Constitution of the London Project for a Participatory Society

[Ratified on 6 October 2007]


Article I Name and Identity


This organization is to be known as the London Project for a Participatory Society (LPPS). It identifies itself as an “anti-racist, pro-feminist, anti-capitalist organization.”


Article II Mission Statement


The mission of the LPPS is given by the following statement:


The London Project for a Participatory Society (LPPS) is a group of activists concerned with inspiring, facilitating, and supporting efforts to develop, share, and promote vision and strategy for attaining radical social change, in the direction of a more participatory and democratic society.


LPPS stands for a post-capitalist economy based on self-management and equality, for democratic and participatory politics, and for the elimination of patriarchy, racism, and all other hierarchies and oppressions.


LPPS seeks to promote experimentation with participatory institutions and discussion of proposals and models of a participatory society, in order to demonstrate that there are alternatives to current race, gender, political, environmental, and other injustices.


LPPS seeks to foster participatory, grassroots social movements, whenever these movements serve to promote political and economic democracy, and/or social and environmental justice.


Article III Structure and Decision-making


1. Governance. The LPPS is governed by its members, in a spirit of participatory democracy, using facilitated discussion in the context of designated decision-making meetings (Annual General Meetings, Regular General Meetings, and meetings of the Coordinating Committee, as these are described below). Only members of the LPPS may participate directly in making decisions about its activities.


2. Decision-Making Procedures. All decisions, at all levels of LPPS activity, should be taken by consensus (if possible), after a facilitated discussion. If (in the judgment of most members present at a meeting) a consensus cannot be reached in the time available for the decision, a decision may be taken by vote, in which case a proposal shall be adopted if it is supported by a majority vote of not less than 2/3 of the members (in good standing) present when the vote takes place.


3. Annual General Meetings (AGMs). Each calendar year, the LPPS convenes an AGM to review and plan its activities, and to consider amendments to this Constitution. AGMs are open to all members and to anyone else, unless the members collectively decide to limit admission.


4. Regular General Meetings (RGMs). Periodically, between AGMs, the LPPS meets specifically to make decisions. These RGMs are open to all members, and to anyone else, unless the members collectively decide to limit admission. Ordinarily, these meetings are called by the Coordinating Committee, but when an unusual situation warrants it, an RGM can also be called with no less then 7 days notice by any 3 members of the LPPS.


5. Coordinating Committee (CC). A Coordinating Committee (CC) shall be elected at each AGM, and at any subsequent RGM if the need arises. The CC is responsible for carrying out decisions taken at AGMs and RGMs, and it is empowered to make decisions between RGMs, if the decision cannot wait until the next RGM. These decisions must be reported at the immediately following RGM, at which time the LPPS membership may overturn any CC decision.


6. Members of the Coordinating Committee. The CC shall consist of the following four Coordinators:

6.1. Records coordinator. The records coordinator takes minutes at all LPPS decision-making meetings, or ensures that minutes are properly taken by others, accurately recording any decisions reached. The records coordinator is also responsible for distributing minutes and bringing a record of past minutes to each AGM, RGM and meeting of the CC.

6.2. Convening coordinator. The convening coordinator ensures that meetings take place, that they are appropriately announced, that rooms are booked, that an agenda is proposed, and so on, as needed.

6.3. Financial coordinator. The financial coordinator collects dues from members, and keeps track of all LPPS income and expenditures, and periodically reports to the organization on the finances of the LPPS (including the distribution of a formal Annual Report at every AGM).

6.4. Communications coordinator. The communications coordinator ensures that the web site is kept up to date, that email correspondence is answered, and that posters and other publicity materials are produced and distributed as needed.


7. Participatory Administration. Any member (in good standing) may attend any CC meeting, and have full rights to join in the discussions and participate in decision-making on an equal basis. Such participation in CC decision-making should normally be accompanied by a willingness to take on some of the work of the CC members arising from the meeting.


8. Recall of Coordinators. At any RGM, any or all members of the CC may be recalled (removed from the CC) by a decision of the membership.


Article IV Membership


1. Terms of membership. Membership is open to all residents of London (ON) and the surrounding area who

(a) agree with the Mission Statement;

(b) pay modest monthly dues (according to a sliding scale, based on financial circumstances, decided upon at the most recent AGM);

(c) treat other members of the LPPS with respect; and

(d) accept the terms of this Constitution.


As long as all the terms of membership are satisfied, a member is considered to be “in good standing.”


2. Preventing, Revoking or Suspending Membership. Under exceptional and unusual circumstances, and when other attempts to address serious problems have been unsuccessful or are not workable, an individual’s membership can be prevented, revoked or suspended by a vote of a 2/3 majority of members in attendance at a meeting.


3. Emergency Suspension of Membership. In cases where the Coordinating Committee decides that a suspension of someone’s membership is urgently necessary, so that the decision cannot wait until the next AGM or RGM, the CC may suspend someone’s membership temporarily, until the next AGM or RGM, at which time the general membership can decide whether to formally suspend, or revoke, that person’s membership.


4. Appeals. Decisions to suspend or revoke membership can be appealed at one subsequent meeting (which must be either an AGM or an RGM).


Article V Amending this Constitution


1. Amending Procedure. Constitutional amendments (including changes of any kind to the Constitution) may be considered during AGMs, according to the following procedure:

1.1. They are to be proposed in writing.

1.2. They are to be circulated not less then 7 days in advance of the AGM (although this requirement may be waived by a decision of the AGM).

1.3. Notwithstanding the usual requirement of a 2/3 majority vote (in the absence of consensus), Constitutional amendments can only be passed by a consensus or by a majority vote of not less than 4/5 of the members (in good standing) present for the vote.


2. Emergency Constitutional Amendments. Under exceptional circumstances, when an amendment to this Constitution is deemed to be necessary prior to the next AGM, a Special Constitutional Meeting can be called by a decision taken at an RGM, with no less than 7 days notice. Otherwise, the amending procedure specified above is unchanged.