From: "Wesley Burnett" wesburn@door.net Subject: TCRC action Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2000 18:36:55 -0800 Please distribute widely as possible. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Texas Constitution Ratification Committee March 26, 2000 After determining a quorum of the committee, TCRC members at the March 25 meeting in Brownwood approved minutes of the February 19 session, accepted subcommittee reports, agreed to set annual budgets for committee and subcommittees and established a policy regarding news media inquiries. Bob Phipps, chairman of the Subcommittee for County Ratification, explained the plan, which establishes an organizational structure designed for efficient delegation of authority. The plan calls for north and south zones, with a total of 10 geographic districts. Each district has 20-22 counties. The subcommittee will identify and appoint a regional director for each zone. Regional directors will identify and appoint five district coordinators to assist in organizing county ratification committees within the specified districts. The subcommittee also has prepared a detailed and comprehensive handbook for each unit. Included in the handbook are specific instructions for finance as well as publicity and advertising. Each county ratification committee will be responsible for funding expenses related to ratification in that county. Phipps reported that several candidates for appointment have been identified, and the subcommittee will now begin aggressive efforts to fill the zone and district positions. "We've already had a number of people contact us, volunteering to help in their home counties," Phipps said. "We are lining up these volunteers, explaining the process, and will put them to work shortly." County ratification committees will be formed when at least six citizens in a county petition the subcommittee for appointment. District coordinators will review the petitions to determine the qualifications of the applicants and make a recommendation to the regional director. In consultation with the subcommittee, the regional director will approve or reject the petition. The county ratification committee will consist of not less than six and not more than 12 citizens living in that county. Michael Deardorff reported on Subcommittee for Publicity and Advertising plan, including a potential slogan, "Texas Constitution 2000, It's About Freedom." The plan for county ratification committees includes using direct mail, full color posters, advertising for newspapers, radio, t.v. and cable; full color flyers and three-fold brochure, publicity news releases and printing of the complete constitution for inserting in the county newspaper. County ratification committees will be presented a "press kit," complete with examples of materials available from the subcommittee, and an audio tape to be used in assisting with fund raising efforts. TCRC chairman Wes Burnett presented a report on behalf of Rick Rickard, chairman of the Subcommittee for Finance. The plan establishes procedures for county ratification committees regarding fund raising and administration of funds. "County ratification committees may pursue any and all fund raising projects they feel is appropriate, as long as those projects are lawful," Burnett explained. Funds collected by the county ratification committee will be forwarded on a weekly basis to the Texas Constitution Ratification Fund, which will maintain separate accounting for each county and disburse funds upon receipt of authorized purchase order requests. TCRC members agreed that all news media inquiries will be referred to the Subcommittee for Publicity and Advertising. Attending the meeting were Burnett, Deardorff, Alex Martinez, Bob Phipps and Tom Stults. Unable to attend due to business commitments were Rickard and secretary Keith Potts. The TCRC agreed to meet April 22 at 11 a.m. in Lampassas at a site to be determined later. Wesley W. Burnett, Chairman