Articles of Association
- Article I . Name
- Article II . Purpose
- Article III .Definitions
- Article IV .Membership
- Article V . Local (Country) Committees
- Article VI . State Central Committee and Executive Board
- Article VII . Assembly Finances and Campaign Financing
- Article VIII . Endorsements For Public Office
- Article IX . Vacanies In Endosements For Public Office
- Article X . Rules
- Article XI . Arbitration
- Article XII . Amendments, Adoption & Initial Procedures
Principles
We, citizens of the United States of America residing in the state of Maryland, hereby form ourselves as an association under this instrument, declaring the following as our principles to guide and direct all our activity, purpose and policies:To support and defend the United States Constitution and its underlying commitment to preserve and protect individual liberty and self-governing democracy as set forth in the United States Declaration of Independence; particularly to Preserve and nurture a viable economy and stable monetary system by enhancing and promoting fair and efficient government spending, budget and taxation policies and practices to support free enterprise and fair business practices for all; Assure efficiency and integrity in government based on a prudent balance between individual liberty and the reasonable and necessary demands of organized society; Provide for a fair, independent and impartial judiciary to resolve disputes under the rule of law.- SECTION 1. Contributions
- The Assembly shall make no contributions to individual candidates as such — but shall direct its support for endorsed candidates to their joint success as an Assembly slate. All contributions to the Assembly shall be recorded by the State Central Committee, and properly applied to the Local Committees or endorsed slates of candidates for specific purposes as may be designated by the State Central Committee by prior agreement with the contributor(s). In the absence of specific agreement and for all contributions in the form of membership dues, the State Central Committee shall apply all contributions received for general use as seems best suited to the needs and purpose of the Assembly; provided however that a set proportion of membership dues shall be applied to the activity of the Assembly and support of the Local Committee in the county of origin.
SECTION 2. Allowable amounts and sources of contributions.
Contributions can be accepted from any group of people or individual in any amount except where the contribution amount or source is in violation of any local, state or federal law. Every effort should be made to determine the actual source; however, it should not consume so much time as to remove the positive effects of the contribution.
SECTION 3. Authorization of expenditures.
The State Central Committee shall authorize expenditures to maintain its office and routine business activities. Local Committees may authorize only those expenditures of funds designated for their use by the State Central Committee according to prior agreement as to the source and purpose of the funds, or otherwise as best suited to advance the Assembly in their county. The Local Committees shall at all times act only as agent for the State Central Committee in their county in the matter of collection and distribution of funds, and shall at no time collect or distribute funds which have not been fully recorded with and approved by the State Central Committee. Campaign expenses will be budgeted by the Local Committees or by the State Central Committee according to rules and procedures established by the State Central Committee.
- SECTION 1. Selection of Candidates
Candidates shall be selected by voting of those members within the applicable jurisdictions under rules and procedures established by the State Central Committee; provided however, that Local Committees may adopt their own rules and procedures with the advice and consent of the State Central Committee. Selection of candidates shall be made to assure that suitable qualifying information about each candidate and their position with respect to the Assembly principles and platform is made available to each voting member. The State Central Committee shall confirm and authorize all Assembly endorsements for public office. SECTION 2. Fund raising
Fund raising is an important aspect of the Assembly’s responsibility. Persons in the general public shall be encouraged to join the Assembly to participate as members in good standing. No donations to the Assembly may be specified for single candidates as such , but may be applied for general purposes or by specific prior agreement to any endorsed candidate or a slate of endorsed candidates that are included in the pertinent voting jurisdiction. - SECTION 1: Right to Arbitration
Any Assembly member may petition for arbitration of any dispute asserting a violation of a specific section or sections of the Assembly’s Articles of Association. Such petition shall be submitted in writing and signed by at least three Assembly members, at least one of whom is a member of the State Central Committee. The petition shall clearly state the matter at issue, with reference to the specific section(s) of the Articles of Association. SECTION 2: Procedure for Arbitration
Upon receipt of the petition, the State Central Committee shall promptly impanel a jury made up of at least three persons, chosen at random from a list of Assembly members who have volunteered to act as jurors. Any member of the State Central Committee may be present when the jury members are selected at random, or may appoint someone to be present in their place. Arbitration decisions will be made by majority vote of the jury based on a hearing of the petition and any other investigation it may choose to conduct to fairly reach a decision.
Article I Name
The name of this association shall be the "Maryland Public Assembly" (hereinafter referred to as "the Assembly").
Article II Purpose
The purpose of the Assembly is to act on behalf of its principles to focus attention and public awareness on issues of fundamental concern, and to recognize and support for elected office those candidates who most nearly reflect the best interests of all the people of Maryland, including particularly to: endorse and support the election of candidates for public office in Maryland, without regard to political Party affiliation, who comply with the pertinent principles, procedures and requirements of the Assembly; engage in education, social and fund-raising activities in support and advancement of the Assembly's goals and principles; establish a platform of issues which defines specific basic goals and positions consistent with the Assembly's principles and purpose; such platform to be used to help determine the suitability of candidates for Assembly endorsement and elected office; To work in affiliation with the political parties, organizations, groups and individuals in Maryland to build consensus for the direction of government policy and procedures which best serves to promote and expand the Assembly's purpose and principles.
The name of this association shall be the "Maryland Public Assembly" (hereinafter referred to as "the Assembly").
Article III Definitions
SECTION 1. The use of the word "county" herein refers to each county in Maryland and to Baltimore City.
SECTION 2. Voting required by these Articles of Association Any and all issues to be settled by vote will be settled by the requisite number of votes required by the appropriate sections of these Articles of Association. Voting is one vote per one person.
SECTION 3. Local Central (County) Committees Each County and Baltimore City may have one and only one Local (County) Central Committee for a maximum total of twenty four. Composition and purpose of these Committees is described in Article V, section 1 and 2.
SECTION 4. State Central Committee and Executive Board. The State Central Committee shall consist of the duly elected representatives from each Local (County) Central Committee and other members as set forth in Article VI, Section 3. The Executive Board shall be elected by majority vote of the State Central Committee, and shall be composed of a chairperson, officers of the Assembly and such other members as may be elected, preferably from diverse regions of the state.
SECTION 5. Region A region shall consist of three Local (County) Central Committees determined by geographic location, as specified in Article VI, Section 6.
Article IV Membership
SECTION 1. Eligibility
Membership in the Assembly shall be open to all citizens of voting age in the State of Maryland who have met the applicable conditions set forth in Article V, Section 2 below. Persons shall not be recognized as Assembly members until such time as all membership requirements have been fully met and confirmed as complete and recorded by the Assembly. Organizations and corporations shall not be eligible for membership.
SECTION 2. Rights
A. The members are the governing body and ultimate authority of the Assembly.
B. Members will be notified in a reasonable and timely fashion of every meeting at which they may vote in accordance the Assembly's pertinent rules and procedures.
C. Rights of all members will be protected without discrimination for any reason.
A. Promote and support the Assembly principles and purpose.
B. Participate in organizing and disseminating information about the Assembly.
C. Actively support Assembly candidates for public office.
D. Hold Assembly officers and candidates accountable to implement Assembly principles, rules and procedures.
E. Maintain a current membership status for voting eligibility and right of notice.
Article V Local (County) Central Committees
SECTION 1. Powers and duties.
It shall be the duty of the Local (County) Central Committee to provide the public with accurate information about the Assembly and otherwise to represent the interests of the Assembly in said county. Each Local Committee shall have the powers which are either conferred upon it by the State Central Committee or by its own authority in a manner and form which are not inconsistent with the Assembly’s principles, rules, procedures or policies. Such powers shall include the power to conduct the affairs of the Assembly in its own county, to adopt its own rules of procedure, to fill vacancies in its own bodies and offices, to establish positions on local issues which are not inconsistent with the official Assembly platform and to conduct voting for endorsements to public office in accordance with the rules and procedures of the State Central Committee. The Assembly members of each county shall have final authority for the operation and affairs of the Local Committee, subject to the overriding authority of rules and procedures established by the State Central Committee. Members of the Local Committee shall elect a chairperson and such other officers as they deem necessary. An executive committee consisting of chairperson, officers and certain other members of the Local Committee may be established and elected by the members to organize and conduct the regular and necessary business of the Local Committee between meetings of the Local Committee; provided however, that such executive committee shall be elected annually at a meeting of the full Local Committee. In the absence of pertinent voting procedures established and implemented by the Local Committee itself, the State Central Committee may call a meeting and otherwise establish and implement procedures in the county for purposes of voting and designation of a Chairperson, and may otherwise conduct the affairs on the Local Committee on a temporary basis pending its full operational status. SECTION 2. Membership
Persons of voting age and citizens of the United States in the county in which they reside in Maryland shall become members of the Local Committee of that county by having their name and address entered on the membership rolls of the State Central Committee and by complying with the requirement for paying an annual membership dues of $20 which is set uniformly throughout the state and maintained in an account held by the State Central Committee. Such dues shall be reduced or waived entirely if the member submits in writing a statement of poverty or other inability to pay the full amount. Membership rolls shall be maintained by the State Central Committee and shall be provided to the Local Committee to assure accurate local membership records; such records being available for inspection by any member in the county upon request at all reasonable times. Membership must be renewed annually, dues being payable to the Assembly which are maintained and confirmed in records of the State Central Committee.
SECTION 3. Local Rules
Each Local Committee may adopt Local Rules or other operating instrument which shall be submitted to the State Central Committee for its approval, within thirty days of the adoption thereof. In the absence of any such Local Rules or other operating instrument, the Local Committee shall abide by rules and procedures set forth by the State Central Committee for the operation of the Local Committee to assure a complete and clear commitment to the Assembly’s principles and policies.
SECTION 4. Officers
Each Local Committee shall have a chairperson and such other officers as required by its Local Rules or operating instrument, or otherwise as may be set forth by the State Central Committee.
SECTION 5. Meetings
Meetings of the Local Committee shall be called by the chairperson of the Local Committee. The minutes of each Local Committee meeting shall be filed with the State Central Committee within two weeks of all meetings. Special meetings shall be called at the request of a majority of its members or by the State Central Committee as may be necessary to assure the effective operation of the Local Committee. Notice shall be given at least seventy-two hours in advance of meetings to each member stating the time, place and purpose of the meeting.
SECTION 6. Electoral Duties
The Local Committees shall perform such duties in the electoral process as may be required by law and otherwise as specified by its Local Rules, operating instrument or other pertinent rules and procedures of the State Central Committee.
SECTION 7. Voting by the Executive Committee
Results or requirements of all votes by the Executive Committee of the Local Committee shall be subject to the final authority of all the members in the pertinent county and as according to the overriding authority of the State Central Committee.
SECTION 8. Endorsement Committee
An Endorsement Committee shall be designated by the Local Central Committee which shall meet in public to assure effective inquiry for suitable candidate selection, provide investigation as to background and position on issues indicated in the Assembly platform and otherwise to provide for a full and fair endorsement procedure to present the candidates for endorsement by the members in the county. Endorsements shall be held by caucus or such other democratic means to assure a full and fair airing of the issues and informed voting by the members. In counties without a Local Committee organization or specified endorsement procedures, the State Central Committee may conduct endorsement procedures consistent with the Assembly’s principles and policies.
Article VI State Central Committee and Executive Board
SECTION 1. Name
The name of the body in which leadership and funds of the Assembly will be maintained shall be the “Maryland Public Assembly State Central Committee” (hereinafter referred to as the “State Central Committee”).
SECTION 2. Purpose
The State Central Committee shall have the powers provided in these Articles of Association and shall have the full power and authority to act in concert with the general membership and the Local Committees, in all matters pertaining to the organization, maintenance, conduct, affairs, and interests of the Assembly consistent with law. Each member of the State Central Committee is entitled to one vote.
SECTION 3. Membership
The State Central Committee shall be composed of the chairpersons (or duly elected alternates thereof) of the Local Committees, officers of the Assembly and such other representation as the State Central Committee may agree to add based on proportion of Assembly membership in the respective counties or regions. The State Central Committee shall elect a chairperson to direct meetings of the State Central Committee and proceedings of the Executive Board. If the person elected to chairperson is chairperson of a Local Committee, the county the chairperson was representing may elect another chairperson or representative to serve on the State Central Committee for the county. All members of the State Central Committee and the Executive Board shall be members in good standing of the Assembly at the time of their election and throughout their term of office. Their term of office shall be for two years and may be renewed.
SECTION 4. The Executive Board
A. Membership: The Executive Board shall consist of the State Chairperson, officers of the Assembly and such other members as may be specified according to Article III, Section 4, representing a diversity of the various geographical regions (See Article VI, section 6 for regions). They shall assign among themselves the offices and duties deemed necessary, or as may be designated by the State Central Committee. These assignments may be changed from time to time at the direction of the Executive Board. The officers of the Executive Board shall be the respective officers of the State Central Committee.
B. Election of the Executive Board: The Executive Board shall be elected every two years at a regular meeting by the State Central Committee.
SECTION 5. Duties of Officers and Executive Board
The Executive Board shall oversee and act in respect to all matters pertaining to the Assembly. The business of the State Central Committee between its meetings shall be conducted by the Executive Board. A majority of the total number of votes authorized to be cast by the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. All questions coming before the Executive Board shall be decided by majority vote of those present and voting; provided however that consensus decision-making shall be encouraged. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be held regularly and minutes of the meetings shall be made available to all Assembly members of the State Central Committee. The Executive Board through its duly appointed officer shall send written notice of the time, place and agenda of the Executive Board meeting at least one week in advance (seventy-two hours for emergency meetings). Any action of the Executive Board may be overruled by a resolution adopted by a majority vote of the State Central Committee. Any action taken at a regular meeting of the Executive Board may be taken instead in writing without a meeting based on a consensus of the members of the Executive Board.
A. Duties of the Chairperson: The State Chairperson shall preside at all meeting of the State Central Committee and Executive Board which the Chairperson shall attend, and shall serve as the principal spokesperson for the Assembly and perform such other duties as may be directed by or as are otherwise properly set forth within the scope of authority of the Executive Board or the State Central Committee.
B. Duties of other officers
The State Central Committee or Executive Board may designate its officers which may include vice-chairperson, secretary, treasurer and parliamentarian, with the following duties:
1. Duties of the vice-chairperson: The vice-chairperson shall act as Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson, and perform such other duties as may be directed by the Executive Board and the State Central Committee
2. Duties of the Secretary: The Secretary shall have charge of all papers, computerized records, and other documents of the State Central Committee. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Board and provide copies of the minutes to all county chairpersons, and perform such other duties as may be directed or required by the Executive Board, the State Central Committee, or these Articles of Association.
3. Duties of the Treasurer: The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records and prepare any tax returns and reports necessary for the proper conduct of the Assembly business.
4. Duties of the Parliamentarian: The Parliamentarian shall ensure that meetings are properly conducted according to these Articles of Association and pertinent Rules of Order.
C. Removal
The State Chairperson and each Executive Board member shall be subject to removal (for due cause) by the following procedure: Upon receipt of a recall petition signed by 1/3 of the members of the State Central Committee, a special meeting of the State Central Committee shall be called, which, by a two thirds vote of those present and voting, may remove the member in question. Any member of the State Central Committee representing a Local Committee or region shall be subject to removal by a recall petition signed by 1/3 of the Assembly members within the pertinent county or region, and a two thirds vote of those present and voting at a special meeting of the members within such county or region.
D. Vacancies
Vacancies on the Executive Board caused by death, resignation, lack of participation as described in Section 9 of this Article or any other reason may be filled by the State Central Committee at the next meeting following the occurrence of the vacancy, or at a meeting called for that express purpose. After the vacancy has been filed, the Executive Board may, at its discretion reassign the offices among themselves.
SECTION 6. Regions
Region 1: Allegheny, Garrett, and Washington Counties.
Region 2: Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties
Region 3: Baltimore, Carroll and Howard Counties.
Region 4: Anne Arundel, Baltimore City and Harford Counties.
Region 5: Cecil, Kent and Caroline Counties.
Region 6: Queen Anne’s, Dorchester and Talbot Counties.
Region 7: Somerset, Wicomico and Worchester Counties.
Region 8: Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s Counties.
SECTION 7. Meetings
A. The State Central Committee shall hold at least one meeting per year which every two years shall include the election of the Executive Board on its agenda.
B. The State Chairperson or vice chairperson shall call all meetings. Meetings may also be called by a majority of the Executive Board or by written request of the chairpersons of a majority of Local Central Committees.
C. Notice of regular meetings shall set forth the time, place and agenda of the meeting and shall be sent to members of the State Central Committee at least ten days prior to the meeting, addressed to the residence of each Committee member as shown on the most recent Assembly records.
D. All meetings shall be held in the State of Maryland.
E. A quorum shall be required for the transaction of all business, except where otherwise provided herein. A quorum shall consist of sixty percent of all members either by written proxy or in person. No quorum shall be required to propose decision-making which may be later agreed to in writing by the necessary majority of members of the State Central Committee.
F. When not inconsistent with the provisions of these Articles of Association, reasonable due process procedures, such as set forth in ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER, NEWLY REVISED, shall govern the conduct of all meetings.
G. All meetings of the State Central Committee shall be open to the entire Assembly membership.
H. All votes of meetings of the State Central Committee, the Executive Board, or any other official Assembly committee, commission or body shall be by majority vote of those present, unless otherwise herein specified or established by rules of the Assembly; it being understood that voting shall be by consensus of all participating members wherever possible or required by these Articles of Association. Consensus shall mean by general accord without a substantial opposing minority opinion as to all significant aspects of the matter. The Assembly policy as to all such voting is to encourage members to achieve consensus in their deliberations.
I. Written proxies may be given by any member of the State Central Committee to any other member of the State Central Committee. In a vote, proxies shall be certified by the Parliamentarian or otherwise to assure their authenticity and accuracy by suitable proof if necessary.
SECTION 8. Standing Committees
Standing committees may be designated by the State Central Committee, which preferably shall include the following: A. Finance Committee: The Chairperson may appoint a Finance Committee, subject to disapproval of the State Central Committee, comprised of a Treasurer and such other members as may be suitable to assist in financial matters. The Finance Committee may be designated to approve all budget requests submitted for consideration of the State Central Committee and to maintain and assure proper bank deposits and accurate account records of all contributions and dues; and for reporting procedures of income and expense to the proper government agency and otherwise as may be requested by the State Central Committee. The Finance Committee shall also suggest and support fund-raising means to assure a sufficient balance of funds to conduct the business of the Assembly.
B. Credentials Committee: The Chairperson may appoint a Credentials Committee and a Secretary, subject to the disapproval of the State Central Committee, to certify all voting, petitions, proxies and reports of meetings held by the State Central Committee, and perform such other related duties as directed by the State Central Committee.
C. Endorsement Committee: The Chairperson may appoint an Endorsement Committee, subject to disapproval of the State Central Committee, to establish criteria for selecting, qualifying and endorsing candidates for public office. Any member of the Assembly shall be entitled to serve on this Committee by request duly made in writing to the Chairperson. Such criteria shall be finally approved in accordance with Article X of these Articles of Association. Names and other information about endorsed candidates will be forwarded to the State Central Committee for verification and official Assembly recognition.
D. Public Information Committee: The Chairperson may appoint a Public Information Committee, subject to the disapproval of the State Central Committee, to be responsible for all public announcements concerning the Assembly. The Committee may also assist Local Committees in finding ways to plan advertising and campaign support for endorsed candidates, publicize local activities and announcements through the local media.
E. Membership Committee: The Chairperson may appoint a Membership Committee, subject to the disapproval of the State Central Committee, to maintain accurate names and information about all Assembly members in the state. This Committee is to coordinate its efforts for mailing and notices with other activities of the State Central Committee.
F. Platform Committee: The Chairperson may designate a Platform Committee, subject to the disapproval of the State Central Committee, to study issues and develop a suitable platform of positions on such issues having broad agreement among all Assembly members. Any member of the Assembly shall be entitled to serve on the platform committee by request duly made in writing to the State Chairperson. The platform committee may include issue-specific sub-committees with participating Assembly members who are interested and knowledgeable in the subject matter, although not voting members of the platform committee — in order to assure the broadest possible field of interest and participation throughout the entire Assembly membership. The committee will develop its plans and approach through a consensus decision-making process which assures that all its decisions are made with no substantial opposing minority opposition. A majority of 2/3 members present and voting shall be required for passage of any substantive matter or issue in the platform. However, any opposition to platform positions or decisions of the platform committee shall only be recognized if specific reasons for such opposition are submitted in writing within 15 days of any voting on the issue, such written minority opposition to include specific alternative wording and approach to dealing with the issue if appropriate. All platform proposals prepared and agreed to by the platform committee shall be submitted for approval by the State Central Committee, which shall finally approve the platform based on a 2/3 vote of the entire committee, with similar procedures for consensus approval as described here for the Platform Committee. No position of the Committee duly made by consensus in accordance with this paragraph shall be reversed or modified on later voting without majority voting procedures as herein specified.
G. Other possible Committees: Education, Rules, Resolutions
SECTION 9. Vacancies
Vacancies on the State Central Committee or any of its designated bodies caused by death, resignation, or any other reason may be filled by the State Central Committee at the next meeting following the occurrence of the vacancy. A vacancy shall be declared for lack of participation by removing any member who fails to attend, either in person or by proxy, three consecutive duly called meetings of the pertinent body. Vacancies shall accordingly reduce any quorum required for business at the meeting until such time as the vacancy is duly filled.
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Article VII Assembly Finances and Campaign Financing
Article VIII Endorsements for Public Office
SECTION 3. Qualifications of Endorsements.
All persons who seek the endorsement of the Assembly must first meet the legal requirements for age, residency and registration as provided by the laws of the State of Maryland for the offices they seek before applying for the endorsement of the Assembly. They must be committed to following all pertinent rules and procedures established by the Assembly for the endorsement.
SECTION 4. Local Endorsements.
Endorsements of persons for local offices (i.e., non-federal and non-statewide offices) shall be determined by the Local Committees of the jurisdiction in which the offices are held, in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the State Central Committee.
SECTION 5. Federal and Statewide Endorsements.
The Assembly will support only those candidates that are endorsed according to its proper endorsement procedures in a manner consistent with these Articles of Association. The State Central Committee shall organize and conduct all endorsement procedures for statewide offices. The Assembly will recognize the endorsement of the Local Committee for congressiona l candidate or other multi-county office which represents the majority of the Assembly members for jurisdictions whose voting district cross county lines; provided however that members of the district who reside in any other county shall be included to participate in the voting in a fair and impartial manner. The State Central Committee shall consult with the pertinent Local Committees to achieve a suitable solution to any such multi-county nomination procedures — and to resolve disputes and differences that may arise from voting.
SECTION 6. Presidential and Vice-Presidential Endorsements.
The Assembly may endorse for the office of President and Vice-president of the United States as determined by the State Central Committee.
Article IX
Vacancies in Endorsements for Public Office Any vacancy in the Assembly’s endorsements for public office shall be filled in the manner established by the Assembly to assure a fair and timely resolution. Any voting shall be held at a meeting with at least five business days notice, specifying the time, place and agenda of the meeting.
Article X
Rules Rules of Assembly procedure and policy shall be adopted, approved or ratified by the State Central Committee in accordance with consensus decision-making consistent with Assembly principles and these Articles of Association. Such rules shall be adopted, approved or ratified at a meeting of the State Central Committee by an affirmative vote of at least fifty percent of the entire Committee membership and three-fifths of those members present and voting — and may be amended or rescinded only by a similar vote. Provided however, that any opposition to such rules shall only be recognized for purposes of consensus if a member who votes against a rule provides to the committee specific reasons for such opposition in writing within eight (8) days of any voting on the issue; such written minority opposition to include specific alternative wording and approach to dealing with the issue.
Article XI Arbitration
SECTION 3: Decision of Jury
The decision of the jury shall be final and binding as to all matters presented in the petition. Any finding of violation of the Articles of Association shall be corrected in accordance with the jury decision, by appropriate action at the direction of the State Central Committee. However, any decision against the petition may be appealed by the petitioner in accordance with provisions of this Article.
SECTION 4: Appeal of Arbitration
The petitioner may appeal any adverse decision by written request to the State Central Committee no later than thirty (30) days after the decision. The appeal shall be based on the original petition, including the arbitration procedures themselves, and no new substantive issues shall be considered. Such appeal shall be signed by the petitioner and at least two other Assembly members, at least one of whom is a member of the State Central Committee. The State Central Committee shall then impanel a new jury and proceed to consider the matter in accordance with the provisions of this Article. There shall be no limit to the number of appeals that may be taken.
Article XII Amendments, Adoption and Initial Procedures
SECTION 1. Amendments.
Amendments to these Articles of Association may be proposed by a majority vote of a meeting of the State Central Committee. Each such proposal shall be investigated by a committee appointed by the Chairperson. The committee shall issue a recommendation for or against it within thirty (30) days (if the committee is evenly divided, the recommendation shall be against). The proposal, together with the provisions of the Articles of Association affected by it, and the recommendation shall then be published to the membership of the whole State Central Committee which shall not act on ratification until at least fourteen days after publication. Ratification shall be by an affirmative vote of at least three-quarters of the votes cast whether by letter, in person, or by proxy; if such affirmative vote numbers at least fifty percent of the entire membership of the State Central Committee. Provided however, that such ratification shall not be confirmed as final if anyone who votes against ratification submits a written opposing statement to the State Central Committee providing reasons for opposition and suggestion for alternative solution to the issue raised within eight (8) days of the ratification vote. If such opposing statement is properly received, the State Central Committee may proceed to act on re-consideration of ratification and voting with revision and re-publication in due course. Any amendment to these Articles of Association shall be filed with the State Central Committee within thirty days after adoption.
SECTION 2. Adoption
These Articles of Association shall become effective immediately following its their adoption by consensus consent of those qualified persons attending an organizational meeting to establish the Assembly. Persons qualified to vote at the organizational meeting shall be Maryland residents of voting age.
SECTION 3. Dissolution
These Articles of Association may be dissolved and the Assembly terminated by vote of the members in the same form and manner as amendment under section 1 herein. Such dissolution shall afford an equitable distribution and allocation of any funds held by the Assembly in such manner as to best further its principles as herein stated.
SECTION 4. Initial Proceedings
At the organizational meeting, an interim State Central Committee shall be established, consisting of all those attending the organizational meeting, who (a) are qualified for membership according to the adopted Articles of Association, (b) sign a statement of accord with the Articles and (3) pay or otherwise comply with the $20 membership fee. Such interim committee shall also act as an interim Executive Board and elect an interim State Chairperson from among those qualified persons present at the organizational meeting.
A. Interim State Central Committee: The interim State Central Committee shall be expanded to include those qualified persons who sign the statement of accord and pay or otherwise comply with the membership fee within two weeks after the organizational meeting. Such interim State Central Committee shall act with full power and authority as the State Central Committee and Executive Board until formal voting has been completed and resolved in accordance with the procedures and requirements of these Articles.
B. Permanent Composition of Assembly committees: Within a maximum period of sixty (60) days from the date of the organizational meeting, all applicable local voting for each county central committee shall be completed to formalize composition of the State Central Committee. During such sixty (60) day period, the interim State Central Committee shall assure proper voting in each local sub-division to facilitate notice and opportunity to participate for all interested persons; including meeting organization, oversight and verification of final results of such voting. Upon completion of such voting, the interim State Central Committee shall certify the initial membership of the Local Committees and State Central Committee, and shall convene a meeting of the members of the new State Central Committee to elect its Chairperson and Executive Board and otherwise take over the duties of the interim State Central Committee.
C. Platform committee (initial proceedings): An initial interim platform committee shall be designated from among those interested and qualified members of the interim State Central Committee at the organizational meeting. Such interim platform committee shall proceed with initial planning and implementation of study of issues pertinent to the Assembly’s purpose, pending designation of the regular platform committee by the formally composed State Central Committee in due course. No final voting on specific items for the platform shall be taken until such time as the regular platform committee is duly designated.
D. Filing as Political Action Committee: The State Central Committee shall file with any appropriate government agency in due course its application for the Assembly to meet all requirements that may pertain to an organization involved in political activity in the state of Maryland. Until such filing and proper qualification is completed, funds received by the Assembly for membership dues shall be withheld from any use by the Assembly that would violate pertinent state laws established to regulate the collection and distribution of funds for political purposes.
AGREED AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ABOVE ARTICLES ARE THOSE PERSONS WHOSE SIGNATURES ARE HEREWITH ATTACHED AS MEMBERS OF THE INTERIM STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE AS PER ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING HELD MARCH 1, 1997 IN SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND. SECTION