MEMBERSHIP

1. A MEMBER IS DEFINED as any comrade within Central Jersey Socialists that possesses the ability to cast a vote during elections, ejection of another member, project proposals, and constitution amendments.

2. MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
   1. ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND ACCEPTANCE of the 8 Point Program and Mission Statement put forth by Central Jersey Socialists
   2. ATTENDANCE OF AT LEAST 50% of General Meetings on a monthly basis
   3. PARTICIPATION in a project or committee in some way, shape, or form
   4. MEMBERSHIP ENTRANCE for new voting members is put to a vote and must be passed by a ⅔ majority
   5. MEMBERSHIP CAN BE RESCINDED by a ¾ majority vote on a case-by-case basis
      1. Member to be rescinded must state their case, followed by an open discussion, then it will be put to a vote.
   6. DUES
      1. Members pay a monthly due between the 1st of the month and the 1st general meeting of $2 (minimum).

2. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
   1. Each committee has exactly 2 co-chairs, rather than a chair and a co-chair, that are voted on by the entire voting body.
   2. Any member with active voting ability is eligible to become a chair of exactly one committee during one term, but may volunteer or otherwise participate in any other committee.
      1. A single term for a co-chair position will last for 6 months, with no current limit on the number of terms one can serve consecutively. 
      2. We will allocate 10 minutes to new candidates for co-chair positions to present their case for candidacy, and to explain the direction they’d like to take the committee. 
      3. For co-chair position elections, a simple majority is required. 
   3. A simple majority vote in favor is required to appropriate funds for any project or activity pitched by a committee or member
   4. Mission Statement from each Committee that states the goal of each committee included in constitution
   5. ACTIVE Committees:
      1. Central Committee: to fulfill administrative duties such as keeping a record of attendance, sending e-mails, treasury, online presence and outreach, acting as the point of contact for Central Jersey Socialists
      2. Labor Relations: believes that an informed and empowered proletariat is essential to achieving the goals of Central Jersey Socialists. Labor Relations Committee members are those who will seek to educate themselves not only on issues related to labor organization, but also in theoretical matters, as it is the opinion of the Committee that the long-term goal of organizing labor actions and unions cannot exist without a strong ideological base. 
      3. Theory & Education: The purpose of the Theory & Education Committee is to pursue an understanding of capitalism, socialism, and history in order to adapt the theory of the socialist movement to our struggle in Central Jersey and engage with different theories of pedagogy to bring this information to the working class in an accessible way.
      4. Mutual Aid: The Mutual Aid Committee exists to ensure the highest quality of life for all in the community. By utilizing skills and resources, Mutual Aid closes the gap between excess and need, by providing human necessities or building means for self-stability. Recognizing the inequities caused by systemic oppression, Mutual Aid works to fix the symptoms of the disease ‘Capitalism’, and encourages a higher standard of living for all members of our society. 
      5. Outreach: recruitment, corresponding with other organizations, social media
         1. the duties of the Outreach Committee has been absorbed into the Central Committee in the form of a singular Outreach Officer indefinitely)

3. VIOLENCE & SANCTIONS
   1. Any member/attendee/volunteer of Central Jersey Socialists is no longer welcome to engage with Central Jersey Socialists as a program, its members, attendees, volunteers, or affiliates as a representative of the program; nor are they to participate in any projects or events organized by Central Jersey Socialists, including any projects or events that the offending party was a contributor to as a result of their involvement with Central Jersey Socialists and/or its members/attendees/volunteers/affiliates if they have acted towards another member/attendee/volunteer with violence.
      1. Violence is defined as any act, statement, or suggestion made against an individual with malicious intent. This definition includes but is not limited to: physical violence, verbal assault, threats, assertion of power, unwanted touch, unwanted and persistent advances, or bigotry such as racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, sexism, classism, ableism.
      2. SANCTIONS are to be defined on a case-by-case basis and put up to a vote for dues paying members. 

4. MEETING STRUCTURE
   
   1. PROPOSALS
      1. Limit Constitutional proposals to General Meetings
      2. Limit proposals to amending the constitution or co-chairs of a committee to 1 per meeting. A series of proposals can be argued for a vote if they are determined to be related.
      3. In the case of multiple proposals, present members must vote on an order in which we review each proposal, go through with one review for each meeting, vote on a proposal going under review.
   2. We begin each meeting with a recap of the previous meeting, recent protests/activism, and discussing relevant news.
   3. Next, we receive a report from each committee summarizing current projects, plans for the future, and go over general progress since the last meeting.
   4. Proposals from members (up to 6 proposals, up to 10 minutes each).
   5. Each voting matter is read out by a member of the central committee, and members will then be able to present support or opposition to said voting matter before a vote is called.
      1. Unless otherwise stated, a simple majority is required for a proposal to pass.
      2. Majority requirements:
         1. Amendments/repealing amendments – ⅘ majority
         2. Use of funds, under $25 – ⅔ majority
         3. Use of funds, over $25 – ¾ majority
         4. collaboration with outside organizations – ¾ majority
      3. Points of Order
         1. Any member may propose the allocation of extra time for discussion in 2, 5, and 10 minute increments. A simple majority is required to proceed.
         2. A discussion can be ended by simple majority.
         3. If a special event requires extra time, member proposals can be limited to 3 items.
         4. Proposals from committees are given priority. These can be presented by committee chairs before moving onto member proposals.
   6. Time for guest speakers, films, presentations, other unique events, and non-organizational discussion will follow.
   7. We open the floor to off-topic discussion.
   8. De-brief and outline plans  and proposals for the next general meeting.

5. 8 POINT PROGRAM
   1. The 8-Point Program statements are Static, unchanging:
      1. Central Jersey Socialists is an anti-capitalist organization. We oppose the system of wages, markets, speculation, profit and the exploitation of working people..
      2. We believe that the international working class must free itself from this system by international revolution, and that it may only be free through international revolution.
      3. We believe that the international capitalist class and their electoral processes cannot represent the will or interests of the working class, and only serve to direct our energy away from the class struggle.
      4. We believe that capitalism cannot exist without not only exploiting all workers, but that it is also incapable of existing without actively oppressing minorities, black-indigenous-people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, incarcerated people, women and disabled people.
      5. We oppose imperialism and the heinous geopolitical conflicts that spring out of it, because we understand that in war, the working class are only used by the bourgeoisie as tools to kill and exploit one another.
      6. By participating in local grassroots actions, we are able to bring attention to our program and actively help the working class and all oppressed peoples in our area, here and now.
      7. By organizing our class as the source of labor, we can directly challenge and eventually, overthrow the capitalist class and their nation-states and enterprises. 
      8. We believe that in organizing our class, we will help our fellow workers to understand that they are the masters of their own fates, and that by uniting in solidarity we can usher in a new era of freedom from oppression, exploitation and want.

6. MISCELLANEOUS
   1. Central Jersey Socialists as an organization does not engage or participate in electoral politics.

7. DEMONSTRATIONS
   1. DEMO MARSHALL role fulfilled by a volunteer on an action-by-action basis, to be determined on the closest prior General Meeting to the demonstration
   2. DEMO DRESS CODE: Something red – shirt, handkerchief, etc

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