The Grassroots Article V Experience (GAVE) was held in Comfort, Texas, in September 2024. It was a simulation of an Article V Convention of States. The three day event was organized by Convention of States (COS) and Patriot Academy (PA).
The intent was to educate and inspire those interested in the COS movement nationwide by simulating how an Article V COS will be convened, and how amendments to the Constitution will be proposed by the convention delegates (aka Commissioners). For more information on the overall process flow, refer to this diagram.
The PA venue was a beautiful replication of the Texas State Legislative chamber 
. Each state chose and sponsored two volunteers to attend as its delegates. COS North Carolina sent volunteer leaders Judy Carter (click link for Judy's bio and perspectives) and Frank Williams (click link for Frank's bio and perspectives), to represent The Old North State. Simon Percival, NC Capital Region Captain, also attended as a Commissioner for Utah since they did not send two Commissioners.
Take a look at this short, three-minute video summary of this inspiring and educational event. You’ll see the beautiful venue and energized and inspired Commissioners, including several appearances by Frank and Judy.
Day one started with registration and a plenary session led by COS Cofounder Mark Meckler and PA Founder and President Rick Green. Commissioners were given instruction for the proceedings the following two days. 
Prior to the session, attendees were assigned to one of three committees, aligned with the three pillars of the COS movement and resolution: Federal Term Limits, Limiting the Power and Jurisdiction of the Federal Government, and Federal Fiscal Restraint. The proposed amendments were submitted prior to the event by grassroots volunteers including GAVE delegates, and were categorized and assigned to the applicable committee. A champion or sponsor was assigned for each of the proposed amendments – usually it was the person that had proposed the amendment during the lead up to the conference.
Frank agreed to champion the General Welfare amendment that he submitted. The General Welfare amendment clarified the General Welfare Clause in Article 1, Section 8, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution.
Interpretations and expansions of the scope of the General Welfare clause over time are seen as one of the primary drivers of growth in the federal government and its dramatic spending increases especially on entitlement programs. The proposed amendment’s clarification would restrict the clause as stated by James Madison in the last two paragraphs of Federalist Papers # 41, and as clarified by President James Monroe’s 1822 veto of a bill to repair the Cumberland Road. President Monroe said Congress' power to spend is restricted
"to purposes of common defense and of general, national, not local or state benefit"
This corrects Alexander Hamilton's expansive understanding of the General Welfare Clause as allowing Congress to spend for anything they want, which was and continues to be supported in subsequent U.S. Supreme Court decisions & interpretations. Simply put, to rein in the federal bureaucracy and its growth & unsustainable spending requires clarified restrictions on the General Welfare clause.
On day two the three committees met separately, and each proposed amendment was debated, edited (sometimes significantly), and then voted on. The energy was intense – grassroots activists displayed their passion, knowledge, and collaboration skills. Through the editing and debating process it became clear that careful consideration to wording and scope were essential to ensuring that the proposed Constitutional amendment wouldn’t create unintended consequences.
All committee action and discussion was performed under a typical legislative protocol like Robert’s Rules or Mason’s Rules, so that the simulation was as realistic as possible. When a proposed amendment was passed by majority vote in committee, it was then sent up for consideration when the full body met the following day.
Day three brought everyone back into the legislative chamber with Rick Green presiding over the session. Each of the proposed amendments that passed in the three committees were discussed with all Commissioners. Each was read by the sponsor, and then the sponsor was given time to argue the merits of the amendment. Commissioners were then able to question and debate the amendment from the rear podium until someone made a call for a vote. Frank Williams presented his General Welfare amendment which passed in committee. After some discussion and one edit it was passed. Judy Carter, with Simon Percival’s teamwork, brought back to the floor for action a proposed amendment to Abolish the Department of Education, which had passed earlier. Judy presented an edit which clarified the scope of the amendment and after some discussion the edited amendment was passed.
GAVE demonstrated to COS volunteers across America that an Article V Convention is desirable, doable, and destined to happen. It instilled a lot of confidence in the people and process surrounding an Article V Convention. Everyday Americans came together to develop proposals to bring the federal government back to the confines of the U.S. Constitution. This will unleash freedom for its citizens to renew a golden age for America’s constitutional republic. The COS volunteer Commissioners demonstrated depth of knowledge, and excellent skills of persuasion and debate. Volunteers demonstrated that they may be candidates for consideration as Commissioners by states when an Article V Convention is called. Judy and Frank each shared their perspectives and observations in another article.
Past Article V Convention simulations similar to GAVE were convened in 2023 and in 2016. Legislators and grassroots volunteers were educated and inspired, and more people became familiar with the process and convinced that an Article V Convention can be done, and will be done. Let’s make it happen! Sign the petition, and check the box to volunteer and become active in the movement at conventionofstates.com.
