Minutes of the Operating Committee of the America First Party
Thursday, February 19, 2004
BE IT REMEMBERED that the Operating Committee of the America First Party met on Thursday, February 19, 2004 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, pursuant to the previous agreement of the Operating Committee.
The Chairman led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. White delivered the invocation.
The Secretary called the roll of Operating Committee members:
Present:
- Dan Charles of Colorado, Chairman
- Jon Hill of Massachusetts, Vice-chairman
- John Pittman Hey of Mississippi, Secretary/Treasurer
- Tom White of Massachusetts, Party Building Committee Chairman
- Romelle Winters of New Hampshire, Public Relations Committee Chairman
Absent:
- Trey Golmon of Mississippi, Ballot Access Committee Chairman
- Larry Carroll of Colorado, Platform Committee Chairman
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order by the Chairman.
The Chairman moved the adoption of a standard Agenda. His motion was seconded by Mr. White and adopted by unanimous vote.
The Chairman delivered his report. He has been getting back up to speed in the job. Various media contacts have been made, with the Chairman already having been interviewed by an internet radio host. In addition, work has been done to finalize the recruiting letters and various press releases which are in preparation.
The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the January 20, 2004 meeting of the Operating Committee. Mr. Hey moved the adoption of the minutes as published and corrected. His motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters and adopted by unanimous vote.
The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the January 27, 2004 vote by electronic mail of the Operating Committee. Mr. Hey moved the adoption of the minutes as published. His motion was seconded by Mr. White and adopted by unanimous consent.
The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the February 10, 2004 vote by electronic mail 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 consent.
The Treasurer reported that the party's bank balance is around $4,000. He is waiting receipt of the close-out check from the Illinois bank from Maureen McHugh, at which point he will open the new bank account in Greenwood and then file the appropriate forms with the FEC.
Mr. Hill delivered a brief Finance Committee report. He described an unsatisfactory discussion with a possible vendor for promotional items. The Chairman described several problems that he had in trying to work with the vendor as well.
Mrs. Winters delivered a brief Public Relations Committee report. The committee is still working on finalizing the content of the Generic 2004 newsletter. The final text of the recruiting letters will be approved shortly.
Mr. Charles reported that the Rules Committee continues to craft proposals and invite new members to join. Mr. Jerry Martin has volunteered to serve on the committee. In addition, the Committee plans to interview National Committee candidate Joe Spitzig at its next meeting in order to make a recommendation to the National Committee.
Mr. White reported a large number of calls by the Party Building Committee. People are starting to volunteer in many states to help distribute membership forms.
The Chairman led a general discussion of a variety of subjects pertinent to party operations. These items were for information purposes only and no official action was taken.
There being no further business, upon motion made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Winters, and adopted by unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________
John Pittman Hey
National Secretary
America First National Committee
