Piedmont Freethought Association Constitution
Preamble
The intent of this constitution, as with this organization, is to bring together people who wish to think freely for themselves, and to provide members a system through which they may build a community as part of the greater Piedmont North Carolina region.
Purpose
The Piedmont Freethought Association (PFA) exists to foster community among those individuals in the Piedmont North Carolina area who reject the notion of believing in any idea, supernatural or not, without sufficient reason. Here, "community" is an interacting group of people with a common interest living together within a larger society.
Philosophy
As individuals within the PFA, our philosophies and lifestyles are our own. While we each may share in commonality with other members various philosophies or ideals, the PFA itself does not espouse any particular belief system.
Membership
Anyone may consider himself or herself a member of the PFA if they attend one or more group activities or social gatherings, or contribute to the group focus of fostering community among Freethinkers in North Carolina.
Any persons who seek to be active members of the PFA community should provide other members with contact information.
A contact list will be made available at all PFA activities and social gatherings so that members may add their contact information to the list. A compiled list shall be made available to all members who have listed their contact information.
Those who consider themselves members should seek to further the basic purpose of the PFA, in fostering community with other Freethinkers, in the local area and throughout North Carolina. All members are encouraged to be active participants of the PFA community.
Activities
Here an "activity" is an organizational unit for performing a specific function; also: its function or duties. Examples of activities include -- but are not limited to -- public education, volunteer services, community outreach, softball league. The Association will avoid any actions or activities of a partisan political nature.
Any who is on the official membership roll may advance activities for the group with the purpose of strengthening or augmenting the group's community. For an activity to be considered a PFA activity, a minimum of five members must be included in the promotion or governance of the activity. Further, all members of the PFA shall be given the opportunity to voice concerns or opposition to the proposed activity prior to its promotion as a PFA activity. If at least three members voice opposition to the inclusion of the activity, members will be given the opportunity to vote on the proposed activity. A two-thirds majority vote for the activity will then be required for the activity to pass. Members initiating activities should seek the support and cooperation of other members in planning, initiating and governing those activities.
No member whose actions are not disruptive may be actively excluded from any activity that is considered an activity of the PFA.
Note on "disruptive behavior":
The PFA is an open organization, and any who want are welcome to attend, provided they don't act in a disruptive manner or misrepresent themselves. We welcome everyone regardless of their religious copnvictions and any on-topic participation in discussions, provided such participation is not and would not appear to a reasonable person of any or no faith/tradition/belief system to be an attempt to "renew" the religious beliefs of others, to attempt to convert others to any religion, to attempt to bring ex/post/former or "recovering" believers back to their former beliefs, or to preach to other contributors at our activities.
Such participants who attempt to proselytize or evangelize with intent to either belittle the beliefs (or lack thereof) of group participants or to convert them to any religion are hereby notified that such behavior is unwelcome, is antithetical to the purpose of this group, is violative of this group's charter and purpose, and will cause such a participant to be told not to visit this group again. Should any person who has been ejected attempt to attend any activity again, he/she will be reported to our host organization for any further action as our hosts deem necessary.
For such activities, those members involved in planning and initiating the activity may democratically select a leadership hierarchy structure for the purpose of the intended activity. Leadership roles for the activity will be selected by a majority vote among those involved in the initial planning for the activity. Such roles will continue until completion of the activity, or until a majority vote of participants in said activity changes those roles. Any member of the PFA may petition such a vote, and all participants in the activity shall be given the opportunity to vote.
Having opportunities for members to meet and interact in social gatherings is basic to fostering community. Any member may sponsor a social gathering as a PFA activity with no minimum number of members required.
Leadership roles being unnecessary for simple social gatherings, no leadership structure will be required or intended, but an initiating member who can serve as a contact point for the gathering is essential. Any location within the Piedmont region of North Carolina that is accessible by the general public or privately accessible by PFA members may serve as a social gathering venue. Members interested in sponsoring a social gathering should consider other existing activities or gatherings for location and time to limit conflicts. Any social gathering sponsored by a PFA member and occurring at an appropriate accessible venue may be promoted or advertised as a PFA gathering.
Overall Governance
The needs of the complete group of members requires a minimum number of elected officials to be charged for reasonable periods of time with carrying out a list of specific duties. The offices of the PFA shall include:
1. President
2. Vice President
3. Treasurer
4. Librarian
Each office shall be filled by a member listed on the official roll, who is elected for a 1-year term by the members present at the time of the first official meeting of each calendar year. The duties of each office are as follows:
President
Shall represent the PFA in interactions with our host (Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro). Shall preside over each monthly meeting (every second Sunday of the month), keep and maintain Association data files and arrange for the maintenance of web sites related to the PFA as needed. Shall be responsible for host organization security procedures during meetings.
Vice President
Shall assist the President as required. Shall stand in for the President in cases where the President is unavailable to carry out his/her duties. The Vice President is not required to succeed the President at the expiration of the term for which he/she was elected.
Treasurer
Shall keep possession of the Association's funds. Shall record all transactions, and arrange for such payments from the treasury as are required for meetings or group activities that the leadership deems necessary.
Librarian
Shall keep possession of the group's library and maintain the catalog of its contents. Shall administer the process of borrowing/returning materials by members and visitors. Shall make arrangements for storage of the Library between meetings.
Future Amendments
Changing this constitution will require a two-thirds majority vote of all members who have provided contact information.
Like any organization, there are a set of rules in place to keep everyone happy and everything running smoothly. The "Constitutionial Congress of the PFA" convened and the following document was drafted.
