President's corner - 2006-05-28

President's Corner

May 28, 2006

Message from the President

What about winter? 

This will be the first in a series of several messages that I hope will address some common objections people have to joining the Free State Project and moving to New Hampshire.  While I don't think every objection can be overcome, I hope that many of the most common ones can.

Coming from California, I often get asked about the winters in New Hampshire.  Just to understand my perspective, I've spent most of my life in very warm climates:  23 years in California and 4 in central Florida.  I also spent over 4 years living and working in the Cincinnati area and currently work quite a bit in Alaska.  Though I've lived mostly in the warmth, New Hampshire is not my first snowy climate to visit, work in, or live in.  There's no single catch all answer to objections about living in the cold, but I'd like to share what I've discovered now having lived through two winters here.  

The welcome is so warm, I hardly notice the winter weather.  Of course, it's cute to say that, but it's true.  The people in New Hampshire, including the close-knit 'family' of Porcupines that has developed in the last couple of years, are very welcoming.  It might be cold outside, but it doesn't feel cold when surrounded by such a warm and friendly welcome, and the welcome starts before you even arrive!

New Hampshire's reputation of being the 'frozen north' was established prior to the advent of heaters.  It's now common to find heaters installed in convenient places like homes and cars.  When people email me and ask how cold it is in the middle of winter, I might email back that it's only 10 degrees outside and it's snowing.  But I'm probably wearing shorts and a t-shirt in my 73 degree office when I type that.  It's true that it costs me a bit to heat my larger home in the winter, but my average annual energy costs are still lower than they were in way-hot central California, even with the recent spike in fuel prices.  

Though New Hampshire gets more snow than some other 'snowy' parts of the country, the weather is arguably better year around.  Much of the midwest (especially the lower midwest) has pretty lousy weather in the winter, including weeks on end of gray, sleet, thawing and re-freezing, freezing rain, and so on.  In New Hampshire, we might get a foot of snow all at once, but as soon as it's over, the skies typically clear up and the crisp, sunny, cool days that follow are absolutely beautiful.  Of course, the summers are far more comfortable than almost all the rest of the nation, and fall in New Hampshire is absolutely world-class beautiful.  

Driving in the winter in New Hampshire is measurably better than other snowy climates, including states immediately surrounding it.  While I'm not about to advocate government snow removal as the best ultimate solution, I can attest to the fact that New Hampshire keeps their roads cleaned better in the winter than other states do.  I heard this prior to moving and chalked it up to state pride.  Now that I've lived there and driven in the winter in the surrounding states (as well as all over the midwest), I can say from personal experience that New Hampshire's roads are about the best to drive on in the winter of any snowy climate that I've found.  

There are lots of things you can do to reduce the negative effects of winter, if you're so inclined.  Learning to dress up goes a long ways to staying comfortable if you're going to spend much time outside.  Getting a garage will make getting in the car in the mornings much more comfortable and will likely extend the life of your car.  If you're concerned about driving, look for a town that is less hilly.  Four wheel drive can also be helpful, but more important might be traction control and ABS.  

And don't forget the positive side of winter.  At least some towns allow snowmobiling in town (I can still vividly remember the first time I got passed by a snowmobile on my way to the grocery store).  Skiing is never far away, and other snow play can be as close as your back yard.  And odds are good your dreams of a White Christmas will come true.  Whether you prefer to get out and play or just grab a cup of hot chocolate, light a fire in the fireplace, and enjoy the beautiful view right out your window, New Hampshire can truly be a winter wonderland.

V-
 

If you have any suggestions or ideas for this feature, please feel free to send them my way.   Email me at president@freestateproject.org for the best quality response.

Recent FSP Activity

1. First 1000 - Are you comning to Porc Fest?  This is the perfect time to figure out where to move and, more importantly, when.  We hope you'll join us sooner rather than later.  We've proven that FSP Participants can be effective at increasing the level of freedom in New Hampshire.  The more we have, the freer it gets!  Be a part of the First 1000 and help launch New Hampshire into the freedomsphere ;)
   
2. Lights Of Liberty - Last week I mentioned Operation Politically Homeless.  One of the benefits of doing an Operation Politically Homeless booth is that it qualifies you for the Advocates for Self-Government's Lights Of Liberty award.  We now have our very own FSP Lights Of Liberty page featuring information about the awards and listing FSP Participants who are recipients of the award.  There are three ways to win and they're easy to do!  Visit our Lights Of Liberty page to learn more!
   
3. Survey - As I reported last week, the FSP is going to survey our Participants, Friends and prospective Particpants soon.  The first version of questions is being reviewed now, and when we reach the final version, a special email will go out to the 'info' list.  Please take a few minutes and complete this survey when it becomes available.  The results will help us better focus our resources to recruit more participants. Thank you in advance for sharing your opinions with us.
   
4. Recent Movers - We had yet another new mover to New Hampshire this week.  A gentleman from Belgrade arrived in the Monadnock region!  It seems like someone new arrives every week or two.  Hopefully I'll have more to report next week!
   

That's it for this issue!  Thanks for reading. 

President's Corner - 2006-05-13

President's Corner

May 13, 2006

Message from the President

The Porcupine Freedom Festival is happening next month.  This is the largest gathering of Free State Project participants each year.  Last year, we think it was the largest gathering of pro-freedom activists in the nation (maybe the whole world).  We're hoping for a repeat this year.

But why is it so important that you come?  The answer, I suppose, depends on who you are.

Are you considering joining the FSP but haven't made your mind up yet?  There is no better time to visit New Hampshire with an eye towards moving here than the Porc Fest.  You'll be able to sample a wide variety of things that go on year around in NH.  If you carve out some free time to tour around the state, you might find a spot that you just can't resist calling home. 

Have you Joined the FSP but don't know when you're moving yet?  The Porc Fest has inspired many people who had no specific time frame in mind to move sooner.  You'll meet countless activists 'on the ground' and get a better sense for the community that has developed over the last few years.  Maybe you'll decide it's time to move now and join the hundreds of others who have
taken the First 1000 pledge.

Are you moving soon, but haven't quite done it yet, or don't have all the details figured out?  That's the situation I was in at Porc Fest 2004.  Not only did I get some great exposure to the way things work in New Hampshire, I also had time to spend with my builder, and was able to make other moving arrangements.  I hope you've also joined the First 1000 project already. 

Have you already made the move?  Then you need to be there to be a part of the warmest prickly welcome there ever was!  (psst, you also need to make sure you've signed the First 1000 pledge if you moved after 10/1/03)  As relatively new residents of New Hampshire, we know first hand that we need more help right away, and we also know what it takes to make the move. 
Making our soon-to-be neighbors feel welcome and offering our very best assistance to them in getting their move underway can be the difference that gets more pro-freedom activists to move sooner. 

Are you a New Hampshire native or long-time resident?  If so, you're in a unique position to share first hand knowledge of how New Hampshire works.  You have the sense of culture and history that needs to be understood by all of us who wish to join you in keeping New Hampshire the freest state in the nation.

Regardless of where you are or what your plans are, the Porcupine Freedom Festival is the very best place for freedom lovers to be this year.  Come join us and see first hand the place over 7,000 Free State Project Participants have committed to calling home.

V-
 

If you have any suggestions or ideas for this feature, please feel free to send them my way.   Email me at president@freestateproject.org for the best quality response.

Recent FSP Activity  (lots of action items!)

1. First 1000 - As I reported last week, the First 1000 mailing has reached mailboxes and the signup rate has gone through the roof!  In addition to the online signups we've received, there were several new signers who returned their pledges in the mail.  We still have a lot of work to do to find the rest of the signers.  I can't stress enough how important this is to the future of the Free State Project and freedom itself.  If you've signed the pledge, thank you!  If not, please consider doing so today and make sure to encouage your freedom-loving friends to follow your lead!
2. Porc Fest - The schedule has been updated with lots of exciting stuff.  New additions include the Liberty Ladies Cook-off and more information on who's speaking at the fest.  Check out the schedule and, if you haven't already done so, get your name on the We'll Be There List.  It's gonna be a great time!
   
3. Fund Raising - Cary March has started a pledge at pledge bank to help raise money for the FSP.  He says he'll donate $50 per month for 6 months (July 2006 - December 2006) if 39 other people will do the same!  I've signed the pledge, and would encourage you to do so also.  If we meet the pledge, your $50 per month will be multipled 40 times, giving the FSP $2000 per month to promote the project.  With that money, we can recruit more people for the First 1000 pledge and for the FSP's Statement of Intent, bringing us closer to our goal of 20,000 pro-freedom activists in NH.  Go to http://www.pledgebank.com/fspdonate to sign up!
4. Direct Mail - Our Direct Mail department (led by Cary March) has been working on the first of what we hope will be a string of Direct Mailings for outreach purposes.  We ran a successful test last year and are going to be repeating it and improving on it.  We expect this to bring more new participants to the FSP as the last one did.  If you'd like to support our Direct Mail efforts, feel free to send us a donation.
   
5. Local Groups - We have yet another new Local Group forming in Northwest Florida.  Thanks to Marty for getting it started.  For questions about local groups, please email Nik at volunteer@freestateproject.org.
6. Volunteering - Have you thought about volunteering to help the Free State Project?  There's no better time than right now to get on board.  If you're not sure what needs to be done, email Nik at volunteer@freestateproject.org and he can give you some ideas.  Already know what you'd love to do???  We're ready to have your help! 
   

That's it for this issue!  Thanks for reading. 

President's Corner - 2006-05-06

President's Corner

May 06, 2006

Message from the President

Greetings fellow Porcupines!   This is the first issue of what I hope will be an approximately weekly addition to the FSP website, titled President's Corner.  It's not on any set schedule, but my goal is to add one roughly each week.  I believe you, the Porcupines already in NH, Participants around the world, Friends, prospective Participants or Friends, and the whole rest of the world ought to get the inside track on what's going on.  I hope you'll find these interesting and informative.

I may be getting a little bit ambitious here, but I hope to include two sections in each issue.  First, a message about something timely and/or important.  I want to inspire you each week or so to 're up' your commitment to do the very best you can to promote freedom wherever you are.  I also want to remind you of the importance of the FSP, and maybe tempt you with a glimpse into what's going on in New Hampshire.  The second section will be a summary of some of the things that the FSP has been up to.  I'll include what I, personally, have worked on, as well as any important reports from others.  I may also include action items that you can help us with, or help wanted ads for jobs that we really need to get done right away.  

If you have any suggestions or ideas for this feature, please feel free to send them my way.   Email me at president@freestateproject.org for the best quality response.

Recent FSP Activity  (lots of action items!)

1. First 1000 - The First 1000 mailing has reached mailboxes and the signup rate has gone through the roof!  It's very exciting to see people increasing their commitment to freedom, and some even coming back after lengthy absences.  What we don't know quite yet is how many people will respond to this mailing or future ones.  Even though Pledge Bank shows us far exceeding our goal right now, that can change quickly.  We need to spread the word about the First 1000 as far and quickly as possible.  I'll talk more about that in a future update.
2. New FSP website - The IT Department continues to work on the new FSP website.  This page is one example of the kinds of things we'll be able to do with the new website.  I'm typing this directly into a WYSIWYG editor on the FSP website.  Soon, officers, department heads, and other volunteers will be able to directly add content to the FSP website, giving many more people the ability to collaborate on projects and publish new material.  There have been some challenges and there's lots more work to do.  If you'd like to volunteer to help the IT department, please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Nik, at volunteer@freestateproject.org and offer your assistance.  Drupal / CivicSpace experience helpful but not required.
3. Banner Ads - The FSP has, at times, placed banner ads and/or other types of ads on various internet websites.  We'd love to do more of that, but we need someone to help organize the program.  We can help with the banners themselves, but we need someone to come up with search engines and search terms and combinations to place ads for.  If you'd like to help, email Nik at volunteer@freestateproject.org.  In fact, if we had 2 or 5 or 20 people working on this, that'd be okay!
4. Flags - Some Porcs are considering making Flags that would be available at Porc Fest.  Feedback can be provided here.
5. Porc Fest - Speaking of Porc Fest, planning continues to move along.  There's a forum for discussion and questions about the fest or offers of assistance (much appreciated, BTW) can be directed at Kate, our Porc Fest Pooh Bah via email at porcfest@freestateproject.org.
6. Survey - We'd like to do a voluntary survey of FSP Participants and friends to try and find out how to better market the project to prospective participants.  We need to know how to supercharge recruiting to meet our goal of 20,000 participants as soon as practical.  Our PR Firm is ready to help us, but we could use some help on the volunteer end.  If you'd like to help with the survey, please email Nik at volunteer@freestateproject.org.  Nik's email box should be full by now!
7. Local Groups - Several new local groups seem to be starting up all the sudden.  In addition to being our Volunteer Coordinator, Nik is our Local Groups leader and has obviously been lighting fires under some people around the country.  Or mabye it's the other way around?!?  Regardless, he reports there are new groups starting up or in the works in Central Minnesota, West Virginia, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Wausau, Wisconsin, and maybe San Diego.  Wow!  Alson on the Local Groups front, the Northern California local group is meeting on May 7th.  There will be not 1, not 2, but *3* Porcs who have moved to NH at that meeting, including Board Member Sandy and myself. 
   
8. Board Opening - Jean Alexander, one of our long time valuable volunteers has decided it's time to 'retire' from what seems like more than full-time FSP work.  Jean has been a very productive volunteer for the FSP for a long time and is deserving of a break and a great big Thank You!  I've enjoyed working with Jean and wish her the best in her future endeavors.  The Board will be considering candidates to fill her slot in the near future.

That's it for this issue!  Thanks for reading. 

FSP Bylaws 10/04/03

[History of Bylaws changes]

FSP Bylaws 03/21/04

[History of Bylaws changes]

Bylaws of Free State Project, Inc.

Adopted April 6, 2002

Revised: 12/15/02, 09/13/03, 10/04/03, 03/21/04, 06/15/04

1. Office

   1. The principal office of the Free State Project, Inc. (henceforth "FSP") is located in Clark County, State of Nevada.

   2. The designation of the county or state of the FSP's principal address may be changed by amendment of these Bylaws. The Board of Directors may change the principal office from one location to another within the named county by noting the changed address and effective date below, and such changes of address shall not be deemed, nor require, an amendment of these Bylaws:
      737 Brick Dr., Henderson, NV 89015     Dated: April 6, 2002

   3. The FSP may also have offices at such other places, within or without its state of incorporation, where it is qualified to do business, as its business and activities may require, and as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, designate.

2. Purpose

   1. Primary activities. The primary activities of the FSP shall be: 1) the dissemination of information on the benefits of a coordinated move by advocates of the minimal state to a single state of the United States; 2) the distribution of a Statement of Intent (definition below) for signature by those willing to undertake such a move.

   2. Prohibited activities. The FSP shall not attempt to influence the election of candidates to public office, nor shall the FSP attempt to influence the passage of any specific piece of legislation. The primary objective of the FSP is a coordinated move by persons of a specific ethical philosophy – the achievement of this objective does not depend on any legislation or defeat of legislation. No part of the net earnings of the FSP shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its Directors, Officers, or other private persons, except that the FSP shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes of the FSP. The activities of the FSP shall be limited to exempt purposes as set forth in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

   3. Dissolution. Should the FSP dissolve, its remaining assets shall be distributed for an exempt purpose.

3. Directors

   1. Original Directors. There shall be five Directors of the FSP. The original Directors of the FSP shall be Debra Ricketts, Henderson, Nevada; Elizabeth McKinstry, Hillsdale, Michigan; Robert Vroman Sternberg, St. Louis, Missouri; Jason Sorens, Asheville, North Carolina; Joseph Littlejohn, Vacaville, California. [Following the resignations of Robert Vroman Sternberg and Joseph Littlejohn, Matthew Cheselka and Timothy Condon became Directors.] The Directors collectively shall be known as the Board of Directors. Subject to the provisions of the laws of Nevada and any limitations in the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws relating to action required or permitted to be taken or approved by the members, if any, of this corporation, the activities and affairs of this corporation shall be conducted and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

   2. Term of Directors. The full term of a Director shall be sixteen months. Directors shall serve staggered terms as follows: Position One's term expires January 15, 2004 and every sixteen months thereafter; Position Two's term expires May 15, 2004 and every sixteen months thereafter; Position Three's term expires September 15, 2004 and every sixteen months thereafter; Position Four's term expires January 15, 2005 and every sixteen months thereafter; Position Five's term expires May 15, 2005 and every sixteen months thereafter. The Director serving as Chairman shall be exempt from the term limitation requirement. The Chairman must be confirmed by an affirmative vote of three or more Directors at least once every twelve months. A vote against a motion of confidence in the Chairman or in favor of a motion of no-confidence against the Chairman is invalid unless an alternative candidate for the position is presented in the motion. A new Chairman may not be elected within two months of his term's expiration.

   3. Replacing Directors. When a Director's term completes, the Board shall select a new person as Director for that Position. After four months off the Board, a former Director is again eligible for election to the Board. If a Director has fulfilled the remainder of a term (in replacing a vacancy due to early removal or resignation only) less than six months in duration, that Director will be eligible for re-election to the same Position without an interim period of four months. The Board may delegate the right of selection to FSP Participants and may set the terms, conditions, and requirements of a vote of the Participants. A Director may be removed before the completion of his or her term only by a unanimous vote of the other four Directors or by voluntary resignation. In the event of a resignation or removal, a new Director shall be elected within a reasonable time period, not to exceed two months. The affirmative vote of any three of the four remaining Directors shall be sufficient to elect a new Director. Any new Director must be a signer of the Statement of Intent and of the age of majority or emancipation in the state of Nevada and in his or her state of residence.

   4. Amendment of the Bylaws. These Bylaws, the whole or any part thereof, may be amended by the affirmative vote of five Directors.

   5. Duties. It shall be the duty of the directors to:

      1. Perform any and all duties imposed on them collectively or individually by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws;

      2. Appoint and remove, employ and discharge, and, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, prescribe the duties and fix the compensation, if any, of all officers, agents, and employees of the Free State Project, Inc.;

      3. Supervise all officers, agents, and employees of the Free State Project, Inc. to assure that their duties are performed properly;

      4. Meet at such times as required by these Bylaws;

      5. Register their addresses and e-mail addresses with the Secretary of the FSP, and notices of meetings mailed or e-mailed to them at such addresses shall be valid notices thereof.

   6. Compensation. Directors shall serve without compensation except that a reasonable fee may be paid to Directors for attending regular and special meetings of the Board. In addition, they shall be allowed reasonable advancement or reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

   7. Meetings. Meetings shall be held if called by the Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board must call a meeting when required by these Bylaws or when requested by any two members of the Board, as certified by the Secretary. At least one week's prior notice of the meeting must be given to all Directors by the Secretary. The Board of Directors may hold meetings on an emergency basis without one week notice, if all five Directors agree. Meetings may be held in person or via telephone or electronic messaging, and notices of meetings may be given in likewise fashion. Meetings and valid votes must be held synchronously. Meetings of the Board shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board or, in his or her absence, by such person as chosen by a majority of Directors present at the meeting. The Secretary of the FSP shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board provided that, in his or her absence, the presiding officer shall appoint another person to act as secretary of the meeting.

   8. Non-liability and Indemnification. The Directors shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, and other obligations of the FSP. The Directors and Officers of the FSP shall be indemnified by the FSP to the fullest extent permissible under the laws of Nevada.

4. Officers

   1. Electing Officers. Offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be maintained and filled expeditiously in the event of vacancies. The affirmative vote of any three Directors shall be sufficient to pass a motion of election or removal of any Officer. Any person may serve as an Officer of this corporation. Directors are not prohibited from serving as Officers, nor are individuals prohibited from serving in two or more Offices at once.

   2. President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the FSP and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, supervise and control the affairs of the FSP and the activities of the Officers. He or she shall perform all duties incident to his or her office and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, he or she shall, in the name of the FSP, execute such deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, checks, or other instruments which may from time to time be authorized by the Board of Directors.

   3. Vice-President. In the absence of the President, or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, the Vice-President shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to, all the restrictions on the President. The Vice-President shall have other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

   4. Secretary. The Secretary shall:

      1. Certify and keep the original, or a copy, of these Bylaws as amended or otherwise altered to date, at his or her residence or in electronic format;

      2. Keep at his or her residence, or in electronic format, a book of minutes of all meetings of the Directors, and, if applicable, meetings of committees of the FSP, recording therein the time and place of holding, whether regular or special, how called, how notice thereof was given, the names of those present or represented at the meeting, and the proceedings thereof;

      3. See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law;

      4. Be custodian of the records and of the seal of the FSP and affix the seal, as authorized by law or the provisions of these Bylaws, to duly executed documents of the FSP;

      5. Keep at his or her residence or in electronic format a record of the signers of the Statement of Intent, their names and addresses;

      6. Exhibit at all reasonable times to any Director of the FSP, or to his or her agent or attorney, on request therefor, the Bylaws, the record of the signers of the Statement of Intent, and the minutes of the proceedings of the Directors of the FSP;

      7. In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors.

   5. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:

      1. Have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the FSP, and deposit all such funds in the name of the FSP in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected by the Board of Directors;

      2. Receive, and give receipt for, monies due and payable to the FSP from any source whatsoever;

      3. Disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the FSP as may be directed by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements;

      4. Keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the FSP's properties and business transactions, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, and losses;

      5. Exhibit at all reasonable times the books of account and financial records to any Director of the FSP, or to his or her agent or attorney, on request therefor;

      6. Render to the President and Directors, whenever requested, an account of any or all of his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the FSP;

      7. Prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify, or cause to be certified, the financial statements to be included in any required reports;

      8. In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of the FSP, or by these Bylaws, or which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors.

   6. Compensation. The salaries of the Officers, if any, shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. In all cases, any salaries received by Officers of this corporation shall be reasonable and given in return for services actually rendered to or for the FSP.

5. Committees

   1. Committees for special purposes may be formed, elected, and terminated by the vote of any three Directors. These committees may consist of persons who are not also members of the Board and shall act in an advisory capacity to the Board.

   2. Meetings of the Committees. Meetings and action of committees shall be governed by, noticed, held, and taken in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws concerning meetings of the Board of Directors, with such changes in the context of such Bylaws provisions as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board of Directors and its members, except that the time for regular and special meetings of committees may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors or by the committee. The Board of Directors may also adopt rules and regulations pertaining to the conduct of meetings of committees to the extent that such rules and regulations are not inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws.

6. Execution of Instruments, Deposits, and Funds

   1. Execution of Instruments. The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may by resolution authorize any Officer or agent of the FSP to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the FSP, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized, no Officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the FSP by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable monetarily for any purpose or in any amount.

   2. Checks and Notes. Except as otherwise specifically determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, or as otherwise required by law, checks, drafts, promissory notes, orders for the payment of money, and other evidence of indebtedness of the FSP shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the President of the FSP.

   3. Deposits. All funds of the FSP shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the FSP in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.

   4. The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the FSP any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for the nonprofit purposes of this corporation.

7. Statement of Intent

   1. The FSP shall circulate a Statement of Intent, indicating that the signer will: a) move to the state designated according to the rules laid out in the Participation Guidelines (which Guidelines shall reflect the provisions set forth in these Bylaws); b) work toward a society in which the sole role of civil government is the protection of persons' rights to life, liberty, and property. The Statement shall become void three years after signing should the designation of the state not have occurred by that time.

   2. The Statement of Intent is not a contract and is not intended to be legally enforced.

   3. The FSP shall not require dues or contributions of any kind for the right to sign the Statement of Intent and to participate in the move.

   4. Participation Guidelines. Once 5,000 people have signed the Statement, voting shall commence on a state where all participants should move. All sufficiently small states, as determined by the Directors or a committee set up by the Directors for this purpose, shall be considered. The voting shall proceed according to Simple Condorcet's Method (a method of voting whereby voters rank all candidates, and candidates are then compared against each other in pairwise contests, the only unbeaten candidate being the winner – if no unbeaten candidate exists, the smallest-magnitude defeats are eliminated until one candidate is unbeaten). All signers of the Statement of Intent have the right to participate in the vote; no one who has not signed the Statement of Intent may participate. All ballots shall be made available for verification to all voters after the voting has concluded. Postal and electronic ballots shall be valid methods of voting.

   5. Once 20,000 people have signed the Statement, the signers shall move to the state decided upon as expeditiously as possible and absolutely within five years of the achievement of the 20,000-signer threshold. Should the Statement never attract 20,000 signers, no signer shall be held responsible to move.

8. Construction and Terms

   If there is any conflict between the provisions of these Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation of the FSP, the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation shall govern. Should any of the provisions of portions of these Bylaws be held unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions and portions of these Bylaws shall be unaffected by such holding.

Addresses of Original Directors:

Jason P. Sorens
385 Canner St., Apt. 2
New Haven, CT 06511
jsorens@freestateproject.org

Joseph Littlejohn
5107 Midway Rd.
Vacaville, CA 95688
freelinjpl@mac.com

Debra Ricketts
737 Brick Dr.
Henderson, NV 89015
dricketts@subdimension.com

Robert Vroman Sternberg
6659 Washington 1W
St. Louis, MO 63130
vroman18@yahoo.com

Elizabeth McKinstry
32 State Circle
Hillsdale, MI 49242
emckinst@hotmail.com