Republican Party Convention Overview 2012 What you need to know How to be effective

Harris County Ron Paul This lecture is primarily focused on Ron Paul supporters living in Harris County. This lecture is primarily focused on Ron Paul supporters living in Harris County.

Ron Paul Support Groups Meetup: Houston Delegates for Ron Paul Meetup: Houston Delegates for Ron Paul FB: Houston Area Republicans for Ron Paul FB: Houston Area Republicans for Ron Paul Meetup: Houston Area for Ron Paul Meetup: Houston Area for Ron Paul FB: Ron Paul 2012 Houston (inactive) FB: Ron Paul 2012 Houston (inactive)

Convention Process Primary Election – Qualifies voters to be delegates to Precinct Convention Primary Election – Qualifies voters to be delegates to Precinct Convention Precinct Convention – Elects delegates to the District/County Convention Precinct Convention – Elects delegates to the District/County Convention District/County Convention – Elects delegates to the State Convention District/County Convention – Elects delegates to the State Convention State Convention – Elects delegates to the National Convention, also Electoral College Electors State Convention – Elects delegates to the National Convention, also Electoral College Electors National Convention – Nominates candidate for President National Convention – Nominates candidate for President

Register to Vote Register Right Now, and register your neighbors who will vote for you to become a delegate. !! Register Right Now, and register your neighbors who will vote for you to become a delegate. !! pp.aspx pp.aspx pp.aspx pp.aspx Deadline is March 3. Deadline is March 3.

Precinct Map (Typ) Notice it does not follow any neighborhood plan…

District Map Before Judicial Redistricting.

State Delegates from All Districts…

Handy to have at precinct convention Clipboard Clipboard Photocopier Photocopier 12 neighbors. * These neighbors don’t have to support Ron Paul. They just have to support you. 12 neighbors. * These neighbors don’t have to support Ron Paul. They just have to support you. Robert’s Rules of Order Cheat Sheet. Robert’s Rules of Order Cheat Sheet.

Find Maps of Districts and Open Precincts at aforRonPaul aforRonPaul aforRonPaul aforRonPaul FB: Houston Area for Ron Paul FB: Houston Area for Ron Paul

Who Are All These People And What Do They Do? Precinct Chair – elected for a 2 year term on the primary ballot, neighborhood party rep Precinct Chair – elected for a 2 year term on the primary ballot, neighborhood party rep Election Judge – election official for the primary election, usually the Precinct Chair Election Judge – election official for the primary election, usually the Precinct Chair Convention Chair Convention Chair Temporary Chair – calls the convention to order Temporary Chair – calls the convention to order Permanent Chair – elected to chair the convention for that evening, usually the Temporary Chair is elected Permanent Chair – elected to chair the convention for that evening, usually the Temporary Chair is elected These can all be the same person, or can be as many as 4 different people These can all be the same person, or can be as many as 4 different people

Step 1: Primary Election If you want to run for Precinct Chair in your precinct, contact the party now to get on the ballot! If you want to run for Precinct Chair in your precinct, contact the party now to get on the ballot! Register to vote now, deadline is 30 days before the primary election Register to vote now, deadline is 30 days before the primary election You must vote in order to be eligible to be a delegate to your Precinct Convention You must vote in order to be eligible to be a delegate to your Precinct Convention Working at the polls or turning out the vote will not hinder you at the convention and is encouraged Working at the polls or turning out the vote will not hinder you at the convention and is encouraged

Step 2: Precinct Convention Primary Election Night after polls close (Around 7:00 p.m.) Primary Election Night after polls close (Around 7:00 p.m.) Who Can Participate? Who Can Participate? Anyone from the precinct who voted in the primary, either that day or in early voting Anyone from the precinct who voted in the primary, either that day or in early voting Attend the convention or your voice is silent! Attend the convention or your voice is silent! What Happens? What Happens? Choose Permanent Convention Chairman Choose Permanent Convention Chairman Choose delegates to District/County Convention Choose delegates to District/County Convention Pass Resolutions Pass Resolutions

Why go to your Precinct Convention? If you don’t go, you won’t be going to your District/County Convention! If you don’t go, you won’t be going to your District/County Convention! If you can’t go to your District/County Convention, elect your Constitution- minded neighbors as delegates If you can’t go to your District/County Convention, elect your Constitution- minded neighbors as delegates Meet politically active people from your neighborhood Meet politically active people from your neighborhood Learn how a convention is run Learn how a convention is run Be a positive influence for liberty issues Be a positive influence for liberty issues

Precinct Convention: Chairman Temporary Chair Temporary Chair Appoints Temporary Secretary Appoints Temporary Secretary Verifies Credentials are checked Verifies Credentials are checked Holds Permanent Officers Elections Holds Permanent Officers Elections Permanent Chair Permanent Chair Gives Senate District Convention Info Gives Senate District Convention Info Conducts Delegate Selection Elections Conducts Delegate Selection Elections Presides over Consideration of Resolutions Presides over Consideration of Resolutions

Precinct Convention: Choosing Delegates Select delegates who are serious about attending District/County Convention Select delegates who are serious about attending District/County Convention Don’t overlook Alternate Delegates – they still get to go to the District/County Convention! Don’t overlook Alternate Delegates – they still get to go to the District/County Convention! Fill out delegate and alternate forms Fill out delegate and alternate formsCOMPLETELY!LEGIBLY! Exchange s/phone numbers Exchange s/phone numbers

Door Knockin Use a list of Ron Paul donors in your precinct, and contact each one personally. Use the 2008 and 2012 list. Use a list of Ron Paul donors in your precinct, and contact each one personally. Use the 2008 and 2012 list. Ask other Republicans in your precinct to vote for you. “ I will elect whoever is most likely to defeat Obama.” Ask other Republicans in your precinct to vote for you. “ I will elect whoever is most likely to defeat Obama.” Stay away from “End the Fed” like topics until the state convention. Stay away from “End the Fed” like topics until the state convention.

Strategy Take your 12 to 15 friends to the Precinct Primary with you to vote for you. Ask Houston Area Republicans for Ron Paul for a list of Ron Paul donors in your precinct. Take your 12 to 15 friends to the Precinct Primary with you to vote for you. Ask Houston Area Republicans for Ron Paul for a list of Ron Paul donors in your precinct. If there are not many Ron Paul supporters in your precinct, have your friends vote to leave any remaining delegate positions open. If there are not many Ron Paul supporters in your precinct, have your friends vote to leave any remaining delegate positions open.

Becoming a Precinct Chairman Keep your affiliation to Ron Paul silent until the state convention. Keep your affiliation to Ron Paul silent until the state convention. Download the Precinct Chair Filling form nts/Pct_Chair_Filing_Form_2012.pdf Download the Precinct Chair Filling form nts/Pct_Chair_Filing_Form_2012.pdf nts/Pct_Chair_Filing_Form_2012.pdf nts/Pct_Chair_Filing_Form_2012.pdf Have it notarized. Have it notarized. Deliver it or mail it certified signature. Deliver it or mail it certified signature.

Calling the Harris County GOP (HCRP) Do not mention affiliation to Ron Paul. Do not mention affiliation to Ron Paul. Script – “This is the most important election of my lifetime. I want to get Republicans out to vote so we can defeat Barak Obama.” Script – “This is the most important election of my lifetime. I want to get Republicans out to vote so we can defeat Barak Obama.” “ I will vote for whoever is most likely to defeat Barak Obama in the general election.” “ I will vote for whoever is most likely to defeat Barak Obama in the general election.” Harris County Republican Party 3311 Richmond, Suite 218 Houston, Texas (map) Harris County Republican Party 3311 Richmond, Suite 218 Houston, Texas (map) map

Precinct Maps Contact the HCRP for a complete list of Republicans by precinct (who voted in the last election). Contact the HCRP for a complete list of Republicans by precinct (who voted in the last election).

Precinct Convention Resolutions Anyone at a Precinct Convention can submit a resolution Anyone at a Precinct Convention can submit a resolution This is the first step for collecting inputs to revise the state party platform This is the first step for collecting inputs to revise the state party platform Most of these inputs fall into a black hole Most of these inputs fall into a black hole Be careful! Be careful! People will notice what issues your resolution addresses – and these people pick State delegates! People will notice what issues your resolution addresses – and these people pick State delegates! Don’t mark yourself as a poor choice as a delegate to the State Convention if you want to go that far Don’t mark yourself as a poor choice as a delegate to the State Convention if you want to go that far

Know the territory – learn who your current Precinct Chairman is and meet them Know the territory – learn who your current Precinct Chairman is and meet them Visit with Election officials early – they may end up appointing you Temporary Precinct Convention Chair! Visit with Election officials early – they may end up appointing you Temporary Precinct Convention Chair! Know your convention location – ASK! Know your convention location – ASK! Be early or on time to convention Be early or on time to convention Bring ten friends – the more, the merrier Bring ten friends – the more, the merrier Read Convention sample script ahead of time Read Convention sample script ahead of time Bring at least three copies of resolutions Bring at least three copies of resolutions Precinct Convention Strategies

Convention “Dirty Tricks” Fortunately, these are becoming less common Fortunately, these are becoming less common Robert’s Rules of Order is on your side – don’t let anyone abuse the rules to take advantage of you Robert’s Rules of Order is on your side – don’t let anyone abuse the rules to take advantage of you Don’t let anyone elect a “slate” of delegates Don’t let anyone elect a “slate” of delegates Don’t let anyone close nominations for delegates until everyone you want to nominate is nominated Don’t let anyone close nominations for delegates until everyone you want to nominate is nominated If you find the chair is doing something wrong, stand up, raise your hand, and say, “Mr. (or Ms.) Chairman, Point of Order!” If you find the chair is doing something wrong, stand up, raise your hand, and say, “Mr. (or Ms.) Chairman, Point of Order!” Then give a simple but concise explanation of the problem (and the proper action if you know what it is) Then give a simple but concise explanation of the problem (and the proper action if you know what it is) Don’t leave until the convention is over (adjourned) Don’t leave until the convention is over (adjourned)

Step 3: Senate District Convention Senate District or County Conventions Senate District or County Conventions All GOP Senate Districts (big counties) or Counties (small ones) All GOP Senate Districts (big counties) or Counties (small ones) All day Saturday All day Saturday Who Can Participate? Who Can Participate? ONLY those selected at Precinct Convention ONLY those selected at Precinct Convention Both Delegates and Alternate Delegates can go Both Delegates and Alternate Delegates can go Only “seated” (replacements for absent Delegates) Alternates can vote Only “seated” (replacements for absent Delegates) Alternates can vote What Happens? What Happens? Same as Precinct Conventions, only bigger and with more speeches Same as Precinct Conventions, only bigger and with more speeches Elect Permanent Senate/County Convention officers Elect Permanent Senate/County Convention officers Select Delegates to State Convention Select Delegates to State Convention Pass Resolutions (amalgamated from Precinct Conventions) Pass Resolutions (amalgamated from Precinct Conventions)

District/County Convention: Basic Agenda Appoint Temporary Officers Appoint Temporary Officers Temp Committee Reports and Roll Call of Precincts Temp Committee Reports and Roll Call of Precincts Elect Permanent Chair/Appoint Officers Elect Permanent Chair/Appoint Officers Appoint Permanent Committees Appoint Permanent Committees Select Delegates for State Convention Select Delegates for State Convention Didn’t get picked? Beg the Nominations Committee for an At-Large Delegate or At-Large Alternate position! Didn’t get picked? Beg the Nominations Committee for an At-Large Delegate or At-Large Alternate position! Permanent Committee Reports Permanent Committee Reports Nominations Committee report gives final roll of Delegates to State Convention Nominations Committee report gives final roll of Delegates to State Convention When the Nominations Committee report is approved, that list is final! When the Nominations Committee report is approved, that list is final! Resolutions Committee report is usually the most contentious Resolutions Committee report is usually the most contentious

District/County Convention: Committees Arrangements – Deals with venue issues, who uses which room Arrangements – Deals with venue issues, who uses which room Registration – Runs the registration tables Registration – Runs the registration tables Credentials Credentials Settles disputes when someone is accused of not being a properly elected delegate Settles disputes when someone is accused of not being a properly elected delegate Dispute over the Credentials Committee report nearly brought the 2008 State Convention to a standstill Dispute over the Credentials Committee report nearly brought the 2008 State Convention to a standstill Rules – Proposes additions to Robert’s Rules to make the convention run more smoothly Rules – Proposes additions to Robert’s Rules to make the convention run more smoothly Finance – Just what you think it means, conventions aren’t free! Finance – Just what you think it means, conventions aren’t free! Nominations – Determines who will go to the State Convention Nominations – Determines who will go to the State Convention Resolutions – Collates all the Precinct Convention resolutions Resolutions – Collates all the Precinct Convention resolutions

District/County Convention: Strategies Network with delegates from other precincts in your district/county Network with delegates from other precincts in your district/county Contact District/County Chair to volunteer Contact District/County Chair to volunteer Work on committees if possible – be prepared for a lot of work! Work on committees if possible – be prepared for a lot of work! Brush up on parliamentary procedure Brush up on parliamentary procedure Bring supplies Bring supplies Book etc. Book etc. Snacks – Lunch is usually sold at the convention site Snacks – Lunch is usually sold at the convention site Notepad and Paper Notepad and Paper Business Cards Business Cards

Step 4: State Convention GOP – June 7-9 – Fort Worth GOP – June 7-9 – Fort Worth Thursday Thursday General Session General Session Welcome, Speeches, Speeches, Speeches Welcome, Speeches, Speeches, Speeches Texas State Senate District Caucuses Texas State Senate District Caucuses Elect permanent chairs and members of permanent committees Elect permanent chairs and members of permanent committees Permanent Committee Meetings Permanent Committee Meetings Receptions/ Socials Receptions/ Socials 29

State Convention: Continued Friday Friday Senate District Caucus Meetings – Elect State Republican Executive Committee Reps, State Leadership (Chair, Vice Chair, Republican National Committeeman/woman) Senate District Caucus Meetings – Elect State Republican Executive Committee Reps, State Leadership (Chair, Vice Chair, Republican National Committeeman/woman) Congressional District Caucus Meetings – Elect Nominations Committee Congressional District Caucus Meetings – Elect Nominations Committee General Session – Hours of campaign ads just for you General Session – Hours of campaign ads just for you Speakers…and more Speakers…and more Speakers Speakers…and more Speakers…and more Speakers Receptions/ Socials – these are good networking opportunities Receptions/ Socials – these are good networking opportunities Banquet with Keynote $peaker – ticketholders only Banquet with Keynote $peaker – ticketholders only

State Convention: Continued Saturday Saturday Congressional District Caucuses – Elect National Convention Delegates, Alternates, Electoral College Electors Congressional District Caucuses – Elect National Convention Delegates, Alternates, Electoral College Electors General Session General Session Adoption of Platform Adoption of Platform Committee Reports Committee Reports 31

State Convention Strategies Book Your Room Early Book Your Room Early Read Current Platform & Rules Read Current Platform & Rules Contact Temporary Committees for addressing issues beforehand Contact Temporary Committees for addressing issues beforehand Dress Comfortably Dress Comfortably Bring Snacks/ Drinks Bring Snacks/ Drinks Take Notes Take Notes Don’t feel like you have to be on the floor for every single minute of the proceedings Don’t feel like you have to be on the floor for every single minute of the proceedings

Roberts Rules or Order

Let’s Role Play Break into groups and hold mock precinct conventions. Break into groups and hold mock precinct conventions.