Thus says Jon Kaplan: 

The attachments summarize the Board Restructuring Process that the SATP board unanimously voted for and the Joint Committee's nomination form, request for resume of board candidates, SATP Mission Statement that we ask candidates to read and agree to, and procedure of the Nominating Committee.  I would appreciate it if you would post on They Think You Are Stupid. If anyone has questions, they are free to call or write me.  We want to move fast on this as SATP is slowed down in its mission while we are waiting to get new Board leadership.  It is my hope that once seated, the new board will consider SATP Bylaw review as I see changes needed there that will minimize the likelihood of future problems of the sort we are seeing now.

Thanks.
Jon Kaplan
846-8076
jonkaplanrealty@yahoo.com

 There is one ".DOC" are three ".PDF" files: 

1. The Joint Committee Process, which describes the agreement and the process.
2. The Urgent Request for Nominees, which also lays out the rules.
   
3. The SATP Mission Statement to which nominees must agree. 
   
4. The SATP Nomination Form, which is what nominees must fill out and send in.

 If You know someone you think should consider serving, PLEASE SEND THEM THESE LINKS and URGE them to apply NOW!!!!

The Tea Parties comprise two major groups: The traditional religious conservatives and the libertarians (especially the Ron Paul folks). These two groups share much in common when facing the "progressive" Marxists. But they do have their differences and tend to distrust each other.

We religious conservatives believe that this country needs to trust in God and put faith in the forefront of how we govern. We believe that God has blessed America and will continue to do so if we call on Him. Religious conservatives tend to view libertarians with the suspicion that they will throw away the societal norms (like traditional marriage) that have served America well and open us to valueless licentiousness.

We libertarians believe that the freedom of the individual is paramount. Government should no more be involved in churches than with social engineering. Libertarians tend to view religious conservatives with the suspicion that they will impose their moral code using the force of the government with as much glee as Al Gore shutting down a coal-fired power plant.

Yes, I am in both camps. Both sides have to see that we have more in common than we usually admit. Both sides view the government expansion into almost every part of life with suspicion and horror.

You think libertarians bring valueless licentiousness and the destruction of our society? HAH! Not compared to the Marxists! The libertarians generally admit that belief has a positive place in the lives of many. Live & let live, yes. But the Marxists seek to destroy faith as conservatives know it, and turn the churches into de-facto branches of the government.

You think conservative seek to impose their religious values on everyone. HAH! Not compared to the Marxists! The conservatives generally admit that everyone has a choice in what to believe. Live & let live, yes. But the Marxists seek to destroy faith as libertarians know it, and turn the state into the de-facto church, with mandatory adherence to the articles of their "faith."

If we fight, they we. If we join, we win. Does "Join, or Die" sound familiar?

Your choice, folks.

Your object... is to win elections, not arguments. If you will always remember that, you can't go far wrong.

The second thing to remember is that elections are won with votes; those votes are out in the precincts, not down in the politico-financial district, not in political clubs, not at political rallies.

The third thing to remember is that a vote for your side never becomes a reality unless you see to it that the holder thereof gets down to the polls and casts it. This should be printed in red ink and set off with flashing lights.

The fourth thing to remember is not to waste time arguing with a hard case. In the years I have spent in politics I cannot honestly say that I recall ever having persuaded anyone to change his mind about how he was going to vote on an issue or for a candidate if he had already made up his mind when I approached him. Yet I know that I have influenced and sometimes changed the outcome of elections through my own efforts.(H/T:  Instapundit)

(Moved from the top of the page)

"I would like to assure you that there were NO financial improprieties as levied against me by someone who is leaving SATP to start another organization. There WERE reimbursement checks to me from SATP for large amounts. SATP does not have a credit card, and was broke before the July 4 event. I used my personal credit card as a means of loaning SATP money for radio advertising, the purchase of t-shirts, and airline tickets for our speakers.

"In order to reassure people that SATP funds were not taken, the receipts for these reimbursement checks are being scanned and the images will be uploaded to the old SATP website, www.theythinkyouarestupid.com shortly. SATP has lost control of its website and its blast email capability so I would appreciate it if you get the word out."

That does jog my memory.  It looked like we were going to take a BATH right then -- and badly.  There were a lot of grim faces at our meetings.  We had sized the event for up to 10,000 people, but it was looking like less than a thousand would show. Yes, I believe I recall that Gail stepped up to front the Tea Party that money.  Radio advertising is not cheap!  Neither are bands, stage & sound rental, etc.  We were on the hook for lots of money under our contracts.  Legally, that was Matt, Eric G., Gail and me who were on the hook.  As it was, we were still short on funds after the 4 July Independence Day event. Lord alone knows what would have happened without those radio ads!

ANYWAY -- that matches my recollection and I look forward to posting those receipts!

(Moved here from the top of the page)

1. Concerning Posting Donations, Gail Kaciuba (SATP Treasurer) writes: 

What record of donations are you promising? I can give you the deposit slips but the names of the donors who wrote the checks are listed, and I know of at least two people who specifically asked me to NOT disclose their names. I can give you the Excel files from paypal but that has LOTS more personal information. Do you see what I mean? You are promising something on the website but I do not know what you want me to give you. Similarly, what record of expenses do you want? If I give you the check register it will have the names of the cops and the amount they made.

Here is what I was working on to post on a website, somewhere, in conjunction with a blast email approved by my attorney: Scanned copies of the receipts for the reimbursement checks written to me and Stanley that Matt mentioned in his blast. That's it. I was not planning on scanning every single receipt for every expenditure. My intent was just a rebuttal. But now I am not sure if I can even use the blast email list at all because of Matt's invoice to SATP for his services.

Which seems to be sufficient.  Matt has made specific charges, and answering them without exposing every donor or recipient of a check to the public seems most reasonable.  Until then, she provided THIS REPORT (PDF) that was handed out at the October meeting.

2.   Matt want's to be paid?  This is the third reference I have heard to Matt sending an invoice to SATP for his services.  If he did, would someone please send me a copy?  WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS!  As I recall the ByLaws that we accepted, all positions were specifically unpaid.

3.  The Email Database:  Gail also writes: 

Robin, we did NOT give the database to Matt. When you post that there it sounds like SATP was the party that violated the privacy agreement SATP had with its supporters, which is not the case.

Gail, being on the current Board of Directors, should know.  At the Magic Time Machine meeting, I believe I heard Matt trying to make an argument that he had a personal ownership interest in the email database (see #2 above).  If such an argument were true, then Mr. Eric Adam and my humble self would have a majority stake in that.  The database is just under 6,000 addresses; Eric and I collected over 3,000 of them.  (If Matt wishes a response posted, I will update this with it.)

 3.  Gail says my comments have denigrated the SATP Board as a whole:

Your comment seems to reinforce that, yes, the SATP board consists of a bunch of fools who could not agree on what to order for lunch. Gosh, Robin, we were smacked up side the head with the actions of Matt. I know you want to be diplomatic about the split, but your comments are a bit uncharitable in my opinion.  (UPDATE:  Eric Green says he agrees with her on this,)

I must plead guilty.  Gail is the second person in less than 12 hours to call me on this.  Let's be clear, then:  Only one member of the SATP board has threatened me with a lawyer and publicly referenced his lawyer in front of a crowd.  Hint:  It wasn't Gail!  This leads to . . . .

4.  I am sorry I voted for Matt to become President of SATP.  I really did think it was the best thing for the organization at the time.  I'm sorry folks, but I now think I was wrong.  I should have accepted the Presidency and allowed Matt to leave.  Yes, he stated at the time that he would leave if I were elected President.  More details later on that meeting.  The other board members just were not able to get along with him as I had hoped.  Sigh -- One must be careful how one words things once someone starts flinging threats of lawsuits about.

5. How can Matt not be conflicted?   He's technically still President of SATP (and willing to use the bylaws to make me take down Julia's statement and send emails to everyone) while also Chairman of Tea Party Support.  There are questions as to whether he can serve in both positions at the same time.  The issue of the email database is a prime example.

6. Two Rhetorical Questions:  What would the President of the USA be doing differently if he wanted to destroy America?  What would the President of SATP be doing differently if he wanted to destroy the San Antonio Tea Party?

(Moved here from the top of the page)

1. Matt Perdue is the only one who can currently send "blast" emails to the mailing list. 
   
2. I have requested that Matt send out the forms for folks who might want to be considered for the new board.
3. If that hasn't happened yet?  Please stop blaming me for the above.
   
4. MANY people don't know about this site and those forms, so please send out notes on this to all whom you think might be interested.

Let's set the record straight concerning Mr. Stroud's 22 Nov column:

"Someone hijacked the Tea Party Web site a week ago...."  If that's referring to www.SanAntonioTeaParty.org, the web master was Michael.  He has since taken the site down totally.  If that's a reference to www.SanAntonioTeaParty.info, that appears to be Matt's new playtoy.

"In a news release sent Nov. 13, Hayden said...."  That is from the post Matt made me take down.

"There was no reference to such an expenditure for the Independence Day celebration at Rio Cibolo Ranch in any of Kaciuba's financial reports...."  If I remember correctly, Diane pre-paid for that, in the hope she'd be reimbursed.  (OMG!  A check to Diane?  How awful!)

In the comments to the article, some are thinking the payments from Premiere Speakers Bureau are some huge support from some shadow group.  All that money was what they collected on our behalf for the Glenn Beck luncheon.  That all came from the 300+ people who bought tickets.  We had no electronic sales ability.  They came in, put it all together, and managed it all.  For that, the SATP paid their expenses (I forget the exact amount).

This one comes from an old friend:

Robin - What is the Tea Party Support relationship to the San Antonio Tea Party, if any?

Randy

Matt Perdue, John Watson, Susan Watson Brown, and Michael Knowles decided to leave SATP and form their own group, Tea Party Support.  The two groups are totally separate in their functioning.

The problem is that the two groups are still entangled.  I am not sure if either John Watson and Susan Watson Brown are still on the Advisory Committee, but Matt Perdue is still the president of SATP and the chairman of Tea Party Support.  He has publicly stated he will remain President of SATP until the new board is seated.

This is why you all need to help push the efforts of Jon Kaplan & co.

 

Today's letter comes from a concerned lady who says it well:

I have recently received a group of emails that I find disturbing to say the least.  Yours  and Eric’s are the names I am most familiar with the SATP.  Could you please tell me if the group is still marching on, or at least tell me what group is legit?  Who is the Tea Party Support group are they a fringe off the original SATP?  I am concerned; 1 because of the monies issues they write about, and 2 because I feel San Antonio supporters  could turn away because of the in-fighting.  I replied to the emails that both Matt and Gail sent out recently with these words:

It's petty crap like this that turns supporters off!  If the organization has legal representation, then use it to bring up charges and end the bickering legally. Makes one rethink the need to join and support a dysfunctional group such as this.  For the good of the country please get your acts together and refocus on the mission.  Until then please consider me "missing in action"!

I hope you can provide some clarity, our country is headed on a very dangerous path.  I don’t want to sit on the sidelines waiting and searching for the right group to join to strengthen my support and voice against those issues that our so-called leaders are taking.  I also have concerns regarding the usage of my email address, who has it and what is it being used for is important to me.  If you can’t help me with these issues could you tell me who I could contact that might?

What's left to say?  Not much.  How can I answer this?  That's difficult.  Way back when, Eric Adam and I had promised to notgive our email database to any outside organization.  The decision to give it to Tea Party Support is not one I fully understand.

Concerning the selection of the new board, Sharon asked (on Facebook): 

What is the selection process? Are members going to put forth nominations and will elections follow? Is SATP going to follow the process it was intended to defend?

Got an intersting echo of that from Katharine, too, via email:

I would like to see what the answers are.  My other questions is, where was it dictated that while the new board was being found and sited that the SATP would be immobilized and would not participate all kinds of great activities in the community and that the general public would not be addressed with an announcement of the goins-ons of the SATP board.  The people I speak to feel used and rolled by the SATP.  This "plan" was suppose to enhance the SATP in the community instead is KILLING IT.

The SATP looks like fools, a bunch of people who either don't care or do not what the H.... they are doing.  A great bunch of people who are the real movement gave the SATP their trust, time and money and for what so that they could be used and ignored.  Brilliant idea and process.

So yes, since I am part of the general public of the SATP, I would love to hear an answer to the question posed by Sharon.

Unfortunately, with the current board at loggerheads with each other, it's almost impossible to make any decisions.  Not being a current board member AND technically owning this site are the reasons I can post what it is you are seeing.  They would have to agree to stop me, and they are not going to be getting together to do that!

A Statement by Robin Juhl

The web site previously located at www.SanAntonioTeaParty.org is gone. Matt and I have discussed having that domain point here, but that will take a while and take some coordination.

We should all look forward to the end of the entanglement between SATP and Tea Party Support. We are going to have to work together, but first we will have to stop arguing.  A bit of time apart can work wonders.  We shall see.

This site remains dedicated to supporting the San Antonio Tea Party!

I created this site back in the first week of March.  Matt Perdue, President of the San Antonio Tea Party has directed I take down the statement previously placed here at the request of Julia Hayden.  The stated reason is that official postings require the consent of two board members.  That's a change since when I was chairman, but, hey, he is still the President of the organization until the new board of directors is seated.

As one of the founding members of the SATP as it is presently constituted (just six people sitting at a table!), the divisiveness and rancor now evident from this schism grieves me greatly.  We have done great things together.  Fighting each other just aids Obama, Reid, Pelosi and their ilk.

Yes, "Recently there have been some changes" as Julia put it.  No kidding!

A new organization, Tea Party Support, has branched off from the San Antonio Tea Party, under the leadership of SATP President, some advisory board members, and other supporters who wished to take a different role in upcoming elections, rather than continue in the strictly local role. Or so it was explained to me and others at their meeting last Sunday.  As was made clear at that meeting, the San Antonio Tea Party and Tea Party Support are completely separate organizations, and will soon be independent of each other, following installation of a new Board of Directors for the SATP. The SATP is currently recruiting and reviewing prospective candidates, with a new board is expected to be installed before mid-December, 2009.

I personally have nothing but good wishes for the success of BOTH Tea Party Support AND the San Antonio Tea Party. Both organizations have chosen different paths, but their stated common goals -- what should be the common goal of us all -- remain the same: SAVE AMERICA!

Questions have been raised with regard to financial affairs of the San Antonio Tea Party, and accusations made against certain members of the board - accusations which I personally believe are most likely due to misunderstanding or other like errors.  I have been told that in the interests of transparency, the most current record of donations, and expenses will be made available for posting on this website.  I look forward to being able to post them, getting this all cleared up. 

Memo to John Kaplan & co.: May God bless your work, but GET A BLOODY BOARD IN PLACE NOW, PLEASE!

To reiterate:  The above is my own opinion, and not authorized by any member of the SATP Board of Directors, nor by any member of the SATP Advisory Committee, nor by any other official, satrap, or potentate of SATP.

Many, many people have poured hours and hours (each!) into making the Tea Partys work.  The folks who handle sign-in, the ones manning the safety crews,all of them -- especially the crews who stood out in the heat managing the parking at the July 4th event!

You are the true America, volunteering to do what needs to be done.  Had you not, the great things we have done together would not have happened!

God Bless you all!

Just before the Tax Day Tea Party started, Katherine was in the hall by our "press area" in the hotel, practicing her speech.  She was so nervous!  

Watch the video!  As I said to Glenn Beck back stage as she was really knocking the crowd dead: "Listen to them!  She's terrific!"

Katharine speaks from a true love for America of the type that can only be experienced by those not born here.  That really shows.  What a dynamite example forlegal immigration!

Diane first popped up on our radar on 23 March, when she posted a note to the guestbook.  She quickly becamea key player in making our two big events happen.

Who among us knows how to put together a big event, coordinating bands, speakers, stage rentals, etc?  Diane, that's who!  She organized the Tax Day Tea Party, turning it from a complete debacle it would have been tinto a major event that had some problems (caused by the city not letting us set up ahead of time).  The, by the end of the July 4th event she was bloody well exhausted.

You all haven't seen Eric in quite a while, butyou must surely remember the demure, self-effacing guy who made the video that caught Glenn Beck's eye. 

No?  Me neither!

Eric live live large and is a real fireball of energy.  He has his problems, but he is dedicated to bring America back from the brink.  Besides the public face stuff he did early on, he did a lot of work in the background that was very important -- like taking the photos at the Glenn Beck luncheon.

While he's no longer active, I know for a fact that Eric's heart is still with the SATP.

Gail kacuiba is a warm and dedicated person.  She has sacrificed much on behalf of the SATP.  Gail risked losing her jobfrom spending so much time working on the 4th of July Tea Party.  It was a horrible time sink for her! 

For instance, when our then 3,000+ address database was a mess, with duplicates and errors, she manually went through it -- hours of work when she didn't have the time -- and cleaned it up so we could use it.

Eric Green, our lawyer, has been a rock of stability in troubled times.  The one time he showed annoyance was when it was needed and we all needed a kick in the behind (Ouch!  Thanks, Eric!)  He authored the ByLaws and was a key to changing us from an angry mob into an entity that did great things.

Eric also did a lot of work putting together the Contract with the Constitution.  If we are all lucky, that document will become more important as we approach the elections.

If Eric Green gives you counsel, you are wise to listen carefully.

Matt Perdue has many good qualities. 

He is tenacious and talented.  After "The Angry Man" (Matt) at that first big outdoor meeting challenged us to get the Alamo for the Tax Day Tea Party, it seemed impossible.  Matt went downtown, tracked down the Fiesta Comission, and got their permission.  After that, he became the single interface for the city.  He coordinated everything with them.  Hours and hours of work.  We all played our parts, but Matt's was a major piece.

Like all of us, Matt has his faults.  He'll even admit to some of them.  :-)  But he did good things for the SATP and America, especially right at our start.