Actually, yes and no.
According to Article V, "The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem in necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Consitution , OR, on the Application of the Legislature of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Constitutional convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, ...
Bottom line: The States can call for Amendments without Congress approval. Unfortunately, it seems the States must call for a Constitutional Convention. That could be a very bad thing, knowing how our Country is leaning leftist.
However, I'm willing to risk it for Term Limits. We did it for the Presidency in Amendment XXII with no other ramifications. We can do it for limited Terms of Congress.
Maybe i'm misunderstanding your meaning or your misunderstanding mine. I wasn't calling for a Constitutional Convention, but a convention of concerned citizens to discuss how to parlay our tea parties into a bigger more powerful movement.
This is the link from another thread wherein Walter E. Williams talks about Article V of the Constitution among other things. Very good as usual:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/18/democracy-and-majority-rule/