Rules of Procedure

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This page was originally an attempt at describing the de-facto rules we are operating under while we still have no ratified constitution. This page is not official, merely a description of rules from other sources, and existing conventions.

Process for Changing Core Policy: (as adopted at the 3/8/2010 meeting)

In order to make major changes to core policy, there shall be a well advertised voting period of two weeks, with a majority of votes required, as well as a minimum number of aye votes of more than one fifth of the membership.

(Changing the "Principles" In the Constitution only requires 15% of the membership to agree, so the above is almost redundant. The policy committee still uses the "Core Policy" as opposed to the "Principles")

Running of meetings: (part adopted at the 3/7/2010 meeting, partly unofficial as of the 3/10/2010 meeting)

Before the meeting:

- Meetings must be announced on the forum at least 5 days before they are held

- An agenda for the meeting must be circulated immediately prior to the meeting or earlier

- Meetings are held in a channel which has been made for that specific purpose (usually #ppnzmeeting) (This is usually only followed if there is a preexisting discussion in #ppnz - 6/12/11)

- While the meeting is in progress, it is advertised in #ppnz

Rights in the meeting:

- The meeting channel will be normally -m, -i

- The meeting chair and PPNZ officers will have op, other PPNZ members will have voice, non-members are welcome to speak

- The meeting channel may be temporarily made +m or +i in situations of abuse of the channel by non-members

- Motions may be made and seconded by any member

- If there are 3,4 or 5 members present, a motion must be thirded by another member to pass

- If there are 6 or more members present, a motion must be voted on by all members

- Agreed statements may be suggested by any member and agreed to by anyone present

- If there are 3, 4 or 5 people present, and 3 people explicitly agree with the statement, the statement is formally agreed

- If a there are 6 or more people present, and majority of people present explicitly agree with the statement, the statement is formally agreed.

- For both general and council meetings the president normally chairs, and in his absence (or inability) the vice-president will chair, and barring that another chair can be selected at the start of the meeting. Also the secretary will normally take minutes and in his absence (or inability) another person can be selected to take minutes at the start of the meeting. (12/03/11 SGM)

- Candidates in internal elections must be nominated and seconded by Party members, unless otherwise stated by the election organizers.

- Candidates in internal elections may nominate themselves, unless otherwise stated by the election organizers.

- Party members may nominate and second as many candidates as they wish, unless otherwise stated by the election organizers.

- Votes are usually taken via email to a nominated returning officer, in confidence with the expectation of anonymity. Arrangements will be offered regarding proxy voting, or regarding voting with temporary email addresses which are verified by someone other than the returning officer.

- Candidates in any internal election may withdraw, on written notification to the Executive Council.

- Regional Chapters should be considered as committees of the Party. Committee positions including Chapter President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Executive Council Representative and general committee members may be filled by any PPNZ member based in or near the electorates covered by the chapter. Committee members may be appointed, suspended or replaced via: (in order of precedence) 1 - Executive Council Special Resolution; 2 - Election by people on a Chapter membership list maintained by the Chapter Committee, or; 3 - Chapter Committee Special Resolution. (16/04/11 SGM)

- Chapter boundaries are required to be consistent with general electorate boundaries. No two chapters shall include the same general electorate. Also We will have a guideline when adopting new chapters that they include at least five general electorates, but no more than 1/3 of the total number of general electorates in New Zealand. (12/03/11 SGM)

- The Executive Council should only overrule Chapter elections, appointments or motions when the Executive Council feels that the Party or its Chapters may be harmed beyond the electorates covered by the chapter in question. (16/04/11 SGM)

- Executive Council Representatives from Chapter Councils are invited to attend all executive meetings, and be privy to all communications between the Executive Council as a group (i.e. not between individual members of the Executive Council) (16/04/11 SGM)