Minutes of the Operating Committee of the America First Party
Tuesday, November 26, 2002
BE IT REMEMBERED that the Operating Committee of the America First Party met on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, pursuant to the previous resolution of the Operating Committee.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 9:07 p.m. EST.
The Chairman led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Secretary gave the invocation.
The Secretary called the roll of Operating Committee members:
Present:
- Dan Charles of Colorado, Chairman
- Gene Lovell of Georgia, Vice-chairman
- John Pittman Hey of Mississippi, Secretary
- Maureen McHugh of Illinois, Treasurer
- James D. Jones of Tennessee, Party Building Chairman
- James Edwards of Tennessee, Candidates Committee Chairman
- Romelle Winters of New Hampshire, Public Relations Committee Chairman
- Michael O'Brian of Michigan, Platform Committee Chairman
- Trey Golmon of Mississippi, Ballot Access Committee Chairman
Ed Moses of Iowa, Rules Committee Chairman, and Jon Hill of Massachusetts, Finance Committee Chairman, joined the meeting after the roll call.
Mrs. Winters moved the adoption of the Agenda. Her motion was seconded by Mr. Hill and adopted by unanimous vote.
The Secretary reported that he had finished mailing approximately 4600 newsletters, and he had learned that some had already been delivered in several states. Almost all of them should be received by Thanksgiving.
The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the November 12, 2002 Operating Committee meeting. He moved the approval of the minutes. His motion was seconded by Mrs. McHugh and adopted by unanimous vote, Mrs. Winters, Mr. Golmon, Mr. O'Brian, and Mr. Lovell abstaining.
A discussion was had regarding the distribution of the excess copies of the newsletter. The need to keep some available for mailing to new prospects was pointed out.
Mr. Moses moved that each state be offered the opportunity to receive 15 copies of the newsletter. His motion was seconded by Mr. Lovell and adopted by unanimous vote.
The Secretary stated that he would announce the availability of the newsletters on the Leaders reflector.
The Treasurer delivered a brief report. She reported the receipt of $6 in donations since the last meeting. Mr. O'Brian moved the acceptance of the report. His motion was seconded by Mr. Lovell and adopted by unanimous vote.
The Chairman gave a short exhortation about the need for unity, and the necessity of avoiding petty divisiveness and undue suspicion. He warned that such distractions would be sown by opponents of the party, and as leaders we must be on a constant lookout to avoid them and protect the party from their ill effects.
A long and detailed discussion was held regarding the length of National Committee meetings, and the need to manage the meetings more efficiently to conserve time and the members' resources.
Mr. Jones moved the adoption of a resolution governing Committee and Officer reports, and the form of the Agenda for National Committee meetings. His resolution was seconded by Mr. O'Brian.
Mr. Charles and Mr. Hill moved an amendment regarding the addition of certain items to the proposed template Agenda. The amendment was accepted as a friendly amendment.
After more discussion, the committee determined that a more formal, written motion proposing resolutions to be placed before the National Committee should be drawn up.
Mr. Moses moved to table the resolution until the next meeting, at which point such a written motion and resolutions could be taken up. His motion was seconded by Mr. O'Brian and adopted by unanimous vote.
There being no further business, upon motion made by Mr. Moses, seconded by Mr. Jones, and adopted by unanimous vote, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________
John Pittman Hey
National Secretary
America First National Committee
