First board call

On the call: Jim Bennett, Doug Hartlove, Carol Hartlove, John Burchill, John O'Rourke, Ken Collins, Doug Dash, Tom Freeman, Stephanie Sharp

We held elections for the Officers and new State Director. The results are --

State Director - Doug Hartlove

Deputy State Director - John O'Rourke

Board Chairman - John Burchill

Treasurer - Tom Freeman

Secretary - Stephanie Sharp

Membership Chair - Ken Collins

Union Liaison - Doug Dash

Our board consists of:

John Burchill, Chair burchilljb@yahoo.com

Jim Bennett, james@jamesbennett.com

Ken Collins Ken@KCFootloose.com

Doug Dash jddash@verizon.net

Tom Freeman hfstjf@aol.com

John O'Rourke jorourke468@comcast.net

Stephanie Sharp stefs@sharpdes.com

John Burchill then stated we need to set a schedule for our phone conferences. It was suggested to have a six week schedule. Tom Freeman said we may want to have our next one before the June 8 primary and that is less than six weeks away.  John Burchill suggested every six weeks with special meetings before specific dates such as elections. John Burchill brought up how we can help with campaigns for candidates that support the FairTax. Doug Dash said we could volunteer to make phone calls.

It was decided that our next call would be at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 3.

We discussed dates for our next physical meeting. It was decided for October 9 at the Bridgewater Library. We will alternate between north and south locations with the next April meeting in Collingswood again.

New Business: John O'Rourke suggested having a NJ letterhead. Jim said we could design one and Tom Freeman said we could use his address. Stephanie volunteered to design it.

Jim said we don't need to open a bank account because Houston is set up for a lock box for the states.

Jim said the Leadership Council is focusing on a strategic plan and will circulate among the State Directors. This will set up how we can work more effectively.

John O'Rourke discussed the NJ Assembly budget meeting where he and Stephanie spoke on the FairTax. He has reached out to them for us to speak. He contacted Tuerck and he is willing to appear if we get a meeting. We would just need to pay for his transportation costs.

We discussed having a membership fee of $5. Burchill said it would make it more formal and more of a commitment. Freeman said the benefit of dues is showing who's willing to cut a check and be committed. Burchill said we need to draw up a budget.