Minutes of the Operating Committee of the America First Party
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
BE IT REMEMBERED that the Operating Committee of the America First Party met on Tuesday, March 4, 2003 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, pursuant to the previous resolution of the Operating Committee.
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
- Jon Hill of Massachusetts, Finance Committee Chairman
- James D. Jones of Tennessee, Party Building Chairman
- Michael O'Brian of Michigan, Platform Committee Chairman
- James Edwards of Tennessee, Candidates Committee Chairman
Absent:
- Romelle Winters of New Hampshire, Public Relations Committee Chairman
Trey Golmon of Mississippi, Ballot Access Committee Chairman, joined the meeting after the roll call.
Mr. Warren Baldwin of Tennessee was present as a guest of the Operating Committee.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 9:05 p.m. EST.
The Chairman led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Secretary gave the invocation.
Mr. Lovell moved the adoption of the Agenda as proposed by the Chairman. His motion was seconded by Mr. O'Brian and adopted by unanimous vote.
The Chairman delivered his report. The South Dakota advertisement has still not been published, and it appears that the advertisement company will not permit its publication. The Chairman is still trying to convince the company to run the ad, but he is not optimistic.
The Chairman described his efforts to organize a "Right Against the War" coalition, to secure public, united, conservative opposition to the war with Iraq.
The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the February 13, 2003 meeting of the Operating Committee. The Secretary moved the adoption of the Minutes. His motion was seconded by Mr. Jones and adopted by unanimous vote.
The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the February 20, 2003 meeting of the Operating Committee. The Secretary moved the adoption of the Minutes. His motion was seconded by Mr. O'Brian and adopted by unanimous vote.
The Chairman led a general discussion of the proposed advertisement in the American Free Press.
After some discussion, it was the consensus of the committee that the ad should focus on member recruitment and fundraising, rather than promotion of the convention. The Convention Committee is preparing a short, working convention that will focus on party business. Several members opined that such a meeting will not be of interest to rank and file party members or the general public. Others pointed out that we might well attract persons who are more interested in attending conventions than getting work done for the party. Still others argued that there would not be very much room to accommodate many guests.
The committee discussed the possible response generated by the advertisement. Mr. Jones stated his belief that the ad would raise significant amounts of money for the party. Mr. Hey stated he believed the ad would be unlikely to return the cost of publication.
The Committee will work on draft language for a proposed resolution to send back to the National Committee, while the Public Relations Committee works on the contents of the proposed ad.
The Chairman led a discussion of how the Standing Committees can better work together. The members agreed that ideas, wherever they originate, should be taken to the proper committee for hashing out and discussion.
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
