More thoughts on SCC Amendment B

Dear delegates,

Much of the information you have received about the State Central Committee (SCC) Amendment B has been a blatant mischaracterization of the proposal. Here are the facts:

We are all on the same Republican team, both the SCC and State Delegates. Our goals are to get Republicans elected and promote the principles in our platform.

The SCC is made up of representatives of County Parties around the state and it gives you the County Delegates representation at the state level. This maximizes your influence in state Republican Party politics.

SCC members meet once a quarter, while conventions only happen once a year.

The SCC already approves any constitution changes that the Convention hears in advance of the Convention.

There are three principles at work with the SCC Amendment B proposal:

1. You must be able to reconcile constitution changes with existing constitution provisions. Many times, there are amendments and substitutions during a convention. It is difficult to wait for a full year until the next convention to reconcile any conflicts in the constitution that arise.

2. Much as our federal government and state government constitutions are difficult to change, so should our party constitution. An additional group of eyes looking at the product of the Convention can be helpful.

3. As a County Delegate, you should want the SCC involved in as much decision making as possible because they are your representatives in state party governance. This proposal is a way to preserve the independence of county parties against hasty and irreversible changes that many times affect our county party governance.

This proposal was recommended unanimously by the State Constitution and Bylaws Committee and was advanced for Convention consideration by a 2/3 vote of the SCC in December. Remember that this proposal has to be approved by the Convention delegates. If they think there is a higher principle at work, then they will reject the proposal.

Remember what I suggested at the beginning. We are all on the same Republican team. There is no desire on the part of SCC members to override the will of the delegates, in spite of the mean spirited accusations by opponents of this proposal. The SCC members understood perfectly well that State Delegates will decide if they like this proposal or not. Only as we work together as a Party will we continue to get Republicans elected and promote the principles in our platform.

Proposals considered first at convention are final. I like having the SCC vet and approve them, essentially strengthening them and also catching other possible unseen problems. Why fear an added set of eyes on any good ideas?

Thoughts on Amendment B

I have been questioned about my views about a proposal previously considered at SCC. Here is the proposal: “The Constitution may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the members at a State Central Committee meeting if subsequently ratified by a majority vote of the Delegates present at the State Convention. This Constitution may also be amended by 2/3 vote of Delegates present at the State Convention, if subsequently ratified by a majority vote of the State Central Committee.” (Utah Republican Party Constitution, Article X.B)

I support a few concepts with this and am interested in further and more robust discussion about this proposal. I recall the author said he was introducing it for discussion purposes and I think many voted for it to keep the discussion alive. I welcome the discussion and think this idea has merit but is not perfect by any means...in fact I hear that it may not come up in June (the author is reconsidering, I guess from feedback he's received).

At any rate, I think that we need to make it difficult to amend our party governing documents. I have seen too much time spent (wasted) in crazy ideas that really don’t build for a stronger party. I like the concept that if it's not broken then don’t fix it. Some like the constant tampering and fiddling. I don’t think it is productive.

This change will make it more difficult to amend the Constitution than the Bylaws “It formerly was common practice to divide the basic rules of an organization into two documents, in order that one of them--the constitution--might be made more difficult to amend than the other, to which the name bylaws was applied. In such a case, the constitution would generally contain the most essential provisions…” (Roberts Rules, pages 13-14).

One other key point is this in NOT a power grab because the SCC already has the ability to prevent a convention from amending the constitution. Under the Bylaws, the C/B Committee decides whether proposed constitutional amendments go to the convention or to the SCC. The controversial amendments are going first to the SCC, which has more time to deliberate on them and make improvements, before they go to the convention. (Bylaws 7.5.H)

Proposals considered first at convention are final. I like having the SCC vet and approve them, essentially strengthening them and also catching other possible unseen problems (like what happened in 2006 when a long amendment was adopted on the first reading and now many wish they had read it closer).

Why fear an added set of eyes on a good idea?

Thoughts on Convention & Future of GOP

The 2011 Organizing Convention is fast approaching. Now is when delegates start taking a deeper look at the candidates for party officers and the State Central Committee.

As the out-going Chair, I have a unique perspective on issues and many of these candidates. I hope you will read this post so you will be better informed about why I am running for the SCC and feel free to call me to hear how I stand on the candidates. My other recent posts will give you a chance to understand where I stand on other topics.

The Republican Party is the best vehicle to ensure that America remain morally strong and economically prosperous. I have been involved in the GOP since 1991 and believe that through active participation we can protect our Liberty. I got involved in the GOP because our principles are the path to prosperity and strength. When interviewing other candidates, make sure you ask them why they are involved because these past two years I have seen many that don’t share this view. I am concerned with the attitude that is causing the Party to be angry and full of infighting.

We have great days ahead of us but this path is not sure and vision and vigilance is required.

I have been a fighter for conservative principles all my life. I don’t back down from advocating for adherence to Constitutional principles and protection of the family. But not all share these ideals and so I will fight everyday to ensure a brighter future for our children.

That is why I want to continue to serve as a member of the SCC. Thank you for your consideration. If any want to learn more please call me directly 801-404-8635. I also have relevant insight into all the races that I am happy to share so call anytime.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as chair these past two years and I appreciate all you do.

Taylor Oldroyd

Responsibility of SCC:

The SCC is similar to our county central committee and members need to be prepared to advocate for our platform. I take this responsibility very serious and that is why I have attended the meetings and never passed up an opportunity to protect the process and our platform.

One of my heroes is Ezra Taft Benson and he said we should never be afraid to advocate for conservative principles because of fear of criticism. I agree.

IRV:

I do not support IRV as a general rule. I trust a system that allows for educating the delegates and an IRV limits the ability to learn in-between rounds of voting. It is possible with an IRV method that the person with an extreme voice can get elected without a majority. For example, with four candidates running and three strong candidates and one extreme candidate that the three cancel out each other and the one without the majority support can win by default.

Ex-officio delegates:

I strongly believe that when we elect our Representatives that we ask them to perform a variety of functions and one of these is to be a delegate. Most Ex-officio delegates hold much institutional knowledge and it would be a disservice to the party to widen the gap of accountability. In fact, we need to close the gap not widen it. We can’t do that by driving a wedge between the grassroots and the officials.

The argument is a veiled attempt to force a wedge between our elected officials and party members and the result will be a weaker party and eventually elected Democrats. If you don’t believe me then look at the history of Salt Lake County; they have been through this and the proof is clear.

Challenges of the GOP:

I believe the greatest threat to the GOP and this nation is the apathy and complacency of the people. I am also worried that we are turning into a party of “angry” individuals instead of maintaining our core strength as united conservatives with a clear message for prosperity and moral strength.

We are strong when we stand together and our voices must be heard to make a difference. But analyze the significant challenges I faced during my term and you can see a real and growing threat to our party.

Rather than use proven processes accepted in Robert Rules and common sense, some try to sue and complain their way into power. They would rather personally attack others leading to their disenfranchisement and inactivity so that their voice is louder, than articulate a vision. I see this tactic used by enemies of conservative principles. Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and Rush talk about this all day so you don’t need to hear it from me but our values are under attack at home and abroad and we must vigilantly defend the process of rules and laws.

That is why I reject the law suit and those defending this approach.

It has been partnership and cooperation that has forged this nation and the freedoms we enjoy. Utah has become strong this way and the US will once again return to greatness through partnership and articulating our vision and not through fighting and other militant self-righteous tactics.