PARTY CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I
Name:

The name of this Party shall be the Bahamas Democratic Movement

ARTICLE II
Object

The Object of the Bahamas Democrat Movement shall be to:

a) Establish and operate as a major national political party in the commonwealth of the Bahamas

b) Be an established party that will provide hope for future all Bahamians.

c) Assist in the election of all party candidates

d) Develop and promote the enactment of legislation and policies consistent with the BDM Principles;

ARTICLE III
National Convention

Section 1. There shall be a National Convention. The first session of the National Convention shall be designated as "The Inaugural National Convention of the Bahamas Democratic Movement of the Bahama Islands " and shall be further designated by the date or dates of such sessions, and by the location of such sessions. Each subsequent session of the National Convention shall be similarly titled and designated, except that such session shall be consecutively enumerated.

Section 2. The National Convention shall be responsible for the governance of the Bahamas Democratic Movement, and for providing for the fulfillment of the Object of the Bahamas Democratic Movement.

Section 3. The National Convention shall be composed of the following Delegates:
a) The Executive Committee
b) Three Constituency wide Delegates from each Constituency Branch Organization

Section 4. Qualifications for a person to be eligible to be a Delegate shall be such that each Delegate shall:
a) be a member of their Constituency Branch Organization and a citizen of the Bahamas.

b) be elected as provided in the Rules of their Constituency Branch Organization.
c) not be required to pay a personal assessment or fee as a condition of serving as a Delegate.
d) be registered with the Executive Committee. No person shall be deemed to be a Delegate, who is not so registered.

Section 5. Constituency Branch Organization rules pertaining to Delegate qualifications, eligibility, election or appointment, terms of office, conditions of continuing service, removal from office, vacancies, duties, powers, subjection, participation, and voting rights, shall be observed; unless such rules are in conflict with this Constitution, or other provisions adopted pursuant to provisions of this Constitution; including the provisions of the Bylaws, the Resolutions and actions of the National Convention, and such provisions as specified in the Standing Rules of the National Convention.
a) In the event such Constituency Branch Organization rules do not so pertain, a Constituency Branch Organization shall carry out such measures as may be required by: the National Convention, the proper directives of the National Committee, the proper directives of the Executive Committee, and such as may be provided in the Bylaws.
b) In the event such Constituency Branch Organization rules do so conflict, a Constituency Branch Organization shall carry out such measures as may be required by the National Convention, the proper directives of the National Committee, the proper directives of the Executive Committee, and such as may be provided in the Bylaws.

Section 6. Affirmative support of the Bahamas Democratic Movement Object, the Bahamas Democratic Movement endorsed candidates for leadership of the party and the Bahamas Democratic Movement statement of Principles shall be a condition of continuing service as a Delegate.

Section 7. The removal of a Delegate shall be such that:
a) Any Delegate may be removed by three-quarters vote of the registered Delegates of the National Convention. The seat of a Delegate so removed shall automatically and immediately become vacant upon such removal.
b) Any Delegate may be removed in accordance with the Rules of the applicable Constituency Branch Organization, except for a person who is a Delegate as a result of being an Elected National Party Officer.

Section 8. Each Constituency Branch Organization may send Alternate Delegates in accordance with their Constituency Branch Organization Rules. Each Alternate Delegate must meet all the qualifications of a Delegate, shall reside in the same political district as the Delegate they replace, and shall have no voting rights until re-registered as a Delegate.

Section 9. The National Convention shall:
a) be the supreme governing body of the Bahamas Democratic Movement at the national level, subject only to the provisions of this Constitution and the provisions of the Bylaws.
b) have all power and authority over the affairs of the Bahamas Democratic Movement, subject only to the provisions of this Constitution and to the provisions of the Bylaws.
c) have the exclusive power to grant Official Recognition to Constituency Branch Organizations. Official Recognition of a Constituency Branch Organization shall be granted by majority vote of the registered Delegates.
d) receive reports from the National Officers and Committees.

f) adopt a national statement of Principles by two-thirds vote of the registered Delegates. This same requirement shall apply to amendments, additions or revisions to the statement of

Principles.
g) in appropriate years, provide rules and procedures for the nomination and endorsement of candidates for the office leadership of the party, or no endorsement, such procedures shall, to the extent possible, provide for the popular selection by Bahamas Democratic Movement members.
h) act upon such other matters as the National Convention deems appropriate, subject to the provisions of this Constitution and the provisions of the Bylaws.

Section 10. Sessions of the National Convention shall be such that:
a) Previous notice of each session of the National Convention shall be given in writing, by means of a Call to National Convention. Such a Call to National Convention shall:
(1) be mailed to each affiliated Constituency Branch Organization Chair and all known elected Delegates and Alternates, not more than ninety days and not less than thirty five days, prior to the date of the first scheduled business meeting of the session being called,
(2) specify the date, hour, place and proposed agenda of the meeting,
(3) contain other such information as is provided in this Constitution, and such as may be provided in the Bylaws.
b) The quorum of a session of the National Convention shall be the majority of all registered

Delegates.
c) The National Convention shall be called into session once every four calendar year. Such session shall be scheduled and arranged, and a Call to National Convention shall be properly issued by the National Party Chair, upon two-thirds votes of the Executive Committee, except in a case of emergency. In a case of emergency, the National Convention may be called into session as needed such that:
(1) A case of emergency shall be deemed to exist upon such being officially declared by the Bahamas Democratic Movement Chair, by a majority vote of the Executive Committee
(2) An official declaration of emergency shall in no way remove, alter, or have precedence over any of the provisions of this Constitution, or the provisions of the Bylaws.
d) The determination, allocation, exercise and tally of Delegate votes shall be such that:
(1) Only Delegates who have been properly registered and are in attendance at the time of the vote shall be eligible to vote. There shall be no proxy voting.
(2) No person shall hold more than one Delegate seat.
(3) Each Delegate shall have one and only one vote.
(4) No Delegate shall be required to cast a vote contrary to his or her preference.

Section 11. Each Delegate shall report to the Constituency Branch Organization of which he or she is a member. The National Convention shall provide that the minutes and Resolutions of the National Convention be recorded in writing, be properly filed with Bahamas Democratic Movement Executive Committee, be distributed to the Chairperson of each Constituency Branch Organization and be made available to the

ARTICLE IV
PARTY OFFICERS

Section 1. There shall be a Leader whose functions shall be:

(a) To oversee the general organization and operation of the party.

(b) To represent the party at all national and international functions and events.

(c) To preside over all executive meetings.

Section 2 . There Shall be a Deputy Leader whose functions shall be:

(a) To assist the leader in all his duties.

(b) To assume the responsibilities of the Leader in his absence

Section 3 . There Shall be a Chairman whose function shall be:

(a) To organization the central party office

(b) To organize all the party branches.

(c) To oversee the work of the planning and public relations committees.

(d) To prepare the agenda of all executive meetings in consultation with the Leader.

(e) To report monthly to the Leader on all matters for which he is responsible.

(f) providing a procedure for the nomination of Bahamas Democratic Movement National

(g) providing for the clear interpretation, proper application, and continuing pertinence of the Bylaws, and for the continuing integrity of the Bylaws with this Constitution and the statement of Principles of the Bahamas Democratic Movement,

Sections 4 .There Shall be a first and second Vice Chairman whose function shall be:

(a) To assist the Chairman in the execution of all his functions

(b) To assume the responsibilities of the Chairman in his absence

Sections 5 . There Shall be a Secretary General whose functions shall be:

(a) providing for the keeping, filing and archival storage of the official books, records and lists of the Bahamas Democratic Movement

(b) To record minutes of all executive meetings

(c) To oversee the work of the membership committee

(d) To report monthly to the Chairman on all matters for which he is responsible

(e) the temporary filling of National Officer vacancies

(h) assisting Constituencies throughout the Bahama Islands in the building of their Constituency Branch Organizations, election of their endorsed candidates and member education, and
( i) all other actions appropriate or necessary to carry out the provisions of this Constitution and the Bylaws and carry on the successful operation of the Bahamas Democratic Movement.

Section 6 . There Shall be an Assistant Secretary General whose functions shall be:

(a) To assist the Secretary General in the execution of all his functions

(b) To assume the responsibilities of the Secretary General in his absence

Section 7 . There Shall be a Treasurer whose functions shall be:

(a) To kept accurate records of all the party's incomes and expenses.

(b) To oversee the work of the Ways and Means committee

(c) To report monthly to the Chairman on all matters for which he is responsible

(e) providing for the raising, budgeting, disbursing and accounting of the monies for the operation of the Bahamas Democratic Movement in amounts sufficient to fulfill the Party Object, including setting the dollar amount and payment frequency of any dues, fees and assessments to be paid to the National Party by Constituency Branch Organizations.

Section 8. There Shall be an Assistant Treasurer whose functions shall be:

(a) To assist the Treasurer in the execution of all his functions

(b) To assume the responsibilities of the Treasurer in his absence

ARTICLE V
Executive Committee

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the conducting of the day to day business and affairs of the Bahamas Democratic Movement, between meetings of the National Committee. The responsibilities of the Executive Committee shall include:
a) coordinating the efforts of the Standing Committees and the Special Committees so as to maximize efficiency, maximize resources, maximize effect and fulfill the object of the Bahamas Democratic Movement.
b) providing for such organizational, administrative and financial support as the National Convention may require for its organization and operation,
c) providing for such organizational, administrative and financial resources as may be required to fulfill the Object of the Bahamas Democratic Movement,
d) all actions appropriate or necessary to carry out the provisions of this Constitution, the Bylaws, the proper directives of the National Committee and the Resolutions and proper actions of the National Convention, and
e) all actions appropriate or necessary to carry on the successful operation of the Bahamas Democratic Movement.

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Bahamas Democratic Movement Leader, the Deputy Leader, Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, the Party's Chairman, the 1^st and 2^nd Vice Chairmen and the chairmen of the seven standing committee.

Section 3. Inter Island Representatives to the Executive Committee shall be elected by the Executive Committee at the first meeting of the Executive Committee.

Section 4. All Constituency Representatives will be elected at meetings of the Executive Committee. Committee representatives from the Constituencies within the regions will caucus to elect one representative from each region. The regions are defined as:

a)Nassau Constituencies - Adelaide, Pineridge, Montagu, Mt. Moriah, Golden Gates, Bamboo Town, Shirlea, Blue Hills, Delaporte, Carmichael, Marathon, Garden Hills, Yamacraw, South

Beach, Holy Cross, Englerston, Fox Hill, St. Margaret, FT. Charlotte, Centerville, Bain Town, Grant's Town, Kennedy, St. Cecilia
b) Family Island Constituencies - North Abaco, Marco City, MICAL, Lucaya, Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador,

West end & Bimini, Exuma, South Andros, North Eleuthera, South Eleuthera

c) The duties of each Constituencies Representative shall be:
(1) To report to the Executive Committee;
(2) Be a conduit for informational flow between the Constituency Branch organizations in the respective Region and the Executive Committee;
(3) Provide all organizational help possible and practical to the Constituency Branch organizations in the respective Region when requested;
(4) Compile a list of qualified candidates for Committee Chairmen who have the ability, experience and knowledge for each Committee, for use by the National Chairman in making appointments.
(5) Compile a list of any special talents that have been identified within the Constituency parties for potential service to the national party committee.

Section 5. A Constituencies Representative may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the registered Members of the National Committee in that particular Region.

Section 6. In the event of a vacancy in the position of Constituencies Representative, such vacancy shall be filled by a simple majority vote of the registered Members of the National Committee in that particular Region.

Section 7. The duties of the Executive Committee shall include:
a) maintaining and providing Delegate lists and National Committee Member lists,
b) maintaining and keeping all national books, records and lists of the Bahamas Democratic

Movement,
c) taking those actions appropriate and necessary to carry out the provisions of this Constitution, the Bylaws, and the proper directives of the National Committee and the National Convention,

and
d) taking those actions appropriate or necessary to carry on the successful operation of the Bahamas Democratic Movement.

Section 8. The Executive Committee shall meet as necessary to conduct the required business of the National Party. Executive Committee meetings may be called upon action of the National Party Chair or upon action of any three Executive Committee Members. The Executive Committee may conduct a vote by mail.

Section 9. Affirmative support of the Bahamas Democratic Movement Object, the Bahamas Democratic Movement endorsed officers and leaders in each Constituencies, the Bahamas Democratic Movement national platform and the Bahamas Democratic Movement statement of Principles shall be a condition of continuing service on the Executive Committee.

Section 10. A quorum of the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the Executive Committee Members.

ARTICLE VI
Standing Committee General Provisions

Section 1. There shall be seven Standing Committees of the National Committee. The seven Standing Committees: Rules, Public Relations, Party Building, Ways and Means, Research and Intelligence, Membership and Communications.

Section 2. The responsibilities of each Standing Committee shall be:

a) Rules
The Rules Committee shall be responsible for: developing and proposing amendments to this Constitution; developing and proposing bylaws and other procedural rules, including amendments thereto, for the conduct of the national party; working with various Constituency Branch Organizations in development and adoption of their Constituency Branch rules; other such duties as the Executive Committee may assign.

b) Public Relations
(i)The Issues Committee shall be responsible for: reviewing, developing and proposing platform and policy for adoption by the National Convention; developing and proposing amendments to the national party statement of Principles; developing and implementing plans to educate voters regarding various issues; other such duties as the Executive Committee may assign.

(ii) formulating and promoting statements of public policy, which are consistent with the Bahamas Democratic Movement statement of Principles,
(iii) providing for ongoing Bahamas Democratic Movement public relations and voter education,

(v) The Public Relations Committee shall be responsible for: developing and implementing strategies for interfacing with the media and the public; developing media contacts nationwide; other such duties as the Executive Committee may assign.

c) Party Building
The Party Building Committee shall be responsible for: developing and implementing strategies to build and maintain the party as a major national political party; working with the various Constituency Branch Organizations to build and maintain the party as a major political party within each Constituency; other such duties as the Executive Committee may assign.
d) Ways and Means
The Finance Committee shall be responsible for: fund raising at the national level; developing and implementing budgets for national party operations; assisting the National Treasurer in the performance of assign duties; advising the various Constituency Branch Organizations regarding fund-raising and other financial issues; other such duties as the Executive Committee may assign.
e) Research and Intelligence
The Research committee shall be responsible to research all matters as requested by the Party's Chairman and to provide relevant details of the same; to ensure that all information presented is accurate; To maintain an active and accurate reference library accessible to all members.

(f) Membership Committee

The membership committee shall be responsible to organize and conduct membership drives for the continuous recruitment of members into the party; to keep a roster of all party members including address and contacts numbers; To address the social, economic and political needs of the members.

(g) Communications
The Communications Committee shall be responsible for: developing and implementing plans to keep party members informed on various public and internal party issues; developing internal party communications links between the various committees and various Constituency Branch Organizations; other such duties as the Executive Committee may assign.

Section 3. Each Standing Committee Chair shall be appointed by the National Chairperson. No person shall simultaneously hold more than one of the following positions: Standing Committee Chair, Standing Committee Vice Chair or Treasurer. Standing Committee Chairs shall be subject to those provisions of this Constitution that apply to National Officers.

Section 4. Affirmative support of the Bahamas Democratic Movement Object, the Bahamas Democratic Movement endorsed candidates for leader and deputy leader of and the Bahamas Democratic Movement statement of Principles shall be a condition of continuing service on a Standing Committee.

Section 5. The members and any additional officers of each standing committee shall be appointed by the Chairperson of such Standing Committee. No more than one-fourth of the Members of a Standing Committee shall be members of the same Constituency Branch Organization.

Section 6. Each Standing Committee shall be subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the provisions of the Bylaws, the proper directives of the Executive Committee, the proper directives the Resolutions and proper actions of the National Convention.

Section 7. Each Standing Committee shall meet as necessary to conduct the required business of their Standing Committee. Standing Committee meetings may be called upon action of the Standing Committee Chair or upon action of one-fourth of the Standing Committee Members. Standing Committees may conduct business by mail, teleconference or other electronic media. Each Standing Committee may adopt such rules of operation as the Standing Committee Members deem necessary to conduct Committee business.

Section 8. Each Standing Committee shall report to the Executive Committee. Each Standing Committee shall also report to the National Convention.

ARTICLE VII
Special Committees and Sub-Committees

Section 1. Special Committees and Sub-Committees
a) Special Committees may be established for specific purposes by action of the National Party Chair or by majority vote of the Executive Committee, National Committee or National Convention. The Chair of any Special Committee shall be appointed by the National Party Chair. Special Committees exist at the pleasure of the National Party Chair.
b) Sub-Committees to any existing Committee may be established for specific purposes by action of the parent Committee Chair. The Chair of any Sub-Committee shall be appointed by the parent Committee Chair. Sub-Committees exist at the pleasure of the parent Committee Chair.
c) The Members and any additional Officers of each Special Committee or Sub-Committee shall be appointed by the Chairperson of such Special Committee or Sub-Committee

Section 2. The responsibilities of each Special Committee or Sub-Committee shall be stated when establishing the Special Committee or Sub-Committee.

Section 3. Affirmative support of the Bahamas Democratic Movement Object, the Bahamas Democratic Movement endorsed candidates leader and deputy leader and of the Bahamas Democratic Movement statement of Principles shall be a condition of continuing service as a Member of any Special Committee or Sub-Committee.

Section 4. Each Special Committee and Sub-Committee shall be subject to the Executive Committee, National Committee, the provisions of this Constitution, the provisions of the Bylaws and to the Resolutions and proper actions of the National Convention. Each Sub-Committee shall also be subject to its specific parent Committee.

Section 5. A Special Committee or Sub-committee meeting shall be called upon the action of the Special Committee's or Sub-committee's Chairperson or upon the action of one-fourth of a Special Committee's or Sub-committee's members such as is provided in this Constitution and such as may be provided in the Bylaws. A Special Committee or Sub-committee may conduct a vote by mail such as is provided in this Constitution and such as may be provided in the Bylaws. Each Special Committee or Sub-committee may adopt such rules of operation as the Special Committee or Sub-committee Members deem necessary to conduct Committee business.

Section 6. Each Special Committee shall report to the Executive Committee, the National Committee, and to the National Convention provided that the Special Committee, so reporting, is properly directed to do so. Each Sub-Committee shall report to its specific parent Committee.

ARTICLE IX
Constituency Branch Organizations

Section 1. Constituency Branch Organizations shall be responsible for conducting all Bahamas Democratic Movement Constituency level business and affairs in its various Constituencies democratically and for providing for the successful operation of a major Constituency political party which is in keeping with the Principles and Object of the Bahamas Democratic Movement of the Bahama Islands, the provisions of this Constitution and the provisions of the Bylaws.

Section 2. Recognition shall be granted to no more than one Constituency Branch Organization in each Constituency or territory of the Bahama Islands.

Section 3. A Constituency Branch Organization may be granted Official Recognition by a majority vote of the registered Delegates of the National Convention or and by the Executive committee. A Constituency Branch Organization may be granted Provisional Recognition by a two-thirds vote of the registered Members of the Executive Committee.

Section 4. Official Recognition of a Constituency Branch Organization shall continue until such time as such recognition is removed. Provisional Recognition of a Constituency Branch Organization shall continue until such time as such recognition is removed or until the next National Convention.

Section 5. The conditions of continuing Official Recognition and the conditions of continuing Provisional Recognition shall be affirmative support of the Bahamas Democratic Movement Object, the Bahamas Democratic Movement endorsed candidates' leader and deputy Leader of the Bahamas Democratic Movement and of its statement of Principles.

Section 6. Removal or Suspension of Official Recognition of a Constituency Branch Organization and removal or expiration of Provisional Recognition of a Constituency Branch Organization shall be such that:
a) Official Recognition of a Constituency Branch Organization may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the registered Delegates of the National Convention.
b) Official Recognition of a Constituency Branch Organization may be suspended by a two-thirds vote of the registered Delegates of the National Convention. Such suspension shall not exceed a period of six calendar months. Such suspension shall be imposed by means of a Resolution of the National Convention. Such a Resolution shall:
(1) specify the conditions under which the suspension shall be lifted,
(2) specify the end date of the suspension time period,
(3) specify the manner in which the fulfillment of such conditions shall be verified, and
(4) shall be subject to the provisions of this Constitution and subject to the provisions of the Bylaws.
c) The votes of National Committee Members and the votes of Delegates who are Members of a Constituency Branch Organization which is so suspended shall not be counted.
d) A Constituency Branch Organization which is so suspended and which fails to fulfill the conditions to lift such suspension shall automatically and immediately forfeit its Official Recognition upon the end date of such suspension.
e) Provisional Recognition of a Constituency Branch Organization may be removed by majority vote of the registered Members of the Executive Committee.
f) Provisional recognition of a Constituency Branch Organization shall automatically and immediately expire upon adjournment of the session of the National Convention which follows the date such Provisional Recognition was granted.

Section 7. Each Constituency Branch Organization which has been granted Official Recognition or Provisional Recognition and each organization which requests Official Recognition or Provisional Recognition shall:
a) provide the Executive Committee with true, current and complete copies of its Constitution, Bylaws and/or Rules and copies of all legally required Constituency and reports.
b) provide the Executive Committee with any such additional information the Executive Committee similarly requests of all Constituency Branch Organizations or organizations.
c) pay dues, fees and assessments such as is provided in this Constitution and such as may be provided in the Bylaws.

Section 8. A Constituency Branch Organization which has been granted Official Recognition or Provisional Recognition shall be eligible to receive all the Delegate seats which are available to be allocated to the Constituency Branch Organization so recognized. A Constituency Branch Organization and the members of such Constituency Branch Organization so recognized shall be eligible to participate without restriction in the national affairs of the Bahamas Democratic Movement including all sessions of the National Convention and all national committees subject to the provisions of this Constitution, subject to the provisions of the Bylaws and Section 6 of this Article except that:
a) each Delegate of a Constituency Branch Organization which has been granted Provisional Recognition shall not be entitled to vote on questions pertaining to Official Recognition or Provisional Recognition of his or her own Constituency Branch Organization.

Section 9. Constituency Branch Organizations shall be subject to the laws of the Constituency in which the Constituency Branch Organization is organized, the provisions of this Constitution, the provisions of the Bylaws, the proper directives of the Executive Committee, and the Resolutions and proper actions of the National Convention.

Section 10. A Constituency Branch Organization shall, as a condition of continuing recognition, have no less than one-fourth of its registered Delegates in attendance at each session of the National Convention.

Section 11. Individual Bahamas Democratic Movement Member participation rights shall be such that:
a) In a Constituency which has no Constituency Branch Organization such as is provided for in this Constitution, a person who identifies himself or herself as a Bahamas Democratic Movement member shall have no Bahamas Democratic Movement participatory rights except such rights as are accorded to any other citizen.
b) In a Constituency which has an Officially Recognized or Provisionally Recognized Constituency Branch Organization, a person who identifies himself or herself as a Bahamas Democratic Movement Member but does not also identify himself or herself as a member of his or her Constituency's Constituency Branch Organization shall have no participatory rights except such rights as are accorded to any other citizen.
c) Residents of Islands which have no Constituency Branch Organization who express an interest in establishing a Constituency Branch Organization in their Constituency shall be listed by the Executive Committee. Such a list shall be provided to other similarly interested citizens of such Constituency upon the request of such citizens until such time as a Constituency Branch Organization is established in such Constituency.

ARTICLE X
General Provisions

Section 1. All financial reports and all budget reports, given or approved by any Bahamas Democratic Movement Committee or any Bahamas Democratic Movement Officer, shall be prepared in keeping with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as are established by the Financial Standards and Accounting Board.

Section 2. No dues, fees, financial assessments, administrative fees, subscription fees or member fees shall be implemented or required which are not specifically provided for in this Constitution or the Bylaws.

Section 3. No Bahamas Democratic Movement Officer shall be compensated for services rendered to the Bahamas Democratic Movement except for reimbursement of legitimate personal expenses incurred in the performance of one's official Bahamas Democratic Movement duties.

Section 4. The minutes of all Bahamas Democratic Movement meetings shall be available upon request.

Section 5. There shall be no proxy voting or voting by proxy.

Section 6. Definitions of certain words used in this Constitution shall be such that:
a) The words "Party" and "BDM" shall mean the Bahamas Democratic Movement.
b) The words "Bahamas Democratic Movement Member" and "Member" shall mean any person eligible to vote in the next election of the leader and officers who identifies himself or herself as a member of the recognized Constituency Branch Organization in his Constituency of residence and meets such requirements as provided in the Rules of their Constituency Branch Organization.
c) The words "Constituency Branch Organization" shall mean an organized body of citizens which has been granted Official Recognition or Provisional Recognition such as is provided in this Constitution and such as may be provided in the Bylaws.
d) The words "mail", "by mail" or "mailed to" shall mean delivery of a written document or documents via the First Class Mail service of the Bahama Islands Postal Service or delivery of written documents via a delivery service that is as reliable or more reliable and that is as fast or faster than that of the First Class Mail service of the Bahama Islands Postal Service.
e) The words "vote by mail" shall include fax or other electronic means such as email provided the response can be reliably verified as originating from the qualified voting individual.
f) The words "proper" or "properly" shall mean in keeping with all applicable provisions of this Constitution, in keeping with all applicable provisions of the Bylaws and in keeping with all applicable provisions of the rules of Constituency Branch Organizations.
g) The word "meeting" shall also include teleconferences, video conferences, computer conferences or other electronic means allowing for direct interaction by the qualified participants and for which official minutes are taken or a transcript is made documenting the participants and any actions taken.

Section 7. No person shall hold any position provided for in this Constitution who is not a Member of a Recognized Constituency Branch Organization.

Section 8. Honorary titles or positions may be conferred upon individuals by Resolution of the National Convention.

Section 9. The publication and distribution of this Constitution and the Bylaws shall be such that:
a) This Constitution and the Bylaws shall be published and distributed in writing in the format and type style herein indicated or in other such formats and type styles as may be provided by proper action of the Executive Committee.
b) When distributed, the Bylaws shall be attached to this Constitution and this Constitution, the Bylaws and any amendments thereto shall be bound together in their entirety under a cover entitled "The Constitution and Bylaws of the Bahamas Democratic Movement of the Bahama Islands."
c) A title page and a table of contents for this Constitution and a title page and a table of contents for the Bylaws may be included under the cover entitled "The Constitution and Bylaws of the Bahamas Democratic Movement of the Bahama." Such title pages and such tables of contents shall not be deemed part of this Constitution and shall not be deemed part of the Bylaws. Such title pages shall indicate the effective dates of this Constitution, the Bylaws and any amendments thereto.
d) The pages of this Constitution, the pages of the Bylaws and the pages of any amendments thereto may be numbered. Such page numbering shall not be deemed as part of the text of this Constitution, the Bylaws or any amendments thereto.
e) Any amendments to this Constitution shall be attached to the final page of this Constitution and any amendments to the Bylaws shall be attached to the final page of the Bylaws until such time as the Executive Committee provides for the publication of this Constitution and/or the publication of the Bylaws as amended.
f) There shall be no introductory information, preface, reader's guide, letters by National Officers or any other such information pertaining to this Constitution and pertaining to the Bylaws distributed under the cover entitled "The Constitution and Bylaws of the Bahamas Democratic Movement of the Bahama Islands."

Section 10. The provisions of this Constitution and the provisions of the Bylaws shall be deemed severable and separately enforceable. Should any Article, Section, sub-section or provision of this Constitution or of the Bylaws be invalidated or declared void, all other provisions of this Constitution and all other provisions of the Bylaws shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 11. The interpretation, meaning and effect to be given the provisions of this Constitution and to be given the provisions of the Bylaws shall not be inconsistent with National law.

ARTICLE XI
Bylaws

Section 1. There may be Bahamas Democratic Movement Bylaws. The Bylaws shall be such that:

a) Membership will be open to all Bahamian citizens 16yrs and older.

b)The Executive Committee shall be responsible for all disciplinary matters.

c) There shall be a twenty-five dollar($25.00) membership fee per person payable upon making application or not more than two weeks thereafter.

e).Members must be financial to be eligible to vote.

f) The provisions of the Bylaws shall be subject to the provisions of this Constitution. In a case such that a provision or provisions of the Bylaws are in conflict with a provision or provisions of this Constitution, the provision or provisions of this Constitution shall prevail and the provision or provisions of the Bylaws which so conflict shall be deemed null and void.

g) The Bylaws shall be consistent with the Principles and Object of the Bahamas Democratic Movement and consistent with the provisions of this Constitution.

h) The Bylaws shall have Articles and Sections which are similar in form, number, title and topic to the Articles and Sections of this Constitution. The Bylaws may contain additional Articles and additional Sections to address topics not addressed in this Constitution.

ARTICLE XII
Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern this convention in all cases to which they are applicable and are not inconsistent with any Rules, Bylaws, Constitution or resolutions adopted by the National Convention or National Committee.

ARTICLE XIII
Amendment

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the National Convention provided that thirty (30) days previous notice and a precise written copy of the motion to amend this Constitution, such motion may not be amended, is provided to each registered Delegate.

Articles XV
Principles

The BDM Believes:

• "In the supremacy of the Almighty God

• "In and respects the International declaration of human rights

• "In a free and democratic society

• "In fair, regular elections

• "In good governance, transparency, accountably, openness, and equality.

• "In respect for human life

• "In equality of all segments of our society

• "That no man is above the law and that everyone is equal before the law

• "In the public right to access to information about public policy and the activities of the government.

• "That quality education is the key to sustainable human development and economic growth

• "In an economic system in which all Bahamian have equal opportunity to participate and compete.

• "In an independent news media that is free from political influence.