Minutes of the America First National Committee

Tuesday, October 7, 2003

BE IT REMEMBERED that the America First National Committee met on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 at 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, pursuant to the Resolution of the Operating Committee adopted on September 30, 2003.

The Secretary called the roll of National Committee members.

Present:

• Tim Lohrmann of Idaho
• L. Thomas White and Jon Hill of Massachusetts
• Romelle Winters and Francis Winters of New Hampshire
• Bradley Maurer of New York
• Jim Bunosky and John Francis of Ohio
• George Stryker and David Thomas of Pennsylvania
• Maureen McHugh of Illinois, National Treasurer
• John Pittman Hey of Mississippi, National Secretary

Absent:

• Larry Carroll of Colorado
• Joseph Hoffman of Illinois
• Greg Roberts of Missouri
• Trey Golmon of Mississippi
• Frank Hackl of Wisconsin
• Ward Chorpenning of Ohio

Nancy Blankenship of Missouri and Sam Cross of Pennsylvania joined the meeting after the roll call had been taken.

Mr. Dan Charles was present, first as a guest, and later as a National Committee member from the state of Colorado.

A Quorum being present, the Secretary called the meeting to order at 9:08 p.m.

The National Committee meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. White delivered the invocation.

Mrs. Winters made a motion to elect John Hey to chair this meeting. Her motion was seconded by Mr. Maurer. Mr. Hey was elected to chair the meeting by unanimous consent.

The Secretary reported receiving notice of the election of Mr. James Arft as a National Committee member for the state of New York. Mr. Maurer moved the amendment of the Certified List of National Committee members to add Mr. Arft from New York. His motion was seconded by Mr. Hill and adopted by unanimous vote.

The Secretary reported receiving notice of the election of Mr. Dan Charles and Mrs. Ann O'Brien as National Committee members from Colorado. Mr. White moved the amendment of the Certified List of National Committee members to add Mr. Charles and Mrs. O'Brien from Colorado. His motion was seconded by Mr. Hill and adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. White moved the adoption of the Agenda as distributed by the Secretary. His motion was seconded by Mr. Charles and adopted by unanimous vote.

The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the September 23rd meeting of the National Committee for consideration and adoption. Mr. White moved the approval of the minutes. His motion was seconded by Mr. Maurer and adopted by unanimous vote, Messrs. Hill and Charles abstaining.

The National Treasurer delivered her report. She reported repayment in full of the convention-related debt to the Nashville Marriott, leaving approximately $450 in the bank account. She reminded the members that she was holding about $1800 in unpaid invoices. She reminded everyone to reserve Dinner tickets for the Banquet to be held after the in-person National Committee meeting. The price for a ticket is $32.

The Treasurer described the situation with John and Virginia Clark, and the status of their duplicate claim for refunds on the dinner tickets.

Mr. Stryker moved a resolution to require the Operating Committee to draft and submit a proposed Agenda for the in-person National Committee meeting. His resolution was seconded by Mr. White. The resolution reads as follows:

Resolution to provide for an Agenda for the in-person meeting

Resolved, that the Operating Committee is instructed to prepare and circulate a proposed Agenda for the in-person meeting of the National Committee to be held on October 25, 2003 in Des Plaines, Illinois.

The resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

Mrs. McHugh moved the adoption of a Resolution authorizing execution of the Dinner Banquet contract with Grazie! Her resolution was seconded by Mr. White.

Mr. Charles pointed out the need to authorize payment of other expenses related to fulfillment of the dinner banquet contract. His amendment was accepted by unanimous consent

The resolution, as amended, reads as follows:

Resolution to approve execution of the Dinner Banquet contract and payment of necessary expenses

Resolved, that the National Treasurer is hereby authorized to execute the Dinner Banquet Contract with "Grazie!" restaurant, and to pay to the restaurant the sum of $250 as a deposit to secure the facilities, and all payments necessary to fulfill the contract.

The resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Maurer moved a Resolution to amend the Party Constitution to permit the creation of subsidiary committees, organizations, and clubs. His Resolution was seconded by Mr. Charles. The Resolution reads as follows:

Resolution to Amend the Party Constitution

Resolved, that the National Committee amend Article III Section 9 of the Party Constitution to read as follows: "The National Committee shall have the authority to create and abolish such committees, organizations, and clubs as it shall deem necessary and proper for the conduct of the party's business; to determine the qualifications for membership therein and set the membership thereof; and to provide for the administration and management of the affairs thereof."

The Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Charles moved the adoption of a Resolution to create a membership organization. His Resolution was seconded by Mr. White. The Resolutions reads as follows:

Resolution to Establish the America First Party Membership Organization

Whereas, there are many patriots in our nation who desire to join with us as members of the America First Party to help restore faith, freedom and the Constitution; and

Whereas, many of these patriots live in states or territories without a currently affiliated state party organization; and

Whereas, it is in the interests of the Party that these patriots be organized and activated to work to promote the Party, its mission, principles, and ideas; and

Whereas, it is in the interests of the Party that an organization be created to provide these patriots with a sense of belonging and to encourage leaders within those states to naturally emerge so as to assist in the development of state party organizations in every state; and

Whereas, Article III Section 9 of the Party Constitution authorizes this National Committee to create, organize, structure, and govern any such committee or organization as is necessary for the conduct of the Party's business;

Now therefore be it resolved by the National Committee:

That a subsidiary organization for membership is hereby created, and that it shall be referred to as the "America First Party"; and

That membership in this subsidiary organization shall in no way imply membership in, or participatory rights in, this National Committee or any National Convention which the Party may hold; and

That this subsidiary membership organization shall not be self-governing and that its members will be encouraged to participate in activities at the direction of the National Committee or any subsidiary committee so assigned by the National Committee; and

That the mission of this subsidiary membership organization shall be to support the Mission, Principles, Platform, and Candidates of the America First Party and to establish state party organizations in every state; and

That the National Committee shall solicit memberships to this membership organization in all states and territories of the United States of America in which there is no affiliated state party organization; and

That the National Committee shall approve a suitable membership form to register such members of such new subsidiary organization; and

That the following rules shall govern this subsidiary membership organization:

1. To be a member of the America First Party Membership Organization, a person must:
      a. be a legally registered voter not affiliated with any other political party.
      b. Submit a fully executed membership application form to the National Secretary.
2. Membership shall run for one calendar year from the date of receipt of the required membership form by the National Secretary.
3. Membership may be renewed by filing a newly executed copy of the membership form with the National Secretary.
4. A member may renew his or her membership no more than twice.
5. Membership in this new subsidiary organization may be revoked or reinstated at any time without notice by resolution of the Party Building Committee, the Operating Committee, or the National Committee when the best interests of the Party shall so require.
6. Members shall, at the discretion of the Chair of any of the Standing or Special Committees of the National Committee, have the privilege but not the right to participate in the discussion and debates within those committees, but are prohibited from voting or otherwise engaging in the parliamentary activities of any such committee.

The Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote of the National Committee.

Mr. Charles moved the adoption of a Resolution creating a membership form for the America First Party membership organization. His Resolution was seconded by Mr. Hill. The Resolution reads as follows:

Resolved that the National Committee hereby adopts the following membership form for the subsidiary organization known by the name "America First Party":

America First Party Membership Application

To join the America First Party, complete and sign this form and file it with the party's National Secretary. This form may also be used for the purpose of annual membership renewal as required by the rules of the Party.

Please use a separate form for each applicant.

Name: ___________________________________
Address: ___________________________________
___________________________________
City: ___________________________________
State: _____________ Zipcode: ____________
County: ___________________________________
Home Phone: ___________________________________
Work Phone: ___________________________________
Fax Phone: ___________________________________
Email address: ___________________________________

I hereby certify the following:

1. I desire to become a member of the America First Party.
2. I am a legally registered voter in the state in which I reside.
3. I am not presently a member of any other political party.
4. I embrace the Constitution of the United States of America and the traditions and values expressed by the Founding Fathers of this nation.
5. I am in agreement with and will support the Mission, Principles and the Platform of the America First Party.
6. I seek the restoration of legitimate constitutional government and our Constitutional Republic through organized political action in the America First Party, and I shall not participate in or advocate the overthrow of the government by force or violence.
7. I agree, so long as I remain a member, to abide by the party Constitution and other Rules as promulgated by the party's National Committee.
8. I acknowledge that the America First Party may refuse membership to me without explanation, and that my membership may be terminated by the Party solely at its discretion.
9. I shall refrain from acting or speaking in a way calculated to undermine the Party, its principles, platform, and political goals, or that may reasonably be expected to produce such harm.
10. I understand that membership in the party is open without fear or prejudice to all my fellow countrymen so long as they embrace the Constitution, the Judeo-Christian moral, ethical, and political values upon which the nation was founded, and upright personal behavior and moral character that are a credit to the Party.
11. I shall endeavor to promote the Mission, Principles, Platform, and candidates of the America First Party and seek the establishment of a State Party Organization in my state of residence.
12. I shall encourage like minded fellow patriots to join the America First Party.
13. I will be ever mindful of the unity of the party over personal ambition.

I hereby attest to the accuracy of the foregoing application and pledge to remain true to the conditions of membership listed therein, so help me God.

Executed on this the _____ day of ______, 200__.

_____________________________
(applicant's signature)

(Please mail the completed, signed form to:

America First Party
National Secretary
1630 A 30th Street # 111
` Boulder, CO 80301

The Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Charles made a short statement to the National Committee thanking it for its many kindnesses and expressing his happiness to be back on the National Committee.

A question was entertained regarding speakers at the in-person meeting. Mrs. McHugh confirmed that Thomas Fleming will be a guest speaker at the Dinner Banquet in Chicago.

There being no further business, on motion made by Mr. Charles, seconded by Mr. Hill, and adopted by unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned.

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