Convention is tomorrow! Although the State Rules Committee’s efforts came to an abrupt halt last Saturday as we were unexpectedly given a deadline for rules change submissions, eleven rules change recommendations were crafted and prepared for Convention. These recommendations were the result of tireless, diligent work by a host of Rules Reps and Alternates, trying to make the wording just perfect on these necessary changes.
The next challenge though is that HRP Rules Section 109, which governs passing an amendment to the rules, requires “a vote in favor by at least two-thirds of the delegates present.” Unfortunately, this means that delegates that choose to “abstain” (not to vote) perhaps because they don’t feel they have enough knowledge of the topic and want to leave the decision to others who may be better informed, are counted as “Nay” votes, instead of not counting at all. This is a problematic rule that IMO needs to be modifed soon to read “a vote in favor by at least two-thirds of the delegates present and voting.” That modification will ensure that an abstention vote is not counted, as defined in Roberts Rules 4:35. For Convention purposes, however, this means that Delegates should make the best “yes” or “no” decision they can based on the information they have, because an “abstain” will actually be counted as “no.”
Lastly, I wanted to address some confusion that folks have voiced concerning “slates” or teams of candidates that have grouped together. Please remember that every election is still individual and you are not compelled to vote for everyone on a particular slate, just because you want to vote for that slate’s leader. I hope that clarifies the issue for everyone — vote for the candidate you think will do the best job, regardless of slate!
We have so many people pushing hard across the county to improve our State and our Party. I want to periodically spotlight this great work as a way to thank those folks and also encourage others to get involved.
This week’s Honolulu County Spotlight shines on Teri Savaiinaea!
Teri has been working tirelessly since becoming District 45 Chair in May 2022. Quickly after taking these reins, she organized and conducted a candidate “meet and greet” in Waianae to enable residents there to cast educated and informed votes.
In March of this year, Teri was elected as one of five Regional Vice Chairs for the County, now serving as mentor for the Districts in Leeward Oahu. She immediately vowed to begin filling her six semiorganized / unorganized Districts, personally calling over 150 people to invite them to District meetings, resulting in organization and increased participation now in four of her seven Districts!
Recently, in preparation for the State Convention, Teri contributed over 20 hours in just a two-week period collaborating with others members of the State Rules Committee to identify and recommend corrections to the many weaknesses in our State Rules.
As if that’s not enough, Teri is running for a seat on her Neighborhood Board so that she can help make direct impact to the residents she will serve! This seat will let her directly help her community, but also arm her with key local issues that can be shared with candidates for that area.
Teri’s love of Hawai’i, her passion to help others and her strong will to see things through to completion are a credit herself and to the Republican Party!
Thank you, Teri, for your grit, passion and perseverance!
Steve
(Help me “catch people doing great things!” Please email me your observations as you see great things happening on Oahu! steve.lipscomb@outlook.com)
2023 State Convention
Tomorrow is the 2023 State Convention in Hilo.
Delegates will vote for the new State Officers of the party to lead us to the 2024 elections.
Additionally, this year delegates will be voting on amendments to our State Rules as presented by the Standing Committee on Rules. For more information click link below:
2023 State Officer Candidate Endorsements (This is not an endorsement from Honolulu County.)
This is not an endorsement from Honolulu County.
2023 County Calendar
Our Minority Caucus is on the Radio - Join Representative Lauren Cheape Matsumoto and other house minority leaders every Monday, Wednesday and Friday's at 5:00pm on AM690 The Answer. Feel free to call into the show (833) 296-TALK (8255).
Tentative agenda to include a recap of the State Convention, filling of vacancies for the positions of District Secretary and District Treasurer, and a review of the 2023 legislative session.
