constitutional amdts explained

7/27/2019 Constitutional Amdts Explained

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PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS EXPLAINED

Dear EMLD member,

The EMLD Executive are proposing a series of amendments to our

constitution. These will be debated and voted upon at the forthcoming AnnualGeneral Meeting on Saturday 23rd November 2013, which takes placebetween 11am and 2pm at Lib Dem HQ, 8-10 Great George Street,Westminster, London, SW1P 3AE.

On the 4th October 2013 the EMLD Executive unanimously agreed theamendments set out and will ask the AGM to endorse them with at least atwo-thirds majority. Any amendments made at the AGM will similarly require atwo-thirds majority to be approved.

The primary purpose of making constitutional amendments was because

EMLD were advised by HQ that we needed to make the constitution compliantwith electoral law. Those amendments are on page 16 of the constitution. TheExecutive believe it is essential to agree those particular amendments.

However EMLD also took the opportunity to make a series of otheramendments, some of which had been discussed over a period of time. Thekey changes we propose are:

Allowing EMLD to not charge an annual membership fee. This wouldenable EMLD to concentrate on seeking donations and standing ordersrather than expend significant effort re-signing lapsed members for 1.

Creating a new category of Associate Member, so that supporters whoare not party members can join EMLD provided they are not supportersof any other party. Associate Members will not have a vote at AGMsbut will recieve public literature.

Creating another category of membership so that Council Groups canaffiliate to EMLD.

Creating two-year terms for the Executive to allow more time forofficers and executive members to get to grips with their role beforethey next face a vote.

Limiting the number of terms an officer can serve to two.

Increase the number of Executive members from seven to nine. Increasing the word-count for personal statements for people seeking

election from 100 to 500.

Removing the ban on candidates using e-mail to promote theircandidature.

Tightening-up disciplinary proceedures so that it is specified thatdisciplinary action can be instigated where someone has broughtEMLD into disrepute as opposed to just the party at large.

Removing ambiguity regarding whether the Executive are allowed toconduct any business between their last Exec meeting and the AGM sothat it is clear they can.


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Other amendments are regarded as tidying-up exercises or, in the case ofchanging ethnic minority to BAME, a modernisation of terminology.

Below is a guide to the proposed amendments, which should be consideredalongside the actual amendments as set out in the accompanying document

(with amendments highlighted as track-changes).

Any additional amendments to the constitution should be submitted in writing(in an email) to the Returning Officer Allan Witherick on:[email protected] noon on Saturday 16th November 2013.

Guide to proposed amendments:

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2. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

2.1 (a) (b) & (c) To change the term ethnic minorities to Black, Asian andMinority Ethnic (BAME) to modernise the terminology as a result of negativeconnotations.

3. MEMBERSHIP

3.1 To remove the words pay subscription to allow EMLD to sign-upmembers without a membership fee. This change is directly related to point

3.10 (see below).

3.2.1 The issue of supporter members is addressed in point 3.7 (see below)proposing a new category of Associate Members.

3.2.2 To create a new category of affiliation, to allow Council Groups toaffiliate to EMLD, with individual Council Group members becoming AssociateMembers of EMLD.

3.3.2 A tidying-up proposal, so that disciplinary procedures covers instanceswhen an EMLD members has specifically brought EMLD into disrepute, notjust the Party at large.

3.3.3. To include knowingly [giving a] false account of agreed EMLDpositions within the category of material disagreement.

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3.3.4 As point 3.3.2 (above).

3.6 A tidying-up proposal, so that it is clear that EMLD members must be

members of the Party in order to have full voting rights.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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3.7 To create an additional category of Associate Members (without votingrights) who can be members of EMLD so long as they are not members orsupporters of any other political party.

3.8 To encourage Associate Members to become Full Members.

3.9 To change from an annual membership system to continuousmembership, so that time and effort is saved chasing up membershiprenewals.

3.10 To allow EMLD to not charge a membership fee and instead focus onincreasing the overall membership while making more efforts to encouragedonations / standing orders.

4. OFFICERS

4.2 To use the phrase terms rather than years, which is directly related topoint 4.4 (below) creating two-year terms. Consequently the maximum periodserved in any office must be increased from five to six years to coincide withthree two-year terms.

4.4 To create two-year terms for the Executive and Officers, so that memberscan dedicate themselves to particular tasks for a longer period.

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4.5 Renumbering point.

5. HONORARY OFFICERS

5.2 To elect of Honorary Vice-Presidents every two terms.

6. EXECUTIVE

6.1 (b) To increase the number of ordinary Executive members from 7 to 9 toimprove the effectiveness of the Executive.

6.2 As with point 4.4 (above) to create bi-annual elections to serve twocalendar years.

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6.6 To allow and encourage EMLD to endevour to hold at least one Executivemeeting outside London rather than proscribing it.

6.9 A tidying-up change to reflect the intention and purpose of the clause.

7. GENERAL MEETINGS


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7.1 Directly related to points 4.4 & 4.5 the creation of bi-annual elections.

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7.7 Reducing the quorum at Executive Committee meetings.

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ANNEX A - ELECTION REGULATIONS

1. Administration

1.10 Tidying-up change; making it clear that members can nominatethemselves for positions at the AGM but have to be seconded by anothermember.

1.11 To increase the number of words on personal statements from 100 to500, as a 100-word limit is too restrictive. Also to remove unneccessaryrestrictions, in particular the use of emails to promote candidacy.

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3. Nominations

3.1 (d) Tidying-up.

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ANNEX C: The EMLD Executive

1. Meetings

1.19 In line with the proposed change to increase the number of ExecutiveMembers - point 6.1 (b) above it is proposed to decrease the quorum forExecutive Meetings as more members can sometimes mean a higher numberof attendees but also a lower percentage attendance on any given meeting.

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3. Responsibilities of Executive Members

3.2 (e) Essential change as advised by HQ to make constitution compliantwith electoral law.

3.4 (c), (d) & (e) Essential change as advised by HQ to make constitutioncompliant with electoral law.

constitutional amdts explained

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