Act 2 Inc

Our organizations goal is to reclaim a time in our country where citizens feel heard and represented by their government. A time when that government is committed to restoring federalism, expanding local control, and unleashing prosperity for all people.

In the coming two years, Act 2 will lay the groundwork for a convention in 2023 that encourages the best thinking of the nation and resolve the most pressing problems of our day. It will replace a process of ineffective, wasteful activity with a clear and efficient one that cuts to the quick and fixes our broken government once and for all.
Goals:
• Contract with two legislative field experts with strong state-level political connections – as well as an experienced media manager – to build support on the ground and on the web
• Finalize plans for a Planning Conference in August 2021, with pertinent information communicated to allies in all 50 states
• Obtain legislative support from three blue states and three red states, with 10-12 state lawmakers (“Core Leaders”) carrying the banner for a convention
• Support these Core Leaders by funding their outreach, travel, and meal expenses as they labor to build support for the convention
• Convene a series of planning meetings of state legislative leaders, to include establishing the parameters of a planning conference in 2021
• Engage as a member with ALEC, NCLS, SIX and similar groups, leveraging our influence and coordinating placement of at least six essays on their platforms
• Hold Planning Conference in August 2021 at Ohio State capital; contract necessary space and equipment and retain required professional services
• Lay the groundwork for full convention of the states in 2023

While the convention will be open to all principles and ideas, particular reform areas on which we seek progress include:

• Accountability, establishing state oversight of federal officials
• Restrain executive overreach, strengthening congressional oversight of the executive branch
• Term limits, impacting all three branches of the federal government
• Budget discipline, requiring full transparency of all federal disbursements
• Election reform, protecting voters from outside interference in federal elections
• Safe haven: protect sensitive departments from meddling by federal officials; end harassment and intimidation of citizens.

Act 2 will focus our efforts first to reach out to three blue states and three red states to build non-partisan momentum for calling a convention.

We expect that 40 or more states will participate in this conference, which will consider such topics as: strategy for gaining convention resolutions from 34 states; plan for accreditation of delegates representing the states; recommendations for committees to study proposed amendments; election of officers to conduct convention business; rules of conduct for the proceedings; and the funding of the convention in 2023.

Rather than dwelling on highly charged issues, we believe that our government’s brokenness can be fixed by laying the groundwork for stronger discipline, better transparency, and greater effectiveness. Act 2 suggests that there are two keys to successful reform:

1. The states must call for an open convention pursuant to the Constitution’s Article V that will consider all suggestions for constructive
reform, rather than calling a restricted agenda convention.

2. The reforms must be focused first on systemic government changes that will transform Washington into an effective government that encourages collegial debate, rather than continuing to be drawn into endless partisan clashes on policy issues.
After we have completed the transformation of Washington through these reforms, we will be better positioned to deal with policy issues in a constructive atmosphere.

Act 2 will focus our efforts first to reach out to three blue states and three red states to build consensus on a non-partisan platform for federal government reform.

From this base we will develop a Reform Network to reach legislators in all 50 states. Through those connections, and with our legislative field experts with strong state-level political connections as well as an experience media manger, we will continue to capture more state support and enthusiasm. Then we will follow with a planning conference in August 2021 at the Ohio State Capitol in Columbus to lay the groundwork for a full convention of states in 2023 to consider reform amendments.

Only a convention will reinvigorate freedom and individualism in our country while restoring the vitality of the civic institutions that are most capable of solving our challenges. No longer can we hope to mend our country together by playing “political small ball.” It’s time for strategic thinking and hard work. It’s time to be ambitious, to repair the republic, and to restore the American dream for all generations.
We hope you’ll join us in this tall order and high calling!

Neal Schuerer, Executive Director, joined Act 2 in February 2019 as Executive Director. He has a strong background in state-level politics and the private business sector:
• Served two terms in the Iowa State Senate; elected assistant majority leader; chaired a number of committees and sub-committees;
implemented performance budgeting practices in all appropriation sub-committees; appointed by governor to several state task
forces.
• Served 4 years as District Director for US Congressman, managing his local office.
• Executive Director of campaign seeking major party nomination for president.
• Successful 20-year career in business included real estate sales and sales management; founded and managed a restaurant and
convention center for the Amana Colonies of Iowa, which he sold; and was director of operations for a chain of franchised restaurants.
In recent years, Neal has focused on government reform programs, and serves as:
• Chair, Colorado Committee of Correspondence
• Steering committee member, State Legislators Article V Caucus
• Policy expert, The Heartland Institute Center for Constitutional Reform
• Commissioner, Balanced Budget Amendment Planning Convention

Marcus Costantino, Media Manager joined Act 2 in June 2020. From a 20-year business career, brings a wealth of sales, marketing, and management skills to the group, including social media and website management responsibility. Other career highlights:
• Owner of CENTURYpress, a publishing company
• Contributing writer to Got Questions Ministries
• Ghostwriting of whitepapers for Business Leaders
• Marketing, Retail, and Publishing Consulting
• Author of What's Next? A book written for young professionals on a career trajectory

Wendy Reeves, Director of Administration and Assistant to Neal Schuerer joined Act 2 Reforms in March of 2019. Wendy has held responsible positions in small to mid-size businesses and enjoys volunteer work in community organizations.
• Business Experience: Marketing/Sales – trade shows, advertising, power point presentations, proposals for national accounts,
marketing flyers and brochures, ReadyOp database system
• Financial – accounting, payroll, tax liaison
• Administration – Daily office work and management
• Volunteer Work: Director of Women’s Ministry, Assistant Manager of community retail thrift store

Carol and Frank Keeney were the founders of Act 2 and serve on the board of directors of Act 2 Inc, a Colorado nonprofit corporation that sponsors the Act Reform movement. Frank is the author of the Act 2 literature. His 52-year business career began with the US Navy; 22 years working in large companies (Deloitte Touche, IBM, and Smith Barney); his assignments included auditing, consulting, sales, financial planning, CFO and Executive Committee roles; and 26 years in small business startups and turnaround situations (as Founder, CEO and CFO). His expertise is without question.

1) Act 2 was one of several Article V groups, but after careful study of our political situation it has broken ranks with them; it has charted a new path for reform that avoids the impediments that have plagued the other citizen reform groups.
A. That the states call for an open convention pursuant to Article V that will consider all suggestions for constructive reform, rather than
calling a restricted-agenda convention, and
B. That the reforms be focused first on systemic government changes that will transform Washington into an effective government that encourages collegial debate, rather than to be drawn into endless rancorous partisan debates on policy issues.
After we have completed the transformation of Washington through these reforms, we will be much better able to deal with policy issues in a constructive atmosphere.

2) . We are reaching our threshold of applications for a Convention of States. More than 250 state applications for a convention have been collected over the years and are still considered active. They are eligible to be combined with new applications to meet the minimum application requirement to call a convention. Now is the time to build on this foundation and go the distance for better government through effective governance.