Constitution Party of Idaho

Constitution Party National Committee Stresses Candidate Recruitment, Party Building and Fundraising Needs at Well-Attended Spring Meeting.

Amidst a feeling of optimism for its own progress, tempered by a sense of urgency brought on by the economic and political crisis in the nation, the National Committee of the Constitution Party met in Newark, New Jersey last week. The meeting was very well attended by national committee members and guests from all regions of the country.

Highlights of the meeting included speeches by recent CP Vice-Presidential nominee, Darrell Castle, former Congressman Virgil Goode of Virginia and State Representative Daniel Itse, of New Hampshire, along with the extremely moving address by Rev. Steven Craft and those of numerous other Constitution Party leaders and candidates; a candidate recruitment seminar conducted by Western regional director, Frank Fluckiger, of Utah, Bill Lussenheide of California and Dan Gonzales of Florida; and the encouraging report on new developments concerning party communications by Mary Starrett, which included the announcement that a newly updated and upgraded national party website will be going online very soon–hopefully before the end of June.

Serious and animated discussions centered around the dilemma of coping with the recent unprecedented increase in public demand upon the Constitution Party to provide information and outreach services, in addition to the need to effectuate a plan for funding ballot access for 2012, while at the same time, dealing with the challenges presented by a national economy that has adversely affected the ability of people to donate to political, charitable and non-profit causes. There was not always agreement among members on specific measures, but there was certainly a consensus that it is imperative for the Constitution Party to substantially increase its fundraising efforts and improve its financial capacity to support all of its necessary functions.

At the Friday night awards banquet, the Bob Tisch Taxpayers Award was presented to Gerald and Crystal Van Sickle of Michigan; the Eileen Shearer Eternal Vigilance Award was presented to her daughter, Nancy Shearer Chiasson; and the Joan Johnson Service Award was received by Joan Castle.

The party’s National Field Director, Gary Odom, announced that newly revised Party Organizational Manuals were available to provide state affiliates with assistance in their organizational work. A limited number were available to be distributed at the meeting. Those states which did not receive their copy at the meeting will soon be receiving a copy in the mail.

Another matter of business conducted at the meeting included the unanimous vote by the national committee to accept the application for affiliation of the new Constitution Party of Maryland organization chaired by Michael Dawson. Congratulations to Chairman Dawson and Vice-Chairman, Michael Bertocchi, who were in attendance at the meeting and to all officers and members of the new Constitution Party affiliate in Maryland!!

Particular thanks are in order to Alison Potter and Joan Castle for their usual outstanding efforts in organizing all aspects of the meeting and for the gracious hospitality extended by the very large New Jersey contingent headed by Lowell and Dixie Patterson and Cal and Ellen Wortman.

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