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THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE PARTY (Party Charter) |
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JULY 4, 2000 Certified May12, 2001 by the Delegates to the National Convention of the Southern Independence Party PREAMBLE We, the People of the Southern States, with each State acting in its sovereign and PRELUDE THE FEDERATION OF STATES INTRODUCING THE Ladies and Gentlemen of the Congress of the Southern Independence Party's State Delegates: |
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1. "STATES' RIGHTS AND INDIVIDUAL SOVEREIGNTY vs Centralist Dictatorial Control from the Top Down by the New World Order." 2. "SECESSION AND INDEPENDENCE FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES vs Continued Occupation and Suppression by the United States." 3. "RESTORATION OF FREE AND SOVEREIGN GOVERNMENTS OF EACH OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA" |
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CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS To secure these rights, then, we, the undersigned, after the close of a Special Caucus of the elected Executive Committee of the Southern Party of Texas which was held in Bryan, Texas, met in the capacity of a Constitutional Convention on May 6, 2000 in order to review, incorporate and improve upon the January 7, 2000 Constitution in order to secure a more perfect Federation Involved in this meeting were Dennis Joyce, Carol Edwards, John David Poole II, Vance J. Beaudreau and Robert Baker. Finally, after a draft of this Constitution was distributed and comments and suggestions were obtained, the present comprehensive Constitution was finalized, and after editing for clerical errors, was unanimously approved and submitted to a larger Constitutional Convention of July 4, 2000 with such State leaders as were involved becoming Trustees of a Trust Indenture called the Federation of States and who received authority from the Trust Creator/Trustor for the management of the Trust Indenture and for the acceptance, adoption and protection of the Constitution of the Southern Independence Party. It was a primary purpose of this larger Constitutional Convention of July 4, 2000 to construct a contract (charter) in the form of a common law trust which would serve as the umbrella (national) organization for the Constitution of the Southern Independence Party. It was a fundamental consideration of this Convention that a party Constitution would be likely to set the pattern for a later construction of a Constitution for a nation made up of a Federation of Free States and therefore much emphasis was placed on individual freedoms and the Sovereignty of the various States' Parties while arranging for the loan of enough Sovereignty from these States' Parties so that a cohesive and effective national Federation could be effected without too much erosion of authority and rights from the States' Parties. In other words, the constructed Constitution is designed to avoid unchecked top down centralist control leaving most of the control and authority at the State level and with the individual members of the party. It was the secondary purpose of this July 4, 2000 Constitutional Convention to adopt the Constitution of the Southern Independence Party. The Trustees of this common law trust called Federation of States shall serve as a Board of Trustees for the management of the Trust Indenture and for the acceptance and protection of the Constitution of the Southern Independence Party. This Board of Trustees is and shall be made up of State Chairman of the Southern Independence Party who shall oversee the functioning of the Trust for the purpose of providing a Federation of States of Southern Independence Parties and a limited government thereof called "The Southern Independence Party." But, it shall not be a purpose of the Federation of States to run or control the The Southern Independent Party which shall be run by the various State Parties belonging and pledging loyalty thereto. The Board of Trustees of The Federation of States shall hold a National Convention for the Southern Independence Party in Birmingham, Alabama on July 28 and July 29, 2000 for introduction of the plan and the proposed Constitution for the Southern Independence Party. The formal Adoption of this Constitution shall occur on May 11, 2001 by the Trustees (State Chairmen) of the Federation of States. Certification of the Adopted Constitution by the Southern Independence Party Provisional Congress (two Delegates from each State Southern Independence Party for the Ratification process by the various State Southern Independence Parties' Executive Committees or County Delegates who shall formally notify the Executive Director of the Federation of States of the ratification results. |
Respectfully submitted for the South, |
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CONTENTS THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE PARTY PREAMBLE PRELUDE ARTICLE I. PRINCIPLES, GOALS, AND CODE OF CONDUCT OF THE SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE PARTY SECTION 1: Southern Independence Party Principles SECTION 2: Southern Independence Party Goal SECTION 3: Code of Conduct ARTICLE II. PARTY LEGAL ORGANIZATION SECTION 1: Southern Independence Party Chartered in Oklahoma SECTION 2: Chairman of the Southern Independence Party SECTION 3: National Level Sergeant at Arms SECTION 4: Congressional and Recall Sergeant at Arms SECTION 5: Oath of Office for the Party Chairman of the Southern Independence Party SECTION 6: Federation of States ARTICLE III. NATIONAL OPERATIONS SECTION 1: Southern Independence Party Congress SECTION 2: Southern Executive Branch (SEB) SECTION 3: Oath of Office SECTION 4: Eligibility for Congressional Voting SECTION 5: Congressional Voting Procedures SECTION 6: National Level Political Alliances ARTICLE IV. FORMATION OF STATE PARTIES SECTION 1: States to Organize Southern Independence Parties SECTION 2: The Appointment of Provisional Chairmen ARTICLE V. STATE SOUTHERN PARTIES SECTION 1: Sovereignty Clause SECTION 2: Officers SECTION 3: Endorsement of State Candidates and Platforms SECTION 4: Membership. ARTICLE VI. POWERS LOANED TO THE NATIONAL LEVEL SECTION 1: Affiliation, Disaffiliation, Re-Affiliation of State Parties SECTION 2: Minimum Annual National Budget SECTION 3: National Funds SECTION 4: General Platform SECTION 5: Public Relations ARTICLE VII. LEGITIMACY OF AND MEANS TO ENACT BY-LAWS SECTION 1: By-Laws SECTION 2: Means to Enact ARTICLE VIII. ADOPTION, CERTIFICATION, RATIFICATION AND NOTIFICATION OF THE SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE PARTY CONSTITUTION SECTION 1: Adoption and Certification SECTION 2: Ratification SECTION 3: Notification ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS TO THE SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE PARTY CONSTITUTION SECTION 1: Submission and Certification SECTION 2: Ratification SECTION 3: Notification ARTICLE X. RECALL OF NATIONAL OFFICERS OF THE SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE PARTY SECTION 1: Bill of Notice of Recall Convention SECTION 2: Recall SECTION 3: Impeachment SECTION 4: Prosecution for Civil Fraud and/or Breach of Contract of Oath of Office or of Fiduciary Duty
SECTION 4: The Sergeant at Arms ARTICLE XI. DEFINITIONS OF WORDS [To be prepared later] ARTICLE I. PRINCIPLES, GOALS, AND CODE OF CONDUCT OF THE SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE PARTY SECTION 1: Southern Independence Party Principles Paragraph 1. These are the Principles of the Southern Independence Party. We, the officers and members of the Southern Independence Party, in accordance with the ideals of our Revolutionary and Confederate ancestors, dedicate ourselves to the following: The Bill of Rights and the Spirit of the lawful Constitution of these united States of America, and the spirit of the lawful Constitution of the Confederate States of America, as established by our forefathers: The right of each sovereign State to control its own internal affairs within the bounds directly expressed in the Constitution for these united States without interference from the federal government. The sanctity of human life, from conception to natural death. The right to be absolutely secure in person, papers, and property from government search, seizure, or other interference, within the expressed bounds of the Constitution for these united States. The right of the individual citizen to keep and bear arms and ammunition is absolute not requiring license, permit nor subject to any other governmental restrictions. Individual citizens may keep and bear arms as may seem to them necessary for the defense of person, property or State from dangers or depredations either foreign or domestic. The right of the individual to be free from confiscatory federal income tax and fees. The right of the sovereign States to be free of federal mandates on issues internal to the several States. The right to demand honesty and integrity in government shall be emphasized. Funding of State or federal politicians, bureaucrats and/or governmental agencies by foreign governments or rulers shall be prohibited. Likewise, the funding of such entities by corporations, labor unions or insurance and banking interests, foreign or domestic, shall also be prohibited. The righteousness of the Cause of our Revolutionary and Confederate ancestors, in resisting tyranny and subsequent invasion, and the right to display their symbols when and where the people of the sovereign States see fit. Indeed, the rights of all races and cultures to cherish and respect their roots and heritage shall be upheld.
Art. I. The right to worship Almighty God in the manner that the individual citizen sees fit, and to conduct that worship, with its associated symbols and ceremonies, when, where, and how it seems to them right, individually or as a group, while affording others a similar right. The right to expect no interference with religious beliefs, symbols and practices by government so long as the rights of others are not being violated. These rights, we the officers and members of the Southern Independence Party, do and will uphold with our hearts, minds, and bodies; and into the hands of the living God we place our lives, our liberty, and our honor, as individuals, as sovereign States, and as a nation, and we pray for His mercy, guidance, and strengthening power. Here we stand, and may God defend our rights and preserve our freedom. SECTION 2: Southern Independence Party Goal Paragraph 1. The Goal of the Southern Independence Party (SIP) is complete independence, liberty and freedom for the Southern People from these united States of America by having the legislatures of the various Southern States involved vote a Bill of Re-Affirmation of their Statehood in the Confederate States of America followed by Bills of Liberation and Termination of Occupation by the United States of America preceded in those States where still needed by legal political secession. Paragraph 2. We recognize that self-determination through democratic elections is in accordance with our principles of sovereignty. We also recognize that the Confederate States of America never surrendered and thus has not legally ceased to exist, but is simply dormant awaiting Re-Affirmation of Statehood by the previous States belonging thereto and the provisional staffing of National offices and elections thereto. We do not recognize the involuntary re-establishment of Statehood in the United States which was accomplished with military force applied by the occupying foreign army of the United States against the will of the people. We do recognize the reality of the rule by force through these various Southern Satellite States created by the United States as mock State governments of the people of those States and we intend to abide peacefully in the State Election Laws therein. We have no designs of overthrowing the United States Government, but of simply regaining our independence as a Southern Nation. Paragraph 3. The Southern Independence Party shall endeavor to encourage its affiliated (federated) State Parties to run candidates for office for Governor and the Legislature of their State as well as other State and local offices they might choose to try to elect. Paragraph 4. The Southern Independence Party shall lay plans for the eventual candidacy of persons for office in a National Legislature (Senate and House of Representatives) and for a President of The Confederate States of America when eight (8) States shall have legally Re-affirmed their Statehood in the Confederate States of America who have already (in 1860-61) seceded from the United States. Art. I. Paragraph 5. The Southern Independence Party shall establish committees to study plans that might be put into effect in the event of political Renewal of Statehood in the Confederate States of America for the establishment of good and peaceful international relations and economic ties with the United States, Mexico and other foreign nations with responsible disengagement from treaties and debts with proper arrangement for the satisfaction thereof, including the South's portion of the national debt now existing so that the good people of the other states of the United States need not unfairly suffer as a result of our independence. SECTION 3: Code of Conduct Paragraph 1. All Southern Independence Party officers shall at all times publicly conduct themselves as befits Southern ladies and gentlemen, as according to their signed oath of office and in accordance with the Constitution, By-Laws, committee rules, and the established Code of Conduct of the Southern Independence Party. Paragraph 2. The Code of Conduct shall be given complete legitimacy by this Constitution and shall be recognized by both Houses of the Southern Independence Party Congress, the Southern Executive Branch and by the State Southern parties. The Code of Conduct and the By-Laws shall stand separate from the Constitution as supporting documents to this Constitution. Paragraph 3. Upon ratification of this Constitution, a committee shall be selected by the Southern Independence Party Congress from a list of names submitted by the several States to write a Code of Conduct. The Committee shall be limited to a total of five (5) committee members, selected from the several State parties , one (1) committee member selected from the Southern Independence Party Congress, and several advisors, the number of whom to be determined by the Committee Chairman, to serve in a non-voting capacity. Art. II. ARTICLE II. PARTY LEGAL ORGANIZATION SECTION 1: Southern Independence Party Chartered by its Constitution held by the Federation of States Trust. The Southern Independence Party is Chartered by the Trustees of the Federation of States domiciled in Atoka, Oklahoma, Confederate States of America under the control and occupation of the United States of America. SECTION 2: Chairman of the Southern Independence Party (Party Chairman) Paragraph 1. The National Chairman of the Southern Independence Party shall be elected by a 51% majority vote of the Congress (joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives) of the Southern Independence Party meeting in a National Convention in Birmingham, Alabama on July 29, 2000 to serve a term of office of one (1) year and may be re-elected for a second term in succession. The Chairman of the Southern Independence Party must be a registered voter who is a member of the Southern Independence Party who shall not participate in any other political party during the year of his term of office. Paragraph 2. The National Chairman of the Southern Independence Party shall be the chief and legal executive officer of the party, but shall serve with limited authority. The National Party Chairman of the Southern Independence Party shall not have authority over the normal operations and meetings of Congress except when the Chairman of the Southern Independence Party is presiding as Chair over a meeting or open convention of the entire Southern Independence Party in which case the Party Chairman shall preside and administer the convention under Robert's rules of Order, 9th Edition.
Paragraph 3. The National Chairman of the Southern Independence Party shall have overall administrative authority which shall normally be largely delegated to the Executive Director of the Southern Executive Branch (SEB), except for the presiding responsibilities as Chair to the entire Southern Independence Party and for those responsibilities involving solely legalities and reports in and for the various State PACs. Paragraph 4. During a vacancy of the office of Executive Director, the National Chairman of the Southern Independence Party shall function as the Temporary Executive Director of the SEB. The Chairman of the Southern Independence Party also shall appoint persons to fill the various offices of the Southern Executive Branch (SEB) with the recommendations of the Executive Director. The appointed persons, including the Executive Director, for the various offices of the SEB must have their appointments approved by a 51% majority vote of the Senate prior to serving on the SEB. Paragraph 5. The National Chairman of the Southern Independence Party (Party Chairman) shall be sworn in by the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court and shall sign an oath of office. The Party Chairman Art. II. may not be removed by Congress except by Impeachment with a two thirds (2/3rds) vote as specified in Article X.
SECTION 3: National Level Sergeant at Arms A National Sergeant at Arms shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Southern Independence Party who may be a paid professional security guard or law enforcement officer. The National Sergeant at Arms shall maintain order according to the Code of Conduct and under the direction of the Chairman of the Southern Independence Party during any convention or meeting of the Southern Independence Party. SECTION 4: Congressional and Recall Sergeant at Arms The Sergeant at Arms of Congress (both one for the Senate and another for the House) shall cooperate with the National Sergeant of Arms and serve under his direction when he is present. A recall Sergeant of Arms, however, shall temporarily preside as the security officer in charge during a recall procedure. SECTION 5: Oath of Office for the Party Chairman of the Southern Independence Party Paragraph 1. The following shall be the Oath of Office. It shall be signed and submitted according to the guidelines set forth in this Document shall be sworn to by the Party Chairman elect and administered by the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. I_ have read, fully understand and ascribe to the officially stated goals and principles of the Southern Independence Party as outlined in this Constitution, and within the platform of the Southern Independence Party. By my signature, I hereby affirm and pledge to work to further the goals and platform of the Southern Independence Party. I realize that if I fail to uphold these principles or found to have willfully violated the Constitution of the Southern Independence Party or By-Laws thereof, I may be impeached from my Southern Independence Party office and agree to immediately legally resign as Chairman of the Southern Independence Party should that occur.
Chairman of the Southern Independence Party President of the Senate
Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Art. II. SECTION 6: Federation of States Paragraph 1. The Federation of States is a separate organization which, by its nature, mission and composition, make it a fully affiliated partner of the Southern Independence Party and which was established on July 4, 2000 in Atoka, Oklahoma, as a common law trust composed of the federated State Chairmen (or Governors) of the Southern Independence Parties of the various States affiliated therewith. Each such federated State Chairman (or Governor) shall have one vote on the Board of Trustees of the Federation of States and shall serve as a council of Chairmen or Governors or perhaps both initially and until all States have Governors who have federated therein. Paragraph 2. Only elected or provisional State Chairman (or later SIP elected Governors) are to be voting members. The various State Chairmen of such State Southern Parties are bound together under a written contract (Oath of honor) whereby they become Trustees or voting participants of such a council of Governors (State Chairmen). The coordinating value of such a council and the value as a think-tank group is obvious. Still, the agreements or plans made by such a council of Chairmen (Governors) is not binding upon the various State Parties until they assent thereto by vote of their respective State Party organizations or Legislatures in the case of Governors. Paragraph 3. These State Chairmen or Governors (Trustees of the Federation of States) shall elect an Executive Trustee called Chairman of the Federation of States to preside from time to time by simple majority vote. In some ways the Federation shall function similar to councils of Governors currently existing for the Republican and for the Democratic Parties. Paragraph 4. The Federation of States shall serve as a Chartering organization not requiring a corporate charter nor the approval of the Federal Election Commission to charter States under the Constitution of the Southern Independence Party which will work to get local and State officials elected who support the goals of the Restoration of the Confederate States of America and the Liberation of our Southern States from Occupation by the United States. The Chartering of certain States will be particularly helpful where their State law requires a large number of members to be enlisted first before being allowed to register as a political party. As a Chartered organization, the people of those States can function legally up until they have grown large enough to registered with their State as a Political Party. Paragraph 5. After (6 or 8) States establish initial SIP organizations which are ready to move forward the Federation of States shall convene in a national organizational convention to establish the national Southern Independence Party. Paragraph 6. Once the national SIP is established, the overseeing coordination of the various Chartered SIP States by the Federation of States becomes greatly diminished since most coordination as well as party administration shall be conducted by the national Southern Independence Party itself. Art. II. Paragraph 7. Summary. The Federation of States (Council of State Chairmen or Governors) shall: (1) Serve as a State Chairmans' or Governors' think tank organization which will work to effect some coordination of effort among the States as well as to plan for a peaceful negotiated separation from the USA. The Federation of States, as a separate organization, shall not be subject to the control of the national Southern Independence Party, but shall function in cooperation with the Southern Independence Party in a specifically limited way as defined in this Constitution of the Southern Independence Party. (2) Study and offer amendments proposals on the Constitution of the Southern Independence Party (SIP Constitution) as seems prudent to the various State Chairmen which would be introduced in the Congress of the national Southern Independence Party for the amendment process. (3) Work to introduce the Southern Independence Party (SIP) to the various unorganized Southern States and promote the SIP Constitution as an interim organizing multi-State document designed to not only provide order without centralization of control or sacrificing State's rights and sovereignty to assist in the conversion of the occupied States to free States and later to Liberated States offering their allegiance to the Confederate States of America. Of course, once the Confederate States of America is restored as a functioning government, an amended CSA Constitution of 1861 shall be presented to the States for Ratification according law. (4) Charter new Provisional (SIP) party officers in new developmental States prior to a State caucus election and provide advice and, if requested, some assistance in their efforts. (5) To assist and/or coordinate multi-State rallies needed to promote the Political/Governmental, Cultural/Heritage and/or Religious Faith and Freedom Heritage efforts. (6) Hear and attempt to arbitrate complaints unofficially from other State SIP Chairmen or Governors concerning misunderstandings or wrongful acts by a particular State party and perhaps resolve the problems without going public with them and hopefully avoiding a split. (7) Organizing Body. Arrange for a National Convention to introduce the Southern Independence Party (SIP) to two delegates from each involved State in order to form the national Southern Independence Party once six (6) or more States are Chartered and ready. (8) Constitutional Court. The Federation of States shall serve as the electing body who will elect from among their own members (State Chairmen or Governors) a panel, not to exceed nine judges for the Constitutional Court who shall then safeguard the SIP Constitution and have jurisdiction over constitutional definitions, questions and meanings within the Federation of States and the national Southern Independence Party. Art. II. Such elected judges shall only serve as long as they are a State Governor (or SIP Chairman in the absence of a member Governor). (9) Transition. The Federation of States shall serve as a coordinating and transitional planning body assisting the various Liberated or Seceding States and presents a provisional government during the interim between a general Liberation movement by nine (9) or more States and the formal Restoration of the Confederate States of America by their appointment of a Provisional President of the Confederacy and the formation of Provisional Representatives to the two Houses of Congress of the Confederate States of America. (10) Elections. The Constitutional Court of the Federation of States shall serve as the coordinating body for the timing of State Elections to replace the national Provisional officers of the Confederate States of America. The Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court shall provide the function of swearing in and signing oaths of contract for office by the elected officials of the CSA. (11) Confederate Security Council. To serve as a Board of Advisors to the President of the Confederate States of America instead of an ambiguous and non-elected nor constitutionally mandated National Security Council. In other words, the Council of State Governors would serve as the Board of Advisors to the President of the Confederacy. (12) Additional Check and Balance against Executive usurpation of authority. To serve as an additional and new group empowered to initiate Impeachment Proceedings against a President of the Confederacy or Judge on the CSA Supreme Court (in addition to the CSA House of Representatives as now provided). Such Impeachment Proceedings would still have to be finalized by the CSA Senate. Art. III. ARTICLE III. NATIONAL OPERATIONS SECTION 1: SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE PARTY CONGRESS Paragraph 1. Legislative Branch. The legislative body of the Southern Independence Party will be the Southern Independence Party Congress, which shall be composed of two separate houses, a Senate and a House of Representatives. Paragraph 2. There shall be a Senate made up of two Senators from each of the Federated and affiliated State Southern Independence Parties. Each State party will determine their method of selecting their representatives to the National Senate. (1) The Senate shall elect from among their members, a President of the Senate to preside over the Senate for a term of one year with a 51% majority vote of the Senators. Removal of the President of the Senate prior to the expiration of his term of office shall require a 2/3rds vote of the Senators. The President of the Senate shall preside over meetings of the Senate under Robert's rules of Order, 9th Edition. The Senate shall approve appointment of a Secretary by the Senate President. (2) In addition to the joint sessions of the Congress, the Senate shall meet at least once a year alone and more often as required. Special meetings may be held by E-mail. (3) In the absence of the President of the Senate, the Chairman of the Southern Independence Party may preside or appoint a Senator as Temporary Chairman of the Senate. (4) Special meetings of the Senate may be called by the President of the Senate or by three Senators. Paragraph 3. And, there shall be a House of Representatives, made up of elected representatives called Congressmen, allowed for their State based upon population census. (See the table shown below). Or, in other words, eventually it shall be desirable that there be one Congressman authorized for each 100,000 voting age citizens, more or less, divided up into districts strictly drawn up only by the States in question and not tampered with by the Federation of States, nor by Constitutional Court Judges. Only if State lines (borders) were being adjusted between States would this involve the Federation of States (Council of State Party Chairmen or State Governors or a mixture of both where a Federation Governor has not been elected). (1) The House of Representatives shall elect from among their members a Speaker of the House who shall serve one year terms of office. The Speaker of the House shall preside over meetings of the House of Representatives under Robert's Rules of Order, 9th Edition and the term of the Speaker shall be one year. In the Speaker's absence or for a special meeting which the Speaker will not call, then by the request of three (3) States acting through their two Art. III. Congressmen for a total of at least six (6) Congressmen of the currently serving State Representatives to the Congress or by the Executive Director of the SEB if concurred in by three State Chairmen a special or emergency meeting may be held of the House of Representatives and, in the case of the absence of or lack of cooperation by the Speaker of the House, the States requesting the special or emergency meeting may elect a Temporary Chairman to conduct said meeting. Such special meetings may be held by E-mail with procedures proscribed in the By-Laws of the House of Representatives. (2) State Party organization shall proceed by first establishing a Provisional Chairman in a new State, which shall be accomplished by the Chairman of the Federation of States but whose appointment must be approved by a 51% vote of the Senate. a. Provisional State Parties affiliated with the Southern Independence Party shall be represented in the Senate with no more than one Senator unless the chairman of such State shall become a Trustee of the Federation of States, nor in the Congress until they have obtained 10 members. The Chairman of the Federation of States shall appoint a Provisional Chairman to a new State Party. The main job of such an affiliated State party is to recruit and organize sufficient to allow for a statewide caucus in accordance with the election laws of the State involved so that they might officially elect officers. b. After the election of officers in accordance with the election laws of the State involved, an affiliated State Southern Independence Party shall be allowed one Congressman and one Senator to be elected at their official and legal statewide caucus as Representatives of such affiliated State Southern Independence Party. c. After the statewide Caucus of such affiliated Party, their elected Chairman becomes eligible for election to the Federation of States Board of Trustees. If such election occurs and the State Chairman involved becomes a Trustee, that State Party shall be deemed to be a Federated State Party of the Southern Independence Party and one additional Senator may be elected to represent such a Federated State Southern Independence Party. d. Thereafter, legally elected officers of such State Southern Independence Party shall endeavor to build the local membership. For the next 100 new voting members after the first 100 voting members, such State Southern Independence Party shall be entitled to elect an additional Congressman. e. Then, when such new State Southern Independence Party shall obtain more voting members than 200, the additional new voting members in such States would be applied to the following chart for authorization for additional Congressman. f. State Southern Independence Parties affiliated with the Southern Independence Party may recall their elected representatives, either to the Senate or to Art. III. the House of Representatives from the Southern Independence Party and elect other representatives in their place at any time by procedures of their own State Party Constitution. The Southern Independence Party Congress shall not have the authority to reject any State Certified representative sent in accordance with this Constitution to the Southern Independence Party Congress nor to refuse seating or voting thereof, but may request of a particular State Party that a representative be considered for recall. g. Congressional Representation Chart (Each Federated State Party gets two (2) Senators elected by State Executive Committee) Party Voting Member Size Groupings Number of Congressmen Members Provisional Chairman, new State Party - = 0 1 or more After statewide Caucus elects officers - = 1 10 -99 Next 1-499 voting members (VMs) - = 2 100 -499 10 additional groups of 500 (VMs) - = 3-12 500 -5499 10 additional groups of 1000 (VMs) - = 13-22 5500 -15,499 10 additional groups of 2000 (VMs) - = 23-32 15,500 -35,499 10 additional groups of 4000 (VMs) - = 33-42 35,500 -75,499 10 additional groups of 8000 (VMs) - = 43-52 75,500 -155,499 10 additional groups of 16000 (VMs) - = 53-62 155,500 -315,499 10 additional groups of 32000 (VMs) - = 63-72 315,500 -645,499 10 additional groups of 64000 (VMs) - = 73-82 645,500 -1,285,499 10 additional groups of 100000 (VMs) - = 83-92 1,285,500 -2,285,499 10 additional groups of 200000 (VMs) - = 93-102 2,285,500 -4,285,499 10 additional groups of 400000 (VMs) - = 103-112 4,285,500 -8,285,499 10 additional groups of 800000 (VMs) - = 113-122 8,285,500 -16,285,499 10 additional groups of 1000000 (VMs)- = 123-132 16,285,500 -26,285,499 Paragraph 2. Joint Sessions of both houses of Congress. The Southern Independence Party Congress shall meet at least twice a year in open convention of both houses of Congress in joint session. The date of the second open meeting shall be set during the summer annual open convention. The second meeting shall not take place later than a two month period before the next open Convention. Emergency meetings of the Congress may be called by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate with notice being sent to all State Chairmen two (2) weeks in advance of the meeting to afford all the opportunity to make arrangements to attend in person and/or prepare for discussion on the matters to be addressed in the emergency meeting. Art. III. Paragraph 3. The Chairman of the Southern Independence Party shall preside over the Open National Conventions and combined joint meetings of both Houses of Congress under Robert's Rules of Order, 9th Edition. The Chairman shall call each convention to order, shall preside for the duration of the convention and shall dismiss the Southern Independence Party Congress at the close of each open convention, and shall have the authority to call special emergency conventions throughout the year to handle contingencies. Paragraph 4. The Southern Independence Party Congress will set the general direction of the Party, formulate the general Platform, and govern on all matters concerning Party business, excluding internal business of the several State Party affiliates, and for such matters to be passed at 51% majority vote of both houses shall be required. Paragraph 5. To accomplish specific functions enumerated in the Constitution, By-Laws and the Committee Rules, the Southern Independence Party Congress shall elect a Southern Executive Branch in open convention to carry out the policies and procedures established by the Southern Independence Party Congress. A simple majority vote of 51% shall suffice to elect the members of the Southern Executive Branch. Any member of the Southern Executive Branch may be removed from their office by a simple majority (51%) vote of the Southern Independence Party Congress except the Executive Director whose removal shall require at 2/3rds vote of the Southern Independence Party Congress. Paragraph 6. No member of the Southern Independence Party Congress may concurrently officially serve on the Southern Independence Party Congress and on the Southern Executive Branch, whether elected, appointed, hired or volunteered, and upon such a member's election or assignment to the Southern Executive Branch his or her resignation as a state representative to either the Senate or House of Representatives is implied, stipulated and accepted. Paragraph 7. For meetings of the Southern Independence Party Congress, a quorum shall be defined as a simple 51% majority of the current members, but all State Chairmen must be given written notification of any such emergency meetings or conventions which may be called. Paragraph 8. The Southern Independence Party Congress (House of Representatives) shall consist of the following officers: (1) A Speaker of the House who shall preside during sessions of Congress under Robert's Rules of Order, 9th Edition. The Speaker shall appoint an alternate Speaker to preside during his or her absence. (2) Special emergency conventions or caucuses of the House of Representatives may also be called by request to the Speaker of the House by three (3) States acting through their two Congressmen for a total of at least six (6) Delegates of the currently serving State Representatives to the Congress or by the Executive Director of the SEB if concurred in by three State Chairmen. Art. III. (3) Such special emergency conventions or caucuses may be held by telephone combined with E-mail or Facsimile as may seem be prudent at the time. The Speaker of the House shall have no Southern Independence Party administrative authority other than calling and chairing conventions of the House of Representatives, seeing that the Congressional Rules are observed and in seeing that each member of the Southern Independence Party Congress receives a copy of reports that are received from the SEB Executive Director as well as such reports as may be ordered by the Southern Independence Party Congress to be prepared. (4) An Audit Committee Chairman shall nominate two Southern Independence Party Congress members for election by the Congress to serve under him as an Audit Committee to audit the books of the Southern Executive Branch including those of the Treasurer, the Director of Finance and the Executive Director of the SEB. The Southern Executive Branch shall furnish the funds to pay for the services of a professional accounting firm working under the Audit Committee's supervision. (5) An audit shall be made at least once a year for a report to be made to the National Convention. Written reports shall be sent under the direction of the Executive Director of the Southern Executive Branch to all members of Congress (Senate and House of Representatives), of the Southern Executive Branch (SEB) and to all State Chairmen. A report shall also be made available to the appropriate governmental authorities. (6) A Secretary to record both the operations of the convention and all decisions reached. The Secretary shall submit a full report of all convention business to the Executive Director of the Southern Executive Branch within one month after the close of the convention. (7) A Sergeant-at-Arms shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House to maintain order according to the Code of Conduct during the Congressional convention. Paragraph 9. All elected officers of the Southern Independence Party House of Representatives shall be elected by the Southern Independence Party Congress (Congressional Representatives) at the close of each open convention for a period of one year. (1) To be eligible to serve as an elected officer of the Southern Independence Party Congress, the nominated person must be a current member of Congress wherein a simple majority 51% of all of the Congressmen shall be required to elect them. Any officer other than the Chairman of the Southern Independence Party or the Speaker of the House, or the Executive Director of the SEB may be removed from office by the Southern Independence Party Congress with a simple majority vote 51% of all of the Congressmen at which time new officers shall be elected by the Southern Independence Party Congress to fill any and all vacancies. Removal of the Speaker of the House prior to expiration of their term of office shall require a 2/3rds vote of the House of Representatives. (2) Removal of the Party Chairman shall be done in accordance with Article II, Section 2, paragraph 6. (3) Removal of the Executive Director of the Southern Executive Branch shall be by the Senate in accordance with Article II, Section 2, paragraph 5. Art. III. (4) Should the current members of the Southern Independence Party Congress desire to elect an officer of the Southern Independence Party Congress for a third or more consecutive term of one year in the same officer's position, a 2/3rds vote by the current members of the Southern Independence Party Congress shall be required. Paragraph 10. Members of Congress may speak to the press, but only represent their own opinions or the positions of the State Party they represent. The Speaker of the House may speak to the press of his own opinion and of his workings and or meetings of the House of Representatives, but the Speaker of the House may not necessarily give statements to the press on behalf of the entire Southern Independence Party. Paragraph 11. Congressional Rules shall be prepared by vote of the Congress for operations of the Southern Executive Branch and a careful log kept of the minutes of the meetings and the motions and voting thereof by the Secretary of the Congress. Art. III. SECTION 2: SOUTHERN EXECUTIVE BRANCH (SEB) Paragraph 1. The Southern Executive Branch (SEB) shall be the administrative and functionary arm (Executive Branch) of the Southern Independence Party. All officers and functionaries of the Southern Executive Branch must be State members of the Southern Independence Party in good standing. The Southern Executive Branch shall have no legislative authority over the Southern Independence Party and shall not be entitled to vote in the Congress. The Southern Executive Branch shall have no administrative authority over the internal affairs of any affiliated State Southern Independence Party. The SEB shall coordinate and/or assist the various Affiliated State Parties on matters of election law reporting and membership reporting and the collection of the apportioned levies laid against the various States by the Congress for the funding of the Minimum Annual National Budget or special assessments that might be needful. Paragraph 2. The Southern Executive Branch (SEB) shall consist of the following officers: (1) Executive Director who shall lead the Southern Executive Branch and oversee the implementation of the duties assigned to the Southern Executive Branch in the Constitution, the By-Laws, and the Committee Rules or policies established by the Southern Independence Party Congress. The office of Executive Director shall be filled by the election of either a current SIP Senator or Congressman or a current State Chairman. The Executive Director shall be responsible to see that appropriations are funded and checks dispersed in accordance with the National Minimum Annual Budget and as directed by Bills of Congress which are signed by the National SIP Chairman or by override vote. There shall only be one person elected to each of the seven (7) below positions, but, as conditions require, assistants may be appointed by the existing elected officers without election by the current members of the Southern Independence Party Congress unless a member thereof files an objection and calls for an election. In such a case the standard 51% of all of the current members of the Southern Independence Party Congress shall be required to sustain such appointment. The Executive Director may speak to the press on behalf of the entire Southern Independence Party by direction from the National SIP Chairman or he may direct his Director of Public Relations or an SEB Press Secretary to speak to the press, again by leave of the National SIP Chairman. Other officers of the SEB shall require the permission of the Executive Director to speak to the press representing the Southern Independence Party. The Executive Director of the SEB shall prepare information for the National SIP Chairman so that he may issue a State of the National Southern Independence Party address once a year. (2) Assistant Director who shall complete duties assigned by the Executive Director. The office of Assistant Director shall be filled by the election of either a current State representative or a current State Chairman or Vice Chairman. Art. III. (3) Secretary who shall assist the Treasurer in filling out all reports and keeping records of the Southern Independence Party and shall also complete other duties assigned by the Executive Director and the Party Chairman. (4) Treasurer who shall be in charge of keeping a National PAC in the state of Texas and all deposits and financial exchanges of the Southern Independence Party, and who also shall complete other duties assigned by the Executive Director. The Treasurer may hire a Book Keeper or CPA as resources allow to assist in accounting. The Treasurer may not disperse funds except upon the approval and/or direction of the Executive Director of the SEB. (5) A Director of Public Relations who shall be responsible for maintaining an open line of communication concerning the Southern Independence Party, which includes the website and other media, and who shall also issue press releases from time to time as directed by the Executive Director of the Southern Executive Branch and/or the Chairman of the Southern Independence Party Congress and who also shall complete other duties assigned by the Executive Director. A Press Secretary may be hired by the Director of Public Relations as resources allow to assist with press releases and with press interviews. (6) A Director of Finance who shall handle all fund raising and direct mail operations and who also shall complete other duties assigned by Executive Director. (7) The Committee-at-large member (CLM) shall maintain records of all activities and issue a report to the Southern Executive Branch Executive Director once a month as required by the Southern Independence Party Congress. The CLM shall also supply names of members to fill vacancies of officers of the Southern Executive Branch to the Executive Director who shall make proposed appointments thereto for the confirmation by a 51% majority vote of all of the Southern Independence Party Congress members. The Committee-at-large member shall also complete other duties assigned by Executive Director. To be eligible for election as the Committee-at-large member the person must be a current State representative to Congress, or a current state Chairman or Vice Chairman or a previous or retiring Executive Director of the Southern Executive Branch. There shall be only one person acting as the Committee-at-large member, but such Committee-at-large member may, upon approval of the Executive Director, appoint assistants to serve under him without election by the current members of the Southern Independence Party Congress unless a member thereof files an objection and calls for an election. In such a case the standard 51% of all of the current members of Southern Independence Party Congress shall be required to sustain such appointment. Paragraph 3. The Southern Executive Branch Executive Director shall require regular reports from the Treasurer, the Director of Finance, the Director of Public Relations, The Committee Person at Large and the Secretary. The SEB Executive Director shall make quarterly reports to the National Chairman of the Southern Independence Party, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House and shall direct the Secretary to send such to each Congressman and Senator. Paragraph 4. The tenure of all offices of the SEB shall be one (1) year. Art. III. Paragraph 5. Other office requirements and duties shall be defined in the By-Laws and in SEB Rules which will be developed and printed by the Southern Executive Branch. Paragraph 6. The Executive Director shall have the authority to release officers under him in the SEB and recommend replacements to the Southern Independence Party Congress for election. SECTION 3: Congressional Oath of Office (Senators and Congressmen) Paragraph 1. The following shall be the Oath of Office. It shall be signed and submitted according to the guidelines set forth in this Document. We, the Southern Independence Party, recognizing the right of all peoples to self-determination, seek to restore self-government and independence to the Southern people. We strive to preserve and protect our culture, our principles, our rights, and our persons, all of which are threatened by a central government that refuses to abide by the limitations placed on it by its own Constitution. I have read, fully understand and ascribe to the officially stated goal of the Southern Independence Party as outlined in the previous paragraph, and with the platform of the Southern Independence Party. I agree to and affirm the belief that we, as members of the Southern Independence Party, are to promote: (1). A return to the principle of the governmental primacy of the sovereign, independent States; and (2). Self-determination for the people of the Southern States; and (3). An expressed, ultimate goal: the complete, permanent separation of the Southern States from the United States of America and the restoration of the Southern republic, the Confederate States of America, to it's rightful place among the nations of the Earth. (4) Avoidance of attempts at unwarranted centralization of power within the Southern Independence Party or the Federation of States. By my signature, I hereby affirm and pledge to work to further the goals and platform of the Southern Independence Party. I realize that if I fail to uphold these principles or should be found to have willfully violated the Constitution of the Southern Independence Party or By-Laws thereof, I may be removed from my Southern Independence Party office and may be held liable for breach of contract or of my fiduciary duty.
Member of Congress (or Senate) Witnessed by Congressman (or Senator) Art. III. SECTION 4: Eligibility for Congressional Voting Paragraph 1. Eligibility for Southern Independence Party Congress. Each individual member of Southern Independence Party Congress has one vote in voting processes that involve the Southern Independence Party Congress; provided that an individual is in compliance with the general eligibility requirements (see Paragraph 2 this section). Paragraph 2. Ineligibility for Voting: No Southern Independence Party Congressmen or Senator may take part in a National Southern Independence Party - level voting process in any capacity if any of the following numbered items in this paragraph apply to him or her: (1) The individual's State Southern Independence Party dues are not current at the time of the vote. Return receipt mail from state membership/credentials committees of the various States must be provided at least 10 days prior to a National Southern Independence Party vote or by courier one day prior to such vote to the Secretary of the Southern Executive Branch. (2) The individual is under State level suspension or expulsion according to the rules and regulations. (3) If an individual in question is a member of a State party which is not presently affiliated with the Southern Independence Party or not a member at all of the Southern Independence Party such person shall not be allowed to vote in any National Southern Independence Party Caucus or Convention and if they did vote, the vote is not to be counted. (4) The individual was not elected as a representative from a currently affiliated State party of the Southern Independence Party or official notification has been received of the recall of such representative (Congressman or Senator) by said State Party and therefore such person shall not vote in their respective house of the Congress of the National Southern Independence Party . SECTION 5: Congressional Voting Procedures Paragraph 1. The various State representatives making up the Southern Independence Party Congress and the officers elected thereto shall be responsible for proposing and voting on National Southern Independence Party level decisions concerning the Southern Independence Party, within the limitations and with the exceptions set forth in the subsequent paragraphs of this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed as permitting the Southern Independence Party Congress to regulate the internal affairs of the State Southern Independence Parties, except to the extent specifically outlined in this Constitution. Art. III. Paragraph 2. The Southern Independence Party Congress shall make decisions by the process usual and customary of a motion followed by a second, then followed by a vote of all members present in whatever format that the vote is taking place; whether in person, by phone, by mail, or by some other communications medium. Bills shall originate in the House of Representatives. Paragraph 3. All decisions made by the Southern Independence Party Congress shall be announced to the primary voting officers of the State Southern Independence Parties and the state chairman promptly. Paragraph 4. The following decisions require a vote of not less than 75% of both houses of the members of the Southern Independence Party Congress. (1) The affiliation status of any state Southern Independence Party. (2) The affiliation status of the Southern Independence Party with any other group. (3) Changes in The Party's basic philosophies, goals, general platform and mission statements. SECTION 6: National Level Political Alliances Paragraph 1. While political alliances may be discussed and pursued by the Southern Executive Branch, no alliance or affiliation shall be effected without a Constitutional (Charter) Amendment being duly proposed and ratified as defined below allowing and or regulating such alliance. Paragraph 2. The Southern Independence Party Congress shall advise the Southern Executive Branch Executive Director of the successful ratification or the rejection of any alliance or affiliation so submitted and the Southern Executive Branch Executive Director shall implement the decision. Art. IV. ARTICLE IV. FORMATION OF STATE PARTIES SECTION 1: States to Organize Southern Independence Parties Paragraph 1. A founding principle of the Southern Independence Party is the protection of Southern Heritage. It is upon this principle that we initially allow the original fifteen (15) Southern States of the present United States of America to organize a Southern Independence Party that will be recognized on a National level. The people of the following States, as they exist upon the ratification of this document, shall have the right to organize the Southern Independence Party in their respective States in compliance with guidelines set forth in this Constitution. (1) Alabama (2) Arkansas (3) Delaware (4) Florida (5) Georgia (6) Kentucky (7) Louisiana (8) Maryland (9) Mississippi (10) Missouri (11) North Carolina (12) South Carolina (13) Tennessee (14) Texas (15) Virginia Paragraph 2. In case a State should be placed asunder, the boundaries of the 15 States listed in Paragraph 1 are defined as those existent as of the ratification of this document, and would, therefore be considered the legitimate boundary of the State in question. Paragraph 3. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the formation and affiliation of groups or chapters of Southern Independence Party members, friends, and supporters residing outside the South, in the Northern States or in foreign countries in a non-voting supporter capacity only; otherwise their presence and privileges are to be determined by a committee of Congress the whole. Paragraph 4. The Southern Independence Party Congress retains the right to recognize other States that may have the essence of Southern culture and heritage. In order to include a State in the Southern Independence Party, the Southern Independence Party Congress in open convention must amend the Constitution through the proper, specified amendment and ratification process. Art. IV. Paragraph 5. The following additions of States to be allowed to organize provisional State Southern Independence Parties for later affiliation with the Southern Independence Party at this time are: (16) New Mexico (19) Wyoming (22) Montana (17) Arizona (20) Kansas (23) Nevada (18) Colorado (21) Oklahoma (24) West Virginia Paragraph 6. No organization shall be affiliated with the Southern Independence Party when such organization does not represent the distinctiveness of Southern Heritage or the essence thereof nor may any organization become affiliated with the Southern Independence Party that does not represent the Principles of the Southern Independence Party. States' parties are expected to use similar caution in making political alliances which should be done by the approval of a State caucus. SECTION 2: The Appointment of Provisional State Chairmen Paragraph 1. All new State Southern Independence Parties must have a Provisional Chairman until such time as the State party membership can hold proper elections. The Chairman of the Federation of States (who is elected by the various Federated State Chairmen) will appoint the Provisional Chairmen by recommendation of the Southern Independence Party Congress members and/or other State Chairmen. Paragraph 2. The Process of appointing Provisional State Chairmen shall proceed according to these guidelines: The person who wishes to be appointed shall establish contact with Federation of States by either of two means: (1) Directly: The person may contact the Federation of States through the Internet, the U.S. Postal Service, or by telephone, or personal contact. (2) Indirectly: The person seeking an appointment as a Provisional State Chairman of a new State Southern Independence Party may have a member of an existing State SIP notify the Federation of States or the State Chairman involved, or a member of the Southern Independence Party Congress, or other officer. The Candidate for Appointment shall be interviewed by the Federation of States and such other people involved in organizing such new State party. Art. IV. (3) Interviewing the candidate should take no more than one business week. (4) A Copy of the appointment documents shall be given also to the Southern Independence Party Congress and to the Chairmen of the several State parties. Paragraph 3. A Provisional State Chairman shall be appointed in States without a Southern Independence Party. A Provisional State Chairman may not be appointed to a State that has an affiliated Southern Independence Party but that has no State Chairman until such State has ample time (not less than 45 days) in which to elect a replacement Chairman. In cases of disaffiliation by a State Southern Independence Party, that State shall be considered without a Southern Independence Party or a State Chairman after a period of three (3) months. Paragraph 4. Any Federated State that may develop vacancies in their required officers shall have a reasonable amount of time (45 days) to fill such vacancies by interim election according to their individual State Constitutions. A State that continues to operate without fulfilling the five requirements below within six (6) months of the vacancy or deficiency, shall be considered for disaffiliation with the Southern Independence Party, or revert to a provisional status if requested by such State Party. (1.) Must have a PAC or Party filed (2.) Must have a Treasurer (3.) Must have a bank account (4.) Must be one of the 15 Southern States or as provided in ARTICLE IV, Section 1 or one of the of the nine (9) exceptional States listed in ARTICLE IV, Section 5. (5.) Must have a State Chairman, either provisionally appointed by the Federation of States, selected previously organized by other means as a State group or party or elected as State Chairman in accordance with State law. (6) If a State Party is voted into disaffiliation status for the above causes of not meeting all the requirements, dues collected from membership should be sent to the Southern Executive Branch and that State's portion of the Federation Funding allowed to States with provisional organizations shall be deposited in an escrow account to be used to help build the Southern Independence Party in that state. Once the State meets all the requirements again the monies will be turned over to the State treasury. Paragraph 4. The Federation of States shall be responsible for installing the new provisional State Chairman and will assist such provisional State Chairman in organizing his provisional staff and planning and advertising a State caucus for the election of officers. The Director of the Southern Executive Branch shall also be available to assist such new State party become organized. Paragraph 5. Upon the request of the Executive Director of the SEB a Provisional State Chairman may be removed by a 51% vote of the Congress or by a 2/3rds vote of the Congress without the request of the Executive Director of the SEB. Art. V. ARTICLE V.
STATE SOUTHERN PARTIES SECTION 1: Sovereignty Clause Paragraph 1. The State Parties are sovereign, loaning and yielding only certain herein designated powers, authorities and sovereignty to a Confederacy of other sovereign State Parties of the Southern Independence Party as coordinated by the Southern Independence Party Congress and administered by the Southern Executive Branch composing a Federation of State's Parties. Paragraph 2. The individuals within the several State Parties are sovereign as well and their State Parties function by their respective allowance and voluntary loan of some of their individual authority and sovereignty. SECTION 2: Officers Paragraph 1. The chief executive officer of each State Party shall be called the Chairman. Paragraph 2. Each State Party shall establish a State Executive Committee to carry out the necessary functions of a State Party. SECTION 3: Endorsement of State Candidates and Platforms Paragraph 1. State parties shall have the sole right to determine whether to support candidates for state or local office; provided that the said candidates are not hostile to the principles set forth in the lawful Constitution of the Confederate States of America, the Constitution (Charter) of the Southern Independence Party, the Asheville Declaration, or to the South. Paragraph 2. State parties shall have the sole right to determine whether to support local or state platforms, ballot initiatives, or other questions settled by vote; provided that the said platform, ballot initiative, or question is not in contradiction to the lawful Constitution of the Confederate States of America, or to this Constitution, or to The Asheville , North Carolina Declaration of Independence. Art. V. SECTION 4: Membership. All persons wishing to become members of any affiliated State Southern Independence Party shall apply for membership with the appropriate State Southern Independence Party officer(s) and pay to them the dues proscribed by that State Party. Membership may then be granted in accordance with the requirements of said State Southern Independence Party and with the election laws of that State. Paragraph 1. If a person's membership is objected to by three or more members of the same State Southern Independence Party's Executive Committee, the challenge shall place said membership in suspense until presented to the next or present caucus of the State Southern Independence Party (which ever is sooner possible) for a majority vote decision on the membership of the person in question. A citizen who is eligible to vote in their state may not be refused party membership based upon sex, race, religion, national origin nor cultural heritage. However, if a person has political views substantially alien and/or in opposition to the stated goals of the Southern Independence Party or if the person regularly behaves in an unruly, drunken or disruptive manner or in a repugnantly immoral manner in public which offends the sensitivity of the majority of the members, these factors may be weighed by majority vote of the members of a State caucus accepting or rejecting such person's application for membership in the party.
Paragraph 2. An accounting of new members of a Federated (nationally affiliated) State Southern Independence Party shall be made to the Southern Executive Branch at least monthly. Paragraph 3. Persons desiring affiliation with the Southern Independence Party but who do not reside in a state which is affiliated either provisionally or fully with the Southern Independence Party may apply for membership as a supporter by paying at least the regular membership dues. Such person may either submit their application for membership to one of the Southern Independence Party State organizations or to the Southern Executive Branch. In either case, such person shall be designated as a Southern Independence Party Supporter and shall be carried on the records of the Southern Independence Party by the Southern Executive Branch as a non-voting supporter as well as by any State party they may have applied through. Paragraph 4. At such time as a non-voting supporter of the Southern Independence Party becomes a resident of a state which is provisionally or fully affiliated with the Southern Independence Party, such person shall be transferred to the records of the State Southern Independence Party of such person's residence. If such person obtains a voter registration certificate from this state of residence they will become eligible to vote in caucuses of that State Southern Independence Party so long as they have not voted in some other political primary for that election or year. Paragraph 5. High School or college age youth are encouraged to join the Southern Independence Party at large or the State Party they prefer as "Young Confederates". Once they become of age and obtain voter registration in their state they would be eligible to vote in the States's Southern Independence Party caucuses. Art. V. Paragraph 6. State Southern Independence Parties may issue their own press releases pertaining to matters or candidates within their own State, and, within the guidelines of the Southern Executive Branch, and the Southern Independence Party Constitution and Platform, a State Party may address issues of national importance making it clear, however, that such statement is being made by their own particular State Party. Art. VI. ARTICLE VI. POWERS LOANED TO THE NATIONAL LEVEL SECTION 1: Affiliation, Disaffiliation, Re-Affiliation of State Parties
Paragraph 1. State organizations seeking to affiliate or to re-affiliate with The Southern Independence Party must first have a Provisional State Chairman appointed by the Chairman of the Federation of States. The provisional appointment to a State Chairman must be made by following the guidelines set forth in this document. Upon appointment of a Provisional State Chairman by the Federation of States, the new or re-affiliating State party will be recognized by the Congress as an affiliated State Party of the Southern Independence Party. Paragraph 2. The State organization must then follow the separate State guidelines set forth by their respective State Election laws and by their own respective Southern Independence Party State Constitutions, Rules and/or By-Laws. Paragraph 3. All Federated State parties are expected to follow this Constitution of the Southern Independence Party, and its Amendments and By-Laws on national matters and their individual State Party Constitutions should be in reasonable concert with the Constitution of the Southern Independence Party. Nevertheless, the provisions of a State Southern Independence Party Constitution and/or State Laws shall be superior to and have primacy over the provisions of the Southern Independence Party Constitution within said State. However, the Southern Independence Party Congress may vote to disaffiliate such State Party or to accept a compromise with regard to such jurisdictional, procedural or legal conflicts. Paragraph 4. Any affiliated State Southern Independence Party, or other group may disaffiliate from the Southern Independence Party by submitting a statement to that effect to the Southern Independence Party Congress and to the Southern Executive Branch. Art. VI. Paragraph 5. Any affiliated State Southern Independence Party, or other group may be disaffiliated from the Southern Independence Party by a 2/3rds vote of the members of the Southern Independence Party Congress. Paragraph 6. Any group, State Southern Independence Party or other organization disaffiliated with the Southern Independence Party, either voluntarily or as a result of disciplinary action shall immediately cease all uses of the names and symbols trademarked by the Southern Independence Party Congress, Southern Executive Branch and/or the Southern Independence Party, and shall immediately return any materials in their possession supplied by the Southern Independence Party Congress, Southern Executive Branch and/or the Southern Independence Party. A vote to replace an officer with a different officer or a person on the Southern Independence Party Congress or the Southern Executive Branch and elect a different person is not a vote of disaffiliation but of service and has no effect upon the continued State membership privileges of such person. Paragraph 7. No State Southern Independence Party, whether affiliated or disaffiliated, may establish policy or make public statements on behalf of the entire Southern Independence Party except to the extent authorized by the Southern Independence Party Constitution or the Southern Executive Branch. Paragraph 8. Any State Party, group or other organization not presently affiliated, but wishing to affiliate with the Southern Independence Party or any State Party, group, or other organization that has been disaffiliated with the Southern Independence Party, either voluntarily or as a result of disciplinary action, wishing to re-affiliate, shall be considered by the following procedure: (1) The State Party, group, or other organization shall make application to that effect to the Southern Executive Branch. (2) The Southern Executive Branch shall make the said application known to the Southern Independence Party Congress for consideration. (3) A motion and a second from two separate members of the Southern Independence Party Congress shall be required for the motion to be voted upon. (4) A vote of two-thirds of the Southern Independence Party Congress is required for passage of the said motion. (5) The applicant shall be notified of the result of the vote within three calendar days of the said vote. (6) A vote for re-affiliation of a group or organization or new state can only be taken during open convention. Art. VI. Paragraph 9. All persons who are affiliated as members of any affiliated State Southern Independence Party shall automatically be considered and honored as members of the Southern Independence Party nationwide. All individual memberships must be obtained at the State level of an affiliated State Southern Independence Party in accordance with that State's Southern Independence Party Congress rules and with the election laws of that State. Paragraph 10. No individual voting memberships may be obtained at the National level of the Southern Independence Party, but non-voting Southern Party Supporter Memberships may be registered at large with the Southern Executive Branch or with a State Party of their choice. SECTION 2: Minimum Annual National Budget Paragraph 1. The Minimum Annual National Budget shall be presented, discussed and voted on at the national Convention of the Southern Independence Party each year by the Congress in the Annual Open Convention meeting in joint session of the House and the Senate. Paragraph 2. Each affiliated State voting or which may become affiliated after such national Convention, shall be responsible for, in conjunction with the other States of the Southern Independence Party, to guarantee the Approved Minimum Annual National Budget to be paid to the Southern Executive Branch. Paragraph 3. Each Affiliated State, in meeting their commitment to guarantee the Approved Minimum Annual National Budget shall be committed to pay an amount according to an apportionment of the enumeration of the members of the State Party in question from a range of a minimum of 10% up to a maximum of 50% of the dues collected by such State Party in meeting this legislated obligation. If adequate dues are not collected in a particular State to allow that State to pay their agreed allotment of the Approved Minimum Annual National Budget, such State may make up the difference from donations or other fund raising projects of their own in order to meet their minimum allotment. This direct levy laid against the affiliated state parties shall be determined by dividing the Approved Minimum Annual National Budget by the total Southern Independence Party affiliated membership to develop a per member amount. Then, the per member amount shall be multiplied by the members of each affiliated State Party in order to determine the apportionment due from each State Party according to membership enumeration. Both voting and non-voting state members shall be counted for this enumeration. Paragraph 4. The Treasurer of each affiliated State shall keep an accounting of the dues and donations collected and shall prepare a monthly statement of such dues and send a copy of this monthly report to the Southern Executive Branch Treasurer along with a check for the appropriate apportioned amount for the Approved Annual Southern Independence Party Budget in accordance with Article V., Sections 2 & 3. Art. VI. Paragraph 5. State Parties failing to meet their required apportioned amount of funding may be considered for disaffiliation and shall have the unpaid portion lodged against them as a debt to the Southern Executive Branch on behalf of the Southern Independence Party. Paragraph 6. If funding from a particular State Party fails for some reason to provide sufficient funds to cover their share of the Approved Annual Minimum National Budget or if unbudgeted extra ordinary expenses occur, any State Party may donate or loan the Southern Independence Party funds in excess of the apportioned amount for that State Party. Any loans made to the Southern Executive Branch for the Southern Independence Party by an Affiliated State Party or other organization or person within the united States of America shall be accounted for to the Congress of the Southern Independence Party and shall be included in the next annual budget for servicing. Compliance with united States election laws in regards to campaign funding must be observed strictly. SECTION 3: National Funds Paragraph 1. The Funding of the National Southern Independence Party shall be defined by the Congress in their National Minimum Annual Budget which is to be provided to the Southern Executive Branch to be able to finance the day to day expenses of running the party. Paragraph 2. The Southern Executive Branch shall prepare a National Budget request based upon known plans and party development needs. This budget plan will include funds for the Federation of States recruiting operations and for the Constitutional Court expenses, if any, as well as for projected expenses for projects, rallies and conventions of the Southern Independence Party. Paragraph 3. All monies received by the Southern Executive Branch from outside the Southern Affiliated States will remain with the Southern Executive Branch so long as no funding is received from a foreign government (other than from persons in the United States), king or prince or ruler or a source at the bidding of such. Paragraph 4. The Southern Executive Branch Funding Plan and the apportioned amount of a State Party's payment obligation to the Southern Independence Party's Approved Annual Minimum National Budget applies only to membership dues. Each State Party as well as the Southern Executive Branch is free to solicit their own funding from fund raisers, donations, etc. in accordance with State and federal election and campaign funding laws and in compliance with the restriction against receiving funds from foreign sources in Paragraph 3 of this section. Paragraph 5. All revenue collected by the Southern Executive Branch shall be used to benefit the Southern Independence Party such as funding national advertising approved by Congress, voter registration drives and election campaign funding for Party members seeking public office, and to cover Congressionally approved expenses of the officers involved, including the National SIP Chairman. Art. VI. SECTION 4: General Platform Paragraph 1. At each Open Convention, the Southern Independence Party Congress shall set the general platform. The General Platform shall not stand in conflict with this Constitution, nor with the lawful constitutions of the Confederate States of America or with the Asheville Declaration. Paragraph 2. Each Affiliated State Chairman shall receive a copy of the proposed General Platform of the Southern Independence Party at least 60 days prior to an Open national Convention to allow time for the various States' Southern Independence Parties to consider such in their Executive Committees and to propose to their members statewide such and such changes or additions or deletions as may be the pleasure of such States Executive Committees in order to learn the will of their members statewide concerning their own State's platform. Paragraph 3. Each Affiliated State Chairman will be responsible for returning to the Southern Independence Party Congress, through their own State Representatives thereto, their preference for a General Platform at least 30 days prior to such Open National Convention. SECTION 5: Public Relations Paragraph 1. The trademark, logo, domain names and website of the Southern Independence Party shall be the sole property of the Southern Independence Party Congress. Art. VII. ARTICLE VII. LEGITIMACY OF AND MEANS TO ENACT BY-LAWS SECTION 1: By-Laws Paragraph 1: The Constitution, the By-Laws, the Rules of the various Committees along with the Code of Conduct of the Southern Independence Party shall govern the daily operations of the Southern Independence Party. Paragraph 2: The By-Laws of the Southern Independence Party will serve as a support for administrating this Constitution and the goals of the Southern Independence Party. Art. VII. Paragraph 3: In case of conflict between the Southern Independence Party Constitution and the By-Laws or Committee Rules thereof, the Southern Independence Party Constitution shall have primacy. SECTION 2: Means to Enact Paragraph 1: Southern Independence Party Constitution and/or By-Laws Committee. (1) A Southern Independence Party Constitution and/or By-Laws Committee of seven (7) members shall be maintained throughout the existence of the Southern Independence Party. The Committee members shall be appointed by the Southern Independence Party Congress for a term of one (1) year expiring on December 31st. (2) The Committee shall meet periodically and may also correspond by mail, E-mail, Fax and or telephone. The Chairman of the Southern Independence Party shall serve as Chairman of the Southern Independence Party Constitution and By-Laws Committee. (3) The Southern Independence Party Constitution and By-Laws Committee shall be composed of (3) three Senators and (3) three Congressmen. There shall be at least (5) five State Southern Independence Parties represented on this committee among the seven (7) persons who shall serve on this committee.
(4) The House of Representatives and the Senate of the Southern Independence Party shall each elect three of their respective members to serve on this committee. (5) To provide committee continuity, in the beginning, two Senators and one Congressman shall be appointed for one and one half years so that thereafter there shall be these three carry over committee members who shall be elected and appointed each year six months past the annual open national summer convention and the other members shall be elected and appointed during the open summer national convention and all will thereafter normally serve for one year in that staggered fashion to aid continuance of committee effort and knowledge carry over of pending considerations. Paragraph 2: The Southern Independence Party Congress (House of Representatives and Senate) shall have the sole authority to enact the By-Laws to this Constitution but must consider recommendations thereon from the Southern Independence Party Constitution and By-Laws Committee. Paragraph 3: The retiring members of the Southern Independence Party Constitution and By-Laws Committee shall meet with the newly appointed Southern Independence Party Constitution and By-Laws Committee in order to transfer to them the records and status of Constitutional and By-Law issues or proposed amendments thereto so that the new committee may more efficiently carry on the work for the Southern Independence Party Congress. Retiring members or consultants may serve in a Art. VII. non-voting advisory capacity on the new committee if requested by either the new committee , the Congress or the SEB. Paragraph 4: The following shall be the process of amending an existing By-Law or incorporating a new By-Law. (1) The Southern Independence Party Constitution and/or By-Laws Committee shall review recommendations submitted by three or more State Chairmen through the Southern Executive Branch, and/or the Southern Independence Party Congress (House of Representatives). (2) The Southern Independence Party Constitution and By-Laws Committee shall decide whether to suggest amending or adding the By-Laws and may re-write the By-Law if they decide that would be necessary. Their recommendations on a final draft of said By-Law will be recorded as a vote "in favor of By-Law or Change" or "opposed to By-Law or Change." (3) The Southern Independence |