Judy Carter and Frank Williams were selected by leaders of the Convention of States movement to represent The Old North State as Commissioners at GAVE. 
This Grassroots Article V Experience (GAVE) was a simulated, nationwide, Article V Convention of States (COS), held in September 2024 in Comfort, Texas. The purpose, format, proceedings, and other facts about the event are summarized in another article — click this link (links to references are used throughout both articles).
In this article, Judy and Frank’s observations, opinions and perspectives about GAVE follow. They illustrate the promise, importance, impact and inspiration surrounding an Article V Convention of States (COS). Let’s introduce Judy and Frank briefly first.
Judy Carter is a COS NC Regional Captain in the Upper Coastal Region of North Carolina. She signed the COS petition in 2016 in Virginia. She became an active volunteer in 2020 once she resided in North Carolina. Judy is retired from the software industry, lives in the Outer Banks with her husband of 44 years, and has 4 grandchildren in Virginia and Texas. She is a member of Lighthouse Christian Fellowship, Secretary for the Dare County GOP, and a member of the Northeastern Carolina Republican Women. She believes that we the people have a duty to protect and preserve the Constitution. An Article V convention that addresses the issues outlined in the COS Resolution is the most effective and safe way to reinforce the original intent of the framers of our Constitution. Our elected and unelected government officials are not fulfilling their duties, so we MUST use Article V to preserve our freedoms for ourselves and future generations.
Frank Williams is a COS NC District Captain who was born and raised in North Carolina. He is living & enjoying retirement in the Raleigh area. Frank is active in the Catholic Church, a husband, father and grandfather, and a former Vietnam era Marine and refugee resettlement and Christian service leader, and retirement benefits advisor. Frank became involved in COS in 2019 to bring the Federal government back into balance with the Constitution. He believes that electing different Democrats, Republicans or Independents has not worked; a structural solution as big as the problem are needed. An Article V Convention of States provides that opportunity, and is a more responsible solution than secession, armed resistance, or civil war.
Each Commissioner was assigned to a committee aligned to one of the three pillars of the COS resolution: Term Limits, Fiscal Restraints, Federal Government Jurisdictional Restraints. Each Commissioner was also asked to champion an amendment as its sponsor through Committee hearings and debate. And if passed during Committee, lead floor discussion and debate of it during subsequent full Convention plenary session. Judy presented and led the critical effort to amend a proposal to Abolish the Department of Education, which passed. Frank was assigned to the Fiscal Restraint committee, and championed the General Welfare Proposal that he submitted to GAVE. It passed with one amendment.
Judy observed that “Many of the COS Volunteer Commissioners demonstrated their dedication to the process by researching sources and preparing reference data that they used during their presentations of proposed amendments and the ensuing debates. It is apparent that we have volunteers that may be Commissioner candidates for consideration by states when the Article V Convention is called. Article V simulations are expensive events, but should be continued for both legislators and grassroots activists. They will familiarize more people with the process and ultimately provide a slate of qualified and experienced Commissioner candidates. Our goal is not limited to getting an Article V convention called, it is also to provide education and guidance to help ensure that an Article V convention will be successful.”
Frank observed that “GAVE was an exciting, educational, and inspiring simulation of an Article V Convention. It was held in a beautiful replica of the Texas state legislature. Everyday Americans came together to develop proposals to bring the federal government back to the confines of the U.S. Constitution, unleashing freedom for its citizens to renew a golden age for America. Rigorous debate and intelligent input fine-tuned proposals to amend our constitution. Citizens from all over the US voted on the best proposals. GAVE demonstrated that through Article V, grassroots citizens and COS volunteers across America are ready to reinvigorate our nation — that Article V can be done and will be done. Let’s make it happen.”
Please join this movement. Sign the petition to make your voice heard to your state legislators (click link). Join Judy and Frank as a volunteer and become active in the growing grassroots movement to pass the COS Resolution and usher in an renewed era of liberty and self-governance (click link).
