You have worked hard and hopefully your candidate will be
victorious.
Win or lose you have made friends and proven yourself to be a hard
worker
and a staunch supporter of those who have the same feeling on the
issues
as you do. You have also seen how important citizen involvement is to
the
political scene. It is now time to put that knowledge to work and take
advantage of the delegate process.
Get out and meet with your neighbors. There is a saying, (Good
fences
make good neighbors), open your gate and Bar-B-Que Pit and let your
neighbor
be your friend. Explain our goals and ask for their support to become a
delegate. Offer transportation to the polls, even if it means using 4
wheels.
1. Vote in the primary of your choice:
a. When you sign in to get your ballot ask for the time and place of
the caucus meeting (they won't volunteer this information)
b. If it is convenient, it is best to vote close to closing time so
you won't have to return later.
2. The Caucus Meeting:
a. Call to order at the appointed time by the precinct chair.
b. Preparation of list of qualified participants in attendance. (only
those who voted in the primary are qualified)
c. Announcement of the Agenda and basic rules of procedure.
d. Nomination and election of temporary officers of the Pct. meeting.
This is where you need your friends!
e. Announcement of time and location of county or district meetings
and temporary committee meetings, if known.
f. Nomination and election of delegates to the county or district
convention,
whichever the case may be in your precinct.
1. If the number present is less than the number of delegates and
alternates
needed, names can be picked from the list of those who voted.
2. The above is usually the case. That is why your participation is
so important. Know which, if any, of your supporters voted but were
unable
to make the Caucus and get them appointed as delegates.
3. Resolutions:
a. The caucus chair asks the floor for any resolutions to be considered
for the county convention.(Our list of resolutions will be prepared in
advance and you will have several copies)
b. Raise your hand and say "Mr. Chairman, I have(how many) resolutions
to be entered for our precinct. Each resolution will be read, seconded
and voted. Our people will have the same resolutions in each precinct
so
don't panic if some don’t pass. Note the source of opposition for
future
reference. After all resolutions are introduced and voted and all
announcements
made, the meeting will adjourn. (generally less than an hour).
The County or district Convention is a miniature State Convention. The
committees have been chosen and will do their work. The number of
delegates
from each precinct will be announced and the precinct delegates will
each
elect their delegates for the State Convention. The Resolutions passed
at this Convention shall move forward to be considered at the State
Convention.
The State Convention is the culmination of this whole process. This
will
be three days of hard work and glorious pleasure as payment for going
the
distance. As we progress we can place enough members on each committee
to truly affect our future. There are 254 counties in Texas. If we
could
get just 10 State Delegates from each county we could control either
Party.
Since we are not interested in control for it's own sake we can
interact
with others to form a party which is fair to all. Only by gaining
support
of others can we guarantee our right to ride free for years to come.
This is just a simple outline of the process. If you have chosen to
become involved we will provide workshops for more specific training
prior
to the actual Primary. Having taken these 4 steps you have moved into
the
realm of knowledge as to real workings of Texas politics. You are as
adept
at the process as any county chairman currently in office. It is now
time
to step completely into the arena. For years we have worked to put
biker
friendly people in office. Now it is time we reap the full benefit of
our
training and labor.
Place your left foot forward again and take Step number 5.