Minutes of the Operating Committee of the America First Party
Monday, April 6, 2009
BE IT REMEMBERED that the Operating Committee of the America First Party met on Monday, April 6, 2009 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. Lynch delivered the invocation.
The Secretary called the roll of Operating Committee members:
Present:
- Jon Hill of Massachusetts, Chairman
- John Hey of Mississippi, National Secretary and Treasurer
- Tom White of Massachusetts, Candidates Committee Chairman
- Michael Lynch of New York, Public Relations Committee Chairman
Absent:
- Martin McClellan of Florida, Vice-chairman
- Peter Browning of Florida, Partybuilding Committee Chairman
- Joe Spitzig of Ohio, Platform Committee Chairman
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 9:32 p.m.
Mr. White moved the adoption of the standard Agenda. Mr. Lynch seconded the motion. The Agenda was adopted by unanimous consent.
The Chairman delivered his report. He has prepared and published a press release defending the Smoot-Hawley tariff act. He is preparing an article describing the work of the party and the possibilities for success for publication in the party newspaper.
The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes for the March 30, 2009 meeting of the Operating Committee. Mr. Hey moved the adoption of the minutes as published. His motion was seconded by Mr. Lynch. The minutes were adopted by unanimous vote.
The Secretary reported that he has not received any reply to the letter sent to Peter Browning on January 19 to facilitate his stated intention to resign as Party Building Chairman. He also reported that Mr. Maurer has still not forwarded a signed resignation as requested by the Secretary two weeks ago.
The Treasurer reported that the party's bank balance is $ 10,264.77. There are no unpaid invoices at this time, although the bill for the American Conservative website ad will be coming in shortly.
Mr. Hill reported that the Finance Committee has no pending business at this time.
Mr. Lynch reported the newsletter reprint is ready to be sent to the printer as soon as funding is approved; the next issue of the newspaper is being typeset and almost ready for approval; and the web ad on the American Conservative website will be posted shortly, according to the advertising representative he has corresponded with.
Mr. Hey reported that the Rules Committee has no business currently pending before it.
Mr. Hey moved that the Operating Committee forward a Resolution to the National Committee removing Peter Browning as Partybuilding Chairman. His motion was seconded by Mr. White. The proposed Resolution reads as follows:
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 motion was adopted by unanimous vote.
There being no further business, on motion made by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and adopted by unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________
John Pittman Hey
National Secretary
America First National Committee
