November 13, 2024

North Carolina Republican Party
Plan of Organization Committee
November 13, 2024

Chairman Dan Barry called the meeting to order.
The first item of business was a motion by Michael Magnanti to change the at-large ratio
from 1:8,000 to 1:16,000. Mike Phillips seconded the motion, and the motion carried
with two in opposition.
There are two additional issues in Article 7. The first is the quorum of the Executive
Committee and the makeup of the Operating Committee.
As to the quorum requirement of the Executive Committee, there have been ideas
discussed such as reducing the quorum requirement (the current number is 25% of the
membership), and/or possibly setting a number of counties (30 was the most discussed)
required for business to be done. Another option was discussed to enshrine the location of
the meetings of the Executive Committee being in a more central location in the state.
Mike Phillips moved that a straight quorum requirement of the membership of 20% be
established in addition to 50% of those who check in at the meeting. Harvey West
seconded the motion. Robert Watkins moved an amendment that the number stay at 25%.
In the absence of a second, the amendment failed. After discussion, the motion carried
with one opposed.
In Section 7-105, Michael Magnanti proposed that a subsection be added to state that
meetings must be held in a central location such as Guilford, Wake, or Durham Counties.
Michael Owens seconded the motion. One objection raised was a question on lack of
availability, and it was suggested giving the staff an out if no venue was available in that
area of the I-40/I-85 corridor.
Hunter Clark moved to amend the motion to re-word the amendment to state more
broadly that meetings will be held in the Central part of the state. Bill Scholtes seconded
the amendment. The amendment passed with no objection.

It was suggested that the option to go out of said area must have the approval of a
majority vote of the Executive Committee.
On the motion, the vote was unanimously in favor.
Mike Phillips immediately made a motion for a new section in 7-105 that the Operating
Committee may make adjustments to the location as required. Mike Magnanti seconded
the motion. The vote carried with two votes in opposition.
The Plan of Organization then pivoted to the Operating Committee. In previous
discussions, the affiliate leaders and legislative leaders have been removed. Hunter Clark
moved that the Joint Caucus Leader to get added back. The motion was seconded by
Michael Owens.
Robert Watkins moved to amend the motion to provide for removing the General
Counsel and Finance Chair from the Operating Committee. Tommy Fuller seconded the
motion. The rationale for Mr. Watkins is they are not elected officers, but it was pointed
out that the Executive Committee members vote to approve the General Counsel. In a roll
call vote, the amendment failed on a 3-13 vote.
In a vote on the original motion, the motion carried with one opposed.
Throughout Version 9 of the NC GOP Plan, there is mentioned in Sections 4-301, 4-401,
7-108, 7-205, 7-301 that require either the county party or state party to develop
achievable goals for the party through a Strategic Plan that would be approved by the
Executive Committee. Bill Scholtes moved that those provisions be adopted. The motion
was seconded by Mike Phillips. The motion carried with no opposition.
Bill Scholtes mentioned one last provision in Article 7-301, regarding integrity of
affiliation. Michael Owens introduced as the language stating that the Party expected
elected officials to adhere to the platform. Robert Watkins seconded the motion. Some
concern came up about circumstances where an elected official votes with his or her
constituents as opposed to strict adherence to the platform. Mr. Owens withdrew his
motion.
Chairman Barry stated that we have finished all sections related to the state organization.
Chairman Barry mentioned that party discipline and censure resolutions will be
discussed.
In a point of personal privilege, Harvey West asked the committee to be mindful that the
2025 Convention is going to essentially contain two dog-fights; the first being the
NCGOP chairman’s race and second, the Plan of Organization proposed re-write. It must
also be considered that 50% of county chairs change hands each cycle, meaning that the
loss of institutional knowledge weakens the Party.

With no further business appearing before the committee, Harvey West moved for
adjournment, with Mike Phillips seconding. The motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted,
Ed Stiles
First District Representative
Committee Secretary