Charter of the ZIP Apportionment Initiative

I. Purpose

The ZIP Apportionment Initiative exists for one purpose only:

To articulate, defend, and advance the adoption of ZIP-code–based apportionment for state legislative representation, beginning with Maryland.

This Initiative is not a general advocacy organization, political party, or permanent institution. It exists solely to pursue clearly defined institutional outcomes related to this objective.

II. Scope of Work

The Initiative may engage only in activities directly related to its stated purpose, including:

• Research, writing, and publication of essays and briefs
• Public argument, debate, and critique
• Communication with legislators, officials, and the public
• Formal testimony or submissions when appropriate
• Open preservation of arguments and source materials

The Initiative shall not expand its mission beyond this scope.

III. Volunteer Structure

The Initiative is entirely volunteer-driven.

• No salaries, stipends, or compensation of any kind
• Participation is voluntary and non-exclusive
• Roles are functional, temporary, and task-specific
• No permanent titles or spokesperson positions

Reimbursement for direct, documented expenses may be permitted on a pass-through basis only.

IV. Financial Constraints

The Initiative shall not exist to raise or manage funds as an end in itself.

• No paid staff
• No ongoing financial obligations
• Funds used only for direct, mission-specific expenses

V. Transparency and Open Publication

All substantive work produced by the Initiative shall be made publicly available.

The Initiative claims no ownership over the ideas it advances. Its goal is dissemination, not control.

VI. Outcome-Based Termination

The Initiative has no fixed lifespan. It exists only until one of the following conditions is met:

• ZIP-based apportionment is formally adopted
• A ZIP-based proposal is formally introduced into legislative proceedings
• A governmental body issues a definitive ruling on the proposal
• The originators publicly declare the effort concluded or abandoned

Upon the occurrence of any such condition, the Initiative shall dissolve automatically.

VII. Non-Institutional Principle

The Initiative explicitly rejects institutional permanence.

It shall not seek to grow, brand itself, or persist beyond its stated purpose.

VIII. Amendment

This Charter may be amended only to clarify scope, tighten constraints, or accelerate termination. No amendment may expand the mission or permit compensation.

IX. Closing Statement

This Initiative exists to force a serious institutional question into public consideration. It does not exist to survive. When its work is complete—or rendered impossible—it will end.