Minutes of the America First National Committee

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

BE IT REMEMBERED that the America First National Committee met on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 9 p.m. East Coast Time, pursuant to the Resolution of the Operating Committee adopted on March 30, 2009.

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:

• Jonathan Hill of Massachusetts, National Chairman
• Tom White of Massachusetts
• John Wagner of Michigan
• Dan Eller of Michigan
• John Pittman Hey of Mississippi, National Secretary and Treasurer
• Romelle Winters of New Hampshire
• Michael Lynch of New York
• David Thomas of Pennsylvania
• Samuel Cross of Pennsylvania
• Frank Hackl of Wisconsin

Absent:

• Peter Browning of Florida
• Martin McClellan of Florida, National Vice-chairman
• Maureen McHugh of Illinois
• Greg Roberts of Missouri
• Bradley Maurer of New York
• Joe Spitzig of Ohio

A quorum being present, the Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:10 p.m. ECT.

The Credentials Report was reviewed.

Mr. Hey brought before the Committee Mr. Maurer's desire to resign from the National Committee. Mr. Maurer declined to submit a signed resignation, which means that only the National Committee can remove him from the Certified List of Members. Mr. Hey moved that the Certified List of Members of the National Committee be amended to strike the name of Bradley Maurer. The amendment was seconded by Mrs. Winters. Mr. Lynch described to the Committee Mr. Maurer's definite desire to leave the party. The amendment was approved by unanimous vote.

Mr. Hey reported that Mr. Stephen W. Meier has been elected to the National Committee by the America First Party of Ohio. As required by the Party Constitution, he has been interviewed by both the Rules and Platform Committees and obtained unanimous recommendations from both committees that he be seated. Mr. Hey moved that the Certified List of Members of the National Committee be amended to add Steven Meier. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Thomas and adopted by unanimous vote.

There being no further amendment, Mr. Lynch moved that the Certified List of National Committee members as recited during the roll call and as twice amended be approved. His motion was seconded by Mr. Thomas and adopted by unanimous vote.

Mrs. Winters moved that the Agenda be adopted as presented. Her motion was seconded by Mr. Lynch. The Agenda was approved by unanimous vote.

The Chairman delivered his report. He described the stellar performance of Mike Eller in his run for city council in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Mr. Hill briefly reviewed the press releases that the party has issued since the last meeting. In addition, he was interviewed on the English Al Jazeera network. He also mentioned the Party's new web ad now appearing on the American Conservative website.

The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes for the October 7, 2008 meeting of the National Committee. Mr. Hey moved the adoption of the minutes. His motion was seconded by Mr. Lynch. The minutes were adopted by unanimous vote.

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 $10,201.28. The required monthly FEC reports have been prepared and submitted to the FEC; they may be reviewed on the FEC's public web site.

Mrs. Winters moved the adoption of the Finance Committee's request for authorization to reprint the newsletter. Her motion was seconded by Mr. White. The Resolution reads as follows:

Resolution #1: A Finance Committee Resolution to fund the Introductory Newsletter

Resolved, by the National Committee of the America First Party:

That, up to $2,200 be spent on the printing of 3,500 copies of the Introductory Newsletter.

The Resolution was approved by unanimous vote.

Mr. Lynch moved the adoption of the Finance Committee's request for authorization to print the next issue of the newspaper and a follow-up fundraising letter. His motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters. The Resolution reads as follows:

Resolution #2: The Finance Committee's Newspaper and Fundraising Letter Budget Request

Resolved, by the National Committee of the America First Party:

That, up to $3,700 be spent on the printing and mailing of 5,000 copies of the America First Leader newspaper; and,

That, the Finance Committee is authorized to send a fundraising letter to the membership and donor list within 45 days after the mailing of the next newspaper issue.

The Resolution was approved by unanimous vote.

Mr. Lynch moved the adoption of the Finance Committee's request for authorization to send out an outreach packet to Ron Paul supporters. His motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters. A positive discussion about the plan took place. The Resolution reads as follows:

Resolution #3: The Finance Committee's Request to Fund an Outreach to Ron Paul Supporters

Resolved, by the National Committee of the America First Party:

That, up to $120 be spent on the Ron Paul outreach mailing, which is to include a cover letter, sample newspaper issue, and miscellaneous items; and,

That, in order to comply with FEC regulations, none of the included items will contain any fundraising solicitations.

The Resolution was approved by unanimous vote.

Mr. Hey moved the adoption of an Amendment to the Party Constitution regarding vacancies of standing committee chairmen. His motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters. The Resolution reads as follows:

Resolution #4: The Rules Committee Proposal to Amend the Constitution

Resolved, that the National Committee does hereby amend the Party Constitution by the addition of the following numbered sections to Article VII:

Section 15: A Standing Committee Chairman may resign by submission of a signed resignation to the National Secretary. The National Secretary shall promptly notify the National Committee upon receipt of any such signed resignation, and thereafter the chairmanship shall be deemed vacant.

Section 16: Whenever a vacancy of a Standing Committee Chairmanship shall exist, whether by receipt of a signed resignation, death, or deposition from office, the National Committee shall elect a proper person to serve the remainder of the term of the Special Committee Chairman.

Section 17: Whenever the National Committee shall adjourn without filling a vacancy of a Standing Committee Chairmanship, the Operating Committee may appoint an acting Standing Committee Chairman, who shall possess and exercise all the authority and duties assigned to that Standing Committee Chairman by this Constitution or by the National Committee; but such an acting Standing Committee Chairman shall serve only until the adjournment of the next National Committee meeting, and may be removed by the Operating Committee or by the National Committee at any time prior thereto.

The Resolution was approved by unanimous vote.

Mr. Lynch moved the adoption of the Operating Committee's request to declare the Partybuilding Committee Chairmanship vacant. His motion was seconded by Mr. White. The Resolution reads as follows:

Resolution #5: The Operating Committee Resolution to Declare a Standing Committee Chair Vacant.

Whereas, the National Committee finds that Mr. Peter Browning, the duly elected chairman of the Partybuilding Committee, has failed to attend to the business of that committee since October 2008, and has indicated by email that he has resigned as chairman, but refuses to tender a written, signed resignation; and

Whereas, the business of the Partybuilding Committee is critical to the success and growth of the party;

Now therefore be it resolved by the America First National Committee,

That Peter Browning is removed as chairman of the Partybuilding Committee, and the position is hereby declared vacant.

The Resolution was approved by unanimous vote.

A time of general discussion and questions took place.

There being no further business, upon motion made by Mr. Hey and seconded by Mrs. Winters, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote at 10:24 p.m. ECT.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________
John Pittman Hey
National Secretary
America First National Committee