County Committee meetings are a vital part of the Oklahoma Republican Party. They are the committee formed from the precinct officers and county elected officers in the county. They meet on a regular basis to represent the precinct officers, who are the closest elected officers to the voter. This close relationship can not be taken for granted or discounted. These precinct officers are the voter’s voice within the party structure.
These meetings are defined and described in the Oklahoma State GOP Rules as of May 6, 2023. However, no one was born knowing what legalese means, so we need to look up the legal terms of some of the words and their legal intent in the context of today’s language so we can understand what the authors of the OKGOP Rules mean.
Rule 6 (b) 1 The County Committee of each county is the supreme Republican Party authority of the county. This means that the county committee is the highest ranking authority in the county, not the chair, the vice-chair, the county sheriff, town mayor or anyone else – only the committee. This is how important the committee is. This is also the power the precinct officers and other members of the committee.
Rule 6 (b) 2 The County Chairman shall be responsible for the enforcement of these rules and the carrying out of the directions and resolutions of the County Committee and the County Conventions in accordance with these rules. This means that the county committee is a deliberative or it weighs and considers ideas, propositions, rules, and other actions that the committee might take for the purpose of running and accomplishing the business of the county Republican party. This “deliberation” can not take place without meeting because none of us are mind-readers to communicate our suggestions and ideas in order to accomplish the tasks of running the county party.
Rule 6 (c) Meetings: The County Committee shall meet…. Shall is the key word which in legal terms means “must”. This means that these meetings are not an option.
RONR (Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised 12th Edition) provides more information in §6:7 Important rules relating to the continuance of a question from one session to the next depending on whether no more than a quarterly time interval intervenes between the two sessions. This book explains that no more than a quarterly time interval intervenes between two sessions.
According to RONR, that means that if meetings are further apart than quarterly, certain rules and procedures of the meeting will need to be passed and questions to be re-deliberated. So not only does the county committee have to meet, it should meet regularly (at least quarterly by RONR Rules).
NOTE: From the OKGOP Rules:
20 (c) Matters not covered by Rules: All questions of procedure and other matters affecting the Oklahoma Republican Party, or any of its organizations, unit meetings, or conventions, which are not specifically covered in these rules shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, and the law of the State of Oklahoma, whichever may be applicable.
The GOP structure in Oklahoma is a grassroots, bottoms-up structure. The Oklahoma State Republican Platform is developed and approved by the grassroots. How is it that these structures and documents are so filled with grassroots ideas and structure? The concept of grassroots movements and political activism has deep roots in American history, including during the time of the Founding Fathers. While the term “grassroots” itself may not have been used in the same way it is today, the principles and actions that underpin grassroots movements were certainly evident in the early days of the United States. Here are some key aspects of grassroots efforts during the founding era:
• Colonial Committees of Correspondence – creating a grassroots network – like Signal today.
• Town Hall Meetings – like Zoom today
• Pamphleteering and Public Discourse (like the State Committee Meetings) – like the little pamphlets I distribute when I come visit counties
• Local Militias and Volunteer Forces
• Rural Societies and Associations
• State and Local Constitutions
It’s time for the precinct officers and other county committee members to take the power given to them by the OKGOP Rules, RONR, and our founding fathers. But it’s more than that. As a grassroots organizer and trainer, I’m always looking for ways for volunteers to get involved, energized, and more involved in the party. The county committee is a perfect vehicle for that, and it’s already set up and ready to use. Here are just some of the many ideas of how to use this committee:
• Representation — A place where precinct officers and other members can come together representing their various precincts ensuring that voices and perspectives are all heard across the district.
• Policy Development—These meetings serve as platforms for discussing and developing policies that will impact the county and its residents. Members can propose, debate, refine policy ideas, and deliberate well-thought-out decisions that address the district’s needs and concerns.
• Engagement and Participation —The meetings provide opportunities for community members to actively engage in and participate in the process of governing our districts.
• Information Sharing — County Committee meetings are channels for sharing important information with voters, but also techniques and trends that are vital for the leadership and other members to know.
• Networking and Collaboration — Committee Meetings facilitate networking and connecting among themselves and local leaders, activists, and community elected officials in ways aimed at improving the county and sharing ideas.
• Accountability—By holding regular meetings and involving community members, county committees promote transparency and accountability in running county business. Elected officials and committee members are accountable to their constituents, who can raise concerns, ask questions, and hold them responsible for their actions.
• Community Building—These meetings contribute to building a sense of community and civic involvement. They provide a platform for residents to come together, discuss concerns, and work toward common goals.
It’s hard not to get excited about regular county committee meetings. As a volunteer organizer, I’m excited about having regular meetings to create more excitement and buzz about our Republican party. We have the opportunity and structure already set up, and each county needs to use this gift from the OKGOP to get more people involved, educated, and working toward that famous citizen-involved government that Benjamin Franklin so aptly described…
“A Republic – if you can keep it.”
Written By – Claire Kennedy, State Committeewoman, Oklahoma County