Minutes of the Operating Committee of the America First Party
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
BE IT REMEMBERED that the Operating Committee of the America First Party met on Tuesday, November 18, 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:
- John Francis of Ohio, Chairman
- Jon Hill of Massachusetts, Vice-chairman
- John Pittman Hey of Mississippi, Secretary
- Maureen McHugh of Illinois, Treasurer
- Dan Charles of Colorado, Rules Committee Chairman
- Romelle Winters of New Hampshire, Public Relations Committee Chairman
- Tom White of Massachusetts, Party Building Committee
Absent:
- Larry Carroll of Colorado, Platform Committee Chairman
- Trey Golmon of Mississippi, Ballot Access Committee Chairman
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order by the Chairman.
Mr. Hey delivered the invocation. The Chairman led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Chairman delivered a short report. The article on the Chairman's speech was printed in this week's "American Free Press". Mr. Francis is working on the handoff of the state party chairmanship in Ohio. Another press interview is scheduled for tomorrow morning.
The Chairman exhorted the officers and committee chairmen to uphold each other in prayer. The work is difficult and time consuming, and there is so little time in which to work to save our country. We must all guard against laziness and procrastination, and seek strength to accomplish the important work we have set ourselves to.
The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the November 4, 2003 meeting of the Operating Committee. Mr. Hey moved the adoption of the minutes as published. His motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters and adopted by unanimous vote.
The Secretary reported that the backlog of contacts have now been keypunched into the database, and a newsletter mailing to the new contacts will go out tomorrow morning. Changes have been made to the Party Building web site to allow party members to flag individuals who should receive a party membership form. The Secretary is getting envelopes and letterhead printed for the mailings that will go out next week.
The Treasurer delivered a brief report. The donations taken in since the last report have been approximately $284. The account balance hovers around $1790.
Mr. White gave a Convention committee report. He is checking out various hotels in the Boston area. He discussed costs and benefits of holding the Convention in Boston in July. Others expressed concern about the proposed cost. The suggestion was made that the Convention committee should prepare a bid specification and solicit bids from party members who would like to see the convention hosted in their state.
Mr. Charles delivered a very brief Rules Committee report. The first meeting is scheduled for this Thursday evening.
Mr. Hill presented a brief Finance Committee report. The Finance Committee is working on the text of the letter for inclusion in the membership/fundraising drive. He has also scouted out the cost of contracting out mass mailings, and the numbers have not been encouraging. As a result, he has purchased some equipment which the Secretary will use to send out the party's mailings.
The Chairman led a discussion on preparation of the letter for inclusion in the membership and fundraising mailing. The consensus is that Mr. Hey, Mrs. Winters, Mr. Hill, and Mr. White will work on this in the next 48 hours and circulate the proposed text.
Mrs.Winters delivered a Public Relations committee report. She discussed a proposed press release on today's Massachusetts court ruling in favor of homosexual "marriage".
The Chairman raised the matter of whether the party should agree to permit the Library of Congress to archive our web site. Mrs. Winters will post an email to the Leaders reflector about this matter.
Mr. White delivered a Party Building committee report. He is focusing on Georgia and Oklahoma, and Jerry Martin is working on Indiana and Kentucky. Many new contacts have been entered into the system, so there is much work to be done.
Mr. Hill commented upon the recent series on loss of jobs by Lou Dobbs on CNN. He suggested that it would be a good program for the party chairman to appear on.
There being no further business, upon motion made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mrs. McHugh, and adopted by unanimous vote, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________
John Pittman Hey
National Secretary
America First National Committee
