Liberal Democrats Online: LDO Constitution

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Liberal Democrats Online: Constitution

Name

The name of the organisation is 'Liberal Democrats Online'. It may be abbreviated to 'LDO'.

Aims

The aims of Liberal Democrats Online shall be:
1. To promote the use of the Internet, information systems and communications technology by Liberal Democrats at all levels, both for internal party organisation and for external campaigning, in pursuance of the aims and objectives of the Liberal Democrats,
2. To initiate and recommend Liberal Democrat policies about the Internet, online civil liberties and democracy, e-commerce and the Information Society

Membership

1. Membership shall be open to anyone who supports the aims of the group, pays the required subscription and is a member of the Liberal Democrats.
2. The Executive may refuse membership to, or revoke the membership of, any person, on the grounds provided by the Party Constitution, using the procedure defined in the Membership Rules of the Liberal Democrats in England. Any person whose membership is revoked shall have the right to appeal to a General Meeting of the group, and shall be informed of this and any further rights of appeal. Such a meeting shall not proceed if not quorate.

Subscriptions

The Executive may draw up rules governing payment of subscriptions and membership procedures that are subject to approval by the Annual General Meeting.

Executive

1. The group shall be organised by a Executive of eleven elected members (including officers).
2. The offices of Chair, Secretary, Membership Secretary and Treasurer, along with the rest of the Executive, will be elected at the AGM. The Executive shall appoint the returning officer prior to the issue of the calling notice. Nominations shall be received by the Secretary, together with the candidate's statement, if any, by the time appointed in the calling notice for the AGM to commence; s/he shall give them to the returning officer. If only one candidate is nominated for an officer position by the time appointed in the calling notice for the AGM to commence, they shall be elected unopposed. If less than seven nominations for ordinary committee members are received by this time, then the candidates nominated shall be elected unopposed and nominations for the remaining vacancies shall be taken from those attending the AGM. The results shall be declared by the returning officer at the AGM. The Single Transferable Vote shall be used in any election for the Executive or officers in accordance with election rules made under the Party Constitution.
3. The Executive shall, at its first meeting, appoint from among its members such positions as the Executive or the AGM shall determine from time to time.
4. The Executive may co-opt up to three additional members in any year; it shall also have power to fill casual vacancies as they arise. Co-opted members may participate in the deliberations of the Executive but shall have no voting rights. The Executive shall be responsible for the conduct of its own proceedings and may meet online or offline as they see fit. Meetings of the Executive shall be open to all members of the Group, but only members of the Executive shall have voting rights at its meetings.
5. The Executive shall have powers to set up sub-committees with such composition and powers as it thinks fit.
6. The Executive shall meet at least four times annually.
7. The quorum of the Executive shall be three.
8. The Executive shall maintain an up-to-date record of policy decisions passed by General Meetings; and shall report to every General Meeting on the actions it has taken to implement policy passed by the last General Meeting, and if appropriate, by previous General Meetings.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

1. The governing body of the group shall be the AGM, which is empowered to
   • adopt audited accounts
   • amend the constitution
   • elect the Executive
   • determine the annual subscription rate
   • elect any honorary officers
   • transact any other business of which notice has been given in the notice convening the Meeting
2. An AGM shall have the power to delegate any or all of its powers to another General Meeting. Any decision to delegate its powers of constitutional amendment or affiliation to outside bodies may only be made by a two-thirds majority present and voting.
3. Decisions of the AGM, or of a General Meeting with appropriate delegated powers, on constitutional amendments shall require a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.
4. Notification of the AGM and of proposed constitutional amendments shall be given at least twenty eight days in advance. The Executive shall ensure that facilities are provided to enable online and offline attendance at the AGM.
5. An AGM must be held within four months of the end of the group's financial year.
6. The quorum for the AGM shall be ten members or ten per cent of the membership, whichever is the greater. At least six members must be physically present.
7. In the event of a duly called AGM being inquorate, it may proceed subject to all decisions and approval of audited accounts being ratified by a simple majority of those voting in an e-mail ballot of all members, except that constitutional amendments and affiliations shall require a two-thirds majority; such ballot to be conducted within two months.

Other General Meetings (GMs)

Other general meetings may be called by the Executive as required, by the AGM or at the written or e-mailed request of at least ten members. Notice of a GM other than an AGM and the business to be discussed shall be given at least fourteen days in advance. Any such meeting shall be convened within six weeks of the chairperson or Secretary receiving a written or e-mailed request.

Finance

1. The Treasurer shall annually prepare a balance sheet and statement of the group's financial affairs for presentation to the AGM. The financial year of the group shall end on 31st July.
2. The funds of the Group shall be held at a financial institution to be determined by the Executive. Funds may only be withdrawn on the signatures of at least two members of the Executive.
3. The Treasurer shall make such reports to the Executive as are necessary to allow the Executive to assure itself of the proper financial operation of the group.