UIC Constitution

    

THE 

CONSTITUTION 

of the 

United Independents’ Congress

PREAMBLE

Throughout the history of humanity, there has been a constant struggle between those who desire freedom and those who seek to take it away. This epic battle is the basis of all wars, the various forms of slavery and every political trickery. At its heart is the unquenchable thirst of some to extract the wealth of others by force or fraud, instead of by trading value for value. 

Yet, everyone has a right to be free and a desire to be safe. It is for these pillars of civilization that we agree to set up a system of governance to protect us from each other within our collective and from those that are outside of it. The resulting government should then not be a ruler, dictator or benefactor, but the implementor of objective laws designed to protect our sovereignty – the right to enjoy our individual life, liberty and property as we see fit without infringing on the lives, liberty or properties of others.

This speaks to your natural right to self-determination – to determine what is in your best interest and to pursue the same without infringing on the lives, liberty, or property of others. It says you are the owner of your own life and must be free to do with it and its products as you see fit, but you may not use unprovoked force or fraud to take the same from others.  

Similarly, no one, no group or government, save your dependents and those with whom you freely enter into a contract, has a claim on your life, your freedom or your property (except that you refrain from infringing on theirs). Therefore, any who seeks to deny you this right to own yourself and the property you earn or inherit are, by nature, the enemy of your sovereignty, whether they are elected or not.

It is to secure and preserve our individual and collective freedom in a safe, clean and orderly society, with a strong and truly free market economy - that we, the members of the United Independents’ Congress of Jamaica, have voluntarily joined together our time, talents and treasure under this Constitution. 

It’s time to be free!

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 

CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY 

Section 

  1. Interpretation 
  2. Party Name 
  3. Vision, Mission & Philosophy 
  4. Core Values 
  5. Entrenchment Clause and Mode of Changing Constitution  
  6. Aims & Objectives 
  7. Effect of this Constitution

 

CHAPTER II 
MEMBERSHIP

Section 

  1. Membership Requirements 
  2. Revocation of Membership 
  3. Expulsion from the Party
  4. Classification of Membership
  5. Acquisition of Membership
  6. Rights of Members
  7. Responsibilities of Members 
CHAPTER III
FINANCES 

Section

  1. Funding 
  2. Membership Fees 
  3. Method of making payments to the Party 
  4. The Treasury Secretary 
  5. Director of the Finance and Treasury Committee 
CHAPTER IV
PARTY STRUCTURE  

Section

  1. Organizational Structure of the UIC 

PART 1

The National Executive Council 

  1. Establishment of the National Executive Council 
  2. Composition of the National Executive Council 
  3. The mandate of the National Executive Council 
  4. Powers and Procedures 
  5. Tenure of National Executive Council Members 
  6. Vacancy
  7. Meetings 
  8. Voting Procedures  

PART 2

The Annual Members’ Congress

  1. Establishment of the Annual Members’ Congress
  2. Composition of the Annual Members’ Congress 
  3. Delegates 
  4. Calling an Annual Members’ Congress
  5. Powers of the Annual Members’ Congress 
  6. Resolutions and Motions 
  7. Voting Rights  

PART 3

The President’s Cabinet 

  1. Establishment of the President’s Cabinet 
  2. Composition of the President’s Cabinet 
  3. Eligibility to sit in the Cabinet 
  4. Tenure of Cabinet members 

PART 4

The Dispute Resolution Committee

  1. Establishment of the Dispute Resolution Committee
  2. Composition of the Dispute Resolution Committee 
  3. Constitution of the Dispute Resolution Committee 
  4. Decisions 
  5. Accountability 
  6. Powers 
  7. Precedent 
  8. Special Constitution of the Dispute Resolution Committee

PART 5

National Operation Committees 

  1. Establishment of the National Operational Committees 
  2. Composition of the National Operational Committees 
  3. Eligibility to sit on a Committee 
  4. Appointments to the National Operational Committees 
  5. The Parliamentary Committee
  6. Approval of Decisions 
  7. Powers 

 PART 6

County Councils 

  1. Establishment of the County Councils 
  2. Composition of the County Councils 
  3. Appointments to the County Council 
  4. Role of the County Council 

 PART 7

Parish Associations 

  1. Establishment of the Parish Associations 
  2. Composition of the Parish Associations 
  3. Election of the Parish Association Leader 
  4. Election of the Divisional Representative 
  5. Appointments to the Parish Association 
  6. Role of the Parish Association 
  7. Delegates 
CHAPTER V 
OFFICIALS 

Section 

  1. Establishment and Title of Officers 
  2. Tenure of Officers 
  3. Candidate Selection 
CHAPTER VI
MISCELLANEOUS 

 Section 

  1. Merger and Dissolution of the UIC 
  2. UIC Documents 
  3. Sovereignty 
  4. Indemnity 

 

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARIES 

1. – (1) In this Constitution unless it is otherwise provided or the context otherwise requires – 

“AMC” means Annual Members’ Congress which is similar to the Annual General Meeting of an organization where members participate in matters of its governance;

“NEC” means the National Executive Council of the United Independents’ Congress of Jamaica which is the Executive branch of its governance;

“TPA” means The Parish Association which manages the affairs of the parish; 

“UIC” means the United Independents’ Congress of Jamaica; 

2. The official name of the organization shall be ''The United Independents’ Congress”, also known as United Independents’ Congress of Jamaica, UIC or UIC Jamaica. Hereafter in this document, it is referred to as the UIC.

3. –(1) The Vision of the UIC is ''A Jamaica that Brings out the Best in all its People''

(2) The Mission of the UIC is to create “The Non-partisan Constitutional Republic of Jamaica that protects Individual Liberty and promotes Personal Responsibility in a safe, clean and orderly society with a strong and truly free market economy''

(3) The Philosophy of the UIC states that “It is the natural right of every human being to be free. Therefore, the only moral justification and rightful purpose of government are to protect your life, liberty and property. Good Governance, therefore, is a system that protects the individual's liberty, promotes personal responsibility and provides all citizens with a safe, clean and orderly society. This is the only sure foundation for a truly great and prosperous nation.” 

4. The Core Values of the UIC are that Government exists to:

  1. Protect Individual Liberty and Promote Personal Responsibility
  2. Ensure Equal Opportunity, Equal Rights and Equal Justice for all 
  3. Create a Safe, Clean and Orderly Society with a truly Free-market Economy

5. – (1) The items mentioned in section 2, section 3 and section 4 (a to c) as well as this Constitution are hereafter entrenched and guide the operations and policies of the UIC.  

(2) Those items entrenched in section 5 (1) of this Constitution may only be altered by a two-thirds majority of the members voting directly and the delegates at an Annual Members’ Congress as well as a two-thirds majority of the NEC at its next official meeting following AMC.   

(3) Once the procedures in subsection 2 have been satisfied the amendments will be published in the national newsletter and will take effect on the date of publishing the same.

6. – (1) The aims and objectives of the United Independents’ Congress are:-

  1. To successfully contest elections according to the laws of Jamaica to form the government and lead the country to adopt a new constitution and system of governance that would make Jamaica the Non-partisan Democratic Republic that protects individual liberty, promotes personal responsibility and provides a safe, clean and orderly society with a truly free-market economy.
  2. To adopt, advance and advocate platforms, positions, policies, legislations and values that seek to abolish the use of all forms of force and fraud from all human relationships by protecting the sovereignty of the nation and the right of every law-abiding citizen to self-determination.
  3. To recruit, train and supporting UIC candidates, in elections at every level, who subscribe to our philosophy, vision, mission and values which are centred around the protection of the right of every individual to choose what is best for themselves while respecting the life, liberty and property of others.
  4. To form and maintain organizational units at the national, county, parish, constituency, division and sub-divisional levels to achieve the vision, mission and objectives of the UIC by empowering the citizens to take charge of their own families, communities and country.
  5. Working in solidarity with others to replace the system of partisan politics and its entrenched political corruption with a new system of good governance that prevents special interest groups from controlling and manipulating the economy and society.
  6. To create a safe, clean and orderly Jamaica, where everyone enjoys equal opportunity, equal rights and equal justice; and may live, work, and retire in peace and prosperity within a truly free and fair market economy that is characterized by a highly educated, productive and patriotic citizenry.
  7. To rekindle and nurture a voluntary spirit of caring, cooperative and compassionate individuals who value their individual and collective freedom, and who cherish family, community and country.
  8. To champion the Non-Partisan Democratic Republic; where the residents of each county, parish, constituency and division are free to nominate and elect qualified candidates from among themselves to represent their collective interest without being unduly influenced or manipulated by any special interest groups, political parties or those with significant financial means or backing.
  9. To create a truly free-market economy with a large variety of small, medium and big businesses, while restoring and protecting the right of every citizen to import and export, buy and sell, whatever they wish from whomever they wish, at whatever price they may agree on, without third-party or government interference; provided they do not use force or fraud in conducting their transactions and do not infringe on the life, liberty or property of others.
  10. To protect and preserve the natural environment by promoting an ecologically friendly culture and sustainable development policies that result in clean water, organic food and energy security.
  11. To end the cycle of boom and bust debt-based inflationary economics and its fractional reserve monetary system that works to enrich a few at the expense of the majority by way of central banking manipulation of interest rates, legal tender laws and currency supply to devalue the purchasing power of unsuspecting citizens.
  12. To protect the right of every adult individual of sound mind to do with their life, liberty and property as they see fit, regardless of their age, gender, sex, race, nationality, creed, religion, political affiliation or any other personal preferences; provided the individual, in exercising this right, does not infringe on the life, liberty and property of any other individual or persons.
  13. To protect the right of every citizen not to be taxed for government corruption and waste by abolishing all taxes, including the property tax, and replacing them with a single personal and corporate income tax and a sales tax not exceeding ten percent (10%) each; and by limiting the budget of the government to this source of income and any legitimate cost-recovery user fees and fines as its only sources of income.
  14. To implement a strict, transparent and simplified government accounting, reporting and taxation system that makes it very easy for citizens to be tax compliant and be very informed concerning public revenues, expenses and debts.
  15. To stop the government from borrowing beyond its ability to pay by outlawing operating deficit spending and restricting capital expenditure to special capital taxes that must be approved directly by citizens via two-thirds majority referendums and be paid off by the generation that voted for it.  

(2) The UIC may from time to time, as the National Executive Council sees fit, embark on activities, undertakings or initiatives, as the case may be, to further these aims and objectives and, may, as it seems prudent to the National Executive Council, add or subtract aims or objectives from the list above. No activity, undertaking or initiative, as the case may be, undertaken by the UIC to further these aims or objectives shall be deemed inappropriate as long as it does not contravene the vision, mission, values and philosophy of the UIC as stated in sections 2, 3 and 4 of this Constitution. If it does appear that an activity, undertaking or initiative, as the case may be, undertaken by the UIC violates this subsection then the activity, undertaking or initiative, as the case may be, in question must be subjected to a generous and purposive interpretation as to ascertain the true intent of the UIC and if it can be proved that the intent was within the spirit of sections 2, 3 and 4 of this Constitution then the activity, undertaking or initiative, as the case may be, shall not be deemed to be contrary to sections 2, 3, 4 and 6 of this Constitution. If the activity, undertaking or initiative, as the case may be, is not within the spirit of sections 2, 3 and 4 of this Constitution then the activity, undertaking or initiative, as the case may be, shall be discontinued as at the most convenient time by the National Executive Committee.  

7. This Constitution is the supreme law of the UIC and if any rule, procedure, activity or other such directive is undertaken, derived or embarked upon by or from the UIC is inconsistent with this Constitution, then this Constitution shall prevail and the other rule, procedure, activity or another such directive shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void and of no effect.   

CHAPTER II

MEMBERSHIP 

8. A person may become a member of the UIC if he or she is:

  1. a citizen of Jamaica and who is at least fourteen (14) years of age, who agrees with the vision, mission, values and philosophy of the UIC.

9.  A person is not eligible for membership if he or she:

  1. is a member or supporter of another political organization registered in Jamaica
  2. belongs to any organization whose actions are detrimental to or acts contrary to the UIC vision, mission, values and philosophy as determined by sections 2, 3, 4 and 6 of this Constitution.  

10. A person’s membership shall be terminated: -

  1. by delivering her/his resignation by mailing, emailing or delivering it to an address of the UIC.
  2. on her/his death;
  3. on having been a Member not in good financial standing for 12 consecutive months;
  4. on stating that they are working to form a new national political party, or if they are working for another existing political party without the permission of the NEC;
  5. A Member may be expelled by a resolution of the National Executive Council to be heard before the Disciplinary Resolution Committee. At this hearing, the member shall have an opportunity to contest the resolution in the prescribed manner. 
  6. The Classification of membership shall be:
  7. Delegates – these are those members elected or selected, as the case may be, to vote on matters at the Annual Members Congress (AMC).
  8. Members – Any person who subscribes to the philosophy, vision, mission, values and objectives of the UIC and is admitted into membership by the NEC.
11. To acquire membership to the UIC a prospective member must complete an NEC prescribed membership form, whether online or on paper.  

 

12. Each membership request shall be reviewed by the Membership Committee and may be rejected by a simple majority of the members present at the Membership Committee sitting. The NEC delegates its authority on admitting members to the Membership Committee but may, at any time, choose to approve or reject any membership request directly before or after review by the Membership Committee. An applicant who has been denied does not have a right to know the reasons for his or her non-acceptance, but a reason may be given if requested by the said applicant.

13.-(1) Each member of the UIC has an inalienable right to:

  1. a UIC Member ID number; 
  2. freedom of expression, in the prescribed manner;
  3. knowledge of the UIC’s activities, undertakings and initiatives by way of yearly; agendas, monthly newsletters and periodic financial statements when published;
  4. challenge the conduct of the NEC and the party internally, and to defend themselves before the DRC within the prescribed manner;
  5. equal opportunity within the organization;
  6. freedom of assembly and communication within the organization while observing proper protocol and always in a manner that protects the public image of the party. 
  7. a vote in all matters that require a vote of Members, including elections and candidate selection.  

(2) For section 13 (1) (f) in the case where members cannot assembly in a physical setting then. 

  1. An electronic means that is generally accessible to members and approved by the NEC will be considered the default form of communication between the NEC and the membership, including but not limited to, election notices, distribution of official notices, and any matter requiring the participation of the general membership.
  2. Members, at the time of membership application, or at any time thereafter, may be asked by the NEC to choose among NEC approved options as to their preferred form of communication with the party.

14. Every member of the UIC has an unshakable responsibility to:

  1. remain in good standing by contributing financially and adhering to the other conditions as set out by the National Executive Council;
  2. uphold the Constitution and the values of the UIC; 
  3. promoting the vision, mission, values, philosophy, activities, undertakings and initiatives, as the case may be, of the UIC in and outside of Jamaica; 

CHAPTER III

FINANCES

15.  The UIC shall generate funding to carry out those activities, undertakings and initiatives, as the case may be, as listed in sections 3, 4 and 6 of this Constitution by way of:  

  1. Donations from Supporters; 
  2. Donations from Members; 
  3. Fundraising Activities;  
  4. Any other lawful means approved by the NEC;  

16. – (1) The membership donations shall be voluntary or as otherwise defined by the NEC.

 (2) Any item listed as ‘donation’ in section 15 of this constitution has no ascribed minimum or maximum value.   

17.  The method of payment for the items listed in section 16 of this Constitution shall be the method prescribed by the NEC.   

18. There shall be a Treasury-Secretary who is the Chief Financial Officer of the UIC and is elected by the Annual Members’ Congress or by the NEC if the position becomes vacant between the Annual Members’ Congress.  

19. The Treasury-Secretary is the ex-officio director of the Finance Committee of the UIC.  

CHAPTER IV

PARTY STRUCTURE 

20. The organizational structure of the UIC shall consist of the following bodies:

  1. Annual General Congress (AGC)
  2. National Executive Council (NEC)
  3. The President’s Cabinet (TPC)
  4. Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) 
  5. National Operations Committees (NOC) 
  6. The County Councils (TCC) 
  7. The Parish Associations (TPA)
  8. The Constituency Associations (TCA)
  9. The Divisional Associations (TDA)
  10. Community Development Clubs (CDC) 

Part 1 

The National Executive Council 

21. There shall be a National Executive Council of the United Independents’ Congress of Jamaica. For this Constitution, it is the supreme and overriding body of the Party in all areas save and except where this Constitution says otherwise.   

22. The National Executive Council shall be composed of the following posts when they are effectively occupied by a party member: 

  1. The Chairperson 
  2. The President 
  3. 3 Vice-Presidents 
  4. The General-Secretary 
  5. The Treasury-Secretary 
  6. Any other positions the NEC deems fit from time to time 

23. Subject to this Constitution the NEC shall have a mandate to execute all forms, powers and procedures, as it sees fit, to ensure the effective administration of the party and to accomplish the objectives set out in section 6 of this Constitution.   

24. As it pertains to section 23, the powers conferred upon the NEC by this Constitution include, but is not limited to: 

  1. power to appoint special committees or sub-committees as it deems fit; 
  2. power to appoint, discipline and dismiss all persons that are deemed necessary for the proper functioning of the Party; 
  3. power to approve the party’s candidates for central and local government elections; 
  4. power to regulate the remuneration of party workers and any membership fees; 
  5. power to undertake and manage all matters of the UIC;
  6. power to appoint an Auditor, who is not a member of the NEC, to audit the accounts of the Party annually; 
  7. power of oversight of all accounts registered in the name of the UIC or registered on its behalf in any financial institution in the world;  
  8. power to make and amend rules concerning internal electoral procedures and processes; 
  9. power to establish, monitor and direct other outposts of the organization in and outside of Jamaica;  
  10. power to delegate any of its expressed or implied powers to a competent individual, group or organization; 

25. The tenure of the members of the NEC shall be as follows: 

  1. Each member may be elected to serve for 2 years at a time by the AMC or by the NEC between Annual Members’ Congress. 
  2. Remunerations shall be decided by the members of the NEC, excluding the member in question. 
  3. Security of tenure for the first three (3) months of their term, unless by reason of gross misconduct or activities contrary to the values outlined in this Constitution they are summoned to and relieved of their duties by the Disciplinary Resolution Committee after a two-thirds majority vote on a resolution for the dismissal of the named NEC member as its stated objective and which is ratified by a similar margin in the NEC.   
  4. In the absence of a duly called AMC, the two-year term of any member of the NEC may be renewed by a simple majority by those present at the NEC meeting no less than 30 days but not more than 45 days before the term in question ends. The AMC may ratify or overrule any such renewal at its next session.  

26.  If a vacancy appears in the NEC the post can be filled either by the NEC based on nominations by any sitting member of the NEC. 

27. – (1) Meetings of the NEC shall be held at least once a month or no less than six (6) times per year and may be carried out using electronic means.  

(2) For a meeting of the NEC to be properly constituted there shall be at least a majority of members and the Chairman or President in attendance. 

(3) Meetings of the NEC shall be scheduled by a simple majority at the current meeting, called by the President or Chairman.  

28. Voting procedures of the NEC are as follows: 

  1. the quorum at NEC meetings shall be a majority of voting members then in office and if the quorum drops below 50% of voting members then all voting shall have differed until a quorum is achieved at the said meeting or a subsequent one.  
  2. All decisions of the NEC shall be by a simple majority of the present voting members  
  3. All members of the NEC, except for the Chairperson whom only votes to break a tie, have a right to vote. 

Part 2

The Annual Members’ Congress

 29. There shall be an Annual Members’ Congress (AMC) of the UIC which, for this Constitution, shall represent the individual members and supporters of the party at the National level. It may otherwise be called the Party Convention, Party Conference or Annual General Meeting or Meeting of Members.   

30. The AMC shall be composed of all the party members, supporters and delegates who are in good standing.   

31. (1) A Delegate for the Annual Members’ Congress is the person elected to cast votes at the Annual Members’ Congress for those members resident in a geographical area designated by the NEC.  

(2) Delegates are elected by a simple majority of those members resident in the geographical area. If no members are residents in that geographical area then The Parish Association Manager for that Parish shall stand as the delegate. 

32. (1) AMC meetings shall be held annually and shall be called by the NEC which is required to issue to party members a sixty 60 day notice of the date, time, location and manner of voting.     

(2) A Special Annual Members’ Congress, special in the sense that it is called, arranged and held for whatever reason outside prior eleven months after the last, shall be done by: 

  1. the National Executive Council by a two-thirds majority vote;
  2. a petition to the NEC signed by 1% of the members of the Party who are in good standing

(3) Concerning section 31 (2) (b) the National Executive Council shall select the time, date and location of the AMC, but such must be within ninety days of receipt of the petition.  

33. An AMC when properly called and constituted shall have the power to:-

  1. debate proposals from the National Executive Council. 
  2. debate motions brought by individual members to the NEC no less than 90 days before the AMC when it should be considered.  
  3. pass resolutions for the NEC to consider, review or ratify as the case may be.  
  4. inform the general quorum of members of the undertakings, activities, initiatives, status, objectives that have been approved, rejected or are, at the time of the Annual Members’ Congress, being considered by the National Executive Council or any other party organization. 
  5. inquire into the general, non-confidential, activities of the National Executive Council or any other party organization. 

34. (1) Resolutions and motions to be held at an Annual Members’ Congress shall be submitted by the general members of the party to the NEC no less than 90 days before any AMC. Only a maximum of ten (10) resolutions and motions will be selected to be put on to the agenda for the next AMC meeting. The number of resolutions that have been accepted and placed on the agenda and the reasons for rejecting a submission, will be issued by the NEC at least seven (7) days before the start of the Annual Members’ Congress respectively.  

(2) If a resolution which is rejected by the NEC, for whatever the reason, becomes a matter of urgency or finds support for its placement on the agenda by a two-thirds majority of the delegates, that same resolution or motion can be moved from the floor of the Assembly and shall then be considered.   

35. Only delegates, unless otherwise stated in this Constitution, have voting rights on motions and resolutions. Motions and resolutions are passed by a simple majority of the delegates unless otherwise stated in this Constitution.  

Part 3

The President’s Cabinet 

36. There shall be a President’s Cabinet which shall serve as the chief advisory board to the President in policy and administrative matters.   

37. The President’s Cabinet shall be composed of persons who are citizens of Jamaica who are no less than 18 years of age. These individuals must be of proven abilities and demonstrated expertise in areas such as: 

  1. Education, Human Development & Relations
  2. Public Health, Infrastructure & Beautification 
  3. Economics, Finance & Accounting
  4. Clean Water, Organic Food & Energy Security  
  5. International Trade & Geopolitics 
  6. Internal Security & External Defense  
  7. Environmental & Biodiversity Protection 
  8. Human Rights Protection & Justice 
  9. Natural Disaster Preparedness & Rebuilding Insurance 
  10. Immigration Management & Border Controls
  11. Children, Youth & Seniors Protection 
  12. Good Governance & Constitutional Reform 

38. Cabinet members must be members of the UIC and are eligible to serve on any other committee, including the National Executive Council. 

39. Cabinet members are nominated by the President, vetted by The Parish Association Managers and voted in and out by The Constituency Association Leader or by the NEC if either the Parish Managers and/or the Constituency Leaders are unable or unwilling to do so.  

Part 4

The Dispute Resolution Committee 

40. There shall be a Dispute Resolution Committee of the UIC which shall serve as the chief board of arbitration for the party.   

41. (1) The DRC shall be composed of five (5) members. The President and Chairman of the Party are ex-officio members of the committee. The other 3 members will be: 

  1. any other member of the NEC and;
  2. any other two direct members of the Party 

(2) No person who is a party to a dispute can sit on the Dispute Resolution Committee at the hearing scheduled for that dispute. 

(3) If the President of the UIC is a party to a dispute then the General Secretary shall sit on the Committee as the ex-officio member in his stead; if the Chairman is a party to a dispute then the Treasury Secretary shall sit in his stead as the ex-officio member.

(4) There shall be a Chairperson of the Dispute Resolution Committee who need not be the Chairman of the UIC who sits as an ex-officio member of the committee. 

42. The DRC shall be constituted when a matter arises that requires its deliberation. Matters can arise through resolutions or motions from any official committee of the party.  

43. The majority for passing a decision by the DRC is four votes to one.   

44. The DRC is accountable to the NEC as well as the party membership at the Annual Members’ Congress 

45. The DRC, when properly constituted, shall have the power to:

  1. hear and resolve disputes between members of the UIC. 
  2. review of complaints by members of breach of rights listed in this Constitution. 
  3. hear complaints from members about concerns of administration within the party.
  4. accept or decline each case but in the case of a declined case, a reason for such must be submitted to the claimant in writing by the Chairperson of the Committee.
  5. issue reports and recommendations to the parties of a dispute after hearing and adjudicating the matter.

46. All decisions of the DRC are final. The DRC is not bound by its past decisions.   

47. If the DRC as constituted by section 39 of this Constitution cannot deliver a decision on a matter then the matter must be remitted to a larger constitution of the DRC of nine (9) members inclusive of the two (2) ex-officio posts, four (4) members of the NEC other than the member who sat at the first instance and three (3) direct members other than the members who sat at the first instance. For these sittings, a simple majority of the Committee members shall suffice to pass a decision.

Part 5

The National Operation Committees 

48. For the good governance and operations of the UIC there shall be National Operating Committees (NOCs) inclusive of, but subject to section 24 (a) of this Constitution: 

  1. Membership Committee 
  2. Public Relations Committee 
  3. Fundraising Committee 
  4. Finance Committee
  5. Campaign Committee 
  6. Communications and IT Committee
  7. Parliamentary Committee

49. Each NOC shall have a shall be comprised of:  

  1. The UIC President (ex-officio);  
  2. A Committee Director;
  3. A Committee Secretary;
  4. At least two (2) but no more than four (4) members of the party. 

50. Any member of the UIC in good standing is eligible to sit on a NOC and may apply or be invited to apply to any post in any NOC, but that member can only serve on 2 at a time. 

51. (1) Applications to sit as a member of any NOC shall be accompanied by the applicant's resume and cover letter. The application shall be reviewed by the Director of the NOC and submitted for approval by the NEC in no more than seven (7) days.   

(2) The application, once submitted for approval to the NEC shall only be approved once the President, General Secretary, at least one (1) Vice-President have given their support. 

(3) Once appointed, the tenure of the post shall be a one (1) year term subject to renewal or revocation by the NOC Director on the advice of the NEC.   

52. The members of the UIC who hold seats in the legislature shall constitute the Parliamentary Committee.

53. All decisions of the NOCs must be approved by the NEC.  

54. The NOCs shall have power to: 

  1. implement directives from the NEC
  2. submit reports on the implementation of those initiatives to the NEC which may invite the same to report to the AMC.

Part 6

County Councils 

55. There shall be County Councils; one for each county on the island of Jamaica and shall represent the same parishes as constituting the county geographically. 

56. (1) Each County Council will be headed by a Vice-President of the party. The other ex-officio posts are the Chairman and President of the UIC.   

(2) The other members of the County Council shall be: 

  1. The Parish Managers 
  2. A Council Secretary
  3. A Council Treasurer 
  4. At least two (2) but no more than four (4) members being residents in the County.  

57. (1) Applications to sit as a member of any County Council shall be accompanied by the applicant’s resume and cover letter. The application shall be reviewed by the Vice-President in charge of the County Council and submitted for approval by the NEC in no more than seven (7) days.  

(2) The application, once submitted for approval to the NEC shall only be approved once the President, General Secretary, at least one (1) Vice-President have given their support.

(3) Once appointed the tenure of the post shall be a one (1) year term subject to renewal or revocation by the Vice President with responsibility for the County Council on the advice of the NEC.    

58. The role of the County Council is to provide a smaller more concentrated forum to discuss policy and issues amongst party members in the given county as well as to promote the UIC values within its jurisdiction and to gauge the issues of the wider public in the County.  

Part 7

Parish Associations 

59. There shall be Parish Associations; one for each parish in the island of Jamaica.  

60. (1) Each of The Parish Associations shall be headed by a Parish Manager. The Vice-President in charge of the County Council and the UIC Chairperson and President are the ex-officio members of The Parish Association (TPA).   

(2) The other members of The Parish Association shall be: 

  1. The Division Managers
  2. A Parish Secretary
  3. A Parish Treasurer
  4. At least two (2) but no more than four (4) members being residents in the Parish.  

61. The Parish Manager shall be elected by those members of the UIC eligible to vote for officials who are resident in the parish at the Annual Members’ Congress.  

62. The Divisional Representatives shall be elected by those members of the UIC eligible to vote for officials who are resident in the Division at the Annual Members’ Congress.   

63. (1) Applications to sit as a member of any Parish Association shall be accompanied by the applicant’s resume and cover letter. The application shall be reviewed by the Parish Manager and submitted for approval by the NEC in no more than seven (7) days.  

(2) The application, once submitted for approval to the NEC shall only be approved once the President, General Secretary, at least one (1) Vice-President have given their support. 

(3) Once appointed the tenure of the post shall be a one (1) year term subject to renewal or revocation by the Parish Manager on the advice of The County Council (TCC).    

64. The role of the Parish Association is to provide a smaller more concentrated forum to discuss policy and issues amongst party members in the given parish as well as to promote the UIC values within its jurisdiction and to gauge the issues of the wider public in the parish. 

  1. Each Parish Association shall select ten (10) delegates from the membership of the party resident in the Parish. These delegates shall form the voting body at the ACM. 
  2. Each Parish Association shall charter, setup or co-ordinate three sub-groups, as follows, to assist it in carrying out its objectives as mandated by the AMC and the NEC of the UIC: 
    1. The Constituency Association (TCA)
    2. The Divisional Association (TDA)
    3. Community Development Clubs (CDC)   

CHAPTER V

OFFICIALS

66. The title of all the officers of the UIC shall be: 

  1. The President the United Independents’ Congress of Jamaica; 
  2. The Chairperson of the United Independents’ Congress of Jamaica;
  3. The Vice-President of the United Independents’ Congress of Jamaica with responsibility for the Surrey County Council;
  4. The Vice-President of the United Independents’ Congress of Jamaica with responsibility for the Middlesex County Council;
  5. The Vice-President of the United Independents’ Congress of Jamaica with responsibility for the Cornwall County Council;
  6. The Treasury-Secretary of the United Independents’ Congress of Jamaica; 
  7. The General-Secretary of the United Independents’ Congress of Jamaica;
  8. The Directors of the National Operation Committees 
  9. The Chairperson of the Dispute Resolution Committee 
  10. National Operation Committee Secretaries 
  11. National Operation Committee Treasurers 
  12. National Operation Committee Members 
  13. County Council Secretaries 
  14. County Council Treasurers 
  15. Parish Managers
  16. Constituency Representatives 
  17. Divisional Representatives 
  18. Parish Association Secretaries 
  19. Parish Association Treasurers
  20. Community Club Team Leaders  

 67. (1) The tenure of those officials listed in section 62 (a-h) shall be the same as stipulated by sections 25 and 26 of the Constitution.   

(2) The tenure of the Chairperson of the Dispute Resolution Committee is as follows listed in section 62 (i) shall be as follows: 

  1. There is no permanent Chairperson of the Dispute Resolution Committee;
  2. There shall be a person presiding over each sitting of the DRC chosen from among the members of the sitting; 
  3. To report the proceedings of hearing the person elected to preside over the sitting shall be called the Chairperson of the sitting;
  4. This person shall deliver the decision of the Committee.  

(3) The tenure of those officials listed in section 62 (j-l) shall be the same as stipulated by section 49 of this Constitution. 

(4) The tenure of those officials listed in section 62 (m-n) shall be the same as stipulated by section 55 of this Constitution.  

(5) The tenure of those officials listed in section 62 (q-r) shall be the same as stipulated by section 61 of this Constitution.  

(6) The tenure of those officials listed in section 62 (o-p) shall be the same as stipulated by sections 59 and 60 of this Constitution.   

68. – (1) The process for selection of candidates shall be as follows: 

  1. The National Executive Council shall publish an invitation to prospective candidates;
  2. Persons who wish to be candidates must submit their resume and cover letter as well as indicate the Constituency or Municipal Division they wish to represent to the National Executive Council;
  3. Those candidates who have been vetted and approved shall be informed and their names submitted to the Campaign Committee 
  4. The Campaign Committee shall organize the candidate selection exercise among the delegates of the Constituency or Municipal Division as the case may be 
  5. The delegates in the Constituency or Municipal Division shall vote for the prospective candidate of their choice but, whenever possible, the citizens or members of the area will be allowed to vote directly for their choice of representative.
  6. The prospective candidate who gets the majority of the votes in the Constituency or Municipal Division shall be approved to run as the party’s candidate for that Constituency or Municipal Division elections.   

(2) The process outlined in section 68 of this Constitution must be completed before the appointed Election Day.  

CHAPTER VI

MISCELLANEOUS 

69. Any resolution to dissolve the UIC or to merge it with another party passed at the General Members’ Meeting shall require a majority of ninety percent (90%), of all ballots cast by members of the party to be passed.  

70.—(1) The following documents are the official documents of the UIC and everybody of the party shall maintain a copy of such for the viewing of the membership:

  1. The Constitution and By-Laws 
  2. The UIC Manifesto Book
  3. The UIC Handbook: Rules of Procedure 
  4. Compilation of the minutes of the GMA.

(2) The membership of the UIC may request a copy of the following documents: 

  1. Minutes of the NEC Meetings 
  2. Minutes of the NOC Meetings 

71. No single member of the UIC has rights to the funds raised by the UIC or donated to the UIC. 

72. When acting in good faith and exercising due diligence within the ambits laid down in this Constitution and any other such law as the UIC may make no duly elected or selected official of the UIC shall be liable for any debts, actions, claims, demands, liabilities or commitments of any kind incurred by the UIC. The UIC shall indemnify and hold harmless such person against any such debt, action, claim, demand, liabilities or commitments.  

 

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