MINOT – If it weren’t for the sign out front that read “Town Office,” a stranger might think he was walking into Ernie and Diana Hunt’s home.

Ernie Hunt introduced himself and personally welcomed with a handshake each of the 10 people attending Sunday’s caucus at the Minot Town Office for Democratic presidential nominees. Hunt, who has been conducting caucuses for 30 years, then reminded everyone about the refreshments on the side table, while his wife organized delegate materials.

“I’m glad you all came,” said Hunt, who convened the Minot’s caucus. “We’ll get through our business, then you’re welcomed to stay for refreshments and socialize.”

Hunt dispensed with Robert’s Rules of Orders and conducted the first half of the caucus with general consensus from his fellow townspeople. If someone wanted a position, a role, or any part in party politics, a raised hand was good enough. And when the newcomers had questions, the caucus veteran walked them through the answers.

Joe Patry, who attended his first caucus when he was 11 years old in 1992, needed little prodding and comfortably stepped into the role of caucus chairman Sunday after everyone else deferred the job to him. Patry took over the caucus, with mentor-like reminders from Hunt as he progressed through Sunday’s agenda.

In less than an hour, the delegates and alternates and all party business had been taken care of without so much as a furrowed brow, let alone an actual verbal dissent.

“I didn’t really know what to expect,” said Melanie Wentworth, who agreed to serve as a delegate for Howard Dean at the state convention in May. “I’ve never been to a caucus before. It’s really interesting.”

Sunday’s caucus was also a first for Julie Zink, who was used to a primary system. Zink volunteered as one of four delegates for U.S. Sen. John Kerry and said she preferred the personal and direct nature of a caucus. However, she questioned whether a caucus elicited enough participation from general voters.

“I guess it’s hard to get people out on a Sunday afternoon,” said Zinc. “My husband and I follow politics a lot, and we figured why just sit around and watch it on TV when you can actually be a part of it.”