[Lnc-business] windfall membership & contribution revenue - please pay down the mortgage

[Starchild]

	Me too. It's important to recognize that the Libertarian National Committee is in essence a legislative body, and as such, faces the same kinds of pressures, tendencies, and temptations as legislatures everywhere when it comes to spending money (e.g. ignore or deprioritize routine "maintenance" or "infrastructure" needs such as paying down the mortgage on our headquarters office in favor of the "flashier" type spending Chuck mentions).

	That said, I confess I have little idea how to much it would be appropriate to put toward paying down the mortgage at this time. Do you have any recommendation on that which you can justify in terms of our overall budget and the other spending opportunities we're being presented with, Chuck? 

	I also just posted separately to the LNC list the general outlines of a proposal to address at least certain types of requests for funding in a fair and orderly manner, and would be interested in hearing any thoughts or feedback you or other LP members might have on the ideas contained therein.

Love & Liberty,
                                    ((( starchild )))
At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
                                  (415) 625-FREE


On Sep 23, 2016, at 3:09 PM, Danny Bedwell wrote:

> Chuck, I agree wholeheartedly.  Thank you for reminding us to be fiscally responsible. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Sep 22, 2016, at 8:46 PM, Chuck Moulton <chuck at moulton.org> wrote:
>> 
>> LNC members,
>> 
>> The LP has been experiencing unprecedented growth in membership and contributions, which has significantly expanded LNC revenue this term.
>> 
>> Following the LNC business list, I have seen many LNC members jump on this pot of money for the next greatest big idea -- which may be a pet project or just bringing home the bacon to states in various regions. While some of these ideas may bear fruit; others may turn out to be ill-advised moonshots.  I get the impression the LNC is not being as careful with its money in times of plenty as in times of dearth.
>> 
>> I strongly urge the LNC to strategically invest a substantial portion of its windfall membership income into paying down the mortgage.
>> 
>> We don't know how membership will fluctuate down the road, so we ought to proactively minimize the 10 year balloon payment (which could be crippling if it comes in a bad year).  The building fund may not be as sexy as silver bullet ideas or as politically expedient as sending money to squeaky wheel state affiliates and candidates; however, it will with certainty leave the Libertarian Party in a much better position down the road.  The sooner we pay off the building in its entirety, the sooner the mortgage payments eating up a big portion of monthly budgets can be freed up for other uses (expanding staff, improving IT, outreach projects, etc.).
>> 
>> I hope LNC members will put their fiduciary duty to the Libertarian Party ahead of flashy spending that makes them look good to the membership (stoking their re-election campaigns).  You should set an example to Congress by spending money responsibly.
>> 
>> Thank you for your consideration.
>> 
>> Chuck Moulton
>> life member & monthly pledger, Libertarian Party