Minutes of the Operating Committee of the America First Party
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
BE IT REMEMBERED that the Operating Committee of the America First Party met on Tuesday, December 16, 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
- Romelle Winters of New Hampshire, Public Relations Committee Chairman
- Tom White of Massachusetts, Party Building Committee Chairman
- Dan Charles of Colorado, Rules Committee Chairman
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. White delivered the invocation. The Chairman led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Chairman delivered a short report. He reminded the members that growing state party organizations is the primary purpose upon which we must focus at present. The Ohio state party has secured several candidates for statewide office.
A discussion was held regarding reaching out to other political organizations. The consensus was that we have to be very careful in whom we approach and whom we work with.
The Vice-chairman reported the state party in Massachusetts is launching a serious effort to combat the recent gay-marriage ruling of the state Supreme Court, including a large mailing to thousands of pro-family groups in the state.
The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the December 9, 2003 meeting of the Operating Committee. Mr. Hey moved the adoption of the minutes as published. His motion was seconded by Mr. Charles and adopted by unanimous vote.
The Secretary delivered a brief report. All the items for the mailing are now in his possession, and the letters are being stuffed and will be mailed shortly. The envelope printer has performed admirably. The mail insertion equipment has arrived but has not yet been assembled and tested. All orders for the store and requests for packets have been fulfilled up to the beginning of the week.
The Treasurer reported that she has paid some invoices this week, leaving around $1500 in the treasury.
Mr. White delivered a brief Party Building report. He has been contacting individuals in Georgia and Texas this week. A discussion was had regarding circulation of the national membership forms.
Mr. Hill reported no activity from the Finance Committee at this time.
Mr. Charles reported that the Rules Committee is making progress in crafting new rules for the management of the party reflectors. In addition, some work has been done on devising rules for the governance of the standing and special committees.
Mrs. Winters is working on two press releases relating to the recent Supreme Court ruling against the First Amendment in the McCain-Feingold case, and relating to the capture of Saddam Hussein.
There being no further business, upon motion made by Mr. Hey, seconded by Mr. Hill, and adopted by unanimous vote, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________
John Pittman Hey
National Secretary
America First National Committee
