Libertarian Party of Iowa

Annual Convention--January 17, 2004

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa

Minutes of the Business Meeting

The business meeting of the Convention was called to order at 2:55 pm by Mark Nelson, Chair.

1. Without objection the agenda was approved.

2. Without objection the rules were suspended to allow those who had been members for less than 30 days to vote. More than 20 voting members were present.

3. Mark Nelson gave the Chair's report. His principal theme was the need to broaden the Party's base, and various methods to accomplish that.

4. It was noted that Tim Hird had given the Treasurer's report during the morning session. 2002 income and expenses totaled $5,625.09 and $4,505.84 respectively. The year end balance was $1,194.95.

5. The minutes of the previous convention held March 1, 2003 were approved unanimously.

6. Tom Stanley presented a proposed amendment to Article IX, Section 1 of the Constitution, which was passed unanimously, as follows:

OLD LANGUAGE

ARTICLE IX: NOMINATIONS OF CANDIDATES

Section 1. Party nominees for U.S. President and Vice-President are automatically the nominees of the national Libertarian Party for those offices.

NEW LANGUAGE

ARTICLE IX: NOMINATIONS OF CANDIDATES

Section 1. Party nominees for U.S. President and Vice-President are automatically the nominees of the national Libertarian Party for those offices. Presidential electors shall be nominated by the Chairperson and ratified by majority vote of the Executive Committee.

7. Rich Moroney presented a proposed amendment to Bylaw VII, Section 2 of the Bylaws, which was passed unanimously, as follows:

OLD LANGUAGE

BYLAW VII: DELEGATE ELECTIONS

Section 2. Delegates to the (National) Libertarian Party Convention shall include the Chairperson and the Secretary, if these officers so desire. Other Delegates and Alternate Delegates shall be elected in the same manner as nomination of candidates.

NEW LANGUAGE

BYLAW VII: DELEGATE ELECTIONS

Section 2. Delegates to the (National) Libertarian Party Convention shall include the Chairperson, if this officer so desires. Other Delegates and Alternate Delegates shall be elected in the same manner as nomination of candidates, except that additional Alternate Delegates may be selected while the National Convention is in session by majority vote of all Delegates who are registered in attendance at the Convention.

8. No Platform changes were proposed.

9. The Convention nominated the following as candidates for public office in the 2004 elections:

U.S. Senate: Christy Ann Welty
U.S. House, 2nd Congressional District: Kevin Litten
U.S. House, 3rd Congressional District: Jeremy Oehlert
Iowa House (district to be determined): Zach Smith

10. Mark Nelson proposed that the Convention select people to fill two new functional positions, Volunteer Coordinator and Fundraising Coordinator. No one present expressed interest in themselves accepting either position. Mark noted that the Executive Committee will follow up on finding suitable persons to fill these positions.

11. The convention accepted with regrets the resignation of Jason Gross as the Party Deputy Chair of Campaigns and Elections. The convention unanimously elected Christy Ann Welty to fill this position, and Jason Gross to fill the vacant District 3 seat on the Executive Committee.

12. Heather Clark gave a brief Webmaster's report. Kevin Litten gave a brief Newsletter Editor report.

13. Michael McKay introduced a proposed "Introductory Lecture" initiative, which the Executive Committee will follow up on within the next month.

14. Mark Nelson, as Chair, is automatically entitled to serve as a Delegate to the LP National Convention in May in Atlanta. He accepted the position.

The following people were elected to fill the remaining 13 National Convention Delegate positions: Anne Marie Campogna, Rich Campagna, Heather Clark, James Clark, Kevin Litten, Rich Moore, Rich Moroney, Zach Smith, Tom Stanley, George Wagner, Pam Wagner, Christy Ann Welty, Ed Wright.

The following people were elected as Alternate Delegates (listed with those receiving the higher number of votes first): Roger Leahy, Odalys Campagna, Mike Ginsberg, Robert Campagna, Barbara Ginsberg. David Nathaniel also was selected as an Alternate Delegate.

15. The Convention passed the following resolution:

Resolution on Electing Libertarian Candidates

WHEREAS: A principal and essential purpose of the Libertarian Party of Iowa is to elect as many LPIA candidates to political office as possible; and

WHEREAS: A long-term plan, incorporating identifiable goals and objectives, that is endorsed by the LPIA membership and publicized, will facilitate this purpose;

THEREFORE: The Convention hereby adopts the following long-term goals that seek to further the election of LPIA candidates to political office:

1. The LPIA will work both to achieve and consistently and reliably retain LPIA ballot access, with concomitant voter registration rights. The LPIA will work to minimize infelicitous requirements imposed by the State on the Party incident to "political party" status.

2. The LPIA will work to recruit and support, in all communities throughout the State, a core, grass-roots constituency of activists, who will seek non-partisan elective office and appointive office.

3. The LPIA will work to recruit and support, throughout the State, credible LPIA candidates, who are known and respected in their communities, to seek partisan elective office.

16. There being no further business, the business meeting was adjourned.

Libertarian Party of Iowa

Minutes of the Executive Committee--January 17, 2004

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa