FairTax Ushers In New Governance
Painting by Jan Matsys, 1509-1575, titled “Beim Steuereintreiber” (At the tax collector)
Eight months ago, 21 seasoned FairTax® grassroots leaders responded to an invitation from Americans For Fair Taxation® (AFFT) Vice President Leo Linbeck III, to meet in Houston and discuss the FairTax campaign.
After more than two days of spirited discussions the team, which became known as “C21”, reached consensus on a plan to transfer governance of the FairTax campaign and AFFT from the current board of directors to volunteer grassroots supporters.
Since that remarkable weekend, this dedicated team, guided by Linbeck and Steve Hayes, a member of the Florida FairTax Educational Association board of directors, hammered out a comprehensive plan embodied in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), License Agreement and amended bylaws.
It is now expected that governance of AFFT will be transferred by the end of April in accordance with the terms set forth in the MOU.
The C21 leaders and AFFT took great care to define fair and equitable requirements for both a state FairTax organization and the process for them to nominate delegates who may be elected as directors of AFFT. This process includes both organizational qualifications and minimum AFFT contribution requirements.
The organizational qualification requires that state FairTax organizations operate as a legally recognized, non-profit entity in compliance with state and federal laws, have written and published bylaws, and maintain a board of directors and a defined organizational structure, a checking account and operate under the AFFT umbrella.
The contribution requirement includes minimum individual donations of $10 per donor made directly to AFFT. These donations may be made online through FairTax.org, in response to an AFFT online or direct mail solicitation, or by donating to AFFT with a personal check, money order or through the banking system.
Qualified states may elect up to three delegates who will become voting directors of the AFFT board of directors. The number of state delegates will depend on the number of contributors to AFFT in 2013, and through March 31, 2014, and the total amount of money donated from the state to AFFT during this same time period.
Additionally, a state that does not meet the minimum donation requirements, but which is otherwise qualified will be able to elect a non-voting delegate. This non-voting delegate may attend AFFT board meetings, but may not vote on board matters.
It is important to note that this process is limited to the election of directors to AFFT and does not affect the way states select their own leadership.
Next Step Highlights
In early April, all donors to AFFT in 2013 and through March 31, 2014, will receive an email providing detailed next steps for the AFFT board of directors election.
If you want to want to be included, you must do two things right now.
First, as stated, only those individuals who have donated a minimum of $10 to AFFT in 2013 or 2014 will be allowed to nominate or vote for delegates. If you have not donated and would like to you may go here to donate. Second, ensure your contact information is current at FairTax.org by logging in here.
Once delegates have been selected a national meeting will be convened in Houston to confirm the election of the AFFT board of directors.
Finally, to show their continued support and to help ensure the new grassroots board has every opportunity to succeed while assuming leadership of the FairTax campaign, the current AFFT board of directors has generously offered to establish a post-transition, dollar-for-dollar matching fund up to $100,000 for AFFT.
The FairTax is the largest, single-issue grassroots tax reform movement in the nation. It is therefore fitting that the grassroots assume governance for both AFFT and the campaign.
We want to thank everyone who has assisted AFFT and the grassroots with this massive undertaking. And on behalf of everyone who supports the FairTax, may I express our profound appreciation to the AFFT board of directors – past and present – for their steadfast leadership in founding and governing AFFT and the FairTax campaign.
