Brett Mason is Runing is for Co-Chair
You may read his Bio and his Position Statement
Hi Dan,
Thank you for the opportunity to share my understanding of the Constitution and Bylaws of the LCRCC. Here's my response:
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The Linn County Constitution on the subject of the balance
of power between the Executive Board and the Central
Committee says
"The Executive
Committee is subject to the orders of the Linn County Central Committee, and none of its acts
shall conflict with actions of the Linn County Central Committee."
The Bylaws state that the Executives are to
"assist in the formulation of policies for the conduct of the affairs of the
Republican Party and such other matters as may be assigned."
What is YOUR opinion of these statements as regards decision making power?
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1.Constitution supercedes the Bylaws, when it declares: "... shall have power to adopt by-laws to carry out its duties and the purposes of this Constitution."
2. Bylaws are more practical clarifications of the principle(s) found in the Constitution
3. Constitution has an earlier clause which context provides the direct answer to your question: "The general management of the affairs of the party in Linn County is vested in the Linn County Central Committee, subject to direction from time to time by the County convention of the party. The Linn County Central Committee shall have such officers and administrative personnel as it may determine and shall organize its operations to attain the objectives of the Republican Party, and shall have power to adopt by-laws to carry out its duties and the purposes of this Constitution."
4. Constitution then goes directly to how leadership operates, by describing officers: "The officers of this Central Committee shall be a chairman, co-chairman, secretary and treasurer, and such other members as the County Central Committee in its by-laws may provide."
THEREFORE, my answer is that the Central Committee votes leadership to take the committee forward. The Leadership is Chairman, Co-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The officers are not equal nor identical. The Bylaws make their roles specific and clear:
1. The Chair shall be the Executive Officer and conduct all meetings of the Central Committee and assist in the formulation of policies for the conduct of the affairs of the Republican Party and such other matters as may be assigned.
2. The Vice-Chair shall conduct all meetings in the absence of the Chair and assist in formulating policies matters as may be assigned.
3. The duties of the Secretary are to keep the minutes of the meetings and read them at the following meeting, unless waived.
4. The duties of the Treasurer are to keep records of all receipts and disbursements. All checks shall be signed b the Treasurer and countersigned by the Chair or Co-Chair. Checks in excess of $500.00 and not previously budgeted shall have the approval of the County Central Committee. The Treasurer shall prepare a two-year budget for approval of the County Central Committee and the same shall be presented at the first meeting of the non-elective calendar year
Your question seems to imply that the Executive Board should stand up front and wait for the Committee to think things up and decide things, and then act accordingly.
The ByLaws show that the Chair is the Executive Officer. He/She alone leads, or "executes" one might say.
Similarly, the Co-Chair is to lead meetings when the chair cannot, and shall also assist in formulating policies as may be assigned.
Next, the Secretary shall keep meetings, a recorder if you will, and read these back at the next meeting.
Also, the Treasurer shall record all receipts and disbursements. Budget responsibilities are declared as well.
Once again, the Constitution expands the leadership activities of the Chair by requiring these officers, and adding administrative personnel, as well as organized activities to attain the objectives of the Republican Party.
MY OPINION IS that the question you posed regarding the Leadership Team is somewhat askew, as the Constitution and Bylaws clearly show the central committee electing a chair, and the other officers listed. These then follow the lead of the chair as the Executive Officer.
