Preamble To Bylaws
Libertarian Party of Fauquier County

We commit ourselves to the principle that no individual, group, or government should initiate force.

We declare our natural rights to be free in thought, word, deed, and ownership of property. These rights end where another’s rights begin.

We further declare that the protection and defense of individual rights is our best insurance against tyrants, terrorists, and totalitarians.

Government has the responsibility to protect rather than undermine the individual rights of its citizens. Thus, we seek to limit the size, powers, and scope of government to only those functions that honor this principle.

We pledge that we shall give our best efforts toward insuring the successful incorporation of these principles into every aspect of our country’s governments at the local, state, and national levels.

Bylaws of the Libertarian Party of Fauquier County

1 The purpose of the Libertarian Party of Fauquier County (LPFC) shall be:

a. To develop the party
b. To recruit members and supporters for the party.
c. To recruit and run candidates for local and state office within the county.
d. To develop and promote our local Libertarian agenda.
e. To promote Libertarian ideals.

2 The LPFC shall be governed by the County Committee (CC), whose members shall include:

a. The LPFC’s officers
b. All local party activists who meet all of the following criteria:

i. Have attended at least two of the past five CC meetings
ii. Have volunteered at least three hours of time to the LPFC during the past three months
iii. Are paid members of the Libertarian Party of Virginia (LPVA)
iv. Have agreed to honor, defend, and support the LPVA’s Statement of Principles.

3 Party officers (whose term of office shall be one year) shall be:

a. Chair – chairs all CC meetings and is the main public spokesman for the party.
b. Vice-Chair – fills in for the Chair whenever the Chair is unable to carry out his/her duties of office.
c. Secretary – keeps minutes of CC meetings and files any reports required of the LPFC by local, state, or Federal law.
d. Treasurer – keeps records of fundraising and expenses for all party functions, and files reports as required by local, state, or Federal law.

4 The LPFC will hold conventions whenever required to nominate candidates for local and state office and to elect the CC, or when called by a majority of the CC or by the Chair. Except when filling a vacancy, the term of an officer will last from the end of the convention at which the officer is elected until the end of the convention one year hence. Notice of upcoming conventions via email or postal mail shall be sent to Fauquier County party members at least 30 days prior to the convention.

5 A CC member may be elected by majority vote at a meeting of the CC to fill a vacant office. The term of a CC member elected to fill a vacant office will be from the conclusion of that election until the end of the term of the office for which the vacancy is being filled.

6 Should the Chair resign or relocate outside of the district, the Vice Chair shall immediately assume the office of Chair, and shall call a county convention within ninety (90) days.

7 The CC will meet as needed to accomplish the party’s objectives. The Chair or a majority of the CC will call the meeting.

8 The CC or the Chair may make appointments as needed to accomplish the LPFC’s objectives.

9 Local party members shall be defined as any LPVA dues-paying members whose main residence is in Fauquier County, Virginia.

10 Any officer, CC, or local party member may be removed from office or from the party for cause by the CC at any time. Cause must be documented in writing and must consist of a violation of either these Bylaws or the Bylaws of the LPVA.

11 These Bylaws may be amended in convention by 2/3 vote of the local party members present.

12 The LPFC shall be subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Constitution and Bylaws of the LPVA.

13 These bylaws shall take effect immediately upon the adoption via signed approval of at least a majority of the active LPVA members living in Fauquier County at the time of adoption.

14 A special convention for the purpose of election of officers shall convene immediately upon adoption of these Bylaws without requiring notice as specified in Section 4 above. Sections 4 shall apply thereafter to all future elections of officers and future conventions.

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These Bylaws were declared approved and binding on June 24, 2007 after 12 out of 14 Libertarian Party of Virginia members then living in Fauquier County signed them to signify their approval. The signers were:

Walt Thiessen Nicole Thornton Mark Blackwelder Rebecca Blackwelder Jesse Snyder Nathan Larson

Rich Blackwell John Whiteside George Autry Meralyn Autry Andrea Milano Tom Fisher