Party Executive Committee will include: State Party Officers, immediate past State Party Chairman, Congressional District Director(s), County Party Chairmen, and up to two AT LARGE members

Article VI - Duties of State Party Officers

Section 1. - Duties of the Chairman

The duties shall include, but are not limited to the following:

Preside at all meetings of the organization
Supervise the work of the organization
Appoint all Standing and Special Committee Chairmen
To vote only in case of a tie during Executive Committee votes
To ensure the candidate letter(s) be sent in a timely manner to the Office of Elections atthe Secretary of State’s Office

Section 2. - Duties of the Vice Chairman

The duties shall include, but are not limited to the following:

Serve as the ex-officio member of all committees
In absence of the Chairman to perform the duties of the Chairman
Provide status on all standing committees to the State Party Chairman and State Party Executive Committee
Serve as a tie breaker vote in Standing and Special Committees
Other Duties as assigned by the Chairman

Section 3. - Duties of the Secretary

The duties shall include, but are not limited to the following:

Keep record of all membership meetings and read the minutes of the previous meeting
Keep record of all Executive Committee meetings and read the minutes of the previous meeting
Keep an up-to-date roster of members
Keep an up-to-date notebook containing the State Party Constitution, State Party ByLaws, and approved County Party ByLaws
Insure that County Chairs are provided with contact information for all members of the
State Executive Committee including all County Chairs and District Directors.
Validate membership when considering a No Confidence vote petition.

Section 4. - Duties of the Treasurer

The duties shall include, but are not limited to the following:

Receive and be custodian of all funds of the organization and to arrange for payment of bills upon authorization by the State Party Executive Committee
To keep an account of all monies received and disbursed by the Treasurer and to report in full at the annual meeting and at other intervals as required by the State Chairman
To ensure that the financial reports are provided timely and accurately to all government agencies as required by law
Establish guidelines for donation solicitation
Establish contribution targets required to accommodate yearly strategy approved by the Executive Committee

Section 5. - Duties of the Vice-Treasurer

The duties shall include, but are not limited to the following:

In absence of the Treasurer to perform the duties of the Treasurer

Article VII - Duties of Congressional District Directors

Section 1. - Duties of the Congressional District Director

The duties shall include, but are not limited to the following:

To establish groups of like-minded individuals throughout the congressional districts.
Upon establishing a group of 15 or more people within a single county, the Congressional
District Director or other members of the State Executive Committee will nominate a County Chairman to serve as Liaison within the congressional district. (The Congressional District Direct may request waiver from the State Executive Committee for the 15 minimum number to officially form a county party.)
To build party awareness within the Congressional District
To establish membership goals and messaging needs of the Congressional District
To serve as prime messenger of the CPOT within the Congressional District
To vote on Executive Committee changes to ByLaws or Constitution of this organization

Article VIII - Duties of County Chairman

Section 1. - Duties of the County Chairman

The duties shall include, but are not limited to the following:

To serve as Liaison within the community
To work with Congressional District Director to establish membership goals
To identify demographic messaging needs for the community
To serve as prime messenger of the CPOT within the county
To vote to approve Executive Committee changes to ByLaws or Constitution of this organization

Article IX - Duties of Executive Committee

Section 1. - Duties of the Executive Committee

The duties shall include, but are not limited to the following:

Serve as counsel to the State Party Chairman
Transact any business of the organization between membership meetings and to
implement its objectives
To authorize expenditures of the organization outside ordinary business needs. (Expenditures of funds for donations to political candidates must be authorized by a majority vote of the State Executive Committee.)
To fill vacancies of party offices
Properly vet candidates
Properly vet officers
Properly vet Congressional District Directors
Properly vet County Chairmen

Article X - Committees

Section 1. - Standing Committees

There will be five standing committees. These committees will be: ByLaws and Rules, Finance and Budget, Candidate Vetting and Accountability, Strategy, and Messaging.

Additional standing committees shall be determined by the Executive Committee with a majority vote. The duties of all standing committees shall be prescribed by the Executive Committee.

The officers of the Standing Committee will be Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary and will be nominated by the Executive Committee and must have completed the vetting process as outlined by the Candidate Vetting and Accountability Committee. Standing Committee nominees will assume office immediately upon receiving majority vote.

The State Vice Chairman is a member of all Standing Committees but may not be a Chairman of the Standing Committees. The State Vice Chairman shall have no vote, unless the Standing Committee is equally divided.

Section 2. - Special Committees

Special committees may be appointed by the State Party Chairman at his/her discretion. Special committees lasting a duration of 60 days or longer must receive majority vote approval by the executive committee.

In the event a special committee does not achieve a majority vote there shall be a 60 day waiting period before another special committee with similar purpose may be appointed by the State Party Chairman.

Special Committee officers will be appointed by the State Chairman. The State Vice Chairman shall have no vote, unless the Special Committee is equally divided.

Section 3. - Reporting Structure of Committees

The Vice Chairman will provide updates on all committees to the Executive Committee. However, upon request by the State Chairman, all committees shall prepare a written report for the Executive Committee. All committees shall submit a written report at the annual meeting as requested by the State Chairman.

Article XI - Nominations and Election of State Party Officers

Section 1. - Nominations

All nominations for State Party offices or for the Executive Committee must have completed the candidate vetting process as defined by the Candidate Vetting and Accountability Committee and approved by party members or by the delegates (if the delegation process has been initiated).

Section 2. - Elections of State Party Officers

The election of the State Party Officers will be held at the annual meeting of the organization. Where there is only one candidate for office, the election may be by voice vote unless a member calls for a ballot vote. If there is more than one candidate for an office, then a vote by ballot must be held. In such a case, a majority vote cast by secret ballot shall be necessary to elect. In the event that no candidate received a majority of the votes from the first ballot, a second ballot shall be taken between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes from the first ballot. In all elections for party office, the State Party Chairman has a vote.

Section 3. - Election of the Congressional District Director

The election of the Congressional District Director shall follow one of the processes below:

The Congressional District Director shall be nominated by the State Executive Committee. The nominated individual must receive a majority vote of the State Executive Committee.
Once the district has achieved a membership of a 100 members or greater, the members within the district shall hold a meeting to elect the Congressional District Director at the end of the current term. The nominated individual must receive a majority vote of the members within the district participating in such meeting.

Section 4. - Initial Formation and Election of the County Party Chairman

The election of the County Party Chairman shall follow one of the processes below:

A group of a minimum of 10 individuals committed to the Constitution Party deciding to form a County Party may nominate and elect an interim County Chairman to establish the County organization. The Congressional District Director shall participate in the nomination and election process. The interim Chairman should preside over a meeting to elect the other interim officers as needed. The interim Chairman must be vetted by using the Candidate Vetting and Accountability measures, as outlined in this document.
The Congressional District Director or a member of the State Executive Committee will nominate a Chairman for the County Party. The nominated individual must receive a majority vote of the State Party Executive Committee. However, once the County Party has been officially recognized as a County Party, the County Party membership shall elect all County Party Executive Committee members moving forward.

The election of the permanent officers must take place no later than the first quarter of the next odd numbered year.

Section 5. - Candidate Vetting and Accountability

The Candidate Vetting and Accountability Committee shall provide all election material, act as tellers of the election, and confirm candidates have completed the vetting process.

Section 6. - Taking Office

The incoming officers will assume their duties immediately following the annual meeting.

Section 7. - Transitioning Power

Immediately following the annual meeting, there shall be an Executive Committee meeting comprised of the members of the outgoing Executive Committee and the members of the incoming Executive Committee. During this meeting, the transition of work activities will be accomplished with outlined action items to be provided to the newly-elected State Party Chairman.

Article XII - Selection of State and Federal Candidates

Section 1. - Party Candidate Selection

No candidate shall appear on the state ballot under the Constitution Party of Tennessee banner without the endorsement of the Constitution Party of Tennessee.

This endorsement must be by a majority “yea” or “nay” vote of the regular state meeting.
Any candidate representing the Constitution Party of Tennessee must ultimately receive a majority of the votes.
If there is more than one candidate for an office, then a vote by ballot must be held. In such case, a majority of votes cast by secret ballot shall be necessary to elect. In the event that no candidate received a majority of votes from the first ballot, a second ballot shall be taken between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes from the first ballot.
In cases where none of the candidates receive the endorsement, the Party will not field a candidate in that election district for that particular election.

The party is required to file the candidate letter with the state no later than 60 days prior to the state primary date.

Section 2. - Presidential Candidate

The Presidential candidate, selected at the Constitution Party National Nominating Convention for President of the United States, shall be confirmed or rejected as the Candidate on the Constitution Party ballot by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. The State Party will file the candidate letter with the state no later than 90 days before the November general election.

Section 3. - Permission Must be Granted

Any person interested in running for public office using the name of the Constitution Party must contact the State Party Chairman and complete the candidate vetting process. Although the candidate may use the Constitution Party signification for their campaign purposes upon approval by the State Party Executive Committee, the candidate is not considered the official party candidate until a majority vote is provided at the regular meeting or a special meeting called for that purpose.

Article XIII - Candidate Vetting

The vetting process will be established by the Executive Committee and shall be used for all candidates wishing to use the party association, candidates for State and County Party offices, and for candidates running for public office.

Upon adoption of these ByLaws, all existing County Executive Committees and State Executive Committee must be properly vetted according to the provisions outlined in this document.

The vetting process must include, but not necessarily limited to the following:

Section 1. - Questionnaire

A questionnaire will be created by the Candidate Vetting and Accountability Committee and approved by majority vote from members of the State Executive Committee. The questionnaire will contain objective questions that can only be answered with YES or NO.

The questionnaire will provide space for candidates that would like to elaborate. However, only the “yes” or “no” answer will be scored.

Section 2. - Commitment Letter

A commitment letter will be created by the Candidate Vetting and Accountability Committee and approved by majority vote from members of the State Executive Committee.

Section 3. - Candidate Prerequisite and Commitment

Before being considered as a candidate for the Constitution Party, the candidate will complete the questionnaire and sign a commitment letter. The candidate will sign this letter signifying their acceptance.

The commitment letter serves as a contract between the members of the Constitution Party and the candidate.

1. The consideration for the candidate for public office is that they will receive material support during their campaign. The consideration for the members of the Constitution Party is that they will have an elected official who will, based on their oath and through legal terms, uphold the Constitution of the United States of American, Tennessee Constitution, or the Constitution Party Platform.
2. The consideration of the candidate for State or County office is that they will be able to become a leader of the State or their County Party. The consideration for the members of the State and County Parties is that they are helping to get the individual elected so that they can lead the State or County Party according to Constitutional principles.

Section 4. - Request for Resignation

In the event the elected official or state or county official violates the commitment letter or votes to violate the Constitution of the United States of America, the Tennessee Constitution, or the Constitution Party Platform and has received three successful No Confidence vote petitions, the elected official will voluntarily resign and the state or county official will resign from their office immediately.

Section 5. - Pursuing Remedy

In the event that the elected official, state or county official does not resign, the following actions will be taken.

1. The elected official is considered to be in breach of contract and a press release will be issued.
2. State or County officials will be removed from office immediately by order of the State Chairman.

Article XIV - Accountability

Accountability is critical to ensuring the party remains loyal to the Constitution of the United States of America. The CPOT acknowledges the fact that if individuals are left unchecked they will secure their own power, thereby losing focus on securing the rights of the people. Therefore, provisions have been laid out within these ByLaws to ensure appropriate measures are taken against these encroachments and dealt with in a timely fashion.

Upon adoption of these ByLaws, these accountability measures will apply to all existing County Executive Committees and State Executive Committee.

These measures are instituted to ensure the state and party officers, the candidates, and the elected officials are held accountable for their actions, their votes, and for who or what they support.

Section 1. - No Confidence Vote Petition

A No Confidence vote petition will be the mechanism used to initiate the accountability process.

A petition can be completed by the Executive Committee members.
Minimum standard: 10% of the Executive Committee members must sign the No Confidence vote petition

Section 2. - Processing the No Confidence Vote Petition

Upon receipt of a No Confidence vote petition by the State Chairman or Vice Chairman the following actions are required.

1. The State Chairman and Vice Chairman will verify the minimum requirement is met.
2. For petitions that involve the State Chairman or Vice Chairman, the verification process of the petition will be done by the Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 3. - Initiating the No Confidence Vote

Upon verification that the petition threshold was met, the State Chairman or Vice Chairman must call a special executive meeting.

1. The details surrounding the petition must be formally written and shared with the entire Executive Committee and the individual in question.
2. The individual in question may submit a rebuttal within 7 days. The rebuttal must be provided to the State Chairman
3. All material used to process the No Confidence vote shall be made available two weeks prior to the vote.

Section 4. - Executing the No Confidence Vote

Upon a super majority vote (2/3) of the Executive Committee, the individual will be notified of the vote and will be informed of the actions that will be taken.

1. The voting must be done by roll call only
2. The voting results will be available to party members
3. In order for the vote to be valid, a Quorum must be present

Section 5. - Carrying Out the Results of the No Confidence Vote

The following actions will be taken upon a vote of No Confidence

1. If the vote fails (i.e., less than 2/3 of the members vote “No Confidence”), the person in question will be notified and an official statement will be written detailing the allegations and outcome of the vote.
2. If the vote is successful (i.e., 2/3 or more of the members vote “No Confidence”), the person in question will be notified and an official statement will be written detailing the allegations and outcome of the vote.
  - The outcome of a successful vote will follow the process below.
    - If this is either the first or second offense, the person in question will be notified of the successful vote, will be censured, and will be reminded that upon the third offense what actions will be taken, as described in the next bullet point.
    - If this violation is the third offense, the person in question will be notified that they no longer have the permission of the Constitution Party of Tennessee to claim association to the party.
      - A request for resignation of office will be sent with formal charges and final voting results.
      - The State Election Commission will be notified that the individual no longer is an approved candidate
      - A press release shall be sent to media outlets if the individual fails to resign

Section 6. - Importance of the Constitution of the United States of America

The position of the Constitution Party of Tennessee is that even one single infraction against the Constitution of the United States of America is grounds to be expelled from the party. However, these ByLaws will follow the “three strikes and you are out” policy. We want our leaders and candidates to understand that they will be held accountable for their votes. We desire our leaders to begin upholding the Constitution of the United States of America with fervor.

Section 7. - Proper Reasons for a No Confidence Vote Petition

The proper reasons for a No Confidence vote will be restricted to violations against the Constitution of the United States of America, the Tennessee Constitution, and those commitments contained within the Signed Commitment Letter.

Article XV - County Party Structure

The County Party Structure will be defined to ensure statewide cohesive operation, statewide consistency, and provide necessary measures to protect the state party from infiltrators whose purpose is to change foundational belief.

Section 1. - Framework

The framework for the creation of the County Party shall be provided by the State ByLaws. However, each County Party is provided the opportunity to make necessary changes or additions based on their needs. However, each County Party shall adopt ByLaws that are consistent with the Constitution Party State Party ByLaws.

The County Party may adopt additional rules that are in accordance with the State Party ByLaws. County Party ByLaws and standard operating procedures (SOP) must be approved by the ByLaws and Rules Subcommittee of the State Executive Committee. All approved changes must be filed with the State Party and be made available to all other County Parties.

The State Party ByLaws and Rules Committee may grant a waiver of the state ByLaws upon a two-thirds vote within 60 days of receiving the request. If the State Party ByLaws and Rules Committee does not respond in 60 days, the waiver request will automatically be approved.

County Parties must reorganize by holding elections for officers during the first quarter of odd number years.

Section 2. - Executive Committee Make Up and Meeting Requirement

Each County Executive Committee shall meet at least quarterly. The County Executive Committee is defined as the County Party’s elected Party Officers, the Congressional District Director, the immediate past County Chairman, and other members as defined by the County Party’s ByLaws.

The Chairman of the County Party shall have no vote, unless the County Executive Committee is equally divided.

The Chairman of the County Party shall not be the State Party Chairman. An individual can only hold office within the State Party or within the County Party, but not both.

If the current State Party Officers are also County Party Officers at the adoption of these ByLaws, the officers will be allowed to complete their term. However, if they seek another term they will be required to resign from their County Party office and/or State Party office position upon being successfully re-elected.

Section 3. - Minimum County Officers

The County Party Officers shall include a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Vice-Treasurer.

The exception to this is the initial start-up phase. During the start-up phase, the county is only required to have a County Chairman.

A County Party is considered to be in an initial start-up phase until the County Party has become an officially recognized County Party.

Section 4. - Initial Nomination Process for County Chairman

Initially the Congressional District Director or a member of the State Executive Committee will nominate a Chairman for the County Party. The nominated individual must receive a majority vote of the State Party Executive Committee.

Section 5. - Start Date of Newly Elected

The County Party Officers shall take office immediately after the election. The newly-elected Chairman will preside over the remainder of the County Party meeting.

Section 6. - Vacancy of Chairmanship

In the event the County Chairman is unable to fulfill his or her duties, the Vice-Chairman will assume the role of County Chairman.

Section 7. - Other Vacancies

Any vacancies occurring mid-term of an Executive Committee member the Chairman may decide to nominate an individual or hold a special election. In the event a nomination is made, an election must be held with the Country Executive Committee. Upon a majority vote, the newly-nominated individual will immediately assume the role of the vacancy and complete the remainder of the term.

Section 8. - Reason for Vacancy

A vacancy may occur for the following reasons: death, resignation, change of county residence, removal from office, other disqualification, or inability to serve his or her complete term.

Section 9. - Disqualification

An officer shall be disqualified for one of the following reasons.

1. Absent in three consecutive County Party Executive Committee meetings
2. Successful No Confidence Vote
3. Failure to execute office as outlined within the State or County ByLaws as determined by the State Party or County Party Executive Committee by majority vote
4. Move from county in which elected

Section 10. - Term of the County Chairman

The term of the County Chairman is suggested within the Constitution of this organization. However, the County Party can determine whether there is an enforced term limit within their adopted ByLaws.

Section 11. - Delegation

It is understood that as the State Party grows, it will be necessary to implement delegate voting versus membership voting at regular meetings. Therefore, once the State Party has reached 20 active counties, each county will be allocated five delegates.

These five delegates include the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Vice Treasurer, and Secretary. However, each county officer is permitted to send someone in their place, provided the alternative delegate has completed the candidate vetting process and the County Chairman and/or Congressional District Director approved and informed the State Secretary before the meeting. In addition, if the delegate is unable to attend and is unable to send someone in their place, the delegate is able to use a proxy vote as outline in this organization’s Constitution.

Once the delegate process is initiated, all voting at regular meetings will be completed by each county’s delegation. Members are always welcome to join the activities. However, due to party growth, only delegates will be required to attend and vote on party business.

Article XVI - Amendment of State Party ByLaws

Section 1. - Vote Required

The ByLaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members or the delegates, if the delegation process has been initiated, attending the regular state meeting or special meeting called for this purpose. The newly-adopted ByLaws shall be the official State Party ByLaws immediately following the meeting.

Section 2. - Notice Required

The ByLaws may be amended at any time provided there is 30 days advance notice of the meeting at which the vote will be taken and a copy of the proposed amendments are distributed 30 days prior to the vote and available at the meeting.

Section 3. - Communication Required

When the ByLaws are amended, notice shall be sent to all State Party members, including the sponsor of the amendment, the final voting results, and a copy of the newly-approved State Party ByLaws. This communication shall be provided electronic format.

Article XVII - Grandfathered County Parties

Section 1. - County Parties Named

The following counties are grandfathered.

Monroe
Washington

Grandfathered counties are considered grandfathered because these counties are allowed to retain their existing County Party ByLaws and will not be required to initially accept the County Party Template ByLaws.

Section 2. - Eligibility of State Executive Membership

As long as Grandfathered County Parties submit payment for their County Membership, the Grandfathered County Parties will be represented on the State Executive Committee.

Section 3. - Candidate Vetting

Grandfathered counties will adhere to the vetting measures outlined by the State Party ByLaws and Rules Committee.

Section 4. - Accountability

Grandfathered counties will adhere to the accountability measures outlined by the State Party ByLaws and Rules Committee.

Section 5. - Structure

Grandfathered counties will be supported locally through their Congressional District Director.

Article XVIII - Member in Good Standing

Section 1. - Good Standing Defined

Good standing is defined in the State Party Constitution.

Appendix - A - Documented By-Law Changes

Appendix A will contain all future revisions to these ByLaws. The format of the approved changes will be as follows:

Example Format

Date Approved
Total = XXX, “Yea” votes = X, “Nay” votes = X, carried by x%

Whether the provision(s) were brought by the Executive Committee or the Voting Membership
Brief description of the changes.

Example Recording

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Total = 200, “Yea” votes = 150, “Nay” votes = 50, carried by 75%

Provisions brought by the Executive Committee
The changes approved included major provisions to the State ByLaws in order to provide
infrastructure to build the State Party, protect the State Party from infiltrators, and implement accountability measures for State and County Party Officers and public office candidates.

Appendix - B - Template for County ByLaws

Appendix B contains a template to be used when starting up a County Party. Once established, the County Party may modify their County ByLaws, based on their needs and approval from the State Party Executive Committee. These County ByLaws will serve as part of the “quick start kit”. The quick start kit will enable counties to be established and begin the work ahead by reducing the start-up effort so the County Executive Committee can focus on growing the party.

Constitution Party of Tennessee

[COUNTY PARTY] BYLAWS

MAY 14, 2013

Article I - Name

The name of the organization is the [County Party] Constitution Party of Tennessee (hereinafter referred as the County Party).

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of the County Party includes, but is not limited to, promoting and proving America’s founding principles, electing true Constitutionalists to office on the national, state, and local levels, recruiting Constitutionalists, raising funds for election campaigns, and recruiting membership to the State Party.

Article III - Eligibility of County Party Officers and County Executive

Committee

To hold office in the County Party, the person must be an American citizen, a member in good standing of the party, must have relinquished their membership and/or dissociated themselves with any other political party, and must have successfully completed the candidate vetting process details of which are contained in Article VIII of the Constitution Party of Tennessee’s ByLaws.

Article IV - County Party Structure

The County Party Structure shall be defined to ensure statewide cohesive operation, statewide consistency, and provide necessary measures to protect the State Party from infiltrators whose purpose is to change foundational belief.

Section 1. - Framework

The framework for the creation of the County Party shall be provided by the State ByLaws. However, each County Party is provided the opportunity to make necessary changes or additions based on their needs. However, each County Party must adopt ByLaws that are consistent with the Constitution Party State Party ByLaws.

County Parties must reorganize by holding elections for officers during the first quarter of odd number years.

Section 2. - Executive Committee Make Up and Meeting Requirement

The County Executive Committee shall meet at least quarterly. The County Executive Committee is defined as the County Party’s elected Party Officers, the Congressional District Director, and the immediate past County Chairman.

[Additional offices can be created and included in the county ByLaws. However, they must be approved by the State Executive Committee.]

Article V - County Party Officers

The officers for the County Party will include: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Vice- Treasurer, and Secretary.

The Chairman or Vice-Chairman may also serve as Vice-Treasurer. The Secretary may also serve as Treasurer.

Section 1. - Exceptions

The exception to this is the initial start-up phase. During the start-up phase, the County is only required to have a County Chairman.

Section 2. - County Chairman Voting Eligibility on Executive Committee

The Chairman of the County Party shall have no vote, unless the County Executive Committee is equally divided.

Section 3. - County Chairman Conflict of Interest

The Chairman of the County Party shall not be a State Party Officer.

If the current State Chairman is also a County Chairman at the adoption of these ByLaws the State Chairman will be allowed to complete their term; however, if they seek another term they will be required to resign from their County Chairman position upon being successfully re- elected.

Section 4. - Initial Nomination and Formation Process for County Chairman

The election of the County Party Chairman shall follow one of the processes below:

A group of a minimum of 10 individuals committed to the Constitution Party deciding to form a County Party may nominate and elect an interim County Chairman to establish the County organization. The Congressional District Director shall participate in the nomination and election process. The interim Chairman should preside over a meeting to elect the other interim officers as needed. The interim Chairman and all other officers must be vetted by using the candidate vetting and accountability measures outlined in State Party ByLaws.
The Congressional District Director or a member of the State Executive Committee will nominate a Chairman for the County Party. The nominated individual must receive a majority vote of the State Party Executive Committee. However, once the County Party has been officially recognized as a County Party, the County Party membership shall elect all County Party Executive Committee members moving forward.

The election of the permanent officers must take place no later than the first quarter of the next odd numbered year.

Section 5. - Start Date of Newly Elected

The County Party Officers shall take office immediately after the election. The newly elected Chairman will preside over the remainder of the meeting.

Section 6. - Vacancy of Chairmanship

In the event the County Chairman is unable to fulfill his or her duties the Vice-Chairman will assume the role of County Chairman.

Section 7. - Other Vacancies

Upon a vacancy occurring mid-term of an Executive Committee member, the Chairman may nominate to fill the vacancy. In the event a nomination is made, an election must be held with the County Executive Committee. Upon a majority vote of the County Executive Committee, the newly-nominated individual will immediately assume the role of the office and complete the remainder of the term.

In the event the County Chairman decides to hold a special election, the following process will be followed:

The Chairman shall send notification of the vacancy to the County Party members and ask for nominations to be presented at the meeting scheduled for this purpose.
All nominees shall be vetted based on State Party ByLaw provisions prior to the scheduled meeting.
In the case of more than one nomination, the candidate receiving the majority vote will be considered the winner.
In the case of a single nomination, the Chairman will send another communication to the membership notifying them that a vote is not necessary.

Section 8. - Reason for Vacancy

A vacancy may occur for the following reasons: death, resignation, change of county residence, removal from office, other disqualification, or inability to serve his or her complete term.

Section 9. - Disqualification

An officer can be disqualified for one of the following reasons:

A. Absent in three consecutive County Party Executive Committee meetings B. Successful No Confidence Vote

Section 10. - Term of the County Chairman

The term of the County Chairman is suggested within the Constitution of this organization. However, the County Party can determine whether there is an enforced term limit within their adopted ByLaws.

Article VI - Duties of County Party Officers

Section 1. - Duties of the Chairman

The duties shall include, but are not limited to the following:

As a member of the County Executive Committee, voice the concerns of the people within the County Party
Preside at all meetings of the county organization
Supervise the work of the county organization
Appoint all Standing and Special Committee Chairmen
To vote only in case of a tie during County Executive Committee votes

Section 2. - Duties of the Vice Chairman

The duties shall include, but are not limited to the following:

In absence of the Chairman to perform the duties of the Chairman
Provide status on all standing committees to the County Party Chairman and County
Party Executive Committee
Serve as the ex-officio member of all county committees
Serve as a tie breaker vote in Standing and Special Committees

Section 3. - Duties of the Secretary

The duties shall include, but are not limited to the following:

Keep record of all membership meetings and read the minutes of the previous meeting
Keep record of all Executive Committee meetings and read the minutes of the previous meeting
Keep an up-to-date roster of members, delegates and vetted alternate delegates
Keep an up-to-date notebook containing the State Party Constitution, State Party ByLaws, and Approved County Party ByLaws

Section 4. - Duties of the Treasurer

The duties shall include, but are not limited to the following:

Receive and be custodian of all funds of the organization and to arrange for payment of bills upon authorization by the County Party Executive Committee
To keep an account of all monies received and disbursed by the Treasurer and to report in full at the annual meeting and at other intervals as required by the County Chairman
To ensure that the financial reports are provided timely and accurately to all government agencies as required by law
Establish guidelines for donation solicitation
Establish contribution targets required to accommodate yearly strategy approved by the Executive Committee

Section 5. - Duties of the Vice-Treasurer

The duties shall include, but are not limited to the following:

In absence of the Treasurer to perform the duties of the Treasurer

Article VII - Membership

Membership is first placed with the State Party; individuals are associated to a County Party based on the address of their residency to ensure politics are addressed in the most effective manner, locally.

The State Party membership eligibility measures will be followed.

[Although the County Party can include additional measures for membership at the County Level, it is not recommended. All changes must be approved by the ByLaws and Rules Committee.]

Article VIII - Individual Member Dues

To ensure the County Party is open to all that desire to be involved in the Constitution Party of Tennessee and to become involved at the county level, County Parties shall not require dues for membership.

Article IX - County Party Dues

The County Party is required to pay a yearly membership fee to the State Party. These fees are used for various activities like payment of the National Constitution Party membership fee, membership drives, party messaging, etc. This membership fee is outlined in the State Party’s Constitution.

Article X - Accountability

The County Party shall adhere to the accountability measures outlined by the State Party.

Article XI - Candidate Vetting

The County Party shall adhere to the candidate vetting measures outlined by the State Party.

Article XII - Amendments

Section 1. - County Vote Required

The County ByLaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership within the county but must also receive approval by the State ByLaws and Rules Committee.

Section 2. - Notice Required

The County ByLaws may be amended at any time, provided 30 days notice has been given to County Party members. At the meeting, a copy of the proposed amendments must be distributed, or made available prior to the vote and available at the meeting.

Section 3. - Communication Required and Final Approval Vote

When the County ByLaws are amended, notice will be sent to State Party ByLaws and Rules Committee with a final copy of the County Approved ByLaws, and identification of the sponsor of the amendment(s). The copy provided must be in electronic format.

Upon receipt of the approved County ByLaws the ByLaws and Rules Committee will either approve or deny the changes. The ByLaws and Rules Committee will have 60 days to respond. In the absence of a formal response, the changes will automatically be approved. Upon change approval, the Secretary of the State Party shall file the updated County ByLaws.

Appendix - A - Documented County By-Law Changes

Appendix A will contain all future revisions to these ByLaws. The format of the approved changes will be as follows:

Example Format

Date Approved by County Party
Total = XXX, “Yea” votes = X, “Nay” votes = X, carried by x% Date Approved by State Executive Committee
Total = XXX, “Yea” votes = X, “Nay” votes = X, carried by x%

Whether the provision(s) were brought by the Executive Committee or the Voting Membership
Indicate whether a waiver was granted and for what
Brief description of the changes.

Example Recording

Approved by County Party: Saturday, April 6, 2013
Total = 50, “Yea” votes = 35, “Nay” votes = 15, carried by 70% Approved by State Executive Committee: Thursday, May 23, 2013 Total = 10, “Yea” votes = 8, “Nay” votes = 2, carried by 80%

Provisions brought by the Executive Committee
No waiver granted
The changes approved included major provisions to the State ByLaws in order to provide infrastructure to build the State Party, protect the State Party from infiltrators, and implement accountability measures for State and County Party Officers and public office candidates.