Minutes of the America First National Committee

Tuesday, November 11, 2003

BE IT REMEMBERED that the America First National Committee met on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, pursuant to the Resolution of the Operating Committee adopted on November 4, 2003.

The Secretary called the roll of National Committee members.

Present:

• Larry Carroll and Dan Charles of Colorado
• Tim Lohrmann of Idaho
• L. Thomas White of Massachusetts
• Nancy Blankenship of Missouri
• Romelle Winters of New Hampshire
• Bradley Maurer of New York
• Ward Chorpenning and Jerry Martin of Ohio
• Sam Cross, George Stryker and David Thomas of Pennsylvania
• Maureen McHugh of Illinois, National Treasurer
• John Pittman Hey of Mississippi, National Secretary
• Jon Hill of Massachusetts, National Vice-Chairman
• John Francis of Ohio, National Chairman

Absent:

• Joseph Hoffman of Illinois
• Greg Roberts of Missouri
• Trey Golmon of Mississippi
• Jim Arft of New York

Frank Hackl of Wisconsin joined the meeting after the roll call had been taken.

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

A Quorum being present, the Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:12 p.m.

The Chairman appointed Mr. Charles to serve as the Parliamentarian, and also asked that he chair the meeting.

The Secretary reported receiving no amendments to the Credentials Report at this time. Mr. White moved the adoption of the Credentials Report. His motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters and adopted by unanimous vote.

The Chairman delivered a brief report. He is very eager to see county organizations created in every county in each affiliated state. He stated that he would be contacting the state chairmen to discuss this matter.

Mrs. Winters moved the adoption of the proposed Agenda which had been previously circulated. Her motion was seconded by Mr. White, and adopted by unanimous vote.

The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the October 7, 2003 meeting of the National Committee for consideration and adoption. Mr. Hey moved the approval of the minutes. His motion was seconded by Mr. Carroll and adopted by unanimous vote.

The National Treasurer delivered her report. As of November 6, 2003, the virtual account balance for the party was $1525.36.

Mr. Francis moved the adoption of a Resolution referred by the Operating Committee to authorize a Fundraising and Membership Drive. The Resolution was seconded by Mr. Hill.

Mr. White moved to amend the Resolution to add another page to the mailing describing the party merchandise available from the party store. His amendment was seconded by Mrs. Winters, but after some discussion, the amendment was withdrawn.

The Resolution reads as follows:

Operating Committee Resolution on Fundraising/Membership drive

Resolved, that the National Committee authorizes the expenditure of funds (not to exceed $1200), for production and mailing of a fundraising and membership drive mailing.

Said mailing shall be to the 2-3,000 most recent prospects who live in a state without an affiliated state party, which should include, 1) a cover letter explaining the membership program, to be written by the Operating Committee not to exceed one page front and back, 2) a second page containing the approved membership form on one side and request for donation on the other, to be designed by the Finance Committee, and 3) a return envelope.

The Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

A time of questions and discussion followed. Mr. Hey brought up a discussion of spurious claims made by some in the patriot movement about the United States being supplanted by a supposed "federal corporation." The evidence given to support the existence of this corporation is flawed, and it is important that we not grasp hold of false ideas that will discredit us for no good reason.

Mr. Charles commented that these false ideas are the product of frustrated patriots seeking easy solutions to America's problems. The only real solutions will take years of hard work to change our elected officials from top to bottom through the election process.

Mr. Francis discussed progress in the state of Ohio and urged prayers and volunteers to help in party building at the national level. Mr. White also solicited members for the Party Building committee.

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

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