Declaration of Intent
Adopted by the Texas Constitutional Convention of 1997,
26 July 1997
I.
We hold that the foundation
of this nation is that an individual's body, life, labor, ideas, thoughts, and
material possessions that the individual has created or acquired without coercion
are that individual's property and that no individual, majority, society, or government
may legitimately take or control an individual's property without that individual's
consent.
II.
We hold that the foundation
of our economy shall be the free market system unfettered by intrusions of government
and based upon the free and voluntary exchange of goods and services.
III.
We hold that peaceful relations
with other nations is based upon the concept of mutual respect and that war and
other interference in the affairs of other nations serves only to destroy such
peaceful relations. It is therefore declared that Texas shall remain neutral in
the affairs of, and between, other nations.
A Guide For
County Ratification Committees
Section I
Authority
Organization
Supervision
Texas Constitution
2000 Ratification Effort
Organizational/Supervisory Chart
Section II
Plan Outline
There are four major stages to be considered by the
CRC
Pre-convention
Post-Convention
Convention
Transition
I. Pre-convention
A. Elect officers
B. Establish subcommittees
1. Publicity and advertising
Plan to be written by the TCRC Subcommittee for Publicity and Advertising
2. Finance
Plan to be written by the TCRC Subcommittee for Finance
3. Site selection
A suitable location preferably in the county seat that is accessible to
the
public, such as a community center, school auditorium, gymnasium or meeting
hall.
C. Prepare a budget
1. Printed materials
a. Flyers
b. Posters
c. Direct mail
d. Copies of TC2000
e. Newspaper advertising
f. Radio/t.v./cable advertising
2. Convention
a. Site rental/cleanup
b. Materials for delegate registration
c. Decorations
II. Convention
A. Set a date, time and place when finance subcommittee
has secured
adequate funding to support the budget requirements.
B. Agenda (see convention rules/procedures)
C. Open with set time and deadline for delegate registration.
D. CRC Chairman opens the convention, calls for election
of convention
officers: chairman, vice chairman, secretary and sergeant at arms.
E. Officers take their seats, convention formally convenes
and proceeds
with the agenda.
III. Post-Convention
A. The CRC shall stay organized following the convention adjournment
1.
Set a time for a follow up
meeting
2.
Prepare a Post Convention report
for the TCRC
B.
Meet regularly during the Texas-Wide
ratification process
IV. Transition
A.
The CRC shall meet as soon as possible following ratification by 176 Counties
B.
The CRC will assist in the transition from state to national government
Section
III
Plan Description
I. Pre-convention
Welcome
to the ratification team for Texas Constitution 2000! You have been appointed
by the Texas Constitution Ratification Committee (TCRC) to serve on the ________________
(name of county) County Ratification Committee. Not since 1836, when a small group
of Mexican citizens in Texas stood against the tyranny of government, have Texans
taken advantage of their inherent right to alter, reform or abolish government
through the ratification of a new constitution.
This
guide is designed to assist you in preparing for and conducting the ____________
(name of county) County Ratification Convention. Like any document of its kind,
this guide is not intended to provide answers for every possible situation, but
to help the county ratification committee (CRC) plan and implement a successful
ratification convention.
Now
that your ratification committee has been established, you're ready to begin organizing.
The first step is to hold an organizational meeting. A temporary chairman named
by the TCRC will be responsible for coordinating the meeting date, time and place
convenient to all county ratification committee members.
Your
committee will be using Roberts Rules of Order as a guideline for your meetings.
It is recommended that a copy be available for reference (see addendum). By-laws
for the committee are the same as for the TCRC (see addendum). At this organizational
meeting, you will be electing officers, establishing three subcommittees and making
appointments to those subcommittees.
Elect
officers
A
quorum of 50 percent plus one is required for every committee meeting. The temporary
chairman will determine if a quorum has been met, call the meeting to order and
invite nominations for chairman. The newly elected chairman will conduct the remainder
of the meeting, beginning with an invitation for nominations for vice-chairman
and secretary.
Establish
subcommittees
Following
election of officers, the chairman will seek and appoint committee volunteers
to serve as chairmen for subcommittees:
1.
Publicity and advertising
This
subcommittee is responsible for personal and consistent contact with county news
media representatives and using all forms of media to publicize the convention
and benefits of Texas Constitution 2000. A detailed budget to ensure lawful notification
in the county must be prepared in advance. Plans should include the use of flyers,
posters, direct mail, copies of TC2000, newspaper advertising, radio/t.v./cable
advertising, news releases and qualified speakers to civic and community organizations.
The subcommittee should refer to the detailed plan included in the addendum.
2.
Finance
The
finance subcommittee is responsible for raising adequate funding for advertising,
publicity and other expenses related to the ratification process. A detailed plan
is included in the addendum and TCRC finance subcommittee members are available
to assist.
3.
Convention Site Selection
The site selection subcommittee is responsible for identifying a suitable location, preferably in the county seat that is accessible to the public, such as a community center, school auditorium, gymnasium or meeting hall. The subcommittee must also prepare a budget outlining expenses such as site rental/cleanup, materials for delegate registration and decorations.
II.
The Convention
When
the finance subcommittee has secured adequate funding to support budget requirements,
your ratification committee will then set a date, time and place for the county
convention. The publicity and advertising subcommittee will then implement its
plan to ensure that county citizens are notified of their opportunity to participate
at the convention.
On the date announced, the CRC chairman will open the convention and call for election of convention officers: chairman, vice chairman, secretary and sergeant at arms. Elected officers will take their seats and the convention will formally convene and proceed with the agenda.
County Ratification Convention Rules and Procedures
1.
That the convention shall rely on Roberts Rules of Order for due process.
2.
That the convention shall elect from among the qualified delegates a chairman,
vice chairman, secretary, parliamentarian and sergeant-at-arms. Definition of
the duties of officers shall be as those described by Roberts Rules of Order.
3.
Any challenges to the procedures of this convention shall be conducted according
to Roberts Rules of Order.
4.
That the convention shall be limited to the single question of ratification of
Texas Constitution 2000 in its adopted form without modification.
5.
That the time allotted to speakers be limited to five minutes each and alternate
between those in favor and those opposed to the motion to ratify.
6.
The vote on the motion to ratify shall be by secret ballot, to be tallied by the
vice chairman, secretary and parliamentarian of the convention, with the secretary
presenting the results to the chairman for announcement to the delegates. All
delegates to the convention are authorized to cast ballots, including officers
of the convention.
7.
After the final vote is announced, if there are no challenges to the proceedings,
the chair shall recognize a delegate proposing the following motion:
"Having
completed its responsibility and authority, the secretary shall prepare a written
record of these proceedings, and the convention shall adjourn sine die."
(RR, page 296).
8.
Following a second, the vote for adjournment shall be taken and recorded, and
if in the affirmative, the chair shall announce that the convention is closed.
9.
Officers of the convention shall affix their signatures to the completed records
and minutes of the convention, with the secretary securing all documentation,
and arranges for transfer of the material to the TCRC. At the earliest possible
time, the chair shall notify the designated TCRC coordinator of the convention
results.
Draft Agenda
Saturday, 9 a.m.
1.
Verification and seating of delegates.
2.
Call to order
3.
Introduction and Invocation
4.
Explanation of procedures and comments from the Temporary Chair
5.
Election of convention officers
6.
Motion to close seating of delegates
7.
Motion to ratify Texas Constitution 2000
8.
Debate
9.
Vote
10.
Recess or adjourn
Sunday, 12:30
p.m. (optional)
1.
Verification and seating of delegates.
2.
Call to order
3.
Introduction and Invocation
4.
Continue debate
5.
Vote
6.
Adjourn
III. Post-Convention
Following
ratification, your committee should continue meeting on a regular basis, with
the goal of keeping citizens aware of the ratification process and to foster the
lawful, peaceful and orderly transition of government. Your meetings should be
held at times and places convenient to the public, be open at all times to the
public and be well advertised and publicized in advance.
Conducting
a business-like meeting with a set agenda, including opportunities for answering
questions, will enhance the credibility of the committee as well as the value
of Texas Constitution 2000.
The
committee will need to disband the site selection subcommittee, and establish
subcommittees for election and transition in preparation for ratification by 176
counties. The Publicity and finance subcommittees should continue their duties,
shifting emphasis to keeping county citizens informed about the ratification progress
in other counties, as well as preparing for the first election and transition
phase.
The
county ratification committee will be the nucleus for organizing the first election
following ratification, and to that end, committee members should inform local
elected officials about Texas Constitution 2000 and its benefits to the people
in your county. By properly informing government officials, the transition is
more likely to be peaceful and orderly.
The
most effective way to accomplish the task of informing government officials is
through cordial and respectful small group social events. Committee members should
be selected on the basis of their personal relationship with officials, and arrange
for private, one-to-one (or small groups of no more than two invited guests) breakfast,
lunch or dinner.
All
committee contact with news media, government officials and the public should
emphasize the lawful and peaceful nature of ratification as well as the benefits
of implementing Texas Constitution 2000. The road to successful transition begins
with reasoned and non-threatening explanation of the value of Texas Constitution
2000 to all the people in your county and in Texas. No one should feel threatened
by the political changes which will result with ratification.
IV. Transition
One
of the most important duties of committee members is to study and understand the
Transition plan included in Texas Constitution 2000. Being intimately familiar
with the transition plan is essential for an orderly and peaceful change of government.
When
the 176th Texas county ratifies Texas Constitution 2000, the Transition
Plan will be implemented by the Texas Constitution Ratification Committee. Although
your committee’s specified action is limited (see Article 2, Section 11b), county
citizens will naturally look to the members of your committee for guidance and
leadership.
The
Texas Constitution Ratification Committee will appoint 12 Texas elected officials
to serve on a Coalition Transition Government (CTG). The CTG will be responsible
for an orderly and peaceful transition, including the organization and conducting
of national and county elections within 120 days following ratification by the
176th Texas county.
Your
committee chairman will serve as County Ratification Convention Coordinator, whose
duty will be to administer oaths of office to the new elected county officers.
Of
vital importance in preparing for the first election, will be to identify and
encourage qualified, respected citizens to offer themselves as candidates. Currently
elected officials, who take advantage of continuing service in the interim period
by making an oath to adhere to Texas Constitution 2000, will be eligible to serve
if elected.
Your
committee should be actively involved in the pre-election process and serve as
observers during the election itself.
