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Part 1: Name of Party, Founding &
Registration
Name of the
political party: Party
for Animal Welfare
The Official website to be
called:
www.ipaw.ie
Mail address:
Party for Animal Welfare, Earlshill, Killenaule,
Thurles, Co. Tipperary, E41 DW62
We also want to make all
party documents available in Irish/Gaeilge
This party constitution is
to be enacted with a democratic vote at our 1st Party
Convention on March 9th 2019, at the Kilmurry Lodge Hotel,
Limerick, between 2 and 6 p.m.
1st
meeting: Saturday
December 15th 2018,
Abbey Hall, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, Republic of Ireland.
Official public press media launch:
Tuesday February 26th 2019 between 10 and 11 a.m. at
Buswells Hotel, Dublin, directly opposite van Dáil Eireann/Leinster
House.
Date registered: 21 February 2020
Part 2: Goal, Principles & Objectives,
Approach & Vision
Our goal:
To
represent the voiceless animals in Ireland and beyond.
Animal welfare has been very much neglected by the vast
majority of the existing political powers.
Our principles: We
are an inclusive, democratic party, based on the principle
that animal dignity is equal to human dignity. Animal
welfare, and health should equal human welfare, and health.
Our objectives: We
should seek harmony with our environment and other natural
entities. Appreciation and awareness of all beings on Earth
is vital.
Our approach: We
will hold all politicians, local and international, and
local authorities accountable for not meeting their promises
on actions for the betterment of animal welfare.
Our vision: To
act as a platform for community action for animal
welfare, thus contributing to a sustainable life on Earth.
We will struggle to aid with solutions and propose
policy/legislation to tackle increasing dangers in the loss
of biodiversity on Earth, beginning with Ireland.
We condemn any promotion of
harm against animals, directly or indirectly, via RTE and
multimedia.
We will fight to
phase out blood sport of any kind in the Republic of
Ireland. An animal should not be an object of entertainment
for humans in any way, shape or form.
Part 3: Model of the Party
Party for
Animal Welfare considers itself to be a so-called
‘’Testimonial Party’’. This is a political party which does
not seek to gain political power, but rather to testify its
principles and thereby influence other political parties and
independents.
We seek to model
and mirror the values of the Partij
voor de Dieren / Party for the Animals in the Netherlands.
This model shall be
applied within the Irish context with realistic and tangible
ideas, which we will outline in our Party Manifesto, to be
updated/rolled-over on an annual basis via a democratic vote
at a party convention. Each member can put forward their
proposed amendments.
We will be
working closely with all recognized Animal Advocacy Parties
in Europe and Worldwide. There is no need to reinvent the
wheel when we can learn from others.
We will
become a member of the Animal Politics Foundation, which was
founded by the Party for the Animals, in 2012.
https://www.partyfortheanimals.nl/animal-politics-foundation/
On European
level we are to be part in the same grouping as the Party
for the Animals, in Confederal Group of the European United
Left/Nordic Green (GUE/NGL).
Part 4: Party Organisation
4.1 The party
shall have an executive committee (or a ‘’National
Executive’’) to be annually (re-)elected at our AGM/Party
Convention, for the period of 2 years, which can be extended
by a maximum of 2 terms for each office: Party Chair /
Cathaoirleach; Party Treasurer; Party Secretary; Party
Leader; Social Media Officer
4.1.1 A list of duties
and tasks of each executive committee will be presented in
due course.
4.2 Only when
disagreements arise or within the constituency the national
or regional party executive can assist. Their approach will
be transparent and non-judgemental at all times.
4.3 The Party
shall have a national secretariat, and where the finances
allow for it, regional and/or county offices.
Please note, if we get at
least 2% of the number of votes in a general election we
will be entitled to government funding for a national
office. However, office funds subsidies cannot be diverted
for election purposes!
4.4 The
party’s national executive will appoint spokespeople for the
period of one year.
4.4.1 Spokespeople
will act as PROs on the particular field, but in close
cooperation with the national executive and policy group
convenors.
4.5 All press
releases and contact with the media needs to be checked
first with the executive, and where needed with the
International Press Officer of Party for the Animals NL /
Animal Politics Foundation, and / or with the AWP.
Part 5: Party Membership
5.1 Membership
is open to everyone of 16 years and above.
5.2 Membership
is open to everyone who supports the objectives and goals of
the party, and are registered through their constituency
group or nationally/regionally.
5.3 We will introduce
a probationary membership of three months, from September
1st 2019. This is to prevent abuse during the probationary
period.
5.4 All
memberships data will be kept confidential and we will
adhere we will adhere to the General Data Protection
Regulation’s (GDPR).
5.4.1
5.5
The membership waged fee (Age 18+) shall be €10. For
unwaged (students, pensioners; Age 18+) the membership fees
shall be €5. Young membership also €5.
5.6
Members will make an annual payment by direct debit,
electronic transfer of funds to our bank account, PayPal, or
debit or credit card, cash, or cheque or draft (payment will
be taken annually unless you cancel your membership).
5.7
It is also possible to purchase a Membership for Life
one-off € 500, if you are not older than 64 years or a
one-off € 150 for those of 65 years and older. Our sister
organisation Party for the Animals, in the Netherlands has a
similar scheme.
5.8
All members may resign their membership at any time, but no
refunds will be given. Their data will then be deleted.
5.9
We will adhere to Standards in Public Office Commission
(SIPO) legislation for donations to local constituency
groups.
5.10
We will draft a document on corporate and large donations,
as we only accept these from organisations, small companies
and individuals who respect the welfare of animals!!! We
will accept donations up to a maximum of €600 on top of the
memberships fee (excluding the Membership for Life).
5.11
Party members’ may be suspended if they are in breach of
this constitution or if they act against the key goals and
objectives of the party.
5.11.1
The party is not to be hijacked for the personal agenda of
certain members or individuals from the public.
5.11.2
Party members whose membership is suspended or revoked can
appeal within two weeks of the notice given by the party
executive to the members.
5.11.3
An Appeals Committee will be set up.
5.12 All
membership and supporters' data will be kept confidential
and each person will be asked which newsletters and
information they wish to receive. They can be removed from
the database at any time, and their data will be deleted.
Part 6: Elections for public office
6.1 Party for
Animals Welfare shall take part in all elections in
Ireland:, Local, and General Elections
(Dáil, and Seanad Éireann).
6.2 We will seek
verification of credentials of each candidate, and where in
doubt seek Gárda clearance.
6.3 Each election
candidate needs to act in accordance with the Party
Constitution and Manifesto.
6.4
Each candidate is encouraged to draft their own election
manifesto, flyer, website, and so on, but the aforementioned
shall be in line with the documents of the party as
mentioned above.
6.5
A Local Election candidate on local level needs to be
nominated by at least 2 members, of which one can be the
candidate her or himself. In the case that there is more
than one local election candidate for the same municipal
LEA., we will hold primaries at a selection convention in
each local area.
6.6 A
General Election and European Election candidate needs to be
nominated by at least 10 (ten) members, of which one can be
the candidate.
6.7
Where the 10 members cannot be reached in a general election
constituency, the consistency group may decide this via a
selection convention. Where there is more than one candidate
for the same general election area, primaries will follow.
Part 7: Public Elected Representatives
7.1
Party members who become elected members of a local
authority, and speak for voiceless animals, can form
associations of Councillors within the party or with
like-minded Councillors of other parties and independents.
7.1.1
If one of (future) elected members of a local authority
decide to resign, the local constituency group will hold a
special meeting to co-opt a new Councillor.
7.2
Elected Councillors of other parties and independents
wishing to join our ranks, and leave their alliance/grouping
may request to do so with the National Executive. However,
they must support the objectives & goals of our party.
7.3
The Parliamentary Party comprises of all-Party members who
have been elected to Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann or the
European Parliament. These members shall comply with the
rules of the Parliamentary Party, when and if we get elected
to any of these offices, on behalf of the voiceless animals.
7.4
Unlike all other political parties and independents, please
note our party does not seek power itself, as outlined in
Part 3.
Part 8: Party Finances
8.1 The Party
Treasurer in conjunction with the Finance Oversight
Committee will outline a financial report annually to be
presented at the party convention/AGM.
8.2 A Finance
Oversight Committee will be elected at our AGM.
8.3 All
financial matters will be dealt with in a transparent and
accountable way.
8.4 An
election candidate may begin a crowdfunding/GoFundMe
campaign, but the candidate has to adhere to the SIPO
guidelines/and or guidelines of the returning officer.
Part 9: Party Convention/AGM
9.1
An Annual General Meeting shall be held once every two years
at the very least.
9.2
A Convention/AGM preparation group shall be formed by the
constituency organising the convention/AGM. This will be a
unique opportunity for the particular constituency group to
gain local media coverage, and set their own local agenda.
9.3
An invite shall be made public well in advance of a Party
Convention/AGM, though, for example, our website,
Eventbrite, social media, and the press.
9.4
The Party Convention/AGM will be open to the public, media
and representatives from other parties and independents, as
long as this does not disturb the proceedings of the
Convention/AGM.
9.5
The Party Convention/AGM cannot be co-opted for a personal
agenda.
9.6
The Party Convention/AGM will be chaired by the party chair
or another national executive in her or his absence.
9.7
The party chair & secretary shall publish a draft agenda for
each Party Convention/AGM, to be sent to all members at
least two weeks in advance.
9.8
The Party Convention/AGM shall be streamed via social media
e.g. YouTube stream and Facebook Live Stream where possible.
9.8.1
Members who are not able to attend a Convention/AGM in
person can do so via Skype.
9.9
Only Party Members may submit motions and amendments, and
this must be submitted to the party secretary 3 weeks before
the meeting. Of course, emergency motions and amendment are
possible at all times.
9.9.1
Each member who wants to speak on a motion or amendment, in
favour or against, or leave a personal comment or a comment
on behalf of her or his constituency, needs to notify the
party secretary/national secretariat at least 48 hours
before each meeting in writing, and preferably by email. All
members will receive a confirmation about their assigned
slot and speaking time, so they can adequately prepare
themselves.
9.10
An EGM, Extraordinary General Meeting can be called by an
Executive Member (if approved by at least 50% of fully
paid up Party Members) this must be hand written and sent to
the Party HQ.
Part 10: Social Media and Website
10.1 Admins and
Editors to act as Communication Officers on our social media
will be sought and checked via the national executive social
media outlets: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
10.2 An
interactive website and blog will be maintained.
Part 11: Policy Making
11.1 Policy
groups shall be put in place to formulate policies for
sectors such as: Animal Welfare; Environment, Energy and
Climate Change; Health, and so on.
11.2 A Policy
Group Convenor can also submit policies directly to the
Party Convention, after follow-up with the National
Executive and/or Regional Executive. A policy group convenor
is a person who brings all the people within a particular
topic together and acts as a co-ordinator to gather all
contributions in one policy document.
11.3 All members are
encouraged to submit their policy ideas, whether they are a
member of a national or regional policy group or not, to the
National or Regional Executive Policy Officer. All members
will receive an acknowledgment of their communication, and
all communications will be kept confidential.
Part 12: Operative Date
The OPERATIVE DATE This
Party Constitution came into effect once adopted through our
democratic vote at our 1st Party
Convention on 9th March
2019; it has subsequently been amended on 24th
September 2019.
Once adopted the Party Constitution
can only be changed by a (special) Party Convention via a
two thirds majority, or (in an emergency) by a democratic
members internal referendum, to be organised via the
executive in equal conjunction with all
constituencies/-executives. |
