Minutes of the Operating Committee of the America First Party
Monday, September 22, 2008
BE IT REMEMBERED that the Operating Committee of the America First Party met on Monday, September 22, 2008 at 9:00 p.m. East Coast Time, pursuant to the previous resolution of the Operating Committee.
The Secretary led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Hey delivered the invocation.
The Secretary called the roll of Operating Committee members:
Present:
- John Hey of Mississippi, National Secretary and Treasurer
- Michael Lynch of New York, Public Relations Committee Chairman
- Peter Browning of Florida, Partybuilding Committee Chairman
- Tom White of Massachusetts, Candidates Committee Chairman
Absent:
- Jon Hill of Massachusetts, Chairman
- Martin McClellan of Florida, Vice-chairman
- Joe Spitzig of Ohio, Platform Committee Chairman
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order by the Secretary at 9:21 p.m.
Mr. White moved the adoption of the standard Agenda. Mr. Browning seconded the motion. The Agenda was adopted by unanimous consent.
The Secretary reported that a press release prepared by the Chairman will be released later this evening.
The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes for the September 8, 2008 meeting of the Operating Committee. Mr. Hey moved the adoption of the minutes as published. His motion was seconded by Mr. Browning. The minutes were adopted by unanimous vote, Mr. White abstaining.
Responses from the newspaper are coming it and being processed. The Secretary is preparing to send out the follow-up fundraising letter to members and supporters.
The Treasurer reported that the party's bank balance is $ 8680.27. There are no unpaid invoices at this time.
Some questions about in-kind contributions were taken up.
Mr. Hey reported that the Finance Committee has submitted an approved fundraising letter which will be sent out shortly.
Mr. Browning delivered the Partybuilding Committee report. He reported that we are getting new contacts from our on-line petition. He reported progress with some of the organizers in various states.
Mr. Lynch reported the PR Committee met last Saturday to work on the upcoming newspaper. More articles have come in, and only two are left to be done. He also reported his research for advertising at the American Conservative website. The PR Committee will most likely vote out a resolution for the National Committee to provide funding to try such a web banner ad for the party.
The members discussed a resolution supporting one or more candidates for President. After some discussion, Mr. Lynch moved that the following resolution be forwarded to the National Committee for its approval. The motion was seconded by Mr. Browning. The proposed Resolution reads as follows:
Whereas the America First Party is not running a presidential candidate in 2008 because this would be a poor use of resources for our developing party; and,
Whereas many voters would nevertheless like to have guidance on how to vote in the general presidential election; and,
Whereas both Democrat and Republican presidential nominees are greatly at odds with the America First Party's principles in areas of foreign policy, trade, immigration, and fiscal spending; and,
Whereas it is important that voters not waste their vote by voting for Democrat and Republican presidential candidates who are poised to violate the basic requirements of the oath of office, and who will, if they pursue their stated policy objectives, continue the process of overturning our constitutional government; and,
Whereas there are two presidential candidates which have achieved ballot access in enough states to have a theoretical possibility of winning the presidential election, and which hold positions similar but not identical to those of the America First Party;
Therefore, be it resolved by the America First National Committee:
That voters be encouraged to vote for either Chuck Baldwin or Bob Barr for President in November.
The Resolution was adopted by majority vote, with Mr. White casting the sole opposing vote.
A discussion was held regarding reaching out to Ron Paul supporters, and letting them know about the party.
A discussion of implementing a Patriot Alert email list took place. Mr. Hey will prepare an appropriate resolution to authorize its creation and operation.
Mr. Hey moved that a teleconference meeting of the National Committee be called for Tuesday evening, October 7, 2008 at 9 p.m. East Coast time. His motion was seconded by Mr. Browning and adopted by unanimous vote.
There being no further business, on motion made by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Browning, and adopted by unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 11:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________
John Pittman Hey
National Secretary
America First National Committee
