# Resolutions Commitee The "Rules of the Republican Party of the State of Delaware" define the **Standing Committees** of the party in **Article VII: Standing Committees**. These committees are established to handle specific functions critical to the party’s governance, operations, and policy-making. Below is a comprehensive summary of the Standing Committees, including their composition, leadership, and roles as outlined in the rules. ### 1. **List of Standing Committees** - **Article VII, Section 1**: - The Republican Party of the State of Delaware has **three Standing Committees**: 1. **Rules Committee** 2. **Finance Committee** 3. **Resolutions Committee** ### 2. **Details of Each Standing Committee** #### a. **Rules Committee** - **Composition** (Article VII, Section 3): - Each of the **five Convention Districts** (Northern New Castle, Western New Castle, Colonial, Kent, Sussex) selects **two (2) members**, resulting in a total of **10 members**. - **Leadership** (Article III, Section 4, H): - The **Parliamentarian**, appointed by the **State Chairperson** and approved by a **majority vote** of the **Executive Committee**, serves as the **Chairperson** of the Rules Committee. - The Parliamentarian also acts as the **chief legal officer** of the party, ruling on technical and procedural matters, informing the Executive Committee of rule violations, and advising on state and federal law compliance. - **Tenure** (Article VII, Section 5): - Members serve **at the pleasure of the Convention District Chairperson**, meaning they can be replaced or removed at the discretion of their respective district’s Chairperson. - **Role** (Article VIII, Sections 2–4): - Reviews and prepares **proposed amendments** to the party rules for consideration at **Organizational Conventions**. - Receives amendments **75 days** before the convention (e.g., by March 24, 2025, for a June 7, 2025 convention) and sends a report to **Convention District Chairpersons** at least **30 days** prior (e.g., by May 8, 2025). - May propose its own amendments or alternative amendments, subject to the same **30-day** notification requirement. - Ensures compliance with party rules, state/federal laws, and National Republican Party rules. #### b. **Finance Committee** - **Composition** (Article VII, Section 4): - Members are **appointed by the State Chairperson**, with no specified number or geographic representation requirements. - **Leadership** (Article VII, Section 2): - The **State Chairperson** appoints **one member** to serve as the **Chairperson** of the Finance Committee. - **Tenure** (Article VII, Section 5): - Members serve **at the pleasure of the State Chairperson**, allowing the Chairperson to replace or remove members at their discretion. - **Role** (Implied, not explicitly detailed): - Likely supports **financial oversight**, including advising on **budget preparation**, **fundraising**, and **financial compliance**, though specific duties are not outlined. - Collaborates with the **State Chairperson** (who prepares the annual budget, Article V, Section 4, A) and the **Treasurer** (who maintains financial records and files reports, Article III, Section 7). - May provide recommendations to the **Executive Committee** during the budget approval process (finalized by the last day of February, Article V, Section 4, A). #### c. **Resolutions Committee** - **Composition** (Article VII, Section 3): - Each of the **five Convention Districts** selects **three (3) members**, resulting in a total of **15 members**. - **Leadership** (Article VII, Section 2): - The **State Chairperson** appoints **one member** to serve as the **Chairperson** of the Resolutions Committee. - **Tenure** (Article VII, Section 5): - Members serve **at the pleasure of the Convention District Chairperson**, allowing replacement or removal at the discretion of their respective district’s Chairperson. - **Role** (Article XII): - Reviews and processes **substantive resolutions** (policy or issue positions) submitted at least **40 days** prior to a convention (e.g., by April 28, 2025, for a June 7, 2025 convention) by a **State Committee member** or **duly elected delegate** (Article XII, Sections 1, 3). - Meets **at least twice** prior to the convention with **5 days’ notice** to members, requiring a **60% quorum** to conduct business (Article XII, Section 5). - May **modify** resolution language but cannot consider unfavorably reported resolutions at the convention (Article XII, Sections 7–8). - Prepares a **written report** identifying resolutions and their status, available to delegates the **night before the convention** (e.g., June 6, 2025) (Article XII, Section 9). - Handles **non-substantive resolutions** (e.g., honors, condolences) submitted to the **Secretary** by the **evening preceding the convention**, determining their classification if disputed (Article XII, Section 10). ### 3. **General Provisions for Standing Committees** - **Appointment Authority** (Article VII, Sections 2–4): - The **State Chairperson** has significant influence, appointing Finance Committee members and the Chairpersons of the Finance and Resolutions Committees, while Convention Districts select Rules and Resolutions Committee members. - **Tenure Flexibility** (Article VII, Section 5): - Members of the Rules and Resolutions Committees serve at the pleasure of their **Convention District Chairperson**, while Finance Committee members serve at the pleasure of the **State Chairperson**, allowing for discretionary changes in membership. - **No Compensation** (Article IV, Section 11): - While not explicitly stated for committee members, the general rule prohibiting compensation for party officers (except expense reimbursements) likely applies to committee service, as committee chairs or members are not considered paid positions. ### 4. **Context Within Party Governance** - **Executive Committee Oversight** (Article V, Section 4): - The **Executive Committee** approves the **annual budget** (Article V, Section 4, A), which may involve Finance Committee input, and can influence committee activities through its advisory role to the **State Chairperson**. - **State Committee Role** (Article IV, Section 4): - The **State Committee** may receive reports from standing committees during conventions (Article VI, Sections 16, 18), particularly the Resolutions Committee’s report on resolutions. - **Convention Activities** (Article VI, Section 16): - The **Rules Committee** and **Resolutions Committee** play direct roles in conventions by preparing amendments and resolutions, respectively, while the **Finance Committee** supports financial planning indirectly through budget-related advice. ### Summary: - **Standing Committees**: The party has three standing committees: **Rules Committee**, **Finance Committee**, and **Resolutions Committee** (Article VII, Section 1). - **Rules Committee**: - **10 members** (2 per Convention District), chaired by the **Parliamentarian**. - Handles **rule amendments** and ensures legal/procedural compliance. - **Finance Committee**: - Members appointed by the **State Chairperson**, with one appointed as Chairperson. - Implied role in **financial oversight**, budget support, and compliance, but duties are not detailed. - **Resolutions Committee**: - **15 members** (3 per Convention District), with a Chairperson appointed by the **State Chairperson**. - Reviews **substantive** and **non-substantive resolutions** for conventions, ensuring procedural adherence. - **Tenure**: Members serve at the pleasure of the **Convention District Chairperson** (Rules, Resolutions) or **State Chairperson** (Finance). - **Governance**: Committees support the **State Chairperson**, **Executive Committee**, and **conventions** in rule-making, financial management, and policy advocacy.