Minutes of the America First National Committee

Tuesday, November 30, 2004

BE IT REMEMBERED that the America First National Committee met on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 at 9 p.m. East Coast Time, pursuant to the Resolution of the Operating Committee adopted on October 26, 2004.

The Chairman led the National Committee meeting 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
• Maureen McHugh of Illinois
• Tom White of Massachusetts
• Jon Hill of Massachusetts, National Vice-Chairman
• Nancy Blankenship of Missouri
• Romelle Winters of New Hampshire
• Ward Chorpenning of Ohio
• Sam Cross of Pennsylvania
• Frank Hackl of Wisconsin
• John Pittman Hey of Mississippi, National Secretary and Treasurer

Absent:

• Larry Carroll of Colorado
• Tim Lohrmann of Idaho
• Trey Golmon of Mississippi
• Greg Roberts of Missouri
• Jim Arft of New York
• Bradley Maurer of New York
• Joe Spitzig of Ohio
• David Thomas of Pennsylvania

Mr. Peter Browning attended the meeting, first as a guest, and then as a member of the National Committee from Florida.

A Quorum being present, the Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:22 p.m. ECT.

The National Secretary delivered the Credentials Report. He reported that Mr. Joseph Hoffman of Illinois, having missed three consecutive meetings, has been removed from the certified list of National Committee members as required by the Party Constitution.

The Secretary reported that Mr. Peter Browning has been elected to represent the state of Florida on the National Committee. Notice was given to the National Committee more than 30 days prior to this meeting, and both the Rules and Platform Committees have interviewed Mr. Browning and forwarded recommendations favorable to his being seated on the National Committee.

Mr. Browning not yet having joined the meeting, Mrs. Winters moved that the Credentials Report be accepted and laid upon the table. The motion was seconded by Mr. White and adopted by unanimous consent.

Mrs. Winters moved the adoption of the Agenda. Her motion was seconded by Mr. McClellan. The Agenda was adopted by unanimous vote.

The Chairman delivered his report. He congratulated Mr. McClellan for his election to the Port St. John Special Zoning Board in Brevard County. The Chairman reported that the Party has received coverage in various media due to recent press releases. A positive feature article was carried in several Colorado newspaper weekend magazine sections. The toll-free line is receiving an increased number of calls.

The Chairman made a plea to the members to seek out state party members to participate in the activities of the standing and special committees. In addition, he encouraged the members to contribute to the Party financially on a regular basis.

The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes for the October 12, 2004 meeting of the National Committee. Mr. Hey moved the adoption of the minutes. His motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters and 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 $160.72, and there are no outstanding obligations to be paid. The Post-General Election report to the Federal Election Commission has been filed and may be reviewed on the FEC web site.

Mr. Chorpenning moved the adoption of the Treasurer's Report. The motion was seconded by Mr. White and adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Hill moved the adoption of a Resolution referred by the Finance Committee to fund the printing of the Newsletter. Mrs. McHugh seconded the resolution. The Resolution reads as follows:

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PRINTING OF THE DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

Resolved, by the America First National Committee, that up to $1,800 be allocated to print, as soon as the funds become available, 2,000 copies of the quarterly newsletter, the final content of which is to be approved by the Operating Committee.

The Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. White moved the adoption of a Resolution to fund the Patriot ID activist program. This Resolution was forwarded by the Party Building Committee. The Resolution was seconded by Mr. Hey.

Mr. Hill moved an amendment as proposed by the Finance Committee. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Hey. The amendment was adopted by unanimous vote.

The Resolution as amended reads as follows:

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PATRIOT ID PROJECT BUDGET

Whereas, the Party Building Committee is responsible for developing for National Committee approval and implementing strategies to build and maintain the party as a major national political party; and working with the various State Parties to build and maintain the party as a major political party within each state; and

Whereas, the Party Building Committee has developed an activist program titled the "Patriot ID Project" which will assist volunteers in bringing new contacts to the party's attention; and

Whereas, the Party Building Committee has forwarded its plans, along with a proposed budget, to the National Committee;

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

That the Patriot ID Project is hereby approved; and

That the Party Building Committee is hereby authorized to spend the funds allocated in the submitted budget up to the amount of $1140 for the conduct of the Patriot ID Project from now through December 31, 2005.

Proposed Party Building Budget - Patriot ID Project

1. Preparation and Mailing of Volunteer Packets: $840.00. This item would cover the cost of preparing and mailing up to 50 packets of information to the volunteers per month. These packets would require at least 83 cents postage, a heavy envelope, and approximately 20 pages of printed materials.

2. Cost of prizes and promotions: $300.00. This item would cover the cost of shirts, literature, caps, etc., to be awarded to Volunteers for turning in the most contacts, etc.

The Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Hill moved a Resolution proposed by the Finance Committee to fund the activist program solicitation. The Resolution was seconded by Mr. White. The Resolution reads as follows:

BUDGET REQUEST RESOLUTION

Whereas it is necessary and prudent that volunteers for the Activist program be solicited by postal mail;

Now be it resolved by the America First National Committee:

That the Party Building Committee is hereby authorized to spend up to $1530 for the purpose of mailing 250 Activist Program Recruitment Packets each month of the calendar year 2005; and,

That said recruitment packets shall include a letter, a sign-up form, and a return envelope.

The Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Charles passed the gavel to Mr. Hill.

Mr. Charles moved a Resolution to Amend the Party Constitution that was forwarded by the Rules Committee. The Resolution was seconded by Mrs. McHugh.

After some discussion of the Resolution to Amend the Party Constitution, Mr. Peter Browning joined the meeting.

Mr. Charles moved that the Resolution to Amend be laid upon the table and the Credentials Report be taken from the table. The motion was seconded by Mr. White and adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Hill returned the gavel to Mr. Charles.

Mr. Hey moved that the Certified List of National Committee members be amended to add the name of Mr. Peter Browning of Florida to the list of National Committee members. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters, and adopted by unanimous vote.

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Browning to the National Committee.

Mr. Hey moved the adoption of the Credentials Report as amended. His motion was seconded by Mr. White and adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Hey moved that the Resolution to Amend the Party Constitution be taken from the table. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hill and adopted by unanimous consent.

Mr. Charles returned the gavel to Mr. Hill.

The Amendment reads as follows:

RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE PARTY CONSTITUTION REGARDING NATIONAL CONVENTIONS

Whereas, Article IV, Section 1 of the America First Party currently reads: "The National Committee shall be responsible to arrange and call the National Convention of the America First Party at least once each even numbered year."; and,

Whereas, the Constitution of the America First Party tasks the National Convention with Presidential nominations and maintenance of the Party Platform; and,

Whereas, the America First Party had no cause to nominate a Presidential Candidate or modify the Platform this year; and,

Whereas, the requirement to hold a National Convention in specific years limits the flexibility and prerogatives of the National Committee as the final authority of the America First Party to determine when a National Convention is necessary;

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

That Article IV, Section I be amended so that it reads: "The National Committee shall be responsible to arrange and call the National Convention of the America First Party, and may do so whenever it deems it necessary and prudent."

The Resolution to Amend the Party Constitution was adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Hill returned the gavel to Mr. Charles.

Mr. Charles reported on several abortive attempts by certain persons to hold so-called "unifying" meetings of various conservative third parties. The meetings were cancelled due to lack of interest. Mr. Charles noted that the AFP was not invited to attend these meetings.

There being no further business, Mr. Hill moved that the National Committee adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. McClellan and adopted by unanimous vote. The Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 10:08 p.m. ECT.

Respectfully submitted,
______________________
John Pittman Hey
National Secretary
America First National Committee