For the purposes of this act:

“Organization” means an organization, corporation, company, partnership, association, trust, foundation, fund, club, society, committee, political party, or any group of persons, whether or not incorporated, permanently or temporarily associated together for joint action or advancement of views on any subject or subjects.

“Subversive organization” means any organization which engages in or advocates, abets, advises or teaches, or a purpose of which is to engage in or advocate, abet, advise or teach, activities intended to overthrow, destroy or alter, or to assist in the overthrow, destruction or alteration of, the constitutional form of the government of the United States or of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or of any political subdivision of either of them, by force or violence.

“Subversive person” means any person who commits, attempts to commit, or knowingly aids in the commission of any act intended to overthrow, destroy, alter, or to assist in the overthrow, destruction or alteration of the constitutional form of government of the United States or of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or any political subdivision of either of them, by force or violence, or who with the specific intent to further the unlawful aims thereof, is knowingly a member of a subversive organization or a foreign subversive organization as defined in this act.

“Appointing authority” means any person, department, board, commission, or other agency of the Commonwealth, or of any political subdivision thereof, who appoints or employs officers or employes.