Constitution of the

London Project for a Participatory Society

[Ratified, 6 October 2007; 07; amended, 29 October 2008]

 

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:

 

“We strive to develop and promote the kind of analysis, vision, and strategy that activists need to work effectively for radical social change. Among the changes we seek are the elimination of all hierarchies and oppressions, including those based on race, gender, sexuality, ability, age and class.

“We also seek to promote both institutional innovation and grassroots popular mobilization in order to advance our goal of a radically egalitarian post-capitalist participatory economy, and a society founded upon political and economic democracy and 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 five 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.

   6.5. Membership coordinator. The membership coordinator maintains an up-to-date list of dues-paying members, encourages participation among these members, and pursues outreach to members and potential members.

 

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 those in the London, ON, area who:

   (a) accept Mission Statement and Constitution;

 

   (b) agree to pay a small annual membership fee (a sliding scale, with a suggestion of $10 per year);

   (c) commit to treating other members of the LPPS with respect.

 

2. Annual Membership. Members join for the current calendar year, usually by signing a membership card and paying the annual fee upon joining (or shortly thereafter). To maintain membership, they must renew their membership each calendar year (by signing a new card and paying the annual fee). Annual memberships expire 31 days after the end of the calendar year (that is, on February 1). Membership takes effect as of 14 days after a new membership card is signed.

 

3. Member Participation. As a voluntary organization, the LPPS leaves it to individuals to decide on the manner and the extent of their active participation, but all members should participate in some way. Among the ways to participate are the following:

   (a) attending monthly regular general meetings (RGMs) and the annual general meeting (AGM);

   (b) attending coordinating committee (CC) meetings;

   (c) attending LPPS special events, like film-showings or public forums

   (d) participating in the work of an LPPS committee

   (e) raising funds for the LPPS

 

4. Renouncing, Preventing, Revoking or Suspending Membership. Membership may be renounced at any time by a member, for any reason. 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.

 

5. 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.

 

6. 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.