A Convener's Responsibilities

If you are a new convener we recommend you read this page to learn about the history of the common law assemblies and your role as a convener.

Preamble

Almost since Federation, successive governments have been making dangerous policy that invariably removes the rights and privileges of the people of our great nation, more so in the past 5 decades. As a result, we have seen the formation of many groups with the aim to reform our government system back to a place where the people regain control of the government, forcing government representation instead of government control. While the ultimate goal of these groups is the same, they tend to disagree with each other on how to achieve that goal, which invariably causes division among the groups, thus falling into exactly what our current government does; that being to divide the people.

This document is an explanation of the short and long-term goals of the Common Law Australia organisation. It will serve as a guide for Conveners as you work to create a community living and working in common law.

The principles embodied herein are a useful guide. However, should you and your assembly feel that other ideas will serve your community better there is nothing stopping you from amending this document, as long as any changes stay within the Common Law principles.

Background

The federal and state governments, and labour unions, aided by a tightly controlled media, have been very successful at destroying the Constitution over the last sixty years. They have dumbed down our education system so that people no longer learn what their rights are. They have taken complete control of our lives, and implemented policies without referenda that have destroyed our manufacturing, agriculture, and cohesiveness. By enforcing a 2-party system, they have divided us, making it easy for them to govern with an iron fist, using armed police, draconian legislation, and fear. So, rather than having a government under our Authority, they have created an Autocratic Government, ruling with fear and punishments that are designed to destroy our human spirit and enslave us to their system.

Your Guide

This document serves as your guide to serving as a Common Law Convener within the framework of the national Common Law organisation. Each assembly is different, but these guidelines will help you lead your assembly on a similar path to all other assemblies. This guide should be regarded as a helpful, useful reference to help you lead your assembly toward becoming an effective, well-educated group of people dedicated to living in common law freedom.

Understand Common Law

The Common Law is a simple extension of Natural Law, or the Law of the Land, which focuses on the inalienable rights and freedoms of the people that have guided people ever since mankind gathered together for its mutual protection.  It has been a recognised part of human civilisation for centuries and can be seen throughout history combatting tyrannical rule from monarchs to religious extremism. Some well-known examples of common law prevailing in history can be seen in such events as the signing of the Magna Carta (1215), the Peace of Westphalia (1644) and in more recent times, the Establishment of the Nuremberg Codes.

The underlying foundation of common law is “Do no harm to people or property”, and “Take responsibility for your actions.”

Conveners play an important role in educating people about their rights, as well as encouraging the recognition of our human and humane, practical and spiritual development.  While we recognize that Man is a spiritual being, we do not mix or talk about religion in our work as conveners. Everyone’s spiritual beliefs are different and personal, and therefore they should not be included in any Assembly discussions or policies.

Common Law Assemblies

Common Law Assemblies are designed to repair the damage done by overreaching government policy, by educating people and empowering them to make informed decisions about the kind of lives they want to build for their families, their community, and the future.

Assemblies consist of many people from all walks of life with one common goal – to educate themselves, and others, about their natural rights, unite them with their fellow man, and reclaim ownership over our lives as natural, ‘living’ men and women.

We recognize that everyone is different, and we strive to focus on the positive and building a community united in purpose.

Each Common Law Assembly is different and conducts itself in accordance with its community needs, but at all times following the underlying foundation of ‘do no harm’, and ‘take responsibility’. This means that any direction or action they take, cannot harm their community.

The Common Law Assembly Model is not a “one size fits all” model. Each community is different and so the Common Law Assembly should focus on their individual needs and adjust the focus of their meetings to suit their community.

Currently, Common Law assemblies are relatively small compared to the wider community, so, generally speaking, the Assembly’s main role is education, and to be a watchdog of their current local Councils in order to hold them accountable for their actions. As such, there has been a necessity to ensure that the people forming the assembly are committed to the Foundation of Common Law and are not subversive. We do this by having our members become ‘Chartered members’. This means they sign a contract between themselves as a sign of commitment to Common Law.

We recognize that the signing of a charter may not stop individuals from coming in and undermining the Assembly and that individuals may try and cause division. The guidelines laid down here detail how to deal with these people, remembering always that the underlying foundation of common law is ‘Do No Harm’. So currently, only chartered assembly members can vote for an administration team to serve the members and the community. If any one person tries to dominate the assembly and lead it down a path that leads to division, the members then have the power to vote that person out of the assembly, should they so wish.

Eventually, as people learn how to govern themselves while taking care of their community and their country, Assemblies will form the bedrock of the new local and national government system. You can learn about this here:
https://advance-australia.com.au/step-3-electoral-reform/

The Common Law Organization

Commonlaw.Earth is the website and the name of the national organization is Common Law Australia Group. The national executive has registered this name with ASIC as a protection against copyright infringement. It is not registered as a business. Our goal is to provide education materials, support, and national meetings to help bring assemblies together as a united group to grow awareness throughout the country about common law and its benefits for all.

Common Law Assemblies are now creating a different paradigm that puts the power into the hands of the people to decide on the kind of lives and community that they want.

The Commonlaw.Earth national executive (described in detail below) is dedicated to facilitating and supporting all assemblies. We never tell an assembly what they must do, but we do provide guidance, education, and help whenever asked, or when we see a need.

The national executive worked together to create the CommonLaw.Earth organisation. Since we started the first assembly on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland in early 2020, we have grown the organisation nationally and internationally, providing leadership and guidance, while nurturing leadership in others.

Education

Many organizations that teach similar aspects relating to The Common Law may often hide their material behind payment gateways and expect you to pay to get it. As a general rule, nearly all of the research material on this website is free for anybody to access and use. There are however online training courses that do incur a small cost. These costs are to compensate for the time and research taken to develop the training by individuals, as well as for the costs of making these materials available to everyone through the websites and meetings.

Commonlaw.Earth provides an online education platform, Commonlaw.Education, where anyone can find the area of Common Law they wish to learn about. We are developing new courses as the organisation expands, and the needs of the people require. Fees charged for this material are kept as low as possible, and all income is used to expand the work we do. All administrative positions in the common law Australia organisation are voluntary; no one is paid a salary. Nor does the national administration team take any monies raised for their own personal use. A strict accounting is observed, and any Chartered member may ask to see our books at any time.

Conveners are encouraged to contribute any education programs you or your members create that they wish to be provided on the education platform. If you wish to be paid a commission on each sale to benefit your assembly, we will negotiate a fair contract with you.

Commonlaw.Earth is not about profiteering from the people. Our focus is on educating, facilitating, and activating the people. The National Administration team does not take any money from assemblies. But we do ask for donations through the website. This money is used to pay for the website, education materials, and research, as well as any other costs involved in running the organisation.

Assembly Administration Team: The Convener

Common Law is not a platform for any religious or political ideology. We debate, agree or disagree and aim to reach a consensus under the realisation that a divided community is easily controlled. Hence, there is no place for egos or feeling offended; this arena is for mature individuals who treat each other with mutual respect as free men and women. We adopt the policy: ‘Leave your ego at the door’.

While we have come together to unite to implement and live up to Common Law principles, we must also understand that each member is there for their own motivations, so it is the Convener’s job to keep the group focused on helping everyone learn how common law empowers each individual to live as a sovereign man or woman.

It has been our experience that when a convener deviates from educating members in common law, the group fractures and this could result in a breakdown or even a division from the united national group. So, it is important for the convener to set goals for teaching and implementing common law.

It is the convener’s duty to provide a meeting Agenda so that members know what to expect. While Commonlaw.Earth has many resources for conveners to research and educate their members, we do not restrict Assemblies from looking for and accessing resources from anywhere they deem appropriate, always keeping in mind that the goal is to help people learn how to live as free, independent men and women.

It is important for each convener to read and comprehend these documents, and to refer to them often for guidance:

The Common Law Assembly Constitution provides a guide for all members on the structure and management of an assembly. To ensure your best chance of success in forming an Assembly, it is essential that all of your assembly members read and understand it. The Charter can be edited to suit your community. However, should you wish to use the Commonlaw.Earth branding, this constitution will be the overarching document.
http://commonlaw.earth/assemblies/constitution-of-the-sovereign-peoples-assembly/

The Charter to Establish and Maintain a Common Law Assembly binds the members of an assembly in a contract between them to create a local government of the people, by the people, for the people. It is the bedrock of the assembly, binding people together as an organisation; mentally, physically, and spiritually. 

Chartered members should take a printout of the charter with them when they visit other assemblies to show that they are members of the organisation. The charter gives all members the right to vote on the affairs of any assembly anywhere.
http://commonlaw.earth/assemblies/sign-assembly-charter-aus/

It is essential that all members know their rights so that they can protect them from those who would assume power over them.
http://commonlaw.earth/your-inalienable-rights/

Assembly Administration teams

It is vital that as soon as possible after a common law assembly has 12 or more Chartered members that the members elect an Administration Team. Each member of the team must be elected by only Chartered members, with a minimum of five present at the meeting.

The Convener should make sure to announce an election as early as possible to give all Chartered members time to arrange to be present.

Each candidate for a position will address the assembly members to explain why they feel they are qualified for the position. They should present any qualifications, and talk about their motives for standing for election.

Voting can be done by a show of hands, or by secret ballot; it is up to the members to decide what type of vote is appropriate. For example, if only one person nominates for a position, they may be elected uncontested and the only decision needed would be whether or not the Assembly wants that particular person in that position.

The Administration team is responsible for the management of the Assembly and its activities, consisting of:

  • The Convener is the Chairman, (man or woman) of each meeting. The assembly may elect a volunteer co-convener if they wish.
  • Conveners are elected for a period of 12 months. It is recommended that they stand for election for only 3 consecutive terms. However, the assembly may decide to invite any Executive team member to continue for more than 3 terms if they choose.
  • Conveners are responsible for keeping meetings on track, and learning about and implementing common law.

It is the convener’s job to maintain peace and harmony within the assembly. If anyone causes discord of any kind, the convener must step in and put a stop to it immediately. The convener must therefore have management experience, a good knowledge of common law, and be well-versed in the ultimate aims of the national organisation. They should strive to resolve any issues politely, and calmly, but firmly. The convener is in charge of the meeting, and it is his or her responsibility to ensure that there are no disruptions and that everyone is treated with respect.

Should anyone disrupt a meeting, the convener must act quickly to stop them. If it continues, the convener can order the offender to leave the meeting. If necessary, the convener can ask any elected Sheriff present, or members of the meeting, to help. In serious cases, the convener may ban someone from attending any more meetings.

It is important that each assembly stay focused on learning about and implementing common law. However, if an assembly wishes to learn about the ideas of another group or organisation, the convener may appoint a team to investigate and then report back to assembly members so that they can decide whether they wish to get involved in the activities of the other group(s). (We do caution that involving other groups that do not share the same values or aims can lead to division within an assembly)

Therefore, if members wish to get involved in the activities of other groups, they should do this outside the assembly. It is the convener’s job to keep the assembly focused on common law.

When a new assembly is formed, the national administration sets up a web page and provides a form for visitors to opt into the assembly mailing list. At the same time, an opt-in newsletter account is set up so that conveners can send out invitations to meetings and events, news updates, and any other information they feel will interest the members.

The web page also allows the convener to announce the date, time and place of future meetings, as well as publishing any news about the assembly for the public to read. It is the convener’s responsibility to send the Secretary any information they wish to be uploaded onto the website page. As the website evolves, it may be possible for conveners to access their own community page to upload information themselves.

The Assembly Secretary is responsible for recording meetings, writing the Minutes, and sending them to the national administration email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or updating their page themselves. These minutes are important, as they help inform people visiting the website about the assembly’s activities.

The Treasurer should consist of a team of at least 2 or 3 people, elected by chartered members, to manage the money from donations or income raised by assembly activities. Once elected, the treasury team should set up an assembly bank account as soon as possible. The national executive can provide guidance on setting up a bank account.

In future, assemblies may wish to set up their own local banks.

At least 2 treasury members should be required to sign for any withdrawals from the bank account.

The treasury team can elect one of their own as the chief Treasurer. This person will present a financial report to the assembly at each meeting. The report should detail the amount of money currently in the account, income, and any outgoings. Should money be required for any purchases, the assembly members may apply to the chief Treasurer for it, who will consider the request and decide if it will benefit the assembly.

Any physical property bought by the assembly always remains the property of the assembly. It is highly recommended that should an assembly own property, a property register be established and managed by the treasury team, or a Property Management Team can be established.

All administration teams are elected for a 12-month term in office. At the end of their term in office, they may step aside for someone else, or they may stand for re-election again. The outgoing office holder should provide guidance in a handover procedure for the incoming member to ensure continuity. It is recommended that notice be given to the assembly at least three months prior to the term ending in order for assembly members to consider stepping up for positions.

The National Executive Team

The National Common Law Executive consists of a small team of just 3 people dedicated to providing education, facilitating the formation and maintenance of assemblies, and helping unite assemblies to create a strong bond to act for the good of the community and the country.

We have deliberately kept the national executive small so that we can make executive decisions quickly. This avoids wasting time on endless meetings with large numbers of people. It is also why we have been so successful at spreading the Common Law message. However, we work with other assembly conveners and members who provide advice and expertise as needed.

Whenever we need to make a decision that will affect the organisation, we will consult with conveners during our weekly Conveners’ Zoom calls.

Our goals are:

  1. To provide leadership and inspiration for all common law assembly members
  2. To provide guidance and help for conveners
  3. To encourage natural leaders to emerge, grow in their knowledge of common law and to develop a team to replace the original national executive team to carry on into the future what we have started

The National Executive consists of:

  1. Mike Holt – National Convener, Educator, and Facilitator: Mike’s job is to host, maintain and update the Commonlaw.Earth website. He also provides advice, education and support to all assemblies and their conveners. Mike will continue in this role until a successor is ready to take over. At that time, ownership and management of the websites will be handed over to the new office holder.
  2. Lee Pilcher – National Secretary and Treasurer: Lee has been beside Mike since the first assembly was set up on the Sunshine Coast. She has many years’ experience in business and accounting. She supports Mike’s work by providing research, liaising with members and conveners to troubleshoot problems, and performing a myriad of other tasks as required. Lee is also National Treasurer, managing any funds raised through merchandise sales, donations, and other activities. She is a meticulous administrator and money manager.
  3. Glenn Sinclair – IT support, spiritual advisor, and general support: Glenn acts as Mike’s muse and mentor. Glenn keeps a low profile, preferring not to get involved in the day-to-day running of the national executive, but his advice and guidance is invaluable in helping Mike and Lee stay focused on facilitating Common Law, both nationally and internationally.


Legal and Lawful

While we are focused on empowering people in common law, the national team recognizes that all Australians currently have to deal with the Admiralty law system as well.

Therefore, we have registered the unincorporated name Common Law Australia Group with ASIC, ABN 51 653 274 245 and assigned it to the Partnership M.T HOLT & L.V PILCHER to protect the name from being used by any other organisation. We have added the word Group to show that the name does not belong to any one person, but to the entire common law organisation.

When the national administration team hands over to its successors the name registration will also be assigned to the incoming team.

Our Common Law Values

Our core values underpin all that we do in the national team and in our work for the assemblies. As a united assembly of people, we respect and uphold the values of Common Law Australia, which are:

  • Leadership – We provide leadership and set an example to inspire others.
  • Integrity – We are honest and transparent in our relationships, and we are accountable for our performance in our Common Law Assembly and in the wider community. We reliably and honestly fulfill our commitments and consistently demonstrate congruence between our words and actions.
  • Empowerment – We are driven to deliver high standards and outcomes, and to see all members of the community flourish. We provide fair and open access to knowledge, information and support.
  • Quality – We strive for honesty, excellence and professionalism in all our services and activities within the Common Law Assembly, and in our dealings with the public.
  • Courage – We are committed to speaking up to protect our values, people’s safety and wellbeing, and the culture we are creating.
  • Respect – We treat everyone with respect, while recognising our differences. We listen and encourage diverse thinking to achieve the best outcomes, and consistently treat everyone with dignity, respect and courtesy.
  • Inclusiveness – We recognise that diversity is a strength and seek to involve all members as active participants in our Assembly and the community. We do not discriminate against anyone.
  • Connection – We seek to collaborate and build relationships, and ensure others feel connected and included.
  • Growth and Improvement – We recognise the need for continual review and improvement as our common law community grows and develops.
  • Religion and Beliefs – We believe our religious beliefs are ours and ours alone. We abide by the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1901 Section 116. We do not discuss religion in any of our assembly meetings. Nor do we allow our religious beliefs to colour our discussions in assembly meetings.

MEETINGS

Purpose

Our primary purpose is three-fold:

  1. Educate: Each assembly convener is responsible for providing an education program in all aspects of common law, including the Magna Carta, Rights and Freedoms, the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1901, and any other topics that will empower people to live in common law. Each meeting should include at least 20 minutes of education, followed by a question-and-answer session.
  2. Facilitate: Conveners are tasked with facilitating meetings. This is described below. At the same time, they are responsible for facilitating other activities, as required by the members and the circumstances within their community.
  3. Activate: Conveners are responsible for helping people to act and live in common law; understanding that each member has different abilities, knowledge and needs within the assembly, family, and community.

Guidelines for conducting your Assembly meetings

Assembly meetings are conducted the same as any other organization meeting. We follow this format each time, but conveners may vary it depending on assembly requirements:

  1. Pre-Meeting: The convener prepares an Agenda before each meeting, and emails it to all members using the email system provided in the Commonlaw.Earth website. The email should contain an invitation to the next meeting, stating date, time, and location of the meeting, as well as any other pertinent information.
  2. Meeting Opening: The convener opens the Assembly meeting by checking that everyone received the Minutes and asks for a motion to confirm them (with any necessary amendments), and the members are asked to vote on the motion by way of a show of hands. When the motion is carried then the next item on the agenda is the business/matters arising from the Minutes, referring to any business or matters recorded in the previous meeting Minutes and those arising from the Minutes. Once any business of the previous Minutes has been dealt with, the convener may continue by giving a report on their own activities, or on any other topic where appropriate.
  3. Secretary’s Report: The convener will ask the Secretary to present their report on any incoming and outgoing correspondence. After discussion, the Secretary may move a motion for the adoption of their report and ask for a seconder and a vote is conducted.
  4. Treasurer’s Report: The treasurer reports on income and expenses, and then summarises the total amount in the assembly bank account. The treasurer will move that their report be adopted and ask for a seconder and a vote is conducted.
  5. Education: It is recommended that each education session should take no more than 20 to 30 minutes. However, this depends on what the assembly members want. The convener may invite special guests to speak about topics associated with common law. Care should be taken when choosing speakers that their talks are about topics relevant to common law.
  6. General Business: The convener will open the floor for assembly members to ask questions, or bring up other topics for discussion.

Exiting or Closing a Common Law Assembly

All assemblies are designed to continue serving their community.  If an Assembly wishes to join and use the Commonlaw.Earth Brand it is the responsibility of the Convener to maintain links with the CommonLaw.Earth national organization, using email, phone, and attending weekly Convener Zoom calls.

Separating from Commonlaw.earth, or disbanding an assembly is a serious step and there are conditions that must be observed before disbanding an assembly.

Should an assembly decide they no longer wish to be associated with Commonlaw.Earth and would prefer to either disband the Assembly, continue holding meetings separate from the national organization, or join another organization, they should consider the consequences very carefully, as moves like this tend toward disharmony rather than unity.

The choice, however, should ultimately belong to the Assembly itself. Commonlaw.Earth free resources will still be available to these Assemblies and they will still be able to access the education platforms. However, any web pages provided for the assembly, and access to conveners’ meetings will be removed.

Any assembly choosing to disassociate from Commonlaw.earth must remove any and all branding owned by Commonlaw.Earth. Remember, the aim of Commonlaw.Earth is to unite the people and Educate, Activate and Facilitate. How each assembly goes about this is up to them.

Commonlaw.Earth has spent considerable resources building the Common Law brand so that it unites people in a recognisable organisation. Therefore, we must ensure that our brand is protected.

Before a decision is made the convener should table a motion for all chartered members to discuss and vote on.

If there is not a full complement of chartered members then a vote cannot take place. It is not enough for a small part of the assembly to vote to disassociate from the national organisation. The decision must be unanimous.

Once a decision has been made, the Convener must inform the national executive by email, including the Minutes of the meeting showing the question asked and the result of the voting.

If all Chartered members do vote to disband an Assembly, CommonLaw.Earth will continue to maintain the assembly page on the website and seek new members to restart the assembly. An assembly disassociating from the CommonLaw.Earth organisation has no right to demand that the assembly page be taken off the website. Any access to the Assembly page by members of this assembly may be canceled until a new Assembly membership is formed.

Go for it! And have fun. Common law is all about Freedom, so let’s all work together to get our country back!!