The HRTP goals are to Educate, Advocate and Facilitate citizens in restoring and maintaining limited, constitutional government; a government by the people and for the people as set forth in our founding documents: The Virginia Declaration of Rights, The Declaration of Independence, The U.S. Constitution and The Bill of Rights.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
The U.S. Constitution
The promotion of individual liberty and responsibility that guarantees equal opportunity, not equal outcome. The establishment of free markets and free speech; limiting intrusion and regulation to such level as to encourage and protect honest commerce and discourse. The protection of property rights, not the seizure from one individual for the benefit of another. To promote the general welfare, not social welfare.
"That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity, namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety."
The Virginia Declaration of Rights
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
The Declaration of Independence
In pursuance of this, it is not only our right but obligation to restore the balance as opposed to those who would usurp our rights.
"That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their safety and happiness."
The Declaration of Independence
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
Bill of Rights Amendment IX
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the people."
Bill of Rights Amendment X
As set forth individually in the Declaration of Independence:
Life: Fundamental, basic right to live one's life and choose for oneself without imposing on others or being imposed on.
Liberty: Freedom to live without undue restrictions or regulation.
Pursuit of Happiness: Ability to acquire property, knowledge, status or good will as deemed appropriate for each individual.
As set forth in expectation from our government in the preamble of the U.S. Constitution:
Justice: Fairness, uniformity of law, equitable application and property protection.
Domestic Tranquility: Provide environment conducive to achieving ones rights.
Common Defense: Protection from external threats to our rights.
General Welfare: To provide for the common good that which cannot be obtained individually. The construction of roads, infrastructure and institutions necessary for the orderly conduct of society; not for the enrichment of some at the expense of others through government intervention.
Liberty: Freedom to live without undue restrictions or regulation.
The Hampton Roads Tea Party Inc. is a non-profit corporation registered with the State of Virginia. We have applied to the IRS for a 501 (c) 4 tax-exempt status. Donations to the Hampton Roads Tea Party are not tax-deductible according to the law.
The Hampton Roads Tea Party currently serves the Southside cities of Hampton Roads: Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach. We are expanding to include the Eastern Shore, and Newport News/Hampton.
The Hampton Roads Tea Party has a five-member Board of Directors. All Board members have 1 vote.
Board members are suggested and elected by the Board. Board members must adhere to a Code of Conduct. Board members may be removed by a majority vote by the
Board, or by resignation. HRTP Board members are servant leaders. Board members’ primary allegiance must be to the U.S. and State Constitutions,
the Hampton Roads Tea Party, and not to a political party. Any party membership or leadership role must be disclosed.
Current Board Members
The Hampton Roads Tea Party has formed City Chapters- one for each city, with a Chair, and a Vice-Chair. These chapters operate under the umbrella and legal status of the Hampton Roads Tea Party. City Chapter Chairs serve in an advisory capacity to the Hampton Roads Tea Party Board of Directors.
All Hampton Roads Tea Party Board members, City Chairs, Committee Chairs and volunteers donate their time and talent. We are 100% volunteer with no paid staff.
The Hampton Roads Tea Party is a founding member of the Virginia Tea Party Patriot Federation.
