Minutes of the Operating Committee of the America First Party

Tuesday, December 3, 2002

BE IT REMEMBERED that the Operating Committee of the America First Party met on Tuesday, December 3, 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 9:08 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
• 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
• Jon Hill of Massachusetts, Finance Committee Chairman

Absent:

• Gene Lovell of Georgia, Vice-chairman

Mr. Edwards moved the adoption of the Agenda. His motion was seconded by Mr. O'Brian and adopted by unanimous vote.

The Chairman reported a good response to the newsletter so far. He reported a large amount of mail with many contributions, but had no firm figures as yet to report. He also reported that he had met with the Treasurer in Illinois and that the hand-off of the Treasury material is almost complete.

The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the November 26 meeting of the Operating Committee. The Secretary moved the approval of the minutes. His motion was seconded by Mr. Jones and adopted by unanimous vote.

The Treasurer discussed the mechanics of preparing and presenting the monthly report to the National Committee.

Mr. Jones moved to bring off the table his resolution regarding the National Committee meeting agenda and reports from the committee chairmen and officers. His motion was seconded by Mr. Moses and adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Hey proposed a substitute resolution as an amendment to that of Mr. Jones. His amendment was seconded by Mr. O'Brian, and accepted as friendly by Mr. Jones.

The Resolution as amended reads as follows:

Resolved, that the Operating Committee respectfully submits the following Resolutions to the National Committee, and recommends their adoption in order to streamline the meetings of the National Committee and ensure efficient use of the members' time in the conduct of party business:

Resolution Regarding Reports to the National Committee

Be it resolved by the America First National Committee:

That the Resolution Regarding Standing and Special Committees adopted on August 25, 2002 is hereby repealed; and

That the Officers, Standing Committee Chairmen, and Special Committee Chairmen shall each present a report to the America First National Committee not earlier than twelve days and not later than five days prior to each teleconference meeting of the National Committee; and

That each such report shall detail the relevant activities of the respective committee or area of responsibility of each officer or committee chairman, and any resolutions which shall be recommended by such report; and

That each such report shall be distributed by its author via electronic mail or by whatever other means the National Committee may direct.

Resolution Regarding the Form of the Agenda of National Committee Meetings

Resolved, that those persons responsible for the preparation and circulation of the Agenda for all teleconference meetings of the National Committee shall do so in conformance with the prescribed template as follows:

1) Pledge of Allegiance

2) Invocation

3) Call to Order

4) Credentialing Report

5) Adopt Agenda

6) Chair's Report shall be limited to five minutes

7) Secretary's Request for Approval of Minutes

8) Treasurer's Report of Party Financial Status

9) Business Referred by Committee

10) Old Business

11) New Business submitted for inclusion in the Agenda

12) Other New Business

13) Question time for Operating Committee members

14) Adjournment

And that such agenda shall be circulated no later than five days before the meeting of the National Committee.

After some discussion, the resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

A discussion was held regarding the setting of the date for next year's National Convention. Mr. Jones moved the following Resolution:

Resolved, that the following Resolution be placed before the National Committee for action by written consent using a mail-in ballot:

Resolved, that the National Committee hereby sets the date for the America First Party's 2003 National Convention to be:

(Vote for one choice only) July 17 - 20, 2003 _____

July 24 - 27, 2003 _____

His resolution was seconded by Mrs. McHugh and adopted by unanimous vote.

A discussion was held regarding a variety of party building matters.

Mr. Moses announced his resignation as Rules Committee Chairman. He stated his desire to focus on growing the party in the state of Iowa.

There being no further business, upon motion made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. O'Brian, and adopted by unanimous vote, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
______________________
John Pittman Hey
National Secretary
America First National Committee