Westminster College Announces Mock Convention Executive Committee

Twenty-four Westminster College students have been chosen to serve on the executive committee of the 2004 Mock Convention.

The 18th Westminster College Mock Convention, scheduled Feb. 5-6 in Memorial Fieldhouse, is the second oldest in the country. This student-run convention, a tradition at Westminster since 1936, has run every four years for the party out of power, with the exception of 1944.

"The Convention meets once every four years to nominate a candidate for President and Vice-President for the party currently out of power," said Dr. James Rhoads, associate professor of political science at Westminster College. "This two-day event includes a keynote speaker, plenty of platform debates, and a chance for students to understand key issues surrounding the election."

The executive committee has 11 subdivisions of power. The chair is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the convention, but a primary responsibility for securing a keynote speaker. The presiding chair presides over the proceedings of the convention, and is selected from the executive committee shortly before the convention opens. The secretary keeps detailed records of the meetings, and calls the role of states at the convention. The treasurer is responsible for the budget and all other financial records.

Credentials subcommittee is responsible for the recruitment of state chairs and delegates to the convention. Platform subcommittee is responsible for putting together a platform that will be debated in hearings and the convention. Rules subcommittee is responsible for establishing rules under which the convention will be run. Public relations subcommittee is responsible for publicity for the convention, and acts as a liaison to the media. Campaign manager coordinators are responsible for recruiting campaign for the five candidates that will run for nomination. Physical arrangements subcommittee is responsible for the set-up and take-down of the convention. Web managers are responsible for the creation and maintenance of the convention website.

Nearly 90 percent of the campus participates in the convention. The Mock Convention Office houses some of the memorabilia for past conventions, as well as some important historical documents, including a letter from Senator John F. Kennedy. The event is free and open to the public for observation. For more information, contact Rhoads at (724) 946-7255 or e-mail jrhoads@westminster.edu.

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