RPA Secretary Sharon Stuthard improperly excluded two timely submitted proposals for Rules Changes from the official call for the Summer State Committee meeting of June 21, 2025. These proposals, despite having broad support, were not recommended by the Rules Committee. (Note: the role of the Rules Committee under the RPA Rules is limited to recommending or not recommending timely offered changes — not deciding whether they are included in the call (and thus heard by the body).)
Under RPA Rules (as well as standard practice until June 2024), all timely submitted Rules Change Proposals are to be published in the call. What happened at the 2024 State Convention (and appears may be repeated at the 2025 Summer State Committee meeting) is that top RPA officers attempted to prevent a fair vote by the body on all timely submitted Rules and Platform changes.
This “No Hearing/No Vote” position on timely submitted changes to our platform and rules during the 2024 State Convention was a new approach taken by any State Party Chair — Joseph Wood. Just before the Convention, Wood took the unprecedented position that it would take a 9/10ths vote for a suspension of the rules before non-recommended proposals would be heard by the Convention. The Chairman’s new position was then quickly ratcheted up by the Rules Chair, Bilenda Harris-Ritter, to a no-hearing stance on anything “not recommended” by the Rules or Platform Committees. Harris-Ritter’s position was based upon her poorly conceived, surprise email ruling that the Convention was a “special meeting” rather than a “convention” under Robert’s Rules.*
Most RPA State Committee members (familiar with long-standing parliamentary procedure whether under Robert’s Rules or the RPA Rules) know that all timely submitted proposals for the change of Party foundational documents are included in the call and may be voted on by the body at hand. The mistake here lies with the State Party Secretary omitting the proposals, and we hope to see an amended call issued by Secretary Stuthard soon.
This recent exercise of top-down control seems to be easily exercised by those currently in power at the RPA. With Primary season upon us, for the good of the Party, it is hoped this exercise of power is soon checked.
So, if you are a member attending the 2025 Summer State Committee meeting, it is important that you attend educated concerning the issues and ready to vote: the will of your committee, your electors, and true to the affirmation of beliefs you signed when you joined.
*Numerous emails back and forth documenting these positions by these RPA officers prior to the 2024 Convention are available for review.
