Southern Independence
Party of OklahomaSouthern Independence
Party of Oklahoma
Permanent Bylaws and Covenants
January 20, 2004
Article I Name - Southern Independence Party of Oklahoma or the SIP of Oklahoma
Article II Purpose of the Southern Independence Party of Oklahoma (SIP)
Article III Party Structure
Article IV The Southern Independence Party of Oklahoma Executive Committee (SIPOK EC)
Article V Meetings of the SIPOK EC
Article VI County and County Level Organization
Article VII Rules of procedure
Article VIII Decision-Making Process within the SIP State Convention
Article IX Decision making process of Conservative Organizations chartered by the SIPOK EC
Article X Membership and Eligibility Requirements
Article XI Recall and Impeachment of Members of the SIPOK EC
Article XII Permanent By-Laws
Article XIII Amendment of Permanent By-Law's
Article XIV Present Affiliation - Southern Independence Party by the Federation of States
Article XV Disaffiliation from the Southern Independence Party
Article I - Name-Southern Independence Party of Oklahoma
The name of this organization shall officially be the "Southern Independence Party of Oklahoma," hereafter referred to as the "SIP." The two governing bodies of the SIP shall be the "Southern Independence Party of Oklahoma Executive Committee" hereafter referred to as the "SIPOK EC" and the "Southern Independence Party of Oklahoma State Committee" "SIP State Committee."
Article II - Purpose of the SIP of Oklahoma (SIP)
To promote and defend the sovereignty of the State and people of Oklahoma and their historic secession from the Federal Union of Abraham Lincoln on January 11, 1861 by re-affirmation of their Statehood in the Confederate States of America so that constitutional self-government can be re-instituted, and so that Oklahoma citizens will be free to join with a confederation of other free sovereign States of the South and restore the government of the Confederacy. We seek these measures through the electoral process, and by supporting candidates for public office who agree with these goals.
Article III - Party Structure
Section 1. Southern Independence Party of Oklahoma (SIP of Oklahoma or SIP)
The SIP is a political party organized for political action in the State of Oklahoma and registered with the Secretary of State as the Southern Independence Party of Oklahoma or SIP of Oklahoma.
Section 2. Members and Meetings
a. All persons voting in a Statewide Convention of the SIP of Oklahoma must be either a Delegate chosen by the County Convention or a person appointed as the County Chairman by the Chairman of the SIPOK EC.
Where there are five or more members of the SIP from a County, such County will be expected to hold a County Convention and elect a Delegate and an Alternate Delegate to the Statewide Convention.
Where there are three or less members from a County, the appointed County Chairman shall be the Delegate and one other person shall be chosen as an Alternate Delegate. Each Delegate must present or obtain a Certificate of Affiliation with the Southern Independence Party as a condition of voting eligibility.
b. Members joining in between Statewide Conventions may be certified by the Membership and Credentials Committee. If they meet the requirements and take the oath of affiliation they shall be Certified as Affiliated with the Southern Independence Party and be voting members at that time and for the rest of that year ending December 31st .
c. All certified voting members shall be eligible to vote in any SIP voting matter at the Precinct level whether presented by E-mail voting or in a Precinct Convention. Such Certified persons shall be eligible to vote as well in their County Convention if they are chosen as the Precinct Delegate to the County.
d. Certain matters may be voted on exclusively by the SIPOK EC such as amendments to the By-Laws and State Platform. However, Ratification of the National SIP Constitution or amendments thereto shall require first a vote of 51% majority of the State Committee (County Chairman) to Ratify and then a vote of 51% of the SIPOK EC to complete the Ratification..
e. Upon a two thirds vote by the SIP State committee, matters which would normally be decided upon by the SIPOK EC shall be presented for vote to the SIP State Committee.
f. Matters voted on by the SIP State committee must also be passed by vote by the SIPOK
EC prior to becoming effective but shall not be in force until filed with the Secretary of
State.
Section 3. Emblem
The emblem of the SIP shall be a shield comprised of rendition of the Third National Flag of the Confederacy, in shield form, with a blue map of the state of Oklahoma centered in the white portion of the fly. The party initials (SIP) shall be superimposed on the red bar on the fly of the flag, in dark blue.
Section 4. Official Flags
The SIP of Oklahoma shall use both the Third National Flag of the Confederate States of America and the present day Oklahoma Flag, still unchanged since it was carried into battle by Oklahoma Confederate Troops against Northern Yankee troops. Additionally, the Oklahoma Senate voted in favor of Resolution # 526 setting aside April as Confederate Heritage Month. All members of the SIP of Oklahoma are requested to purchase at least the Oklahoma Flag and fly it proudly.
Section 5. SIP of Oklahoma Executive Committee (SIPOK EC)
The SIP of Oklahoma shall be organized according to Oklahoma Election Code requirements and the By-Laws and Covenants of the SIP of Oklahoma. A State party Chairman and/or offices on the Executive Committee may be elected at a Statewide Convention held on Saturday after the second Tuesday of June each year. If no nomination for the election to State Chairman or other office of the State Executive Committee is offered, then such officers shall continue until the next Statewide Convention which shall meet according to State law, unless such officers resigns, dies or is impeached. In the case of an unexpected vacancy on the State Executive Committee (SIPOK EC) resulting from a resignation, death or impeachment, the Chairman may appoint a replacement with the vote of approval by the SIPOK EC. Should the vacancy be for Chairman, the Vice-Chairman shall become the acting Chairman and may appoint his replacement as Vice Chairman. Such appointments must be confirmed by election at the next Statewide Convention.
The elected Executive Committee shall be called the SIP of Oklahoma Executive Committee (SIPOK EC) and shall be the ruling body of the SIP of Oklahoma in accordance with the By-Laws, Rules of Procedure and motions passed by the members and the Executive Committee. Roberts' Rules of Order, 9th Edition shall be the official parliamentary procedure that shall be followed for such official meetings.
Section 6. Conventions
The first Statewide Convention of the SIP of Oklahoma convened on March 4th, 2000 with provisionally appointed officers and the Delegates were simply those citizens of Oklahoma from around the state who attended and who were eligible to vote. At that Convention, the Delegates elected officers of the Executive Committee to replace the provisionally appointed officers and ratified the temporary By-Laws. Delegates for the required Statewide annual Convention held on June 10, 2000 were those who had voted in the first Statewide Convention. From that point forward, Delegates shall be chosen at the Precinct Level for County Conventions which will be called in accordance with Oklahoma law.
Oklahoma Election Code Section 181.061. (Oklahoma Election Code Section 181.063-068 shall be observed as well.)
(a) A political party nominating by convention must make its nominations for statewide offices at a state convention held on the second Saturday in June of the election year. The state convention consists of Delegates selected at the County conventions held under Subsection (c).
(b) A party nominating by convention must make its nominations for offices of Districts situated in more than one County at District conventions held on the second Saturday after the second Tuesday in March. A District convention consists of Delegates selected at the County conventions held under Subsection (c).
(c) A party nomination by convention must make its nominations for County and Precinct offices and for offices of Districts not situated in more than one County at County conventions held on the first Saturday after the second Tuesday in March. A County convention consists of Delegates selected at Precinct conventions held on the second Tuesday in March in the regular County election Precincts.
(d) A party by rule may limit the Delegates making nominations to those from the territory from which the office sought is elected.
Oklahoma Election Code Section 181.062.-A political party shall provide by rule for the number of Delegates to be selected at the Precinct conventions for the County conventions and the number of Delegates to be selected at the County conventions for the District conventions and the state convention held under this chapter.
In Summary:
Precinct Conventions - second Tuesday in March.
County Conventions - the first Saturday after the second Tuesday in March.
District Conventions - the second Saturday after the second Tuesday in March.
State Conventions - the second Saturday in June.
Section 7. Other Meetings or Conventions
Other meetings or Conventions may be called by the appropriate chairman of the Precinct, County or involved or may be called for a statewide meeting or Convention by the State Chairman.
Such meeting or Conventions may also be called by petition provided 2/3rds of the registered members in the unit calling the meeting sign the petition, in which case, such meeting may be called by the petition chairman involved. Nevertheless, the regular chairman shall be invited to attend and vote, but for such a special petition meeting, the petition chairman shall preside.
Section 8. Election of SIP Delegates and/or Senators by SIPOK EC
The SIP of Oklahoma Executive Committee may, from time to time, call a meeting of the SIPOK EC to elect or recall two Senators and two alternates (Delegates and alternates) to the Southern Independence Party or other such multi-state or national groups with which the SIP of Oklahoma has voted to affiliate. Such Senators will have no authority in the SIP of Oklahoma State affairs, but will solely represent the SIP of Oklahoma through the Oklahoma Executive Committee and its Chairman in national matters and voting as directed by the SIPOK EC in furtherance of State's Rights representation.
Section 9. Election of SIP Congressmen to the House of Representatives
The SIP of Oklahoma Executive Committee shall arrange for elections by the members by Districts or Counties of Congressmen (Representatives), according to the number of members, to represent the members (people of Oklahoma) in their respective s and Counties in the House of Representatives of the National Southern Independence Party which is being formed on a national level in furtherance of home rule principles for representation of the people. Such Congressmen shall not answer to the Chairman nor the Executive Committee, but rather to the constituents of their own Districts and Counties.
Article IV - Southern Independence Party of Oklahoma
Executive Committee (SIPOK EC)
Section 1. Officers of the SIPOK EC
The SIPOK EC shall consist of seven ( 7 ) voting Officers: Chairman, Vice Chair, Vice Chair-Communications, Vice Chair-Party Development, Vice Chair of Legislative Affairs, Adjutant General (Parliamentarian and Legal Administrator) and Secretary. Unfilled offices may first be appointed by the Chairman of the SIPOK EC as provisional officers and then shall be elected to serve for one year with a 51% vote at the annual Statewide Convention of the County Delegates present of the SIP of Oklahoma. As the party grows the formation of County organizations shall be first organized by the appointment of provisional County Chairmen and then, after Precinct level organization are created, by election at County Conventions attended by Precinct Delegates. Voting Officers of the SIPOK EC should have a computer connected to the internet and have an E-mail address.
The SIPOK EC shall also consist of the following non-voting personnel: Secretary, Treasurer, Legal Counsel, Political Advisors, Fund Raisers and Chaplin. (Delegates to the National Convention or Senators and Representatives to the National SIP Congress shall not vote as such in the State Conventions or otherwise in the State SIP except as individuals or by virtue of some other office they may also hold.)
Two Delegates and one alternate Delegate shall be appointed by the SIPOK EC to attend the National Convention of the Federation of States in addition to the State Chairman in order to establish a provisional national party operation and to approve the proposed Constitution for Certification for the Ratification Process by the SIP State Committee and by the SIPOK EC.
Section 2. Voting Officers of the SIPOK EC
The respective responsibilities of the voting officers of the SIPOK EC shall include, but are not limited to:
a. The Chairman: is the Chief Executive of the SIP of Oklahoma, will preside over all meetings of the SIPOK EC using Robert's rules of Order, , 9th Addition and other rules adopted by the SIPOK EC and is an equal voting member and may vote on motions regardless of his position as Chair. Should the Chairman desire to actively participate and argue in favor or against a motion, he or she must first assign a Vice Chairman as temporary Chair until he or she has completed his or her speech or arguments. All SIP committee chairs are accountable to the Chairman, as are other first level officers. The Chairman will represent the SIP at all national events. Expenses incurred in this endeavor shall be approved by majority vote of the SIPOK EC, and thus authorized, funded by the SIP Treasury.
b. The Vice Chair is the Second Executive of the SIP of Oklahoma and will preside over SIPOK EC meetings in the absence or request of the Chairman, represent the Chairman and/or the SIP at events and the media at the request of the Chairman.
c. The Vice Chair of Party Development will oversee the District and County Chairs and will represent their needs and requests to the SIPOK EC.
d. The Vice Chair of Legislative Affairs shall be responsible for tracking State bills which may effect the Southern Independence Party and for lobbying the Oklahoma Legislature and or other State officials.
e. The Vice Chair of Communications is the SIPOK EC representative to the media. All media contact will be arranged through this officer as well as press conferences and articles placed on the SIP of Oklahoma Web Page. The VC of Communications and the Chairman shall both be the legal owners of the SIP of Oklahoma Web Page and the Chairman may direct the control of the SIP of Oklahoma Web Page himself or through the VC of Communications. Only the Chairman and the VC of Communications are authorized to talk to the media unless otherwise directed by the Chairman.
f. The Adjutant General or Parliamentarian or Legal Affairs Officer will assist the Chair in conducting meetings in accordance with the Robert's rules of Order, 9th Addition and other rules adopted by the SIPOK EC. Questions concerning procedure may be answered by the Adjutant General for the benefit of the participants and the Chair. Failure to follow Robert's rules of Order as defined by the Adjutant General shall entitle participants to file a point of order. The Legal Affairs Officer shall also function as a legal researcher for the party, and, at the direction of the Chairman, shall coordinate legal efforts with the Secretary of State, the Oklahoma Ethics Committee, the Attorney General and with private attorneys in connection with legal problems that may arise. The Adjutant General need not be a licensed attorney.
The Adjutant General may appoint a non-voting Parliamentarian for meetings of the SIPOK EC if he so wishes and a non-voting sergeant at arms or security guard.
g. The Secretary will keep minutes of the meetings and a log of voting, including E-mail voting, and will make reports of old business and minutes of previous meetings.
Section 3. Non-voting officers and officials of the SIPOK EC
The respective responsibilities of the non-voting officers and personnel of the SIPOK EC shall include, but are not limited to:
a. The Treasurer is the Chief Financial Officer of the SIP of Oklahoma. The Treasurer will be responsible for maintaining all of the SIP and SIP PAC financial accounts, giving a full financial report to the SIPOK EC at each meeting, insure that the Chairman is a signor on all financial accounts of the SIP and SIP PAC, provide full financial disclosure ( including all financial records ) at the request of any singular member of the SIPOK EC. If the Treasurer receives such a request then the Treasurer must notify the entire SIPOK EC within 48 hrs. of the disclosure taking place. The Treasurer will be responsible for the financial reporting required by the regulating authorities.
b. Chairman of the Young Confederates.
c. Legal Counsel
d. Political Advisors
e. Fund Raisers
f. Press Agents
g. Other Administrative and/or Officer Personnel
Section 3. Authority of the SIPOK EC
The SIPOK EC shall be the governing body of the SIP. The executive legislative authority and judicial power of the party shall be vested in the SIPOK EC, or subservient special committees, that the SIPOK EC chooses to establish.
Section 4. SIPOK EC to Designate Committee Members, Coordinators and Districts, etc.
With approval of the majority of thereof the SIPOK EC shall designate new committee members, Regional, County, Legislative Districts (State), and Municipal Coordinators and finally Precinct chairmen as the growth of the party justifies and is required to allow majority vote representation of party members.
Section 5. SIPOK EC to Establish State and Subordinate Organizations and/or Clubs
With approval of the majority of thereof the SIPOK EC may charter SIP Clubs or specific SIP subordinate political units organized within Counties, Legislative Districts (Federal & State), Municipalities, and/or Precincts providing such clubs or subordinate political units apply for a charter, and provide the following:
a. A listing of at least 3 members to form a subordinate SIP political unit such as a County SIP made up of at least 3 separate families or at least 10 members to form a political club other than a political unit such as a County or Precinct being chartered by the SIPOK EC, in both cases showing their names, addresses and telephone numbers.
b. A statement that these members meet the SIP membership eligibility requirements as specified in Article IX of these By-Laws.
c. A Club must provide its mission statement or goal.
d. A copy of the club's By-Laws which contains:
(i) Membership eligibility requirements as previously mentioned in Article IV Section 3(2) above. (ii) A mandated decision making process guaranteeing rule by majority vote as specified in Article VII. (iii) Delegates shall be required to be elected by County SIP organizations to attend and vote at SIP Statewide Conventions.
Section 6. Standing Committees
There shall be the following standing committees, the members and chairman of which may be appointed by the Chairman of the SIPOK EC, with the approval of 51% majority of the SIPOK EC:
a. State Affairs Committee
b. Platform Committee
c. Finance Committee
d. Political Action Committee
e. Membership/Credentials Committee
f. Grievance Committee
g. Elections Committee
Section 7. Creation of Other Committees
The SIPOK EC shall have the power to create such other committees as it may deem necessary, and may Delegate the selection of any officers for such committees to the Chairman. All committee members shall serve at the pleasure of the majority of the SIPOK EC.
Section 8. Requirements of Committee Members
The members of the SIPOK EC and all standing committees shall be affiliated members of the SIP.
Section 9. Initial Delegates to the National Convention of the SIP
a. Initially, the Oklahoma Executive Committee (SIPOK EC) shall appoint two Delegates and two alternate Delegates to attend the National Convention of the Federation of States in order to organize the National Southern Independence Party (SIP).
b. Alternate Delegates shall serve in the case of the inability of one of the Delegates to physically attend a National Convention of the Federation of States for the Southern Independence Party as directed by the Oklahoma Southern Independence Party State Chairman.
c. After the National SIP is organized and its Constitution has been ratified, the SIP of Oklahoma Executive Committee (SIPOK EC) shall elect two Senators and two alternate Senators to represent the SIP of Oklahoma in the National SIP Senate by majority vote of 51% of the voting members of SIPOK EC. Notice of the election or substitute appointment of Senators of the SIPOK EC shall be sent by certified return receipt notice or courier delivery with signed receipt made to the President of the Senate of the (National) Southern Independence Party Senate as well as to the Secretary of the Southern Federation Committee and to the Chairman of the Southern Independence Party.
d. The two Senators elected shall physically attend the National Conventions of the Southern Independence Party and shall serve on the Southern Independence Party Senate and vote one vote each therein.
e. The two Senators representing the SIP of Oklahoma Executive Committee shall receive instructions on voting from the Chairman of the SIP of Oklahoma Executive Committee (SIPOK EC) who shall, in turn, decide issues in accordance with the dictates and preferences of the SIP of Oklahoma Executive Committee (SIPOK EC).
f. Senators shall be required to sign a contract of representation with the SIPOK EC and may be subject to civil fraud prosecution by the SIPOK EC should they flagrantly and willfully violate the charge (voting instructions) and trust placed upon them by the SIP of Oklahoma Executive Committee to represent the SIP of Oklahoma at the National Convention or at any E-mail voting on the (National) Southern Independence Party Senate.
g. A Senator may be recalled at any time by the SIPOK EC with a 51% majority vote (4 out of 7 members) with or without cause and a replacement Senator may be chosen in like manner with a 51% majority vote of the members making up the SIPOK EC. In the event of such recall, certified return receipt notice or courier delivery with signed receipt shall be immediately made to the President of the Senate of the (National) Southern Independence Party Senate as well as to the Secretary of the Southern Federation Committee and to the Chairman of the (National) (SIP) Southern Independence Party.
h. Term of Office. Initially, Senators shall be elected by the SIPOK EC to serve for two years.
i. Senators are Delegates of the SIPOK EC and are bound to vote representing the SIPOK EC in the Senate of the (National) Southern Independence Party. However, Senators have no vote in the SIPOK EC itself by virtue of their office as Senator.
Section 10. National SIP Congressmen.
a. The SIP of Oklahoma Executive Committee (SIPOK EC) shall provide for the election of the number of Congressmen (either gender) authorized to them in accordance with the Constitution of the Southern Independence Party. The election of Congressmen shall be by the general voting affiliated members of the SIP of Oklahoma at the Precinct or County levels and not just by members at large of the SIPOK EC. Such voting for Congressmen shall be in accordance with Districts or Counties, if any, when and where such are designated by the SIPOK EC.
b. Candidates for SIP (National) Congressmen from Oklahoma shall be certified in accordance with rules established therefor in the By-Laws of the SIP and shall be assisted and coordinated by the SIP State Committee.
c. Term of Office. Initially, Congressmen shall be elected to serve for two years.
d Certification by the SIPOK EC shall be sent by certified return receipt notice or courier delivery with signed receipt made to the Southern Federation Committee, the Chairman of the Southern Independence Party and the Speaker of the House.
e Congressmen shall vote in the House of Representatives of the National Southern Independence Party in accordance to the wishes of their constituents and not in accordance with instructions from the SIPOK EC. Congressmen are not members of the SIPOK EC and, of course, have no vote therein.
f Congressmen may not be recalled by the SIPOK EC, but rather only by a recall by their constituency.
g If a constituency of a Congressman files a petition with the SIPOK EC containing the certified signatures of at least 1/3rd of the members of said Congressman's District, the SIPOK EC shall hold a recall election for such District. If 51% of the affiliated voting members of such District vote in favor of recall, said Congressman's tenure in office is thus terminated and a new election shall be scheduled for his replacement. Such a recalled Congressman, however, may enter the new election if he wishes and compete with the other candidates for the job regardless of the recall.
Article V - Meetings of the SIPOK EC
Section 1. Meetings.
Meetings of the SIPOK EC shall normally be called by the Chairman.
Section 2. Special Meetings.
A special meeting of the SIPOK EC may also be called by 2/3rds of the voting Officers of the SIPOK EC where they feel such a meeting is needed and when the Chairman refuses to call such, in which case they shall elect one amongst their group to act as temporary Chair for that meeting. Nevertheless, such a special meeting does not serve as impeachment of the Chairman who shall continue to serve and call other meetings, but who shall also be bound to abide by decisions of such a special meeting so long as 2/3rds of the total members of the SIPOK EC physically present at such meeting have voted for some provision or motion. Any special meeting of the SIPOK EC called by this procedure (not called by the Chairman) must occur physically and a quorum must be physically present at such meeting.
Section 3. Notice.
At least 48 hours notice of physical meetings shall be given to the members of the SIPOK EC. Posting of this notice to the SIP of Oklahoma web site shall not constitute due notice, but simply an additional notice. E-mail with receipt, telephone notice or priority mail with return receipt to the members, however, shall constitute notice.
Section 4. Quorum.
Two thirds of the members of the SIPOK EC (5 of 7 members with 4 of the 7 being present in person) shall be required to constitute a quorum. A signed or E-mailed proxy may be used by several officers so long as 4 are physically present.
Section 5. Motions.
So long as a quorum is present for physical meetings, a 51% vote of the total members of the SIPOK EC shall be required to pass a regular motion or to approve selection of officers for various committees and/or clubs sponsored by the SIP of Oklahoma. Members unable to attend in person, may, with the approval of those attending, be contacted by telephone for their opinions and votes providing a quorum is present physically. If a member is aware of the issues and cannot be present, even by phone, they may provide the Chairman or Vice Chairman or other member of the Executive Committee with a written, signed and notarized proxy to vote in their behalf at will or as specified in writing.
Section 6. Conduct of physical meetings.
At all physically convened meetings of the SIPOK EC, including the State wide Convention, the order of business shall be substantially as follows:
a. Calling of the roll.
b. Filling of vacancies.
c. Robert's Rules of Order, 9th edition shall be observed. Adoption of additional rules and regulations may be made and followed.
d. Election or removal of officers (if appropriate).
e. unfinished business.
f. Reports of officers.
g. Reports of Committees.
h. New Business.
Section 7. E-mail or teleconference meetings.
a. E-mail or teleconference meetings may be requested in person, by telephone, letter or E-mail directed to the Chairman by any member of the SIPOK EC wishing to offer a motion or a discussion on some issue, or by the State Chairman.
b. There shall be no spontaneous motions recognized by the Chairman even though they may have been offered by members of the SIPOK EC except during a called E-mail or teleconference meeting.
c. E-mail or teleconference meetings may be called by the Chairman, who shall give the members of the SIPOK EC adequate notice of the E-mail or teleconference meeting time or time period. E-mail or teleconference meetings may be requested by any voting member of the SIPOK EC. If a quorum of SIPOK EC voting members request an E-mail or teleconference meeting, it shall be mandatory upon the Chairman of the SIPOK EC to call such meeting with proper notice. The purpose of the E-mail or teleconference meeting need not be given as part of the notice. Voting officers of the SIPOK EC may be requested by the Chairman to install a suitable E-mail management and messenger program that will provide communication with the other voting officers in order to facilitate electronic (E-mail) meetings and the maintenance of records of the meetings to assist the Secretary in the performance of their duties of maintaining the minutes of meetings. Agreement between such officers should be obtained as to the type of program needed.
d. Notice. Notice of an E-mail or teleconference meetings shall be by E-mail or telephone allowing 24 hours notice prior to the initiation of such meeting.
e. Modified Robert's rules of Order shall be adopted for such meetings wherein matters may be discussed and/or motions may be made by any member of the SIPOK EC attending by E-mail or teleconference, the motion shall be assigned a number and text designation for E-mail identification of subject by the Chairman and then put on the floor (so to speak) by E-mail before the SIPOK EC for a discussion period.
f. The Chairman shall set a reasonable time limit for such discussion and then shall call for votes on the motion with a reasonable time limit set for voting. (Reasonable time limit is defined as allowing enough time for members to come home from work and respond).
g. A 51% vote is required of all of the members of the SIPOK EC in order to pass a standard motion during an E-mail or teleconference meeting. Matters required by these By-Laws or by State law to receive a larger majority vote in order to pass are excepted and shall require the percentage majority vote specified in the particular law or By-Laws.
h. Nothing herein, however, shall infringe upon the free speech rights of individual members of the SIPOK EC from communicating with other members of the SIPOK EC or anyone else informally and without permission from anyone.
i. It is recommended, however, that communications of criticism of a member of the SIPOK EC be sent privately to such individual by mail, Facsimile or E-mail copying only the Chairman which should then be privately replied to, again copying only the Chairman. If such private communication does not achieve satisfactory results that settle the issue, then either party of such criticizing communication may request a conference call with the Chairman to either resolve the issue. Should that fail to resolve the issue, either party or the Chairman may request an E-mail meeting in order to make a motion thereto. This should reduce friction within the SIPOK EC and also allow the Chairman the opportunity to help resolve the problem prior to involving the entire SIPOK EC.
j. Members of the SIPOK EC may communicate with others including others in other States or nations without permission from the Chairman or the SIPOK EC so long as they do not speak as an officer of the SIPOK EC. Speaking or writing, without authority, as an officer of the SIPOK EC, to the press or others outside of the SIPOK EC amounts to false representation of the other members of the SIPOK EC and of the general membership of the SIP of Oklahoma. Such action, if willful, is a violation of trust and a cause for impeachment of office. Again, this does not constitute an infringement of the freedom of speech or of the press, but rather the conservation of the rights of true representation of the members.
l. A member of the SIPOK EC may speak or write whatever they please to whomever they please as long as it is made clear that they speak or write as an individual and not officially representing the SIP of Oklahoma and as long as it does not involve a personal attack against another member thereof since such is covered by Article V, Section 7, subpart i. above.
Article VI - District and County Level Organization
District Chair Position
a. Represent SIPOK EC in Oklahoma Senatorial Districts and supervise other multi-County election matters involved within the Oklahoma such as Oklahoma Representative Districts.
b. Identify candidates for County Chairs within .
c. Assist in development of County parties, as needed.
d. Report to Vice Chair of Party Development
e. Some of the above positions will sunset upon development of Counties within .
f. District Chair may also act as County Chair.
County Chair Position
a. Nominated by Vice Chair of Party Development or Chairman of the SIPOK EC.
b. CEO of the SIP of Oklahoma for their County.
c. Appoint a provisional Executive Chair position for the County party Organization.
d. Appoint a Vice Chair.
e. Appoint a Treasurer
f. Appoint a Secretary
g. Establish and maintain a Political Action Committee (PAC) for the County party, and register same with the Oklahoma Election Commission, for fund raising.
Article VII - Rules of Procedure
Section 1. Parliamentary Procedure
In all cases not otherwise provided by law or these By-Laws, the authority for parliamentary procedure for any meeting of the SIPOK EC, or for any State or County Convention, shall be "Roberts Rules of Order," 9th edition.
Article VIII - Decision Making Process of the SIP State Convention
Section 1. Gubernatorial Election Years
At the beginning of years in which the above Statewide elections are to be held, the SIPOK EC, alternatively, it's designated Committees, shall hold public hearings throughout the State for the purpose of soliciting public input concerning positions to be taken by the SIP Platform. These hearings will normally be held in population centers of 50,000 persons or more. A meeting SIPOK EC or a committee with such appropriate duties, to be defined by the SIPOK EC shall determine the selection of locales for these hearings.
Section 2. Party Platform
An issues Convention may be held by a Joint meeting of the State Committee (County Chairmen) and the SIPOK EC for the purpose of adopting or changing the party platform. The Convention shall consider proposed positions from the SIPOK EC. Proposals from the floor may also be voted upon provided they are offered with the approval of at least 10% of all SIP State Committee members present. The majority of State Committee participants attending and voting 51% will pass or reject the measure. If the measure is passed, a 51% majority of the SIPOK EC must also approve the measure for such to become approved by the SIP.
Section 3. State Legislature, or Gubernatorial Election year only.
A Statewide Public Office Candidate Convention shall be held for the purpose of determining if ANY candidate shall receive a SIP ENDORSMENT. The candidate seeking the SIP endorsement, who has placed his/hers name for nomination for such public office by filing with the Secretary of State on January 3, of the year of the election involved. Such candidate seeking SIP nomination must be currently Affiliated with the Southern Independence Party of Oklahoma (SIP) and has previously submitted a petition to the State Committee signed by at least 10 SIP members, such person shall be voted on by the County Delegates to the Statewide Candidate Convention. A vote of 51% shall be required to nominate a Statewide candidate. Where more than two candidates are completing for the same office and none receive 51% of the vote of the Convention, a runoff election shall be held at the same Convention between the top two contenders for any office.
For multi-County (but not Statewide) candidates, only those Delegates from the involved Counties shall vote and a 51% majority shall be required to nominate the candidate.
With the approval of the SIPOK EC, candidates on other party ballots may be endorsed by the SIPT, providing such candidate will accept such endorsement and unless there is an objection from a County Chairman. If there is an objection, such endorsement will require a 51% vote for endorsement of the State Committee (County Chairmen).
Section 4. BALLOT ARRANGEMENT:
SHALL WE GIVE A CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT AT THIS CONVENTION? (YES) (NO)
CANDIDATES SEEKING SIP ENDORSEMENT: VOTE FOR ONE
CANDIDATE A
CANDIDATE B
CANDIDATE Others
Section 5. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
a. The Southern Independence Party shall not officially endorse or run any candidates for any Federal (U.S. government) or other foreign government offices.
b. The Southern Independence Party may nominate or otherwise endorse candidates for a national office within the National Southern Independence Party.
c. The Southern Independence Party may nominate or otherwise endorse candidates for a national office within Restored Confederate States of America at such time that this option may become available.
Article IX - Decision Making Process of Conservative Organizations chartered by The SIPOK EC
Section 1. Members of SIP Chartered Clubs
All SIP members belonging to clubs chartered in accordance with Article IV, Section 3, may in addition to participating in the State Conventions previously described in Article VII participate in the same decision making process for the purpose of developing issue positions and making candidate endorsement within the jurisdiction of their respective organizations.
Section 2. Young Confederates
In the case of the Young Confederates Club, if chartered, they shall participate in a separate Convention for election of their officers in their club. However, unless particular Young Confederates are registered voters they shall not participate in voting in the SIP Conventions, but may decide among themselves whether or not to support particular candidates by involving their membership in election campaigning projects.
Article X - Membership and Eligibility Requirements
Section 1. SIP Membership Requirements
All Oklahoma Registered Voters may be eligible for SIP membership providing they fill out and submit the approved SIP membership application form which certifies the following:
a. That the applicant is a dues paying member having donated at $20.00 (or $35.00 for a married couple) for the current year to the SIP of Oklahoma.
b. No person shall be eligible to become or remain a member of the SIP of Oklahoma, or to hold party office or receive a party endorsement, who advocates or adheres to any centralist or totalitarian, Fascist, Communist, Monarchist or Socialist doctrine, philosophy, or activity. Further, persons who advocate or who are members of any organization which promotes, espouses, promotes, or advocates hate, malice, and / or discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religious preference, age, medical condition, veteran status, previously satisfied civil or criminal offenses, cultural heritage or national origin, shall not be eligible for membership within the SIP of Oklahoma.
c. The applicant shall sign the membership application form which contains an oath of affiliation and a statement that the applicant will has not voted in a Democratic, Republican or other Party Primary Election or Convention during the same year in which he signs this oath and gains a certificate of affiliation. Applicant may become a member, but shall not be entitled to vote or hold office without a signed oath of affiliation.
d. No person shall be eligible to be a candidate for election to an office of the SIPOK EC who is currently under a felony indictment at the time of election without disclosure of such to the SIPOK EC and their vote of exception. No person shall be eligible to remain an officer of the SIPOK EC who is serving a sentence for a final conviction to a felony because State law forbids them from obtaining a voters registration certificate until the sentence is terminated.
Section 2. Membership/Credentials Committee
All applicants whose membership applications come in throughout the year which are found to be in order by the Oklahoma Membership/Credentials Committee, shall be entered into the membership database. A current Certificate of Affiliation shall be required in order to be eligible to vote on issues or persons presented for election to office (public or within the SIP).
Section 3. National Members Recognized if Certified as State Member
The SIP of Oklahoma Affiliated members will be recognized as members of the (National) Southern Independence Party so long as the SIP of Oklahoma remains affiliated with the (National) Southern Independence Party.
Section 4. Minimum National Annual Budget Prorated Responsibility for State
a. As a requirement for affiliation in good standing with the National SIP the SIP of Oklahoma recognizes that it shall be responsible for, in conjunction with the other states of the Southern Independence Party, to guarantee a minimum annual national budget to the National SIP.
b. The minimum annual national budget shall be voted on by the various states at the National Convention of the Southern Independence Party, and the SIP of Oklahoma shall be obligated to pay its share in accordance with the approved budget.
c. If sufficient funds are not paid to the National SIP by the various states so committed to cover the approved annual national budget, Oklahoma recognizes that there could be a need to try to collect extra funds to cover the shortfall in order to assure a solvent national operation. Such additional funds, if collected in Oklahoma, may be donated by the SIP of Oklahoma or loaned as agreed at the time.
d. Until the Southern Independence Party is organized with elected Officers under a Charter from the Federation of States, the SIP of Oklahoma shall pay its obligated 10% of dues and send a monthly statement of the Oklahoma dues/donations account to the Federation of States Chairman of the Federation who shall be coordinating efforts to organize the Southern Independence Party on a national level and to pay for the National SIP Web Page.
Section 5. Dues and Donations Accounting
The SIP of Oklahoma Treasurer shall keep an accounting of the dues and donations collected and shall prepare a quarterly statement of the Oklahoma dues/donations account and send a copy of this quarterly report to the Southern Federation Committee Secretary/Treasurer (of the National SIP) along with a check for the appropriate agreed to amount for the (National) Southern Independence Party budget in accordance with Section 4. of Article X.
Article XI. - Recall or Impeachment of Officers of the SIPOK EC
Section 1. Recall.
a. Officers of the SIPOK EC are elected at the Annual Statewide Convention held the second Saturday in June, by the County Delegates to the Statewide Convention with a 51% vote being required to elect, including any vacancies by virtue of resignation, recall, impeachment or incapacity to serve.
b. Recall of any officer may be accomplished during the year for impeachment proceedings by petition signed by 51% of the State Committee or by 51% of the SIPOK EC.
Section 2. Impeachment.
a. Impeachment of an Officer of the SIPOK EC may only occur for a clear and willful violation of the By-Laws and Covenants of the SIP of Oklahoma or oaths of office prescribed thereby, ineligibility due to violation of Article X, Section 1, b., c. or d. or for fraud or other criminal conviction occurring during said officer's tenure.
b. A vote of 2/3rds (6 of 8) of the Officers the SIPOK EC shall be required in order to impeach an existing member thereof and then, only for cause as shown in Article XI, Section 2, a.
Article XII - Permanent By-Laws
The temporary By-Laws filed with the Secretary of State on June 5, 2000 are hereby updated and made permanent by the unanimous vote of the SIPOK EC. Any subsequent changes must be accomplished according to the Amendment procedure outlined in Article XIII below.
Article XIII - Amendment of Permanent By-Laws
Section 1. Permanent By-Laws Amendment Procedure
These By-Laws may be amended, changed, or repealed at the Annual Statewide Convention or a Special Statewide Convention attended by Delegates from the Counties and the SIPOK EC.
a. A 2/3 vote of the County Delegates and the SIPOK EC present at a Statewide Convention, provided, that a notice of the proposed amendment shall have been mailed, or e-mailed to the last post office address of each member of the SIPOK EC and County Delegates to the Statewide Convention and shall be post-marked not less than five days before the date of such a meeting.
b. Special meetings of the SIPOK EC may be held by telephone, fax or E-mail or in person or a combination thereof for the purpose of discussing ideas and proposals and for passing upon proposed new bylaws.
Section 2. Effective Date of Amendments
Amendments approved in accordance with Section 1. shall be recognized upon approval and shall take force upon filling with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
Article XIV - Affiliation- Southern Independence Party
by the FEDERATION OF STATES
Section 1. FEDERATION OF STATES
On June 10, 2000, the SIPOK EC at the Statewide Convention in Bryan, Oklahoma voted to officially affiliate with the Federation of States which is an organization of State Chairmen from various participating Southern States as a means of coordination of ideas and efforts on a multi-state or national level, especially by promoting the building of the Southern Independence Party on a national level as well as assisting States in building their own State's Rights/home rule Southern Independence Party or other name to which they subscribe to and join the Southern Independence Party on a national level.
Section 2. SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE PARTY
On June 10, 2000, the SIPOK EC at the Statewide Convention in Bryan, Oklahoma voted to officially affiliate with the (National) Southern Independence Party and has approved the proposed Constitution for the Southern Independence Party.
Section 3. Informal Association and Cooperation
Friendly association and/or cooperation with other groups, whether or not the Southern Independence Party national organization adopts such association, such as the League of the South, the Sons of Confederate Veterans organization, The Southern Legal Resource Center, the Black Confederate Soldiers Foundation, and other groups shall be encouraged by the members and the SIPOK EC as long as no formal affiliation is effected beyond various projects of mutual interest, especially when such events may be in Oklahoma.
Article XV - Disaffiliation from the Southern Independence Party
Section 1. Disaffiliation from the Federation of States
Disaffiliation from the Federation of States may be effected by an action of the State Chairman or by a 3/4ths vote of the SIPOK EC.
Section 2. Disaffiliation from the (National) Southern Independence Party
At such time as the SIPOK EC is convinced that the interests of Oklahoma sovereignty and rights are not being served, or the National Constitution of the Southern Independence Party is being ignored or violated by the national leadership, or other divisive issue, and all avenues of redress within the National Constitution have been exhausted, a motion for disaffiliation may be made.
Section 3. Vote Required to Disaffiliate from the National Southern Independence Party
A vote of three-fourths of the SIPOK EC is required for disaffiliation to begin. If the motion receives the required vote, the Chairman must call a special session of the State Committee of the SIP.
Section 4. Disaffiliation Requires Vote of State Committee
The special session of the State Committee convened must approve the vote of the SIPOK EC by a majority 51% for there to be a disaffiliation. A full disclosure of all grievances and all efforts to resolve them with the National Party leadership must be made and communicated to the convened State Committee before a vote can be taken.
Section 5. Call for Special Session of the State Committee for Disaffiliation Voting
The Chairman's call for a special session of the State Committee to consider or vote on disaffiliation must be made and notices sent out via email, USPS and the SIP website no less than thirty days before the date that the State Committee is to convene.
Section 6. Notice
The Chairman must formally notify the National Party leadership of the vote of the SIP of Oklahoma for Disaffiliation within seven days of such vote being made.