To those who accept without rancor America's right to exist free among other free nations, we extend the hand of friendship and assistance.
To the detractors and enemies of America, whether internal or external, we project defiance, sturdy courage, and giving no ground. But we do it not by merely exchanging hate for hate, but by repeatedly emphasizing why we are right and they are hopelessly wrong.
All of our Board members and staff volunteer without compensation, but we do have other expenses that we try to meet with voluntary donations. Such expenses include but are not limited to corporate state and federal taxes and fees, P.O. box fees and postage, letterhead and poster printing costs, pamphlet costs, Web site hosting costs, and ordinary banking fees. Registered members of our organization who donate are elligible to recieve corporate financial statements on request. Of course we encourage membership ( see our Join Up page) but you do not have to be a registered member to donate.
Our volunteers have worked hard to present an interesting web site and we hope you can spare some time to sample other portions of it so you will have a good idea of our purpose and dedication. After you have sampled our site to your satisfaction and read our policies below, if you decide to donate, there is an opportunity offered to both members and non-members at the end of the policy statements.
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OUR POLICIES
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NOTICE
The American Patriot Council, Inc. is a Virginia non-stock corporation. Our By-laws are available on request to those interested in joining the organization.
By the authority given to the Board of Directors in the By-Laws, policies relating to the focus and internal governance of the corporation as determined by the Board are listed below. These policies may be changed or amended from time to time by a majority vote of the Board.
FOCUS
Like our forefathers we hold certain truths to be self-evident --- that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are principles worth shielding and that a patriot is a citizen willing to dedicate life and limb against the evil of those who would undermine or deny our privileges as set forth in our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, and our Bill of Rights.
The primary purpose of the Corporation is to invigorate and keep alive the Spirit of 1776 by encouraging unity and clarity of American identity. This is to be done by emphasizing the unique significance of the American Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the importance of protecting the rights bestowed by these instruments. It is also to be done by encouraging the American values of honor and integrity, by promoting tolerance for those who in turn are tolerant, and by encouraging implacable intolerance for those seeking the destruction of American freedoms and American representative form of government.
The American Patriot Council, Inc. has been organized to:
--- serve as a positive counterpoint to negativism and defeatism.
--- challenge with open defiance all forces bent on undermining American freedoms and principles and to help spread democratic principles around the world.
--- serve as a voice for non-partisan patriotism, putting America and its culture first before ethnic, regional, or party allegiance.
--- serve as a platform for organizing patriotic actions and rallies, lobbying congress, giving speeches, participating in parades, publishing informational aids to inform the public concerning the dangers that threaten our American ideals and way of life, and collaborating with brother and sister organizations who share these goals.
---- provide a means for members to express in word and deed their support for the United States of America and the active protection of its principles and freedoms against all who would undermine or destroy these principles and freedoms. The organization will give voice to common desires of its members and represent the majority wishes of its members when dealing with the public and with governmental or private agencies.
PLAN
Our plan is to continuously develop within the organization the skills and resources necessary to promote its ends in order to enhance the future of America's adult citizens and their children. We will build linkages between this organization and other organizations of similar principles and goals.
We recruit American citizens of both sexes and all ages above 9 regardless of race, creed, or religion, or other affiliation --- provided that they or their legally authorized parents or guardians sign a pledge of their allegience to the Constitution of the United States of America and to the goals and policies set forth herein.
MEMBERSHIP
Classes of membership:
The two classes of membership shall be juniors and adults as distinguished by the maturity age laws of the Nation and States. Underage registration must include a consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian.
CHAPTERS
Chapter Name:
Chapter names must include the words "American Patriot Council" and the word "Chapter" and the name of the State or area where the chapter is located. Only National Headquarters may use the name "American Patriot Council, Inc." by itself.
Relationship to National:
Similar to scattered divisions owned by a corporate headquarters company, chapters of the American Patriot Council are not separately incorporated and therefore fall under the same By-laws and Policies as American Patriot Council headquarters. Chapters are only autonomous in location and having separate boards and officers to serve local administrative needs.
Chapter Membership:
There is no separate membership. All membership applications are processsed and recorded on a master list by National. For local administrative use, chapters will have a subset of the master list pertaining to the particular chapter.
Chapter Voting:
Every adult registered member of a local chapter shall be entitled to one vote in electing a chapter board of directors and one vote in any special election called by the Chapter board or the National board.
Petitioning to form a Chapter:
Any registered member or members of American Patriot Council may state reasons and sign a petition to National Headquarters requesting certification for a local chapter. If approved by majority vote of the National Board, a Certificate of Chapter Status will be issued containing the name of the chapter, and its location.
Places of meetings:
Meetings of the members shall be held at any place designated by National Headquarters or a local chapter.
Annual and Regular Meetings:
After the first meeting of the founders to elect directors at the time of incorporation, in each subsequent year there shall be a minimum of one National conference of Chapter delegates to be held during the month of January or as soon thereafter as practical, at a time and location selected by a consensus of the National Board of Directors, for the purpose of electing National directors and transacting any other business as may properly come before the delegates. Provided safeguards to electronic long-distance voting fraud are utilized, consideration shall be given to holding these National conferences via electronic means, thus obviating the need for expensive travel.
Local chapters are required to have at least one annual meeting at the time and place of their choice in order for members to elect their local board of directors who shall conduct local affairs and coordinate with the National Board. One local chapter board member shall be selected each year to be a delegate to the National conference.
GOVERNANCE
Rules of Order:
Conduct of general membership meetings and of Board meetings shall be covered by Roberts Rules of Order except when such rules conflict with by-laws or any resolution of the membership. The chair of the meeting shall conduct meetings according to pre-written agendas and if necessary a pre-appointed master at arms shall assist in keeping order.
CORPORATE IMAGE
Based on the maxim that an organization with a broad audience must maintain an indefatigable image to its opponents and an attractive image to its intended friends, the following guidelines are to be observed by all members.
(a) In dealing with critics we ignore the witless that are not worth responding to. We select any sincerely courteous suggestions that might serve our cause, and issue a thank you. To avoid endless arguments we refer the authors of disagreeable criticism to our literature.
(b) To the public at large we present an image of conviction and dedication to our stated principles and goals. We may do it with cleverness and even humor but we avoid crudeness. No matter how we feel inside and how we speak in private, we will lose our intended audience if in public we resort to swear words or reference to scatological or sexual innuendo. When we publish anything we make it strong but keep it clean and to the point and backed up as much as possible with facts instead of rumors. When representing our organization and its goals in public our members exhibit neat appearance and polite behaviour. We observe our laws and comply with police instructions. No "unwashed rowdy rabble" sort of thing. No shouting obscenities. No physical violence except in undeniably self-defense situations.