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Constitution of the
Reform Party
      INDEX
PREAMBLE
 The Reform Party exists to construct and maintain a social-liberal and ecological 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 Reform Party are the rights and opportunities of the individual, tempered by social responsibility.

HISTORY
The Reform Party was originally founded as a political party, the Independent Liberal Forum (I.L.F.), on the 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 by the Party.

1. NAME AND INSIGNIA
1.1 The name of the organisation is the 'Reform Party'.
1.2 The Reform Party is symbolised by its circular spiked 'sun' logo and wording as shown above. The Party's colours are green, white and red. The first to represent ecological commitment, the second peace, social justice and progress and the third, both Gibraltarian and British tradition.

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

3. MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Membership of the Reform Party is open to any person who:
  1. Accepts the objectives of the Reform Party
  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 Reform Party
  4. Refrains from making any public pronouncement of Reform Party 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 Reform Party 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 Reform Party as their party of choice.

4. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
4.1 The general management of the Reform Party is entrusted to an Executive Committee (EC) made up of the following ; Leader, Deputy Leader, General Secretary, Treasurer and up to eleven other members.
4.2 The Executive Committee shall determine the policy, tactics and strategy of the Reform Party 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 Reform Party 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 Reform Party 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 Reform Party 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 Reform Party's history and activities.
5.4 The Treasurer is responsible for the accounting of all money received and spent by the Reform Party, 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 Reform Party
  1. Executive Committee Meetings shall be held regularly to determine the policy, tactics and strategy of the Reform Party, 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 Reform Party 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 Reform Party EGMs may be called by request of the Committee or of at least 10% of Reform Party 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 Reform Party 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 Reform Party
7.2 The following outlines the parameters for the Reform Party's financial organisation:
  1. Legitimate sources of income for the Reform Party 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 Reform Party 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 Reform Party shall have no authority to borrow money.

8. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
8.1 For all internal elections of the Reform Party, duly verified proxy votes will be accepted.
8.2 Should a motion be presented at an EGM or Annual Conference for the Reform Party 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.

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