OZARK LIBERTY ALLIANCE – OLA
An unincorporated civic action & voter education association.

CONSTITUTION OF THE
 OZARK LIBERTY ALLIANCE – OLA
An unincorporated civic education and action association.
Draft 1.1 -- published 09/12/02

PREAMBLE

We affirm that LIBERTY is more than a Statement of Principle, Mandate of Law or Political Platform. We affirm that LIBERTY is a way of life which supports and empowers the doctrine of freedom of expression wherein individuals do as they choose while at the same time respecting the equal freedoms of others.

We affirm the principals set forth in and inherent to the Declaration of Independence: that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives; that all human interaction must be peaceful, voluntary, and honest -- with no exceptions -- in order for individuals to pursue happiness in a productive, healthy, and prospering society; that where governments exist, they do so at the pleasure of the people thus governed and must do no more and no less than charged to do by THE PEOPLE who institute their existence and grant their powers.

Thus committed to sustaining America's enduring heritage of freedom, we come together in these grounding principles of LIBERTY as "We the People" in a free and voluntary association, dedicated to ensuring that these egalitarian practices are honored, respected and upheld.

ARTICLE 1:  NAME AND PURPOSE

This organization shall be known as the Ozark Liberty Alliance, aka: OLA.

The purpose of OLA shall be to:

• Promote and support education about the tenets of LIBERTY;
• Promote and support the practice of attitudes and ideas which foster LIBERTY;
• Promote and support the gathering together of individuals in a nonpartisan, non-political, nonsectarian free will association with the objective of engendering  LIBERTY.

ARTICLE 2:  MEMBERSHIP, VOTING RIGHTS & MEETINGS

In support of Article 1., we affirm that the act of “buying votes” and/or “paying for the right to vote” is wrong. Thus OLA upholds its duty to THE PEOPLE to permit and encourage free assembly and will in no way and at no time oblige any Member of OLA to pay a fee or render as barter any service in exchange for FULL VOTING RIGHTS on ANY ISSUE that comes on the agenda of any duly convened Meeting of the OLA Membership.  

Exercise of said voting rights shall be by each individual having attained the age of 14 years and independently present at any time and place where a group of Members are gathered in a duly convened Meeting. 

Voting may be conducted by roll call, written ballot, or any other means deemed acceptable on any issue, motion or question raised and seconded by any two Members gathered in a duly convened Meeting.  

To constitute a duly convened Meeting, notice of such meeting shall be submitted (not less than 2 weeks nor more than 4 weeks prior to the date proposed for such meeting) as a public announcement for publication to the current Media List approved by the Members and by other means approved by the Membership. 

It shall at all times require a simple majority of the Members present at a duly convened Meeting to endorse, adopt, implement or rescind any action desired by the Membership.

 ARTICLE 3:  ELECTION AND DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee of OLA shall at minimum consist of:

• Coordinating Officer: Duties include presiding over all duly convened Membership Meetings, compiling, preparing and adhering to agendas for said Meetings, and appointing individuals to perform various duties on behalf of the Membership as required by actions taken at said Meetings or as specified within this Constitution.
• Communications Officer: Duties include recording, preserving and publishing the records and announcements of OLA in a manner consistent with the desires and specifications of this Constitution and the Membership.
• Financial Officer: Duties include the collecting, accounting and disbursing of funds, goods and/or properties that come to the ownership of OLA in a manner consistent with the desires and specification of this Constitution and the Membership.

The Executive Committee may contain any additional number of Officers as desired by the Membership.

The Officers of the Executive Committee shall be elected by and from the Membership on an annual basis, at a time and in a place designated for such election by the Membership.

Persons elected to the Executive Committee shall begin service at the time of election and shall immediately be responsible for conducting the day-to-day business and carrying out the specific actions called for by the Membership as specified in this Constitution.

Non-attendance of two consecutive or three aggregate Membership Meetings by any Officer within his/her elected term shall constitute automatic and immediate expulsion from office.

The Executive Committee shall have the authority to fill unexpired vacancies within itself by appointment from the Membership.

The actions of the Executive Committee shall be limited to those specified in this Constitution and/or voted on for implementation by the Membership.

ARTICLE 4: CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE

OLA shall NOT endorse, promote, make financial or in-kind contributions to or express in any manner a preference for any candidate seeking or holding public office.

OLA may from time to time, at the behest of the Executive Committee and for the convenience of the Membership, sponsor, coordinate and/or host public meetings whereto various candidates for public office and/or elected officials may appear in the interest of stating a platform, addressing an issue or otherwise offering information deemed by the Executive Committee to be of importance.

Individual OLA Members and Officers are as private citizens free to work in support of and vote for any candidate of any affiliation as is their Constitutional guarantee and endowed right.

ARTICLE 5: AMENDMENT OF THIS CONSTITUTION

Proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be made in accord of Article 2.