Joanne then gave the floor to Jordan Bush (who has made clear his intention to run for the House seat that Dave Hildenbrand will be vacating in 2010 due to term limits).  Mr. Bush asked for as many members as possible to sign up for the Grassroots Committee, which he and Scott Greenlee chair, because this committee will be the backbone of KCRC success in 2010 and beyond.  (This reporter had already volunteered for both the Grassroots and Outreach Committees before the meeting convened.)

Joanne then thanked Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Congressman Vern Ehlers, Attorney General Mike Cox, and incoming State GOP Chair Ron Weiser for their generous contributions to the committee during the 2008 Christmas Dinner and Reception.

Joanne then discussed the various committees that are seeking new members and reminded everyone of the Roundtable Discussion occurring next week (Feb 5th @ 5:30 PM).  Sam Moore (KCRC Executive Director) passed out copies of a flowchart describing the various committees and how they relate to each other within KCRC as a whole.  Those committees are:

• Grassroots Committee (Jordan Bush and Scott Greenlee)

• Finance Committee (Chris Beckering)

• Marketing Committee (Shelby Reno)

• Events Committee (Lisa Lyons)

• Outreach Committee (Nereida Martinez and Carolyn Molinosky)

• Elected Official Engagement Committee (Dave Dishaw)

• Election Day Operations / Compliance Committee

State Senator Bill Hardiman discussed Senate Bill # 0001 - the Michigan Business Tax Act - which will phase out the MBT surcharge.  Senator Hardiman recalled a conversation that he'd had with a local businessman about how this tax is hurting both businesses and workers.  The public perception of the Republican Party is that we're pro-business and anti-people, but the truth is that if we do not support businesses, then we cannot support the people to whom we truly need to provide services and assistance.  He closed by speaking about the criticality of the 2010 election.

Sandi Frost Parrish, Kent County Commission Chair, addressed the meeting.  She pointed out that all of the new county commissioners (three Republicans and a like number of Democrats) are on the Legislative Committee, which is making for some interesting sessions.

The meeting was then adjourned.  During the interval between the Executive Committee Meeting and the County Convention, I had opportunity to speak with Senator Hardiman, Representatives Amash, Hildenbrand, and Pearce, and Commissioners Frost Parrish, Antor, Ponstein, and Voorhees about the Michigan FairTax Proposal.  Joanne Voorhees called the County Convention to order at 7:37 PM.

Shana Shroll read the official call to convention and the temporary convention officers were appointed.  Following this, Joanne Voorhees (Convention Chair) and Shana (Convention Secretary) were nominated and elected to permanent status in their positions.  Kent County Clerk Mary Hollinrake performed the oath of office for the convention.

Jon Nunn delivered the Committee on Credentials report of non-attendees and referred everyone to the hardcopy list of permanent vacancies.  Then Bob Kinney delivered the Permanent Organization and Order of Business Report.

Joanne then led the convention in a standing ovation in absentia for Congressman Vern Ehlers and the rest of the House Republicans who had led bipartisan opposition to the stimulus package.

Joanne explained the purpose of the State Convention in February and the rules and protocol for electing delegates to the convention.  Then the convention recessed so that the County Caucuses could convene and elect their delegates.  When the convention reconvened, Joanne thanked those who volunteered as State Convention delegates.

(This reporter is now a duly elected delegate representing the 6th District of Kent County to the Third Congressional District Caucus at the Michigan GOP Convention.)

Jon Nunn delivered the report of the Committee on Credentials, and Bob Kinney delivered the report of the Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business.

There being no further business properly before the convention, Joanne Voorhees reminded all that the next Executive Committee Meeting is Thursday, February 26th, 2009, and adjourned the meeting at 8:21 PM.