Constitution of
The Independent Liberal Forum


INDEX
PREAMBLE
 The Independent Liberal Forum exists to construct and maintain a Liberal society in Gibraltar. In this new social order every citizen shall enjoy liberty, security and participatory democracy and none shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. The chief concerns of the I.L.F. are the rights and opportunities of the individual, tempered by social responsibility.

HISTORY
 The I.L.F. was originally founded as a political party on 21st March 2000. This new constitution reflects the organisational needs of the Party as our experiences since then have identified them. This document therefore replaces the previous constitution adopted at the launch of the Party.

1. NAME AND INSIGNIA
 1.1 The full name of the organisation is the 'Independent Liberal Forum'. The Party and/or its members may also be referred to collectively either as "the I.L.F." or "the Independent Liberals".
1.2 The I.L.F. is symbolised by its circular 'sun' logo and wording as shown above. The Party's colours are green and white, the former to represent ecological commitment, the latter peace, social justice and progress.

2. OBJECTIVES
 The objectives of the I.L.F. are as follows;
2.1 To operate as a political party and thereby to provide an independent vehicle for the promotion of Liberal goals and values in Gibraltar.
2.2 To encourage public awareness of Liberalism as a distinctive social and political perspective.
2.3 To work for the success of electoral candidates endorsed by the I.L.F.

3. MEMBERSHIP
 3.1 Membership of the I.L.F. is open to any person who:

  1. Accepts the objectives of the I.L.F.
  2. Is not a member of any other political party in Gibraltar.
  3. Agrees to contribute a membership fee of an amount determined by the I.L.F.
  4. Refrains from making any public pronouncement of I.L.F. policy or attitudes unless with the prior approval of the Executive Committee.
3.2 Membership may be revoked by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. This may be done on the grounds of a severe breach of the aims and objectives of the I.L.F. or its constitution.
3.3 The status of 'Party Supporter' shall exist as distinct from that of full Party Member. This category shall require neither a membership fee nor provide voting rights. It will, however, allow limited participation by those who consider themselves non-political or apolitical but who regard the I.L.F. as their party of choice.

4. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
 4.1 The general management of the I.L.F. is entrusted to an Executive Committee (EC) made up of the following ; Leader, Deputy Leader ( formerly entitled 'Chairperson'), General Secretary, Treasurer and up to eleven other members.
4.2 The Executive Committee shall determine the policy, tactics and strategy of the I.L.F. except when the provisions specified elsewhere in this constitution apply.
4.3 The EC members are to be appointed by the entire membership in congress each year at an Annual Conference. The term for each post shall be one year. Should any EC vacancy occur (other than that for the Leader) during the one-year term of office, an additional EC member may be appointed by a majority vote of the remaining EC members.
4.4 The quorum for any Executive Committee meeting shall be a majority of current EC members. In the absence of either the Leader or Deputy Leader, an acting Chairperson for the meeting shall be appointed.
4.5 At the invitation of the EC, ordinary members of the I.L.F. may attend its meetings as observers.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
 The Principal Officers of the Executive Committee have the following responsibilities:
5.1 The Leader is responsible for the promotion of the objectives of the I.L.F. to the general public, media and other external organisations and persons, the chairing of Executive and other meetings and the general protection of the rights and responsibilities of the I.L.F. and its members.
5.2 The Deputy Leader is responsible for assisting the Leader in his or her responsibilities and for deputising for the Leader whenever he or she is unavailable.
5.3 The General Secretary is responsible for administrative matters including membership applications and records, the recording of minutes of meetings, the editing of publications and the maintaining of records of correspondence, both sent and received. He / She shall also maintain a comprehensive archive of the I.L.F.'s history and activities.
5.4 The Treasurer is responsible for the accounting of all money received and spent by the I.L.F., the collection of subscriptions and for presenting a statement of Income and Expenditure to the Annual Conference.
5.5 Other Committee Members shall assist the Principal Officers as required.

6. MEETINGS
 6.1 There may be four types of meeting held from time to time for members of the I.L.F.

  1. Executive Committee Meetings shall be held regularly to determine the policy, tactics and strategy of the I.L.F., as outlined in article 4.2 (above).
  2. Members' Meetings shall normally be held on a weekly basis to facilitate the internal communications of the I.L.F. and to allow the contributions of members in a less formal setting than that of other types of meeting. There will be no set quorum.
  3. Annual Conferences shall be held to elect EC Officers, submit reports to the membership and provide a setting for the presentation of motions to the Membership including those relating to constitutional changes. Quorum shall be 25% of the current Gibraltar-based membership.
  4. Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) shall be held for consideration of constitutional changes, an election following the resignation of the Leader or any other matters requiring the urgent attention of the I.L.F. EGMs may be called by request of the Committee or of at least 10% of I.L.F. members. Quorum shall be 25% of the current Gibraltar-based membership.
6.2 There shall be at least one month's written notice of Annual Conference provided to members and, wherever possible, at least one week's notice of Extraordinary General Meetings and Executive Committee Meetings.
6.3 Any member of the I.L.F. may present a motion for debate at Annual Conference or at an EGM. Such a motion shall require to be seconded by at least one other member.

7. FINANCE
 7.1 The Treasurer has overall responsibility for the finances of the I.L.F.
7.2 The following outlines the parameters for the I.L.F.'s financial organisation:

  1. Legitimate sources of income for the I.L.F. shall include membership subscriptions, donations and proceeds from social events, the sale of goods and advertising in party publications. Such income may only be accepted at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
  2. The I.L.F. shall maintain an account at a Bank or Building Society in Gibraltar. Any account opened shall require withdrawals to be made on the strength of two signatories. That is, the Treasurer and any other Officer designated for the purpose.
  3. The I.L.F. shall have no authority to borrow money.

8. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
 8.1 For all internal elections of the I.L.F., duly verified proxy votes will be accepted.
8.2 Should a motion be presented at an EGM or Annual Conference for the I.L.F. to change its name, to cease to exist or to affect constitutional changes, then the following procedures shall apply;

  1. In order to pass, such a motion shall require the support of at least two-thirds of the members present at the meeting.
  2. In the case of dissolution, steps shall be taken to meet all outstanding financial and other obligations, whereupon the organisation will be wound-up.
8.3 In order to pass, any other type of motion (except as outlined in 8.4, below) at either type of meeting shall require a 'first-past-the-post' majority of votes for the first of the three categories of support, oppose or abstain.
8.4 In the case of a motion of no confidence in any Executive Committee member being passed, at an EGM, Annual Conference or EC meeting, that person shall immediately be deemed to have been terminated from his or her post. To pass, such a motion shall require the support of an overall majority of the members present at the meeting.
8.5 Should an EGM or Annual Conference be inquorate, the meeting must be postponed to a further constitutional date, whereupon the members present (whatever their number) at that subsequent meeting shall constitute a quorum.
8.6 All matters not specifically allowed for in this Constitution shall be decided by a simple majority vote of the officers present at a quorate Executive Committee meeting.