[Lnc-business] Potential conflicts of interest

[Starchild]

	Well, while I'm at it then, I should also declare another potential conflict of interest, which is that I'm an At-Large Representative of the Libertarian Party of California. If I were to declare my intention to put the interests of the California LP ahead of those of the national LP, or vice-versa, I think one organization or the other would likely object, and the objection would be entirely justified. With that in mind, I will reiterate what I essentially said in my last conflict of interest statement about being guided by what I believe is best for our overall cause: In any perceived conflict between the interests of the LNC and the interests of the LPC, I will seek to put what I believe to be the best interests of the freedom movement and the principles for which it stands first, and act accordingly.

Love & Liberty,
                                    ((( starchild )))
At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee

P.S. - When I was about to hit reply to this message, I noticed that once again that two addresses were listed, lnc-business at lp.org , and lnc-business at hq.lp.org . Norm Olsen and I have both asked about this, but I don't recall seeing any explanation. Does any member of the LNC or staff reading this know why there are two sets of list addresses, and what purpose they serve, if any? (I have deleted "lnc-business at lp.org" from the header of this message.)


On Jun 30, 2012, at 11:22 AM, Geoffrey Neale wrote:

> This is an ill-defined section of our Policy Manual.  The Bylaws do not specify conflicts of interest at all.  Neither does the Platform.
>  
> So why is it in the Policy Manual?  The authority for us to set rules that constrain the LNC is contained in the Bylaws under Section 8.1:
>  
> “The National Committee shall have control and management of all the affairs, properties and funds of the Party consistent with these Bylaws. The Libertarian National Committee shall establish and oversee an organizational structure to implement the purposes of the Party as stated in Article 3. The National Committee shall adopt rules of procedure for the conduct of its meetings and the carrying out of its duties and responsibilities. The National Committee may delegate its authority in any manner it deems necessary.”
>  
> It is important for us as a body to avoid the appearance of impropriety.  When it comes to conflict of interest, we are expected to act on behalf of the best interests of the LP, and to not act in a way that benefits us personally, or benefits the interests of outside groups, organizations or business at the expense of LP interests.
>  
> In order to avoid the appearance of impropriety in this regard, I feel we should each disclose any relationship that could be questionable, even if the individual actions related to the potential conflict of interest are not.  In my opinion, this means that if you are an officer or board member of an affiliate party, or are an officer or a board member of another organization with an ongoing relationship with the LP, or are a vendor, or are married to someone with a similar relationship, or receive income or benefit from any of the above, the potential conflict of interest should be reported.
>  
> This does not mean that you do have a conflict of interest.  I know for a fact that HQ purchases items from a company owned by an LNC member, but that the purchases are at “arms-length”, and the LNC has not, to date, discussed or voted on these specific expenditures.  These are made by staff, who have selected to use this vendor through a competitive process where the member played no part.  For this member to vote on a budget line from which the purchases are made does not represent a conflict of interest, but it should be reported.
>  
> If you sit on the board of Advocates for Self-Government, and staff routinely purchases items from them, that does not represent a conflict of interest, but you should report this as a potential conflict of interest.  If we vote directly to purchase $10K of material, I suggest you recuse yourself from debate and voting.
>  
> If we vote to budget $300K for ballot access, and your state might receive some of these funds, I do not believe you have a conflict of interest.  Now let’s suppose Bill Redpath proposes an encumbrance of $20K for your state, and you’re the state chair.  This is a conflict of interest, and I would expect you to recuse yourself from debate and voting on the motion.
>  
> In absence of any real guidance in the Policy Manual, I’m setting out what I think.  In the absence of real guidance, I will have to rule on instances like this.  Please feel free to challenge me if and when it comes up.
>  
> Remember that it’s all about managing the appearance of impropriety.
>  
> Geoffrey Neale
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