WHAT IS SELF-GOVERNMENT?

​PREAMBLE (Republican Party Platform)
We, the Republican Party of the Great State of Utah, affirm our belief in God and declare our support for government based upon a moral and spiritual foundation. We affirm freedom for every individual as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the Constitution. We believe that citizens' needs are best met through free enterprise, private initiative, and volunteerism. We support the “Rule of Law” and believe in upholding the law of the land.

A simple definition of the word liberty is “the state or condition of people who are able to act and speak freely.”

The right to associate freely is an inalienable right and a cherished American principle. Without this freedom…there would be no political parties as we know them today.
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The freedom to join or leave groups who share a common viewpoint was guaranteed by our Founding Fathers. It allows us, under the First Amendment, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly…or association.

Our freedom to associate guarantees our right to come together with other individuals to collectively express, promote, pursue and/or defend our common interests...

With that freedom, the Utah Republican Party chose to employ, a carefully crafted convention process. Party members in defined precincts conduct neighborhood caucus meetings. In accordance with the Republican Party’s bylaws, each caucus meeting is open to the public and begins with a prayer, a recitation of the pledge of allegiance, and a reading of the Party’s platform. The caucus attendees in turn select community representatives to serve as delegates to the Party’s convention, where nominees will eventually be considered and selected for the ballot.

SELF GOVERNMENT IN ACTION

It Starts at Home
Be informed on the important issues for our state and nation; know our Constitution and be involved in your community.

Neighborhood Caucus Meetings
All Utahans can participate where the election process begins. Neighbors meet together and elect their county and state delegates.

Vetting Process
Candidates are required to communicate and answer tough questions posed by delegates to explain their views and positions on issues.

County & State Conventions
We meet at our state and county organizing conventions to determine, in full and free discussion, the election of our Party Officers and courses of action to be taken by our Party. As a delegate you are a member of a deliberative assembly…a group of representatives who deliberate ideas and make decisions.

How we Debate
In order to hold a more efficient meeting and respect the opinion of each member in debate, the conventions adhere to the rules of parliamentary procedure. Parliamentary procedure is based largely on common sense and courtesy. It just seems technical due to the special vocabulary used. If the vocabulary is understood, the rules are easy.
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The fundamental rights of deliberative assemblies require all questions to be thoroughly discussed before taking action requiring the assistance of a Registered Parliamentarian to facilitate proper debate. Proper debate means the will of the majority rules only when the will of the minority is respected.

Disagreement is healthy, and helps our Party make the best decision if voting and debate is approached fairly and consistently within our governing rules.

Basic Principles of Parliamentary Procedure:

1. Only one subject may claim the attention of the assembly at one time.
2. Each proposition presented for consideration is entitled to full and free debate.
3. Every member has rights that are equal to every other member.
4. The will of the majority must be carried out, and the rights of the minority must be preserved.
5. The personality and desires of each member should be merged into the organizational unit.

​A parliamentarian’s work includes two essential components of effectively preparing for and presiding over a meeting. (1) Follow the agenda, and (2) handle motions fairly and consistently. Because professional parliamentarians are focusing on the parliamentary procedure, delegates are free to focus on the issues.

We understand parliamentary procedure cannot guarantee that every member will be pleased with the outcome of any decision; rather, by utilizing the expertise of a Professional Registered Parliamentarian along with an informed Presiding officer, every member can find satisfaction in the manner by which the decision was made, and that the decisions were made efficiently with consideration for every member’s opinion.

BUILDING A STRONGER PRECINCT

How to Involve those who live in the boundaries of your precinct
 Hold Periodic Precinct Meetings and:

• Develop a plan to increase Caucus attendance
• Set a goal to meet attendance increases each Caucus year
• Identify move-ins to your Precinct and contact them
• Call the Registered Republican's in your precinct

​Train your neighborhood by hosting a "Caucus Awareness Presentation"

• Identify how you can best communicate with residents of your Precinct o Flyers, Social Media, Surveys, News Letter, Door-to-Door, Calls, etc.
• Talk to your county party about using the materials provided by the State Party. (door hangers, yard signs) 

Organize neighborhood walks

• Recruit support and/or volunteers
• Register Voters
• Distribute material
• Walk for a candidate

 
Invite your State Senator or Representative for a Q&A session
 Discuss current issues

• What do Republicans in your precinct support and/or oppose
• What legislation would they like to see submitted?
• Identify potential future candidates

Organize a community service/involvement project

• Bring attention to Republicans working together to improve and support Community projects, schools, businesses, activities, etc.

 
Organize to help a GOP Candidate

• Organize a Meet-the-Candidate event

THIS IS OUR CAUCUS/CONVENTION SYSTEM OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.
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