Texas Constitution Ratification Committee
Committee Meeting
February 19, 2000, 11:00am
Ramada Inn North Austin, Texas
Present: Donald D. Henson, TCRF; Alonzo Martinez, TCRF; Wesley W. Burnett, TCRC; Michael Deardorff, TCRC; Robert A. "Bob" Phipps, Sr., TCRC; R. K. Rickard, TCRC; Thomas Stults, TCRC, Keith Potts, TCRC, Jim Johnson, Sanford "Sam" Smith.
Appoint TCRC Temporary Secretary: Don D. Henson, TCRF Executive Trustee, appointed Keith Potts as Temporary Secretary.
Opening Remarks by TCRF Executive Trustee: Don Henson explained to the members of the TCRC how the TCRF has been delegated authority to contract with TCRC members and have oversight responsibilities of the TCRC
Appoint TCRC Temporary Chairman: Don Henson appointed Robert A. Phipps as Temporary Chairman.
Temporary Chairman entertains motion to accept by-laws: Motion was made by Wes Burnett to accept a draft proposal on By-Laws, Seconded by Michael Deardorff, discussed and approved by unanimous vote. (Copy attached hereto.)
Nomination and Election of Officers:
Wes Burnett is nominated by Michael Deardorff for Chairman, seconded by Rick Rickard. No further nominations made. Wes Burnett elected by unanimous vote.
"Bob" Phipps is nominated by Michael Deardorff for Vice-chairman, seconded by Thomas Stults. No further nominations made. Robert A. "Bob" Phipps elected by unanimous vote.
Keith Potts is nominated by Michael Deardorff for Secretary, seconded by "Bob" Phipps. No further nominations made. Keith Potts elected by unanimous vote.
Establishment of Subcommittees: "Bob" Phipps presented a "Proposed motion on establishing subcommittees". Motion was made by "Bob" Phipps to accept as written, seconded by Thomas Stults, discussed and approved by unanimous vote. (Copy attached hereto.)
Sanford "Sam" Smith addresses TCRC: "Sam" Smith read a letter to TCRC members from the six TCRC members that have been removed from the TCRC by the TCRF. The letter questioned the authority of the TCRF to do what had been done and outlined some of the areas in dispute. "Sam" Smith was cordial and the TCRC members allowed him ample time to make his statements. "Sam" Smith left the meeting after the completion of his presentation. TCRC members discussed the statement and concluded that the matter of dispute is between the TCRF and each of the six ex-members individually. Therefore, there is no action on the matter that would be appropriate for the TCRC.
Appointment of Subcommittee Chairmen:
Chairman Wes Burnett then appointed "Bob" Phipps
to chair the County Ratification subcommittee, Rick Rickard to chair the Finance
subcommittee and Michael Deardorff to chair the Publicity and Advertising
subcommittee.
Motion to operate as a committee of the whole: Motion was made to operate as a committee of the whole in order to consider a proposed County Ratification Committee plan. "Bob" Phipps presented each person present with a copy of the proposed plan. The plan provides an outline of operations and structure for a County Ratification Convention. It was discussed as a good tool to organize county volunteers to hold a convention with minimal assistance from TCRC members. As ratification efforts kick into high gear it may not be possible for TCRC members to be there to run each county convention.
Motion to Reconvene TCRC meeting: A motion was made by Michael Deardorff to reconvene the meeting of the TCRC, Seconded by "Bob" Phipps, approved by unanimous vote.
Report on the committee of the whole: Report was made that the Guide for County Ratification Committees should be adopted with minor changes, including the listing of subcommittees as "sub" committees and not committees and completing III. Post-Convention and IV. Transition sections. Discussion of the plan also focused on the need to find quality volunteers, respected by the community in each county. This would increase turnout for each convention and provide a broader fund raising base.
Motion to Adjourn: At 2:18 pm, motion was made by "Bob" Phipps, seconded by Michael Deardorff and approved by unanimous vote to adjourn until the next meeting March 25, 2000 at 11:00am in Brownwood at a location to be determined.
Respectfully
submitted,
Keith Potts, Secretary
TCRC By-Laws
Being established by the authority of Texas Constitution 2000, the Texas Constitution Ratification Committee establishes these by-laws in accordance with the authority delegated to the committee in Article 9 of Texas Constitution 2000 and is guided by the phnciples contained therein.
Rules of Order
The committee adopts Roberts Rules of Order Revised by General Henry M. Robert, Morrow Quill Paperbacks, 1979 (ISBN 0-688-05306-8) for its rules and procedures in the conducting of its meetings.
Organizational Structure
The committee shall elect a chairman, a vice chairman and a secretary by nomination from the floor at a meeting in February every year, beginning in February 2000. The newly elected officers shall assume their duties upon election by majority vote.
Officer Duties
Duties of the chairman and secretary are defined in Roberts Rules, Article X, Sections 58, 59 and 60. The vice chairman shall preside in the absence of the chairman or when called upon by the chair.
Meetings Committee meeting dates, times and locations shall be decided by majority vote of the committee. If at least 25% of the seated members petition the Chair for an emergency meeting, the Chair shall call the emergency meeting within 48 hours of the request and such meeting may be held by teleconference.
Quorum
The quorum for committee meetings shall be 50 percent of active members, plus one. Active members are defined as those formally appointed by the Texas Constitution Ratification Fund who have not been terminated as of the date of the meeting.
Suspension of Bylaws
The suspension of by-laws shall require no less than two-thirds (2/3) vote and shall be suspended only for the specific purpose stated in the motion.
Amendment
Amendments to these by-laws shall require no less than two thirds (2/3) vote.
TCRC subcommittees:
Motion that the TCRC establish the following subcommittees, with authority to perform functions described:
1. County Ratification - Develop and implement appropriate plans for conducting lawful and peaceful county ratification conventions through establishment of county ratification committees.
2. Finance - Develop plans and assist county ratification committees in the lawful funding for county ratification conventions and other TCRC obligations.
3. Publicity and Advertising - Prepare and implement plans for appropriate publicity and advertising to support county ratification conventions and represent the TCRC in publicity and advertising matters. Subcommittee chairmen shall make regular reports to the TCRC. The TCRC shall approve all proposed expenditures prior to expending funds by the subcommittees.