The most common misconception I encounter from the general public, especially when soliciting political donations or handling inquiries, is that there is one, monolithic GOP structure. This not the case. There are distinct units of the Party based on geography: local, state and national. Here is brief description of Party organization. The Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee (OCREC) is the local Party policy-making body. The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) is the statewide Party organization and the link between OCREC and the Republican National Committee (RNC). Most of you are familiar with OCREC, so I will discuss the state and national GOP organizations.
The RPOF consists of two bodies; the State Committee and the Executive Board. Both of these bodies presently meet quarterly to conduct business. The State Committee is composed of three representatives from each of Florida’s sixty-seven counties; the County Chair, State Committeeman (SCM) and State Committeewoman (SCW). They are the grassroots of the RPOF. Within the State Committee counties are grouped by Congressional District (CD). Each CD selects a Chair and Vice Chair by the vote of the county Chairs, SCM and SCW within that CD. Okaloosa County is fortunate to be represented in both CD1 and CD2. There are twenty-five CDs in Florida.
The State Committee is also subdivided into two caucuses; the Caucus of County Chairs and the Caucus of SCM&W. These are where most local input is received. Each of those Caucuses elect a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. The term of office for the chairs of each caucus and each CD is two years. I am the current Chair of the SCM&W Caucus and will be running for reelection in 2009.
The Executive Committee is composed of the chairs the 25 CDs, the two above-mentioned Caucuses, and the Board of Officers. It is the decision making body for the RPOF performing operational functions with support from the paid RPOF staff. The Executive Committee is managed by its Board of Officers: The Chair (the RPOF Chair), Vice Chair, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer. These officers are elected every two years by members of the State Committee at the Annual Meeting. All these positions (Officers, CD and Caucus Chairs) will be elected at this year’s RPOF combined Annual & Quarterly Meeting held in Orlando at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, January 9-10, 2009. Once these positions are decided, there are also several functional committees, such as Budget, Audit, Constitution & Rules, Grievance, Candidate Recruitment, etc. on which members of the State Committee can volunteer to serve.
There are two additional positions on the Executive Board that are elected every four years by members of the State Committee. They are the National Committeeman and National Committeewomen who, along with the RPOF Chair, represent the RPOF on the Republican National Committee. This completes the chain of representation from the local grassroots level through the State to the national level.
Finally, I know each of you receives numerous requests for donations from political as well as charitable organizations. OCREC receives no financial support from the RNC and limited support from the RPOF. You have heard the cliché “All politics is local.” From the brief primer I have provided, you can see that the most effective use of your political dollars and effort is at the OCREC level. Your donations to the RNC will not help fund a local headquarters. Ask your friends and neighbors to support the Okaloosa Republican Party when contributing politically. For more information check our web site, www.okaloosagop.com, or the RPOF at www.rpof.org, or the RNC at www.gop.com, or contact me at tmezonk@cybertron.com.
