Monthly Meeting of the Maury Count Republican Party

Thursday May 25 6:00 PM

·        1.      Call to order - Jerry called the meeting to order at 6:07pm.

·        2.      Prayer followed by the Pledge.

·        3.      Minutes – Jerry asked if all members received and if any changes. Some mentioned they did not get them; they should confirm their info on the MCRP website member portal. Should be going to all members and following Roberts Rule of Order if any corrections let us know. As no corrections minutes approved.

·        4.      Treasurer’s report – Todd Hopper is new Treasurer – appointed tonight in the EC meeting. Chris Chumley Vice Treasurer gave report. $575.14 in the PAC while $1156.88 in the general fund. Current expenses include building rental,   food, and Red Dot Storage. MCRP Has gained 4 new members. Motion to approve, 2^nd motion made and approved by voice vote.

·        5.      Update on PAC and QR Code

·        Chris Morris- Counties going to 1 PAC account per SEC meeting Chris M attended on April 22^nd. On June 8^th there is a meeting to learn about PAC, meeting at 6 pm Elks Lodge Pulaski. Everyone is invited to attend.

·        Brady Carr- Cards on table have QR code that leads to Maury GOP donations page. Info needed to donate is listed including employer as required by ethics and finance in Nashville. Yes, even if you are donating tonight to help with food costs, all info is required.

·        6.      E-Mail Address for Officers -Brady Carr – working to get set up for officers and can do for committee heads as well. Can be used by the next group of officers as well. No longer will need to use personal email. Jerry stated that all emails will be stored on a server, and this takes off liability from using personal email accounts.

·        7.      Meeting Day Discussion and Vote – Jerry B- Want to move meeting from 4^TH Monday to 4^th Thursday of each month. Less conflict for County Commissioners who usually have meetings first of week.  Jerry has confirmed all 4^th Thursdays the building is available thru October. Forms on table for membership to vote. A YES vote is a vote to move to Thursday. A NO vote is a vote to keep it on Monday.  VOTE TAKEN and it is voted to move to Thursday by a vote of 45 for the move and 9 wanting to keep it on Mondays.

·        8.      Report from Sub-Committees

·        a)      By-Laws -Lona is chairperson – has 3 volunteers now. Needs to be done and submitted to the state GOP by July 31.

·        b)     Legislative committee -Chris Cervantes is chairperson. Has 3 volunteers now

·        c)      Finance (Funding) – Chris Chumley is chairperson - Has 4 volunteers now.

·        d)     Membership – Jason Gilliam is chairperson. 1 volunteer now. Looking for 2 more. Will also working with communication committee.

·        e)     Communication – Brady Carr- e-mailed night of MRCP reorganization asking for login to all social media. Twitter and Telegram accounts deleted by prior EC.  SEC member and former EC member not giving him full access to Facebook, he is only able to post. On the 1st of June he will start a new page if not given full access to the current page. He would like this issue settled quietly. There are currently 2 Maury County GOP Facebook pages. A new one would be the third. Reach is down 70% and no new members have been added to the current Facebook page. Page currently has 2069 followers so all would be lost if had to start a new Facebook page.

·        -Any surveys sent out to members will blind surveys. Keep an eye on spam folders incase emails go there.

·        - Looking at sponsors to help with fixed costs of MCRP. Has 2 lined up so far and 2 who are on hold at moment. Sponsorships run June 2023 to May 2024. Sponsor would get 10 minutes to speak at MCRP monthly meeting and table set-up. Business link on MCRP website and be listed on bi-monthly MCRP newsletters. Cost $1500 for the year. Would need 10 to cover yearly fixed costs of MCRP.

·        9.      Floor Discussion Caucus v Primary- Jerry B- Open discussion with membership about having a primary vs caucus. It will be decided by the EC but would like membership input before a decision is made. Comments listed below from the floor and legislators in attendance.

·        -        In favor of primary as we have lots of independents now, it will force politicians to declare if democrats or republicans by 2^nd time around. It matters who leads.

·        -        Primary has crossover voting.

·        -        Does not affect state or federal elections.

·        -        “R” next to name was appreciated last year.

·        -        Strategy- voter base influx. Primary opens opportunity to get more republicans involved. Obligates us to get more voter turnout.

·        -        Will be signs at voting centers letting people know it is illegal to crossover vote.

·        -        If democrats have no primary, they will come and vote in the republican primary.

·        -        It was hard to get candidates last year with caucus. Williamson County had 2500 democrats vote in primary last year for Jack Johnson.

·        -        If the caucus is done correctly, it is good and increased voter turnout in Giles County.

·        -        State Legislators would have to enact putting a D or R next to candidates for city elections. It was done last year for the school board and county commission.

·        -        Primary would be easier for democrats who are fed up with their party to switch to republicans. We should encourage this and make it easy for them.  We need more people to vote.

·        -        Next year is an off year with half of the school board up for election.

·        -        Vetting process keeps democrats out of republican party.

·        -        If we had closed primaries, would it matter? YES

·        -        Caucus could affect younger voters and keep some of them out of the process.

·        -        There is no perfect solution.

·        Jerry B -Any additional comments or questions send them to the EC through the website. Look for possible surveys to come out as well.

·        10.   AUGUST SPECIAL SESSION – MCRP and some other county parties are looking at getting a busload of people to attend the called special called session in Nashville. Be on the lookout for additional information.

·        Motion to adjourn, seconded.  Approved and adjourned at 7:29PM

·        Chris Wilson

·        Recording Secretary

·        MCRP

Executive Committee  X = in Attendance

X_ Jerry Bridenbaugh -Chair

X_ Lona Heins – Vice Chair

X_ Brady Carr – Cor Secretary

X_ Chris Wilson – Rec Secretary

X_ Chris Chumley -Vice Treasurer

X_ Todd Hopper -Treasurer

_ Debbie Matthews – Past Chair

X_ Chris Cervantes -MCYR

_Cindy Rial - MCRW

X_ Chris Morris - SEC

_ Angie McClanahan - SEC