I. The Scottish Independence Convention is a voluntary association. Membership shall be open to any person or organisation who subscribes to the convention’s aims and principles, as stated in sections II and III below, and who pays the annual subscription, the level of which shall be determined from time to time by the council of the convention.

II. The convention exists to pursue the following aims:

1. To advance the cause of Scottish independence, and to promote the case for independence within Scotland and beyond.

2. To provide a forum in which people, parties and organisations in and beyond Scotland can cooperate in advancing this cause;

3. To develop proposals for increasing the powers of the Scottish Parliament and for the steps required to establish a fully independent Scottish state.

4. To promote public debate about an independent Scotland .

III. The convention is committed to the following principles:

1. Scotland as a nation is entitled to self-determination and to become an independent state when the people of Scotland vote for it by a simple majority in a referendum.

2. Sovereignty in Scotland resides only in the people of Scotland .

3. The Scottish people for these purposes are defined in civic, not ethnic, terms: all those who make Scotland their main home have an equal right to participate in the choice for or against independence.

IV. The business of the convention shall be conducted by a council, to comprise:

1. Two representatives from each registered political party which has affirmed its support for the convention's aims and principles as set out in sections II and III of this constitution and which at the previous Scottish Parliament election presented candidates for a minimum of 20 constituency seats or in all regional seats: and one representative from each political party which, having affirmed its support for the aims and principles in sections II and III, presented candidates for 10 constituency or a minimum of five regional seats.

2. Six members elected by the individual membership of the convention. Additional members (up to a maximum of 12) can be elected to the council by the individual membership if there are less than six representatives from civic organisations.

3. Membership of the council will also be open to civic organisations which have affirmed their support for the convention's aims and principles as set out in sections 11 and 111 of this constitution. There may be up to six members representing such organisations. Council will be responsible for inviting appropriate organisations to nominate members as their representatives.

4. The office-bearers of the convention.   

V. Elections to office and council shall take place at an annual general meeting to be held within 14 months of the launch meeting.

1. Any member may put forward their name for election to the council of the convention. Elections to the council will be amongst those members present at the annual general meeting, and will be conducted using the single transferable vote.

2. The office-bearers of the convention shall be:

·        The convener

·        The secretary

·        The treasurer

VI. The council shall observe the following working rules, which it may supplement in its own discretion:

1. Adoption of its agenda shall require the agreement of the three sub-sets of members;

2. The council shall adopt resolutions only if they are supported by a majority of individual members and unanimously by the political parties represented;

3. Agendas and minutes of meetings of the council shall be available to all members of the convention.

4. The office-bearers shall be responsible for the management of any assets of the convention. They may open and operate bank accounts signed by two of their number on behalf of the convention.

VII.

1. Change to this constitution must be by a two-thirds majority of the council.

2 .A quorum of the council will be half of the council membership provided there is one representative present from each political party.

3. The secretary and convener are empowered to call meetings of the council whenever they deem it necessary.

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