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CONSTITUTION of the BENTON COUNTY REPUBLICANS
Revised and adopted on March 25 th , 2024
PREAMBLE
The Republicans of Benton County welcome the participation of all Benton County residents who are concerned with the implementation of honest, efficient, and responsive government. The Party believes in the equality of all, as stated in the Declaration of independence. The Party is committed to equal representation and opportunity for all and the preservation of the rights of each individual. It is the purpose of this constitution to ensure that the Party provides for full participation with equal opportunity for all Benton County residents regardless of race, sex, religion, social or economic status. All business is conducted under Robert’s Rules of Order, revised.
ARTICLE I
Name and Purpose
Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the Benton County Republican Party of the State of Minnesota, the basic political organizational unit, hereinafter referred to as “the BPOU”.
Section 2: The purpose of the BPOU shall be the maintenance and advancement of good government in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the United States and the State of Minnesota in Benton County and the furtherance of such principles as may, from time to time, be adopted by conventions of the Republican Party.
Section 3: The duties of the BPOU shall include those imposed by law and custom upon official party committees. In addition, the BPOU unit shall:
a. Organize an effective and permanent Republican Party in each precinct of Benton County.
b. Encourage the formation of auxiliary Republican groups and cooperate with and coordinate their activities.
c. Assist in conducting campaigns for the adoption of laws and for the election of such Republican candidates for public office as have been endorsed by BPOU conventions, or selected at primary elections; and
d. Assume the responsibility of receiving and disbursing funds for BPOU activities within Benton County.
Section 2: The purpose of the BPOU shall be the maintenance and advancement of good government in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the United States and the State of Minnesota in Benton County and the furtherance of such principles as may, from time to time, be adopted by conventions of the Republican Party.
Section 3: The duties of the BPOU shall include those imposed by law and custom upon official party committees. In addition, the BPOU unit shall:
a. Organize an effective and permanent Republican Party in each precinct of Benton County.
b. Encourage the formation of auxiliary Republican groups and cooperate with and coordinate their activities.
c. Assist in conducting campaigns for the adoption of laws and for the election of such Republican candidates for public office as have been endorsed by BPOU conventions, or selected at primary elections; and
d. Assume the responsibility of receiving and disbursing funds for BPOU activities within Benton County.
Article II
Membership
Membership
The membership of the BPOU shall be composed of all eligible voters in Benton County who desire to support the objectives and purposes of the Republican Party.
a. Payment of dues shall not be required as a condition of membership.
b. Nothing in this constitution shall be construed to deny or abridge the rights of any voter to participate in any party caucus, primary or convention, where he/she is entitled by law to participate.
a. Payment of dues shall not be required as a condition of membership.
b. Nothing in this constitution shall be construed to deny or abridge the rights of any voter to participate in any party caucus, primary or convention, where he/she is entitled by law to participate.
ARTICLE III
Management and Structure
Management and Structure
Section 1: The management of the BPOU shall rest within its Executive Committee, subject to the direction of the State Central Committee, the State Executive Committee, the Congressional District Committees in District 6, the BPOU Convention, the State Party Constitution, this constitution, and applicable state statutes of law.
Section 2: The BPOU full committee shall consist of the BPOU Executive Committee, the Precinct Chairman and Vice-Chairman and any special subcommittee Chairman and Vice-Chairman at the BPOU Executive Committee’s discretion.
Section 3: The BPOU Executive Committee shall be composed of nine (9) voting members which shall include a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and five (5) other at-large board members. Any State Central Committee Delegates who are not elected or appointed to any of the above offices shall be non-voting members of the Executive Committee.
Section 4: The delegates to the BPOU Convention may elect other officers to the Executive Committee, if said convention deems it necessary. Also, the Executive Committee, at its discretion, may appoint additional voting members by a simple majority vote.
Section 5: Vacancies in precinct offices may be filled by appointment of the Chairman with approval of the Executive Committee or, if so directed, by a caucus of Republicans in the affected precinct. Should a vacancy occur in either the Full or Executive Committees, a replacement may be appointed by the Executive Committee, except if the Executive Committee Chairman becomes vacant, the Vice-Chairman shall rise to the Chairman’s position, and the Executive Committee shall appoint a new Vice-Chairman. The individual should be nominated at one meeting and voted on at the next stated meeting and should be present at both meetings.
Section 6: An officer of either the BPOU Full or Executive Committee may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at any meeting of the affected committee, provided that the officer in question be furnished with a ten (10) day notice, in writing, of the charges involved that warrant removal. The officer in question shall be entitled to respond to these charges before the committee involved, prior to the vote for removal.
A) Absence from two or more consecutive meetings without cause shall make an officer subject to removal.
B) Conduct that is beneath the office of BPOU Executive or Full Committeeperson or is in violation of this constitution.
C) It is the duty of all Executive and Full Committee members to support Republican endorsed and officially recommended candidates. Should any member of the Executive or Full Committees actively and publicly campaign against a Republican Party endorsed or officially recommended candidate, that member may be removed from the Executive Committee in accordance with the procedure outlined in Article III, Section 6 of this Constitution.
a. An officially recommended candidate shall be defined as any recommended candidate that is recommended according to Section 3, Paragraph (I) of the MNGOP constitution.
Section 7: Upon change of residence, resignations, or death of any officer of the Full or Executive Committee, the vacancy shall be filled according to the procedure outlined in Article III, Section 5.
Section 2: The BPOU full committee shall consist of the BPOU Executive Committee, the Precinct Chairman and Vice-Chairman and any special subcommittee Chairman and Vice-Chairman at the BPOU Executive Committee’s discretion.
Section 3: The BPOU Executive Committee shall be composed of nine (9) voting members which shall include a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and five (5) other at-large board members. Any State Central Committee Delegates who are not elected or appointed to any of the above offices shall be non-voting members of the Executive Committee.
Section 4: The delegates to the BPOU Convention may elect other officers to the Executive Committee, if said convention deems it necessary. Also, the Executive Committee, at its discretion, may appoint additional voting members by a simple majority vote.
Section 5: Vacancies in precinct offices may be filled by appointment of the Chairman with approval of the Executive Committee or, if so directed, by a caucus of Republicans in the affected precinct. Should a vacancy occur in either the Full or Executive Committees, a replacement may be appointed by the Executive Committee, except if the Executive Committee Chairman becomes vacant, the Vice-Chairman shall rise to the Chairman’s position, and the Executive Committee shall appoint a new Vice-Chairman. The individual should be nominated at one meeting and voted on at the next stated meeting and should be present at both meetings.
Section 6: An officer of either the BPOU Full or Executive Committee may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at any meeting of the affected committee, provided that the officer in question be furnished with a ten (10) day notice, in writing, of the charges involved that warrant removal. The officer in question shall be entitled to respond to these charges before the committee involved, prior to the vote for removal.
A) Absence from two or more consecutive meetings without cause shall make an officer subject to removal.
B) Conduct that is beneath the office of BPOU Executive or Full Committeeperson or is in violation of this constitution.
C) It is the duty of all Executive and Full Committee members to support Republican endorsed and officially recommended candidates. Should any member of the Executive or Full Committees actively and publicly campaign against a Republican Party endorsed or officially recommended candidate, that member may be removed from the Executive Committee in accordance with the procedure outlined in Article III, Section 6 of this Constitution.
a. An officially recommended candidate shall be defined as any recommended candidate that is recommended according to Section 3, Paragraph (I) of the MNGOP constitution.
Section 7: Upon change of residence, resignations, or death of any officer of the Full or Executive Committee, the vacancy shall be filled according to the procedure outlined in Article III, Section 5.
Article IV
Elections and Duties
Elections and Duties
Section 1: Precinct officers shall consist of a Chairman and Secretary and other officers deemed necessary by that precinct. Officers shall be elected to a two-year term at the even-number year general caucus, in compliance with State Statute. In the event a precinct fails to elect any officer at this caucus, the BPOU Executive Committee may appoint individuals to fill any vacancy in the precinct.
A) The it the responsibility of each precinct officer to:
1. Conduct biennial precinct caucuses in their respective precincts.
2. Support campaign efforts of endorsed Republican Party candidates within their precincts.
3. Respond to guidance from BPOU officers.
4. Recruit and direct precinct workers.
5. Attend training sessions conducted by the State and District party organizations.
6. Complete voter surveys.
7. Participate in authorized fund drives.
8. Lead “Get out the Vote” efforts in the precinct.
9. Accomplish such other tasks as the Executive Committee may instruct.
Section 2: The BPOU Executive Committee shall be elected to a two-year term by the delegates to the odd number year BPOU Convention. A majority of the votes cast shall be required for election. A nomination committee shall be appointed by the BPOU Executive Committee. A nominating committee shall be appointed by the BPOU Executive Committee in advance of the odd-number year BPOU Convention for the purpose of nominating candidates for the various Executive Committee positions. This does not prohibit nominations from the floor. The nominating committee shall consist of a minimum of three members from the Full Committee in advance of the odd-number year BPOU Convention for the purpose of nominating candidates for the various Executive Committee positions.
Section 3: Duties of the Executive Committee officers shall be as follows:
a. Chairman/Vice-Chairman: shall conduct Executive Committee meetings, attend Congressional District meetings and appoint committees. They are also ex-officio members of all BPOU Committees.
b. Secretary: Shall keep minutes of meetings, be responsible for written correspondence with the members of the Full Committee, Executive Committee, and delegates and alternates to Conventions and other correspondence that is deemed necessary by the Executive Committee.
c. Treasurer: Shall be responsible for all BPOU monies, keep and maintain financial records, disburse monies as authorized by the Executive Committee, prepare and submit an annual budget, prepare and submit all reports to the proper campaign finance authorities, and any other duties delegated by the Executive Committee.
A) The it the responsibility of each precinct officer to:
1. Conduct biennial precinct caucuses in their respective precincts.
2. Support campaign efforts of endorsed Republican Party candidates within their precincts.
3. Respond to guidance from BPOU officers.
4. Recruit and direct precinct workers.
5. Attend training sessions conducted by the State and District party organizations.
6. Complete voter surveys.
7. Participate in authorized fund drives.
8. Lead “Get out the Vote” efforts in the precinct.
9. Accomplish such other tasks as the Executive Committee may instruct.
Section 2: The BPOU Executive Committee shall be elected to a two-year term by the delegates to the odd number year BPOU Convention. A majority of the votes cast shall be required for election. A nomination committee shall be appointed by the BPOU Executive Committee. A nominating committee shall be appointed by the BPOU Executive Committee in advance of the odd-number year BPOU Convention for the purpose of nominating candidates for the various Executive Committee positions. This does not prohibit nominations from the floor. The nominating committee shall consist of a minimum of three members from the Full Committee in advance of the odd-number year BPOU Convention for the purpose of nominating candidates for the various Executive Committee positions.
Section 3: Duties of the Executive Committee officers shall be as follows:
a. Chairman/Vice-Chairman: shall conduct Executive Committee meetings, attend Congressional District meetings and appoint committees. They are also ex-officio members of all BPOU Committees.
b. Secretary: Shall keep minutes of meetings, be responsible for written correspondence with the members of the Full Committee, Executive Committee, and delegates and alternates to Conventions and other correspondence that is deemed necessary by the Executive Committee.
c. Treasurer: Shall be responsible for all BPOU monies, keep and maintain financial records, disburse monies as authorized by the Executive Committee, prepare and submit an annual budget, prepare and submit all reports to the proper campaign finance authorities, and any other duties delegated by the Executive Committee.
Article V
Regular Meetings
Regular Meetings
Section 1: Either operating committee (Full or Executive) shall meet at the call of the Chairman, or at the request of any three members of the respective committee.
A) Regular Executive Committee meetings shall be held at least bimonthly and Regular Full Committee meetings at least once annually. A minimum of five (5) days written notice of a regular meeting shall be provided members of either Committee.
B) For Regular Executive Committee meetings, a minimum of five (5) Executive Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting BPOU business.
C) For Regular Full Committee meetings, 50% + 1 of duly elected committee members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business.
D) Both Regular Full and Executive committee meetings shall be open to all eligible voters in Benton County who desire to support the objectives and purposes of the Republican Party. With respect to both Executive and Full Committee meetings, a simple majority of committee members may vote to enter a closed session, in which only committee members may participate, and/or exclude any individual at any time from participating in a committee meeting by a simple majority vote.
Section 2: “Robert’s Rules of Order, 12th Edition” shall guide the proceedings of all meetings of the Full and Executive Committees when this constitution is silent and remain subject to such rules as are adopted by the respective caucuses, committees, and conventions, and consistent with this document.
A) Regular Executive Committee meetings shall be held at least bimonthly and Regular Full Committee meetings at least once annually. A minimum of five (5) days written notice of a regular meeting shall be provided members of either Committee.
B) For Regular Executive Committee meetings, a minimum of five (5) Executive Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting BPOU business.
C) For Regular Full Committee meetings, 50% + 1 of duly elected committee members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business.
D) Both Regular Full and Executive committee meetings shall be open to all eligible voters in Benton County who desire to support the objectives and purposes of the Republican Party. With respect to both Executive and Full Committee meetings, a simple majority of committee members may vote to enter a closed session, in which only committee members may participate, and/or exclude any individual at any time from participating in a committee meeting by a simple majority vote.
Section 2: “Robert’s Rules of Order, 12th Edition” shall guide the proceedings of all meetings of the Full and Executive Committees when this constitution is silent and remain subject to such rules as are adopted by the respective caucuses, committees, and conventions, and consistent with this document.
Article VI
Special Meetings
Special Meetings
Section 1: Special meetings of the Benton County Republican Party Executive or Full Committee shall consist of only Executive or Full committee members for the purpose of deciding and/or debating a single topic and may be called by the BPOU Chairman without a 5-day written notice and may be conducted via telephone, email, text message, or virtual meeting platform such as but not limited to, Zoom or Teams, so long as:
a. The BPOU Chairman communicates via telephone, email, text message, or virtual meeting platform, a specific time or timeframe the meeting or voting procedure will take place.
b. The BPOU Chairman communicates via telephone, email, text message, or virtual meeting platform, the location and/or platform where the meeting will take place.
c. The BPOU Chairman communicates via telephone, email, text message, or virtual meeting platform, the single topic to be decided or discussed.
d. Special meeting minutes, which are not required to be posted publicly, are taken, and put on the agenda for approval at the next regular meeting.
e. The BPOU Chairman receives an affirmative communication from 5 Executive Committee members for special Executive Committee meetings or 50% + 1 of Full Committee members for special Full Committee meetings agreeing to hold a special meeting with the proper provisions communicated by the BPOU Chairman outlined in Subsection a., b., and c., in Section 1 of Article VI.
a. The BPOU Chairman communicates via telephone, email, text message, or virtual meeting platform, a specific time or timeframe the meeting or voting procedure will take place.
b. The BPOU Chairman communicates via telephone, email, text message, or virtual meeting platform, the location and/or platform where the meeting will take place.
c. The BPOU Chairman communicates via telephone, email, text message, or virtual meeting platform, the single topic to be decided or discussed.
d. Special meeting minutes, which are not required to be posted publicly, are taken, and put on the agenda for approval at the next regular meeting.
e. The BPOU Chairman receives an affirmative communication from 5 Executive Committee members for special Executive Committee meetings or 50% + 1 of Full Committee members for special Full Committee meetings agreeing to hold a special meeting with the proper provisions communicated by the BPOU Chairman outlined in Subsection a., b., and c., in Section 1 of Article VI.
Article VII
Conventions
Conventions
Section 1: BPOU Conventions shall be held each year for the purpose designated by Official Call issued by the BPOU Chairman and Vice-Chairman upon approval of a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the BPOU Executive committee, or, the State Executive Committee, the State Central Committee, or the Sixth Congressional District Committee.
a. The Call shall be sent by the Secretary to the delegates and alternates at least ten (10) days prior to the convention.
b. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall appoint the Rules, Resolutions, Credentials, and other such committees as may be deemed necessary.
c. A Convention shall be comprised of Delegates and Alternates elected at precinct caucuses. The Credentials Committee shall seat all duly elected Delegates of each precinct who are in attendance and present their credentials. In the event there are no Delegates present from a precinct, the Credentials Committee shall seat all accredited Alternates from that precinct. In the event there are both Delegates and Alternates present, the Credentials Committee shall seat only the Delegates. Vacancies shall be filled as follows:
1. Seating of Alternates: Precincts shall caucus after acceptance of the temporary report of the Credentials Committee. If the Chairman of the precinct is not present, the seated Delegates shall first elect a temporary Chairman and then proceed to fill the vacancies with the Alternates in the order ranked during the election of Alternates at the precinct caucuses.
2. Late arrival of delegates: If a Delegate shall arrive late, that Delegate shall be seated and replace the lowest ranking Alternate who was seated.
3. Cross seating: No Cross-seating shall be allowed. If there are no elected Delegates or Alternates present from a precinct or a vacancy exists which cannot be filled with a Delegate or Alternate, the vacancy will remain.
d. Biennial Business: Even number year Conventions shall be called for the purpose of electing Delegates and Alternates to District and State Conventions. The odd-number year Conventions shall be called for the purpose of electing officers for the Executive Committee and making any changes necessary in the BPOU Constitution.
Section 2: Special Conventions: Special Conventions may be held at the call of the State Executive or State Central Committee upon the request of the BPOU Chairman, Vice-Chairman, or two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee. Three days written notice must be given to all committee members before such a request is made. A notice of not less than five (5) days shall be given to the affected delegates and alternates.
Section 3: Endorsing Conventions: Endorsing Conventions may be held at the call of the MNGOP State Executive Committee, State Central Committee, or Congressional District Chairs in accordance with the Republican Party of Minnesota Constitution and Bylaws upon the request of the BPOU Chairman or Vice-Chairman or a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee. Three days written notice must be given to all committee members before such a request is made.
a. Any endorsement of candidates for public office must receive at least sixty percent (60%) of the voting strength of the convention as established by the final report of the Credentials Committee preceding such vote. Voting shall be by secret ballot in Contested elections.
b. Delegates to Endorsing Conventions shall be the Delegates and seated Alternates elected at the precinct caucuses held within the area of which the convention is called.
c. An Endorsing Convention may provide a non-binding advisory endorsement to candidates for district, state or federal office. A sixty percent (60%) vote shall be necessary to be considered an advisory endorsement.
d. The procedures for mailing the Call shall be the same as for other conventions.
Section 4: Conventions involving other Basic Political Organizing Units
a. The BPOU Chairman shall serve as the representative of this BPOU to the organizing committee of the convention involving other party units.
b. The BPOU Chairman shall represent the best interests of this BPOU as a member of the organizing committee involving other party units.
c. This BPOU’s level of involvement and commitment to the convention involving other Basic Political Organizing Units shall be determined by a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee
d. While participating in a convention that involves party units other than the Benton County BPOU, the BPOU Chairman and the Executive Committee shall speak and act in the best interest of the Benton County BPOU regardless of the actions taken by the other party units or combined convention organizers.
e. If a convention involving other party units is recessed without a specific time, location, and convener named, or it is determined by a simple majority of the Executive Committee that the convention will not reconvene in a timely manner to finish the business of the convention, this BPOU’s and all its delegates and alternates’ participation shall adjourn automatically after 10 days of the recess to allow for this BPOU to conduct its own business.
a. The Call shall be sent by the Secretary to the delegates and alternates at least ten (10) days prior to the convention.
b. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall appoint the Rules, Resolutions, Credentials, and other such committees as may be deemed necessary.
c. A Convention shall be comprised of Delegates and Alternates elected at precinct caucuses. The Credentials Committee shall seat all duly elected Delegates of each precinct who are in attendance and present their credentials. In the event there are no Delegates present from a precinct, the Credentials Committee shall seat all accredited Alternates from that precinct. In the event there are both Delegates and Alternates present, the Credentials Committee shall seat only the Delegates. Vacancies shall be filled as follows:
1. Seating of Alternates: Precincts shall caucus after acceptance of the temporary report of the Credentials Committee. If the Chairman of the precinct is not present, the seated Delegates shall first elect a temporary Chairman and then proceed to fill the vacancies with the Alternates in the order ranked during the election of Alternates at the precinct caucuses.
2. Late arrival of delegates: If a Delegate shall arrive late, that Delegate shall be seated and replace the lowest ranking Alternate who was seated.
3. Cross seating: No Cross-seating shall be allowed. If there are no elected Delegates or Alternates present from a precinct or a vacancy exists which cannot be filled with a Delegate or Alternate, the vacancy will remain.
d. Biennial Business: Even number year Conventions shall be called for the purpose of electing Delegates and Alternates to District and State Conventions. The odd-number year Conventions shall be called for the purpose of electing officers for the Executive Committee and making any changes necessary in the BPOU Constitution.
Section 2: Special Conventions: Special Conventions may be held at the call of the State Executive or State Central Committee upon the request of the BPOU Chairman, Vice-Chairman, or two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee. Three days written notice must be given to all committee members before such a request is made. A notice of not less than five (5) days shall be given to the affected delegates and alternates.
Section 3: Endorsing Conventions: Endorsing Conventions may be held at the call of the MNGOP State Executive Committee, State Central Committee, or Congressional District Chairs in accordance with the Republican Party of Minnesota Constitution and Bylaws upon the request of the BPOU Chairman or Vice-Chairman or a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee. Three days written notice must be given to all committee members before such a request is made.
a. Any endorsement of candidates for public office must receive at least sixty percent (60%) of the voting strength of the convention as established by the final report of the Credentials Committee preceding such vote. Voting shall be by secret ballot in Contested elections.
b. Delegates to Endorsing Conventions shall be the Delegates and seated Alternates elected at the precinct caucuses held within the area of which the convention is called.
c. An Endorsing Convention may provide a non-binding advisory endorsement to candidates for district, state or federal office. A sixty percent (60%) vote shall be necessary to be considered an advisory endorsement.
d. The procedures for mailing the Call shall be the same as for other conventions.
Section 4: Conventions involving other Basic Political Organizing Units
a. The BPOU Chairman shall serve as the representative of this BPOU to the organizing committee of the convention involving other party units.
b. The BPOU Chairman shall represent the best interests of this BPOU as a member of the organizing committee involving other party units.
c. This BPOU’s level of involvement and commitment to the convention involving other Basic Political Organizing Units shall be determined by a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee
d. While participating in a convention that involves party units other than the Benton County BPOU, the BPOU Chairman and the Executive Committee shall speak and act in the best interest of the Benton County BPOU regardless of the actions taken by the other party units or combined convention organizers.
e. If a convention involving other party units is recessed without a specific time, location, and convener named, or it is determined by a simple majority of the Executive Committee that the convention will not reconvene in a timely manner to finish the business of the convention, this BPOU’s and all its delegates and alternates’ participation shall adjourn automatically after 10 days of the recess to allow for this BPOU to conduct its own business.
Article VIII
General Provisions
General Provisions
Section 1: The Benton County BPOU organization is affiliated with the Republican Party of Minnesota and its activities shall be consistent with their objectives, platforms and principles. The Constitution of the Republican Party of Minnesota shall govern, if any part of this Constitution is not consistent therewith.
Section 2: No member of the BPOU organization shall be authorized to express the views or otherwise speak on behalf of any group within the BPOU on any matters of policy, unless the group has previously considered and taken action on such matters, or the Executive Committee has granted approval by a simple majority vote to the individual to speak on its behalf. This shall not be construed to prevent any BPOU official from freely expressing opinions, provided that these opinions are solely personal, and construed as such to the receiving party.
Section 3: The provisions of this Constitution shall be presumed to be incorporated as part of the rules of each BPOU Convention.
Section 4: Nothing in this Constitution shall prohibit any qualified voter to participate in any Republican Party caucus, primary or convention in which otherwise entitled to participate.
Section 2: No member of the BPOU organization shall be authorized to express the views or otherwise speak on behalf of any group within the BPOU on any matters of policy, unless the group has previously considered and taken action on such matters, or the Executive Committee has granted approval by a simple majority vote to the individual to speak on its behalf. This shall not be construed to prevent any BPOU official from freely expressing opinions, provided that these opinions are solely personal, and construed as such to the receiving party.
Section 3: The provisions of this Constitution shall be presumed to be incorporated as part of the rules of each BPOU Convention.
Section 4: Nothing in this Constitution shall prohibit any qualified voter to participate in any Republican Party caucus, primary or convention in which otherwise entitled to participate.
Article IX
Section 1: A standing Constitution Committee shall be appointed for the purpose of working on amendments and by-laws to the constitution and consist of a minimum of three (3) Executive Committee members.
A) The Chair of the Constitution Committee shall be appointed by the BPOU Chairman and approved by the Executive Committee by a simple majority vote.
B) The Chair of the Constitution Committee may appoint additional members to the Constitution committee with approval by a simple majority of the Executive Committee.
C) The Constitutional Committee shall consider and may propose appropriate amendments and/or revisions of the Constitution to any BPOU convention.
D) The Constitution Committee shall also consider all proposed changes or additions to the Constitution that were properly submitted to this committee, in writing, at least 20 (twenty) days prior to a regular convention so that the notice of the consideration of proposed constitutional changes may be included on the official Convention Call to the Delegates and Alternates before the next convention and posted on the official BPOU website at least 10 days ahead of the convention.
E) The Chair of the Constitution Committee shall give a report on behalf of the committee to the BPOU convention regarding all proposed amendments.
Section 2: This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Delegates and seated Alternates present at any regular BPOU Convention, provided the proposed amendments were considered according to the procedure outlined in Article VIII, Section 2 of this Constitution.
A) The Chair of the Constitution Committee shall be appointed by the BPOU Chairman and approved by the Executive Committee by a simple majority vote.
B) The Chair of the Constitution Committee may appoint additional members to the Constitution committee with approval by a simple majority of the Executive Committee.
C) The Constitutional Committee shall consider and may propose appropriate amendments and/or revisions of the Constitution to any BPOU convention.
D) The Constitution Committee shall also consider all proposed changes or additions to the Constitution that were properly submitted to this committee, in writing, at least 20 (twenty) days prior to a regular convention so that the notice of the consideration of proposed constitutional changes may be included on the official Convention Call to the Delegates and Alternates before the next convention and posted on the official BPOU website at least 10 days ahead of the convention.
E) The Chair of the Constitution Committee shall give a report on behalf of the committee to the BPOU convention regarding all proposed amendments.
Section 2: This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Delegates and seated Alternates present at any regular BPOU Convention, provided the proposed amendments were considered according to the procedure outlined in Article VIII, Section 2 of this Constitution.