Frequently Asked Questions
A list of questions that many people ask when they are contemplating joining a tea party group is below. These questions will explain what is expected of members how members can join a tea party group.
Q: How do I join the Central Mississippi
Tea Party?
A: The Contact tab of this website has
information on how to join the CMTP and you can submit questions.
Someone from the Membership Committee will contact you if you have
additional questions.
Q: How do I join the Mississippi Tea
Party or another tea party group in Mississippi?
A: There is a link to the MSTP website on the Contact
tab of this website. When you get to the MSTP website look for
information on other groups that may be a personal preference for
you. Please join a group and you will be richly rewarded.
Q: What does it cost to become a member of the
Central Mississippi Tea Party?
A: There are no membership dues and the CMTP wants
everyone who can to participate in this grassroots process with us.
However, there are costs associated with everything that the CMTP
does so we ask for donations and the CMTP appreciates every
donation, large or small. Naturally the more that is donated,
the more the CMTP can accomplish. The Officers and Board of
the CMTP have pledged to spend your donations wisely.
Q: What is expected of members of the Central
Mississippi Tea Party?
A: Each of us does what we can, when we can. The
patriotic members have a variety of talents and current members have
accepted the challenge to use those talents for good and most have
had to step out of their "comfort zone" to learn and re-learn that
the success the CMTP is the success of many individuals working
together for the common purpose of what the CMTP stands for.
There is an old saying that you only get out of something what you
are willing to put in. The CMTP wants you to be a member, not
just to be a number or a statistic, but to help you grow as we work
on issues and plan events. Everyone has good ideas and we
would like for you to share yours with us.
Q: Why are active participants referred to as
Patriots?
A: The CMTP is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. IRS
rules state that such organization do not have members. Rather
than take a chance with a random IRS audit, active participants are
referred to as Patriots and it is merely recognition of allegiance
to America and it founding principles. There is no membership
list. The email list does not include those who do not have
web access nor does it include those who choose not to receive
emails.
Q: Where and when does the Central Mississippi Tea
Party Meet?
A: The CMTP normally meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at
6:00 PM. The usual meeting place is the Court Room of the
Flowood Municipal Complex, 1201 Airport Road, Flowood, MS.
Occasionally meetings will be held at other locations. If
you are not sure, please visit the Calendar
tab of this web site or Contact us.
Q: Does the Central Mississippi Tea Party donate to
other organizations or to a higher level tea party organization?
A: No. This is a grassroots organization and funds
collected are used for local events and projects. The
Mississippi Tea Party also depends on donations and
individual members may choose to donate to them too. These are
separate organizations so funds are kept separately, and
administered separately by the Officers and Board of the MSTP.
National tea party organizations are still grassroots organizations
and are also dependent on individual donations. That is
individuals donate to an organization only if they believe the
organization deserves a donation.
Q: What can I do with so much going on in the
political world?
A: Number one is to be
informed. That means that you must get your
news and analysis of the news from multiple sources and they should
be sources that you can trust to tell the truth. Number two is
to be involved.
Stand up and be counted. If you feel unsure of yourself, you
are not alone. Being involved will put you in touch with
sources of information that can be trusted and in some cases you
will have the opportunity to personally ask questions and make a
comment if you desire. Number three is to
speak up.
Let your family and friends know that you are serious about having a
positive impact on the world that you live in. It should go
without saying that you should do this in a caring and courteous
way. It doesn't mean you have to sit still and be quiet while
some spreads more spin and untruth. Know the facts, be able to
back them up with sources and let the facts speak for themselves.
Q: Why do the Officers and the Board of Directors
make decisions rather than consult with all the Patriots.
A: (1) The CMTP is a nonprofit organization and is run much like a business. That is the Officers and Board of Directors make normal business decisions. See the "Committees" tab for details about each committe and length of service.
(2) Usually this is because time is a luxury and many decisions need to be made quickly or the item or issue becomes stale/outdated which would negate the need for a decision.
(3) When there is time and when there is an issue/item that needs input, it is brought up at the next general meeting. Only those in attendance have an opportunity to provide input or vote if a vote is needed. Note the question about a 501(c)(4) about a nonprofit organization not having members.
(4) Active participants (Patriots) are encouraged to place their name in nomination to chair a committee. It is desired that there be at least some new Officers and some new replacements to the Board of Directors each year. This gives more Patriots additional experience and knowledge of all business transactions.
(5) The Officers and Board of Directors serve at the direction of committee members. Decisions are often made during committee meetings if an issue/item is the responsibility of only one committee.
(6) CMTP Patriots, as a whole, realized early on that decisions must be made in a timely manner or the CMTP would be a "do nothing organization".