Minutes of the Operating Committee of the America First Party
Tuesday, August 9, 2005
BE IT REMEMBERED that the Operating Committee of the America First Party met on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 at 9:00 p.m. East Coast Time, pursuant to the previous resolution 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
- John Pittman Hey of Mississippi, Secretary/Treasurer
- Jon Hill of Massachusetts, Vice-chairman
- 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
Mr. Joseph Spitzig of Ohio, the Convention Committee Chairman, was also in attendance as a guest.
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 9:19 p.m.
Mrs. Winters moved the adoption of the standard Agenda. Mr. Hill seconded the motion. The Chairman moved to amend the agenda to insert the Convention Committee report. The amendment was seconded by Mr. White and adopted by unanimous vote. The Agenda, as amended, was finally adopted by unanimous vote.
The Chairman delivered his report. He continues working on various committee projects. The number of contacts and calls have been running higher than usual, with much positive response to the summer issue of the newsletter.
The Chairman reported on his conversations with the promoter of a third party conference. The proposed conference will conflict with the dates being considered for the party's convention.
The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes for the August 2, 2005 meeting 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 vote.
The fundraising letter has been printed and is being stuffed and stamped.
The Treasurer reported that the party's bank balance is $1829.43, $720 of which is in the new fundraising fund. There are no unpaid obligations, but the costs of the fund raising letter have not been invoiced yet. The August FEC report has been submitted and may be reviewed on the FEC public web site.
Mr. Spitzig delivered a Convention Committee report. He reported on a location just south of Cincinnati that appears to be very attractive. The consensus was that the proposal should be circulated to the party leadership and discussed for possible adoption and call of a convention toward the end of October.
Mr. Hill reported that the fundraising letter had been completed and turned over to the Secretary for mailing. The Finance Committee will begin work on the subsequent letter immediately.
Mr. White reported continuing working contacts in various states. He reported on some particular contacts he has made. A discussion was held regarding the need for a Party Building Committee meeting to consider calling organizing committee meetings in Michigan and Arizona.
Mrs. Winters reported that the Public Relations Committee will meet Thursday evening for work on the next newsletter and the generic newsletter. The committee has already completed work on a web banner ad that is being displayed on the Conservative Voice web site.
Mr. Charles reported that the Rules Committee continues its work on devising procedures for transforming organizing committees into affiliated state parties. He reported that the Rules Committee will meet a week from this Saturday.
Mr. White brought up a conference in the state of Alabama that we might consider attending.
There being no further business, upon motion made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Winters, and adopted by unanimous consent, the meeting was adjourned at 10:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________
John Pittman Hey
National Secretary
America First National Committee
