Radical Caucus Bylaws
as revised at the LPRC Annual Membership Meeting July 17, 2022
This document is also available in a format suitable for printing at: LPRC_Bylaws_2022.pdf
I. NAME AND AFFILIATION
A. Name: The name of this organization shall be the Libertarian Party Radical Caucus (LPRC).
B. Affiliation: The LPRC exists as an independent committee in support of the U.S. Libertarian Party (LP) and LP members and candidates.
II. GOALS AND IDEOLOGY
A. Principles: The LPRC endorses the Libertarian Party's Statement of Principles and the Non-Aggression Principle. To illustrate our understanding of libertarian principles, the LPRC shall annually issue a Caucus Platform for the use of our endorsed candidates and volunteers.
B. Purpose: To celebrate and promote the Radical tradition of American Libertarian thought, to help Libertarians mature as critical thinkers when faced with doubts about the Radical Libertarian agenda, and to equip them for their efforts to reintroduce and promote radicalism within the Libertarian Party and among the general public.
C. Vision: We seek a world set free in our lifetimes; no more, no less. Radical Libertarians seek advancing liberty and a shrinking government; we seek a growing, successful Libertarian Party that is capable of winning over the hearts and minds of millions of people to the principles of liberty and justice.
D. Values: The LPRC will not shy away from speaking from the root of libertarian thought. We believe it is futile to make Libertarian ideas "non-threatening" in order to placate the enemies of liberty. Our ideas are going to be scary to many who have considered neither their proven history nor their logical sense. Abolishing slavery was a scary thought to many in the 1800's; and the abolition of other unjust government policies now is no different. We will always seek to treat individuals as intelligent, competent individuals, and thus we will not fear presenting them with "scary" libertarian ideas. Some may take years to adopt these ideas; many will never adopt them, but their children might. Only by treating individuals as intelligent adults will libertarianism ever succeed over the long term. While the LPRC commits to speaking for a bold, consistent, and radical libertarian agenda, we make an effort to see moderate Libertarians as our allies, not enemies. We will NOT waste time and energy and goodwill attacking them. We will fight beside them for as far as they are willing to go and be glad for the help.
E. Mission: The LPRC seeks to support the re-radicalization of the U.S. Libertarian Party (LP); and further to promote a clear, radical vision of libertarianism through education and electoral advocacy both within the LP and outside of it.
F. Key Points: The LPRC shall conduct its affairs in accordance with these Key Points.
The Radical Caucus believes these four points are key strategic principles in furthering the work of the Libertarian Party toward, as our platform describes it, "a world set free in our lifetime."
1. Natural Rights Are Utilitarian – The central commitment of the Libertarian Party should be to individual liberty. Our goal should be to illustrate convincingly that there is no essential separation between natural rights and utilitarianism – that is, the morally correct choice yields the most benefit for the greatest number of people.
2. Radical Abolitionism – As the word radical means "going to the root" of something, radical Libertarians should not merely propose small changes to the status quo and debate the fine points of government policy with the opponents of freedom. Instead, Libertarians must always make clear that the outright removal of the injustice and interference of the State is our ultimate goal. Speaking from our basic principles avoids the quagmire of self-imposed, obligatory gradualism. Rather than offering compromise, we should demand what we really seek, a free society, and let our opponents offer the compromises.
3. Principled Populism – The Libertarian Party should be a mass participation party operating in the electoral arena and elsewhere, devoted to consistent libertarian principles, and committed to liberty and justice for all. The Libertarian Party should trust in and rely on individuals to welcome a program of liberty and justice and should always aim to convince people of the soundness of libertarian principles. Simply repeating our basic principles and not proposing transition measures is ineffective in the short run because only a small part of the populace is interested in liberty in the abstract, and hiding or abandoning our principled positions is ineffective in the long run because it fails to sustain us as a movement and attract and retain new Libertarians.
4. No Particular Order – The removal of one harmful government policy should never be dependent upon first removal of another, as this throws self-imposed barriers in the path of liberty and removes potential pressures for change. For example, saying that borders may be opened only after welfare is eliminated is unacceptable; the proper position is to push for both changes. Should we succeed in achieving open borders first, only to find that welfare burdens are increased, this should be used as an additional argument to abolish welfare.
G. Summary
The LP Radical Caucus believes:
1. The Libertarian Party should support individual liberty because it's the right thing to do, and because it's the best way to benefit the greatest number of people. The Libertarian Party is the only political party that traditionally advocates for real freedom from government interference. We should emphasize this revolutionary approach rather than watering it down with uninspiring language that is, in effect, an implied endorsement of the status quo.
2. Our language should inspire by reflecting our goals, not the compromises we may have to accept on the way to gaining them. The Libertarian Party should be active in all areas of the political sphere with the expectation that individuals who hear and understand our message of freedom and the steps we can take today to increase liberty will choose to join enthusiastically in our journey.
3. The Libertarian Party should always steadfastly oppose all government policies, regardless of any promise that supporting one bad policy will ensure that another is abolished.
III. MEMBERSHIP IN THE LPRC
A. Membership Qualifications and Eligibility
1. Voting Members
a. A Voting Member of the LPRC is anyone who meets the following requirements:
i. Pay dues or fulfill volunteer time requirements as set forth in these Bylaws and as requested and approved by a majority of the officers.
ii. Maintain at least Sustaining Membership in the National LP.
iii. Maintain membership status in the resident state affiliate of the LP when applicable.
iv. Demonstrate agreement with the Goals and Ideology of the LPRC.
b. Upon request, LPRC Voting Members in good standing shall supply (to the Board) proof of current LP membership status, such as a scan or a smartphone photo of their national and appropriate proof of their state membership under their affiliate's Bylaws.
c. LPRC membership expires on the earliest of the following expiration dates:
i. National LP membership expiration.
ii. State LP chapter membership expiration.
iii. Non-fulfillment of LPRC annual membership dues / service requirements.
d. While LPRC will make some effort to maintain records of each Voting Member's LP membership status, it is ultimately up to each member to make sure LP dues are kept current.
e. During official meetings, any Voting Member may challenge any other Voting Member's compliance with all of the requirements of membership. A challenge may be answered with a national and/or state Libertarian Party membership card, membership payment receipt, and/or verification of Caucus status by the Secretary.
f. To vest voting privileges in any Voting Member, the member must have completed payment of their annual dues or made qualified in-kind volunteer arrangements at least 90 days prior to the call to order of the annual caucus convention. Donors paying via monthly pledge must have accumulated at least $100 in dues within the full year prior to the same deadline.
g. Board Members may recognize in-kind service work prior to the membership meeting as qualifying for dues.
2. Non-Voting Member
Five non-voting categories shall also be available (Associate, Junior or Student, Basic, Honorary, and Booster).
B. Support Levels and Dues
1. Support Levels:
As of the date of adoption of these Bylaws, support categories are available as follows:
a. Voting Member (voting): Dues of $100 annually, or $10/month; indicate agreement (via paper or online) with the stated goals of the LPRC.
b. Associate Member (non-voting): $50 annually, or $5/month; indicate agreement (via paper or online) with the stated goals of the LPRC.
c. Junior/Student Member (non-voting): $5 dues annually; indicate agreement (via paper or online) with the stated goals of the LPRC.
d. Basic Member (non-voting): indicate agreement (via paper or online) with the stated goals of the LPRC.
e. Honorary Member (non-voting): No dues required. Granted by Board, based on substantial past contributions to the LPRC or radical libertarianism.
f. Booster (non-voting): Donates at least $1,000 to the LPRC; no LP membership required.
2. In-Kind Dues
Dues may also be credited by an in-kind donation of substantial labor (instead of cash) during approved LPRC projects, such as the biennial Caucus booth at the national convention, or other projects as assigned by the Board. The in-kind donation may be for work related to Bylaws-required subcommittees (such as the LPRC Platform or Bylaws committees) or projects; but generally should be outreach projects or Caucus transactions with supported candidates. To obtain credit for volunteer time, the volunteer must:
a. Seek Board approval for the proposed project prior to start;
b. Submit a full report to the Board on the project's planning and outcome; or, if the project continues between Board meetings, submit reports on progress to each Board meeting; and
c. Request a statement from the Board that the requirements of the project were adequately fulfilled.
d. Once the requirements have been met, this record shall be noted in the minutes of the next Board meeting, and the member shall then be considered a Voting Member until the next anniversary of the Statement of the Board.
C. Nondiscrimination
The LPRC invites all individuals who agree with our stated goals to join us. The LPRC does not discriminate based on age, income, ethnic origin, sex, marital status, spiritual belief, or gender identity.
D. Resignation
1. As a voluntary organization, the LPRC recognizes the right of all members to remove themselves from the LPRC membership by publicly tendering their resignation to the Board. Any member who resigns in this manner may rejoin at the discretion of the Board and upon written request of the former member.
2. The LPRC shall automatically presume a non-voting or Voting Member who self-represents as a member of a political party other than the LP, casts a vote in the internal affairs or elections of another party, or who publicly endorses the candidate(s) of another party (or any candidate running against a duly nominated Libertarian candidate), or openly and substantially repudiates the goals and ideology of the LPRC, has by their actions effectively resigned as a member of the LPRC as of the date of such representation or endorsement.
3. The LPRC shall automatically presume a non-voting or Voting Member who self-represents as a member of an LP caucus that stands in opposition to the goals of the LPRC has by their actions effectively resigned as a member of the LPRC as of the date of such representation or endorsement.
4. The Board shall preserve any evidence of such representation by inserting a copy in the Minutes of the next Board meeting. Removal from caucus membership will be decided by a 2/3 majority of the Board present at the meeting with 2 weeks previous notice.
5. Any Voting Member who resigns in this manner may rejoin the LPRC by paying LPRC dues and issuing a public statement formally withdrawing support of the other caucus, political party, and/or candidate, or indicating re-affirmation of the Caucus key principles. Any non-voting member may rejoin by issuing a public statement formally withdrawing support for the other caucus, political party and/or candidate or indicating reaffirmation of the Caucus key principles.
6. For a person who has resigned and rejoined in this manner, membership shall be non-voting for the first 90 days after rejoining.
E. Expulsion
1. Any non-voting or Voting Member of the LPRC may be expelled from the LPRC for cause during any Board meeting. The member must be notified in writing at least seven days in advance of a meeting that such a motion will be presented. The member may address the board in their defense for a period not to exceed 15 minutes. The member is expelled by a 2/3 vote of all present board members. Expulsion from the LPRC shall have no effect on State or National LP membership.
2. "Expulsion for Cause" has no effect on and does not override the "D. Resignation" section.
F. Voting Rights of Voting Members
Voting Members as defined in Section III.(A)(1) shall vote on matters brought before the members at Membership Meetings, as defined in Section VII.(A).
IV. LEADERSHIP AND THE BOARD
A. General Objectives: The LPRC Board shall have oversight of the LPRC. The work of the Board includes:
1. Using at least 75% of its unencumbered funds towards supporting Radical Libertarian candidates. Remaining funds shall be used for the biennial booth at the LP National Convention, and subsequently other activities as prioritized by the Board;
2. Increasing membership in the local, state, and national LPRC committees, as well as the Libertarian Party itself;
3. Promoting the need for the LP to maintain a consistent, radical agenda;
4. Encouraging all members to remain registered or qualified to be registered to vote;
5. Generally, endorsing (and supporting) radical Libertarian candidates for office;
6. Encouraging all voters to vote for LP and LPRC endorsed candidates;
7. Promoting the inclusion of radical libertarian ideas via the LP Platform Committee as well as on the National Convention floor;
8. Promoting the participation of Libertarians at local government meetings;
9. Organizing state radical Libertarian committees to encourage active participation and support for radical Libertarian candidates in all elections;
10. Supporting the training of Libertarian candidates and activists who wish to be effective at promoting radical, clear, consistent, and bold LP policy proposals;
11. Issuing formal statements of the LPRC on current issues as they may be timely and desirable;
12. Promoting the issuance of bold policy statements by LP affiliates at all levels;
13. Ensuring the distribution of LPRC literature during federal, state, and local LP events;
14. Helping endorsed radical candidates connect with nearby LPRC members to help with staffing of polling places on election days as well as for other election support;
15. Working toward eventually creating and maintaining a permanent office somewhere within the United States;
16. Cooperating with the LP and other allied Libertarian committees or student organizations on mutual projects, social events, and regional candidates;
17. Establishing relations with allied groups that take an acceptably radical position on their own agenda;
18. Establishing action committees, such as an LPRC Platform Committee, a Candidate Committee, an Outreach Committee, a Media Committee, and others, to promote the goals of the LPRC and to consider and recommend actions for ultimate adoption by the Board.
B. Board Composition
1. Only Voting Members of the LPRC are eligible for positions on the LPRC Board of Directors.
2. Voting Directors on the LPRC Board are:
a. Two (2) Directors shall be elected "At Large" by the Voting Members at the biennial LPRC convention membership meeting (defined elsewhere in this document), and the other two (2) Directors shall be elected “At Large” by the Voting Members at the general membership meeting in non-convention years. If the post of At-Large Director becomes vacant, it may be filled by a 2/3rds vote of the board for the remainder of the term. At-Large Directorships last for two years unless removed as specified in these Bylaws.
b. The coordinators of the LPRC State Committees (defined elsewhere in this document) who otherwise qualify under the terms of Annual Membership, above.
C. Board Officers
Chair and Vice-Chair shall be elected to a term of two years by the Voting Members at the odd-numbered year (non National Convention year) general membership meeting. Chair and Vice-Chair shall be voting positions on the Board. The Chair, Vice-Chair, State Coordinator, or At Large Board positions may be removed by a 2/3 majority of the Board, excepting the member being voted upon.
Secretary and Treasurer shall be volunteer positions appointed by the Board from eligible membership, and shall hold voting privileges on the Board.
1. Duties of the Chair
The Chair's duties shall include, but not be limited to: acting as primary spokesperson for the LPRC; chairing meetings of the Board; and appointing, with the consent of the Board, all coordinators of standing and ad-hoc committees. The Chair shall also perform such other duties as may be requested by the Board.
2. Duties of the Vice Chair
The Vice Chair shall substitute for the Chair at any function for which the Chair is absent. Should the office of Chair become vacant for any reason, the Vice Chair shall become the interim Chair, until the next Board meeting when the Board shall appoint a permanent chair. The Vice Chair shall also carry out such other duties as may be requested by the Board.
3. Duties of the Secretary
The Secretary shall take and distribute minutes of all Board meetings and of all LPRC general meetings at which official Party business is conducted. The Secretary shall be responsible for official LPRC correspondence as is required. The Secretary shall maintain a register of LPRC non-voting and Voting Members and shall be responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of all LPRC membership and mailing lists. If the Chair and Vice Chair are not present at a meeting, the Secretary shall perform the duties of Chair. In addition, the Secretary shall carry out such other duties as may be requested by the Board.
4. Duties of the Treasurer
The Treasurer of the LPRC shall:
a. Establish and maintain all LPRC bank accounts.
b. Manage all LPRC investments.
c. Collect and disburse LPRC funds at the direction of the Board.
d. Keep records and receipts as needed, for all such transactions.
e. Establish a TIN and prepare and file any LPRC financial reports required under local, state, or federal law.
f. Prepare and distribute a written financial report at the first scheduled and announced meeting of the calendar year.
g. Perform such other duties of a fiduciary nature as may be requested by the Board.
5. Expenses and Obligations: All Officers and Board members shall have the power to expend or obligate the LPRC up to $100 for LPRC business annually without the prior approval of the Board, provided that the funds are available and unencumbered, a report of any such expenditure or obligation is made at the next Board meeting, and which is agreed to by at least one other Officer.
D. Meeting Times
1. General Meetings
The Board shall meet quarterly at a minimum.
2. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Board may be called upon the written request of three (3) or more Directors or upon verbal agreement of three (3) or more Directors at a duly called meeting. Notice of special meetings shall be sent to all LPRC members by any appropriate and effective means no less than 48 hours prior to the meeting date. Notice shall include the date, time, place, and purpose of the meeting.
E. Resignations
1. Automatic Resignations from the Board
a. All Directors must maintain current membership in the LPRC per the provisions in "III. MEMBERSHIP IN THE LPRC". A Director who allows their membership (LPRC, national, state, or local) to lapse, who resigns as an LP member, or who is formally expelled by the LPRC, is automatically ineligible to serve on the Board. Any Directors who miss more than two Board meetings in a row shall be considered to have submitted their resignation from their position, unless granted a waiver as described below.
b. Members feeling that they have justifiable cause to miss a meeting of the Board shall notify the Board, which shall determine whether to accept such a cause at the next scheduled meeting.
2. Normal Resignation from the Board
Any member of the Board may tender his resignation from the Board by written notification. A notice of the vacancy will be published in subsequent Board agendas until the vacancy is filled.
V. ORGANIZATIONAL GUIDELINES
A. Meeting Notice
The Board shall issue meeting notices via electronic mail. Meetings of the Board shall be open to all members of the LPRC, and shall be held online via video or phone conference.
B. Quorum
A quorum of the Board shall be forty percent (40%) of its members.
C. Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Board shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. Budget
2. Endorsement or withdrawal of endorsement of candidates
3. Authorization of financial support for candidates endorsed by the LPRC Board
4. Create and dissolve committees
5. Selection or confirmation of LPRC State Committee Coordinators
6. Organize yearly membership meeting
D. Committees
1. Committees guide the overall direction of tasks set upon them by the Board. The committee is granted decision-making powers by the board only for specific purposes related to narrowly defined LPRC activities.
2. There are two types of Committees: Standing and Ad-Hoc. The two Standing Committees are the Platform Committee and the Bylaws Committee, as further set forth in Sections XI. and XII below.
E. Ethics
Board Members must recuse themselves from voting on issues where they have a financial interest or professional conflict of interest.
VI. STATE LPRC COMMITTEES
A. Definition
An LPRC State Committee (SC) is formed when one or more LPRC members reside within a state.
B. Membership
All current LPRC members shall be considered Members of their state's SC.
C. Organization
1. The LPRC Board may select an SC Coordinator for each state where at least one LPRC Voting Member resides. A motion to remove an SC Coordinator is in order at any Board meeting; and shall pass with a simple majority. An SC Coordinator may not vote on the matter of his removal by the LPRC Board. The removal of an SC Coordinator will trigger a new Coordinator appointment by the Board.
2. LPRC SC Coordinators should make every effort in their own home state to:
a. Promote radical libertarianism;
b. Promote a radical vision for the Libertarian Party;
c. Recruit additional members to the LPRC; and,
d. Recommend the formal endorsement by the LPRC Board of suitable candidates (for internal LP positions as well as for public office) in their state.
VII. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS OF THE LPRC
The LPRC shall hold membership meetings as required by these Bylaws.
A. General Membership Meeting
The membership of the LPRC shall meet (1) in Conjunction with the Convention of the National Libertarian Party ("Convention Membership Meeting") at said Convention; and (2) on a date corresponding to every anniversary of said Convention in years where no such Convention is held, or as near to such date as it practicable, which date shall be determined by a vote of the Board ("Non-Convention Membership Meeting"). Non-Convention Membership Meetings are to be conducted electronically in the same manner as is the standing practice of the Board in conducting General Meetings. All members shall be notified electronically via email or online group calendar, Facebook, etc.
B. Agenda
1. Election of Members At Large and Officers of the Board to replace those whose terms are ended
2. Committee and officer reports
3. Consideration of Bylaws and Platform committee reports
4. Other business, including issuing formal statements of the LPRC Membership
C. Committee Meetings
Committee meetings are called by the Committee's chair. Any LPRC member may attend any Committee meeting; however, only Committee members may vote on items set before the Committee.
D. Voting
1. The Board shall determine appropriate guidelines for paper and electronic voting before such methods may be used.
2. Members must recuse themselves from voting on issues where they have a financial interest or professional conflict of interest.
VIII. ENDORSEMENTS BY THE LPRC
The LPRC shall be empowered to nominate, support, endorse, contribute to, or otherwise assist LP candidates for public office, as well as candidates for internal Libertarian Party offices. These powers shall be defined as follows:
A. Nomination of Candidate
Endorsement nominations for Libertarian candidates may only be made by an LPRC member. Whether to endorse any nominee shall be decided by majority vote of the Board.
B. Removal of Support to Candidate
The LPRC Board may by majority vote remove the LPRC's endorsement of any candidate seeking an office. The Board should summarize the reasons for the decision to remove an endorsement in the meeting minutes.
C. Cross-endorsement or "fusion" candidates
Endorsements of candidates of other political parties (or caucuses with goals or values in conflict with those of the LPRC) are not permitted under any circumstances.
IX. OPEN AIR OR "SUNSHINE" RULES
A. All LPRC members are entitled to attend and observe all LPRC Board and Committee meetings.
B. LPRC members have a right to examine how their Board members and subcommittee members carry out their duties. Votes during all LPRC committee and subcommittee meetings will be published by Board position and name. There shall be no secret votes by the Board on any substantive matter.
C. All meeting minutes and votes must be available for member review by newsletter distribution and/or web access within fourteen (14) days of a meeting.
D. Where possible, LPRC meetings will be recorded and available online for member access (with a login and password).
E. Individuals who are not LPRC members may attend and observe Board and Membership Meetings with the unanimous consent of the body.
X. AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
A. General Provisions
Amendments to these Bylaws may be made using either of the following processes:
1. By unanimous consent of the Directors in attendance, over two consecutive Board meetings, with a reading each time;
2. By 3/4 majority vote at an LPRC General Membership Meeting, after a full reading.
B. Notice
Proposed changes must be published 30 days before the meeting at which they will be considered.
C. Non-Substantive Changes to Bylaws
Any typographical, spelling, or grammatical errors may be fixed, or stylistic changes made, without need for formal adoption of amendment.
XI. CAUCUS PLATFORM AND PLATFORM COMMITTEE
A. General Provisions
1. The Caucus Platform shall include, but not be limited to, the Libertarian Party's Statement of Principles and the implementation of those principles in the form of planks.
2. The current Caucus platform shall serve as the basis of all future platforms.
3. The Platform Committee shall be deemed a Standing Committee as set forth previously.
B. Amendments to Caucus Platform
No later than 30 days after the close of the annual membership meeting, the Board shall appoint a Platform Committee of up to five members of the LPRC, which shall include two Board members, unless no Board members are willing to serve. Said committee may consist of any Member in good standing, whether Voting or non-voting, as approved by a vote of the Board. Said Committee shall issue a report at least 45 days prior to the Membership Meeting as defined earlier, during which time the proposed Platform amendments set forth in such report will be considered. Any amendment or deletion requires 3/4 vote of all eligible Voting Members in attendance.
C. Notice
Notice must be given at least 30 days prior to the date on which such Platform amendments are to be considered.
XII. BYLAWS COMMITTEE
A. General Provisions
The Bylaws Committee shall be deemed a Standing Committee as set forth previously.
B. Amendments to Bylaws
No later than 30 days after the close of the annual membership meeting the Board shall appoint a Bylaws Committee of up to five members of the LPRC, which shall include two Board members, unless no Board members are willing to serve. Such committee may consist of any Member in good standing, whether Voting or non-voting, as approved by a vote of the Board. Said Committee shall issue a report at least 45 days prior to the Membership Meeting as defined earlier, during such time the proposed Bylaws amendments set forth in such report will be considered. Any amendment or deletion requires 3/4 vote of all eligible Voting Members in attendance.
C. Notice
Notice shall be given at least 30 days prior to the date on which such Bylaws amendments are to be considered.
XIII. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
LPRC's parliamentary authority is the current version of Robert's Rules of Order as newly revised. Committees may operate informally by consensus.
XIV. DISSOLUTION
This organization shall be considered to have ceased to exist or dissolved if no Caucus Board meeting has been held for 18 consecutive months; or if no general membership meeting is held for at least four years. Upon disbandment, any funds left in the Treasury shall be turned over to the Libertarian Party.