COS North Carolina Frequently Asked Questions with Answers

Over 100,000 people are involved in the movement in North Carolina. Of those, 640 are active volunteers statewide who commit time, talent or treasure to the movement. Of those, 190 serve in leadership positions across the Old North State.

In the short run, the goal is to join 19 other states and pass the COS Resolution in North Carolina; see this national progress map for more detail. Once 34 states pass the common COS Resolution, an Article V Convention of States will be called among all 50 states to propose amendments to the Constitution to rein in the federal government. These will be focused and limited to the three areas as the Resolution specifies: term limits, fiscal and budget restraints, and federal jurisdictional limits. Note that every State legislature has passed Article V resolutions for one reason or another. Notable past efforts include balance budget amendments, and term limit amendments, which are well aligned with the COS movement, and which polling show are very popular among We the People nationwide. Despite that, Congress are loathe to limit themselves and their own power by proposing related amendments. That is why an Article V Conventions of States is crucial to propose those types of amendments, and why the movement is popular and growing.

More broadly and in the long run, liberty and self-governance are the soul and aims of the grassroots movement. After it is called, volunteers will support the Convention of States by spreading the word about the civics lessons being taught there, and how we can govern ourselves locally and more effectively than distant bureaucrats in DC with a diluted, nationwide perspective clouded by their own personal biases.

People become involved for a number of reasons. Concerns over the actions, behaviors and outcomes at the federal level in DC are a common motivating factor. Civic engagement and duty is top of mind for many Americans and North Carolinians who want to work together to address these concerns. Taking concrete action and pursuing a solution as big as the problem with liberty-minded compatriots is very satisfying and fulfilling to those involved in the COS NC voluntary grassroots movement.

Volunteers contribute their time, talent and treasure in any amount and form that they choose to influence North Carolinians, including State Legislators, to pass the Resolution. Primarily they recruit others to the movement, spread the word and educate, and engage State Legislators to pass the Resolution. Most people are active a few hours per month. Some are very concerned about the future of our country, and strongly motivated to commit more time. Apart from COS, many also engage in local governing groups and political parties to advocate for self-governance with less interference from the federal bureaucrats in DC.

There is a vibrant and growing statewide community of volunteers who are active in the movement, and many more are welcome and needed! Complete an application to become a volunteer activist today, and get involved in a solution as big as the problems in DC. You will be contacted by the North Carolina Follow Up Team to discuss how you can become involved. Activities that you can choose from include local meetings and education sessions, conference calls, letter writing, contacts with State Legislators, representing COS at local fairs and shows to recruit new volunteers, attending rallies, and so many more. The organization is always open to new ideas that you may have about spreading the word and growing the movement toward liberty, self-governance, and advocating local over central planning & decision-making.

No. It's a civic movement that's using Article V of the Constitution itself to save the Constitution and the country from the federal overreach and over spending in DC. Federal politicians and leaders typically swear to uphold the Constitution when taking office. The movement appeals to people who are concerned about the trajectory and future of the country, given the recklessness they see in DC, irrespective of party. And it benefits all North Carolinians, has a broad base of support, and appeals to many, regardless of party.

Some people get involved in their local political scene to spread the word about COS and educate and influence people in their districts and thus influence their local legislators. This contributes to a stronger relationship with their local legislators.

Nationally, the COS Project was founded in August, 2013, after Tim Dunn put Dr Michael Farris and Mark Meckler together and they began work on building the movement, State by State. North Carolina Legislator Bert Jones was instrumental in sparking the movement here, according to Rep. Dennis Riddell during a COS Rally in Raleigh. After hearing about COS from the movement's national founders during an American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) conference, Jones spearheaded many of the bills that first introduced the COS Resolution into the North Carolina General Assembly, beginning in the 2013-2014 Session. Reps Jones and Riddell's names appear prominently as Sponsors on many of those early bills.

The first recorded COS NC petition signers and volunteers began joining the movement in August, 2013, and by year end, over 100 were registered. During the ten years since, that increased 1,000 times to 100,000 people, and the movement continues to grow.

A House or Senate Bill is introduced by a State Legislator calling for an Application for an Article V Convention of the States. In other words, a COS Resolution is introduced into the NC General Assembly by a State Legislator. Efforts for a COS Resolution have been made in every State legislative session since 2015-16. One has passed either the House or the Senate in the current and prior biennial legislative sessions. For it to pass completely and for North Carolina to become one of the 34 States calling for an Article V COS, it must pass both chambers during the same two-year legislative session. That has not happened as yet, and is one of the short term goals and aims of the movement. Here are the prior resolutions that have passed, from most recent to least:

• On March 8th, 2023, House Joint Resolution 235 (HJR 235 aka H235) passed the NC House of Representatives during the 2023-2024 Session. It was referred to the Senate Rules Committee where it remains.
• On May 5th, 2021, House Joint Resolution 233 (HJR 233 aka H233) passed the NC House of Representatives during the 2021-2022 Session. It was referred to the Senate Rules Committee who did not take it up.
• On April 26th, 2017, Senate Joint Resolution 36 (SJR 36 aka S36) passed the NC Senate during the 2017-2018 Session. It also came very close to passing the House as well during that session. It failed a second reading then passed reconsideration on June 29th, 2017 and was referred to the Senate Rules Committee where it failed.

While the precedent and operations of multi-state conventions preclude a state's delegates or commissioners from wandering afield, legislators from several states are concerned that they stay focused and on topic during a future convention. That is true in North Carolina as well. Commissioners are called to support three subject areas of the COS Resolution: federal term limits, fiscal restraints, and jurisdictional limits. Faithful Commissioners Acts have been introduced in the past in North Carolina to be doubly sure they stay on subject, and one recently passed the House, and was referred to the Senate: H648 during the 2023-2024 Session.

During the inception of the movement, bills were introduced to convene a select committee to study Article V Conventions (H1206 during the 2013-2014 Session), and to confirm support for them in North Carolina (H1258 during that same Session).

Since then, several bills including an Article V COS Resolution have been introduced and passed preliminary floor readings or committees, without fully passing the House or the Senate. For example, H390 during the 2019-2020 Session, and H48, H321 and S398 during the 2015-2016 Session. Bills describing related procedures and delegate duties have also progressed, such as H695 and S507 during the 2015-2016 Session. The COS Resolution has passed either the House or the Senate previously -- see a prior FAQ and its answer.

Legislators involved in COS related bills and the Resolution will point out that it's a team effort garnering sponsorship and support. (They'll also often thank and recognize the statewide grassroots movement and its volunteers as an essential ingredient and important catalysts to introducing or progressing legislation.) A few legislators are singled out here due to their leadership or sustained contribution, as a form of recognition and gratitude.

Representatives Bert Jones and Dennis Riddell have been significant Sponsors, since the inception of the COS NC movement in 2013. (This is described in a prior FAQ and answer.) Rep. Dennis Riddell in the House has been the COS champion since 2015. In addition in the House, Representatives Bell, Brody, D.Hall, Hardister, Millis, Pendleton, Saine, and Setzer have been Primary Sponsors. In the Senate, Senators Hise, Krawiec, Moffitt, Sanderson and Tucker have been Primary Sponsors. If you are a constituent of any these legislators and they are still in active service, please thank them.

The current Sponsors during the 2023-2024 Session are Representative Dennis Riddell and Senator Tim Moffitt. They described their consistent support for the Resolution and related movement in this article.

The primary sources are the conventionofstates.com website which includes the blog and newsy pages; a newsletter; social media pages; emails; and a chat room. The newsletter, emails, and chat room are available to registered volunteers who have completed an application, which you can do here.

You can follow along using the website and on social media using the links and information here.

A North Carolina COS Weekly Update is available to volunteers here, with the current calls to action and related resources to assist volunteers in completing those actions. It also describes upcoming statewide calls and meetups, and provides links to training, tools and tips that you can use to get inspired and motivated, handle the opposition and most importantly grow the movement in your neighborhood, district, and network of family and friends. Please bookmark the Weekly Update page -- you will want to refer to it often. Sign up to become a volunteer by completing an application here.

Links to the current issue and past issues of the monthly newsletter for volunteers can be found on here (login required). Active volunteers -- those who have completed an application and are opted in to receive email or texts -- will be notified when new issues are sent.

There monthly breakfasts held on Saturday morning in various regions around the state, with blog entries posted and emails sent in advance with location, and signup links if used. Many districts or regions have regular meetings as well, organized by the District or Regional Captain. COS NC folks also regularly gather at rallies at the capital, statewide updates and training sessions, for Broadside newsletter distribution to the legislators, and more.

Web conferences (eg, Zoom calls) occur among the State Volunteers on the first and third Tuesday evenings each month. Email notifications with links are sent to participants in advance. There is an online chat room as well (eg Slack) to share information and coordinate activities and projects (eg, using project channels and DMs in the chat room). You can participate by completing an application to register as a volunteer.

Those volunteers who step up to take on a leadership role do so in two primary ways. First, volunteers are organized by their home location, aligned with state House districts. District Captains and their leadership team plan and execute activities, projects, and communication among the volunteers and petition signers in their House district. Regional Captains and their leadership team do similarly among nearby districts. All volunteers are led by the State Director. The second way to lead is to take on a statewide volunteer role, and there are several including the Follow Up Team, Social Media Warrior, Communications & Content Writer, Legislative Liaison, Tele-Patriot Caller, as just a few examples. A Leaders Directory of who's who and all volunteer roles is available to volunteers.

The North Carolina General Assembly's website -- ncleg.gov -- is a useful resource. You can find your legislator's contact information using your home address, and also find the committees and legislation that they're involved in. You are encouraged to engage your representatives in the House and Senate and support them in their initiatives, and urge them to support the COS resolution. A positive attitude and servant leader mindset go a long way to forming a relationship and strengthening bonds with your legislator. Near the end of a two-year session, candidates emerge in your districts for the next election, and engaging them similarly is encouraged. Please see this article for detailed information and how-to instructions for doing this during the end of the 2023-2024 session.

One way is to follow your Representative (Rep) or Senator (Sen) by subscribing to their newsletter or email list, if they have one. Sending email updates to their constituents on news and events related to their district or legislative initiatives is a way they communicate that you can read and follow. Contact their office and inquire about that; see the previous FAQ on how to do that.

Another way is to follow them on social media, using the links that follow. Some use social media to express their interests and legislative initiatives, and to provide updates on what they are up to and other news and events. See the previous question on how to find your legislator. [Note: This info will be moved to separate pages after the fall 2024 NCGA elections, and those pages linked here.] Use search in your browser (eg, Ctrl+F) to find them below, by district number, or name, or any text below.

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Here are links to useful resources, many of which contain links to additional useful resources. Your browser's search (eg, Ctrl+F) can be used to search for them and throughout this FAQ page by keywords. If some are commonly asked or sought, they can be separated and highlighted by adding a question to the FAQ with a response and link. Let us know please.

• The North Carolina COS Volunteer Resources, which contains useful information and dozens of tips, resource links, and actions. Please bookmark this -- you will want to refer to it often.
• Online and Social Media resources are here
• Newsletters for volunteers are all linked here