Minutes of the America First National Committee

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

BE IT REMEMBERED that the America First National Committee met on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 9 p.m. East Coast Time, pursuant to the Resolution of the Operating Committee adopted on December 6, 2005.

The Chairman led the National Committee in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Hey delivered the Invocation.

The Secretary called the roll of National Committee members.

Present:

• Dan Charles of Colorado, National Chairman
• Martin McClellan of Florida
• Peter Browning of Florida
• Tim Lohrman of Idaho
• Maureen McHugh of Illinois
• Tom White of Massachusetts
• Jon Hill of Massachusetts, National Vice-Chairman
• Trey Golmon of Mississippi
• Bradley Maurer of New York
• Romelle Winters of New Hampshire
• Joe Spitzig of Ohio
• Ward Chorpenning of Ohio
• David Thomas of Pennsylvania
• Sam Cross of Pennsylvania
• Frank Hackl of Wisconsin
• John Pittman Hey of Mississippi, National Secretary and Treasurer

Absent:

• Larry Carroll of Colorado
• Nancy Blankenship of Missouri
• Jim Arft of New York

Greg Roberts of Missouri joined the meeting after the roll had been taken.

A Quorum being present, the Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:23 p.m. ECT.

Mrs. Winters moved the adoption of the Credentials Report. The motion was seconded by Mr. Thomas and adopted by unanimous vote of the National Committee.

Mrs. Winters moved the adoption of the Agenda. Her motion was seconded by Mr. White.

Mr. Hill moved to strike from the Agenda the Resolution to select a convention site by election. His motion was seconded by Mr. Hey. The Amendment was carried by unanimous vote. The Agenda was then adopted as amended by unanimous vote.

The Chairman delivered his report. He reported on his telephone calls for the fund raising plan that is now underway. He encouraged the National Committee members to join the various standing committees, helping to build the party and provide leadership at the committee level. He reported that the web site is getting an ever-increasing number of hits, calls are still coming in at an accelerated pace, and members continue to join in steady numbers.

The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes for the November 1, 2005 meeting of the National Committee. Mr. Hey moved the adoption of the minutes. His motion was seconded by Mr. McClellan and adopted by unanimous vote, Mr. Hill abstaining.

The Treasurer referred the Committee to the full Report that has been published on the Reflector and on the Agenda web page. The current account balance is $10,223.71. The required monthly FEC reports have been prepared and submitted to the FEC; they may be reviewed on the FEC's public web site.

The National Committee had previously tabled a set of resolutions relating to the calling of a National Convention.

Mr. Spitzig moved that the Resolution authorizing the Contract for the Convention site be taken off the table. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hey and approved by unanimous vote.

Messrs. White and McClellan moved an amendment to correct the year. Messrs. Hey and White moved to amend the amendment to correct various other technical defects in the resolution. The amendment to the amendment was adopted, and the amendment as amended was finally adopted by unanimous vote.

The Resolution, as finally amended, reads as follows:

RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CONTRACTS FOR THE AMERICA FIRST PARTY 2006 NATIONAL CONVENTION

Be it resolved by the America First National Committee:

That the National Officers and Convention Committee Chair are hereby authorized to negotiate a contract with the Drawbridge Inn of Cincinnati, Ohio to host the 2006 National Convention from June 2 through June 4, 2006, and with vendors needed to fulfill the plans of the Convention Committee of the America First National Committee; and,

That the Operating Committee is authorized to approve or reject said contracts, unless within 72 hours of submission of a contract to the National Committee a meeting of the America First National Committee is called in accordance with Article III of the Party Constitution; and,

That if the contract with the convention site is approved, the Party Treasurer is authorized to pay all funds required to fulfill said contracts.

The Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

Messrs. Spitzig and White moved that the Resolution to Authorize the Execution and Budget for Convention Activities be taken from the table. The motion was adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Hill and Mrs. McHugh moved to amend the Resolution to change various dates. Mr. McClellan and Mrs. McHugh proposed an amendment to renumber the paragraphs in an appropriate manner. Messrs. White and Maurer moved an amendment related to a "Buy American" policy for convention suppliers. All amendments were accepted as friendly amendments, and the final amendment was adopted by unanimous vote.

The Resolution, as finally amended, reads as follows:

RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE AMERICA FIRST PARTY 2006 NATIONAL CONVENTION

Be it resolved by the America First National Committee:

That the Convention Committee is hereby authorized to execute for the National Committee all activities required to ensure a successful America First Party 2006 National Convention; and

That the Convention Committee shall provide status reports of significant activities via the Leaders Reflector; and

That the Party Treasurer is hereby authorized to spend for the National Committee at the direction of the Convention Committee up to $3,000.00 for the estimated items as follows:

1. Convention badges and accessories up to $300.00.

2. Convention decorations up to $1,000.00.

3. Convention supplies up to $100.00.

4. Bartender for Celebration Dinner up to $100.00.

5. Copying and printing expenses up to $1,000.00.

6. Unforeseen miscellaneous items up to $500.00; and

That convention supplies shall be obtained from American suppliers where possible.

The Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Spitzig and Mrs. Winters moved that the Resolution to Call the National Convention be taken from the table. Their motion was adopted by unanimous vote.

Messrs. Hill and McClellan offered various technical amendments, which were adopted by unanimous vote.

The Resolution, as finally amended, reads as follows:

RESOLUTION TO CALL THE AMERICA FIRST PARTY 2006 NATIONAL CONVENTION

Be it resolved by the America First National Committee:

That the America First Party 2006 National Convention is hereby called to occur on June 2 through June 4, 2006 at the Drawbridge Inn of Cincinnati, Ohio; and,

That the Secretary shall issue written notice of the Convention to the National Committee members as required by the Party Constitution.

The Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

There being no further business, Mrs. Winters moved that the National Committee adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. Chorpenning and adopted by unanimous vote. The Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m. ECT.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________
John Pittman Hey
National Secretary
America First National Committee