[Lnc-business] [Lnc-votes] Dec Meeting

Tue Aug 2 10:13:50 EDT 2016

Just wanted to ping Robert about the reservation link.

Just reserved my flights to and from DCA.

Brett C. Bittner

Region 3 Representative
Libertarian National Committee <http://lp.org/>

brett.bittner at lp.org
317.699.2611

On Sun, Jul 31, 2016 at 12:12 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com
> wrote:

> Starchild, it seems to me that the majority do stay where the conference
> room is booked however, and we have to go with averages.  I have no issue
> with frugality on choice of venue all things considered.
>
> As far as the lunch thing last meeting, I wasn't gone long and the side
> dishes were still there, so I did get some macaroni salad and potato chips,
> but this was not said to complain, just to say we certainly didn't
> over-provide.  I would be interested in what that expense was though.
>
> *In Liberty,*
> *Caryn Ann Harlos*
> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona,
> Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
> Harlos at LP.org
> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
> <http://www.lpcolorado.org/>
> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>
>
>
> On Sat, Jul 30, 2016 at 7:50 PM, Starchild <sfdreamer at earthlink.net>
> wrote:
>
>> Thanks Caryn. LNC members and guests won't necessarily be staying at the
>> same hotel however. I understand that there are room discounts to be had if
>> you agree to book a certain number of room nights at a venue, but even with
>> the discount, some members and guests typically find that it is more than
>> they are willing or able to spend and seek less expensive accommodations
>> elsewhere. This means of course that those members/guests on lower budgets
>> are further burdened by having to travel off-site. This issue could be
>> ameliorated by looking into less expensive venues (e.g. motels instead of
>> hotels), which I don't think we've been doing currently.
>>
>> It's possible there was no food left at the Vegas meeting when you got
>> done with the bathroom because they'd taken it away. One issue I've noticed
>> is that hotels will often take away food that we've paid for after most
>> people have eaten if we don't specifically ask them to leave it until we're
>> all done. But I agree that the food provided by the Planet Hollywood hotel
>> was sparse to begin with. Hopefully that means we paid correspondingly
>> little, but I haven't seen the meeting expense numbers for our last meeting
>> either (and would like to – Robert, will you please pass this info along as
>> well?).
>>
>> I agree with Dan that meeting in Alexandria is good because it saves
>> paying for flights and rooms for staff if we are otherwise doing that.
>> Although as I've also pointed out, there is also the option of not having
>> them come to meetings but simply contacting them via speaker phone when we
>> need their input, as we've often done with counsel and others.
>>
>> Love & Liberty,
>>                                    ((( starchild )))
>> At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
>>                        RealReform at earthlink.net
>>                                 (415) 625-FREE
>>
>> P.S. – When we were discussing buying an office space during the
>> 2012-2014 term, I specifically said we should make sure that we get a space
>> with room to hold LNC meetings, because this could save us thousands of
>> dollars a year.
>>
>>
>> On Jul 30, 2016, at 5:20 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote:
>>
>> Hi Starchild, I promised the members that I would get with them with the
>> actual costs once provided.  I also promised them I would view the LP
>> national offices meeting space to see if it is unsuitable as represented at
>> the post-convention meeting.
>>
>> There comes a time when ROI is diminishing.  A space off site of hotel
>> increases expenses for transportation and makes it difficult even for the
>> public.  Increased staff time fiddling around is an expense.  Having a
>> meeting room at a hotel where the LNC members will be staying is just
>> common sense reasonable to me.  I agree that if the LP offices are
>> sufficient, we should have them there, but the other LNC members said it
>> was not.  I will see for myself.
>>
>> I have seen no proof that what is being spent is extravagent.  The
>> facilities in Vegas were modest enough for the needs (a bit more room then
>> we needed) and the food was certain sparse... in fact, there was none left
>> when I got back from running to the bathroom, so we certainly didn't
>> over-order (and I was fine going without a meal, I eat like a bird anyways).
>>
>> I just do not see a huge deal to be upset about in obtaining a conference
>> room at a hotel where guests and LNC members will be flying into.  For
>> Alexandria, I reserve judgment on our offices until I see them.  And if
>> there is not sufficient room for members to attend and be reasonably
>> comfortable, then it is unsuitable.  And if there is no elbow room at all
>> for the LNC, it will be unsuitable.  I happen to be very uncomfortable
>> having to be right up against other people for hours and that is no way for
>> us to be mentally focused to do the job at hand.  My mother's saying of
>> penny-wise and pound-foolish comes to mind.
>>
>> I do, though, wish to see the expenditures, and promised the Region 1
>> members that I would provide that information to them. They also are very
>> eager to learn if the LP offices are suitable to meet.
>>
>> *In Liberty,*
>> *Caryn Ann Harlos*
>> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona,
>> Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
>> Harlos at LP.org
>> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
>> <http://www.lpcolorado.org/>
>> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
>> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Jul 30, 2016 at 6:09 PM, Starchild <sfdreamer at earthlink.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Caryn,
>>>
>>> Have you and the folks you're consulting in your region seen the
>>> proposed spending for this meeting? I haven't. How much of the party's
>>> money do you and others think it is acceptable to spend on meeting spaces?
>>> I wouldn't have any problem with the party spending money for this purpose
>>> if there were no free meeting spaces available – but there are, including
>>> in our own office!
>>>
>>> I assume there is some upper limit on how much of our members' money you
>>> feel it's reasonable to spend for an LNC meeting? If LNC members, or folks
>>> back home, name their upper limit numbers, then we can get a better sense
>>> of what people want.
>>>
>>> I would have no issue leaving the issue in the hands of staff if all
>>> meeting options potentially under consideration were equally expensive, or
>>> if we instructed them to find that spot that meets our needs (as we
>>> collectively define them) which is least expensive overall. But of course
>>> the options aren't necessarily equally expensive, and we've never formally
>>> defined our needs and instructed staff to choose the least expensive choice
>>> which meets those needs.
>>>
>>> Love & Liberty,
>>>                                    ((( starchild )))
>>> At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
>>>                        RealReform at earthlink.net
>>>                                 (415) 625-FREE
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Jul 30, 2016, at 4:47 PM, lnc-votes at hq.lp.org wrote:
>>>
>>> I have solicited input from my region and thus far the members have said
>>> this is a reasonable expense (small sample size but of members who pay
>>> attention to what we do)
>>>
>>> My job is to represent my region and so far they support reasonable
>>> Party-paid facilities
>>>
>>> *In Liberty,*
>>> *Caryn Ann Harlos*
>>> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska,
>>> Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
>>> Harlos at LP.org
>>> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
>>> <http://www.lpcolorado.org/>
>>> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
>>> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Saturday, July 30, 2016, Daniel Hayes <danielehayes at icloud.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> One other thing to point out about our meeting in Alexandria.  Our
>>>> staff resides in the area and this saves considerable amounts of money as
>>>> we do not have to pay for their flights and rooms somewhere else.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Daniel Hayes
>>>> LNC At Large Member
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>> On Jul 30, 2016, at 1:17 PM, Joshua Katz <planning4liberty at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> By the way - an LNC term is 2 years.  If you cancel a credit card, you
>>>> can generally sign up and get the sign-on bonus again after 2 years.
>>>> Managing this correctly can save you approximately half of your travel
>>>> costs - last term, I only had to pay for a hotel once,and one flight, after
>>>> the midpoint of the term - but I also did some other travel on my points.
>>>> This term it hasn't quite kicked in yet.
>>>>
>>>> That said, I agree with Caryn and Brett.  Remember that time last term
>>>> we first couldn't choose a city, and then tried to pick the hotel?  I think
>>>> our costs ended up much higher that way because of the incredibly delay.
>>>>
>>>> Joshua A. Katz
>>>> Westbrook CT Planning Commission (L in R seat)
>>>>
>>>> On Sat, Jul 30, 2016 at 1:42 PM, Brett Bittner <brett.bittner at lp.org>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Caryn Ann,
>>>>>
>>>>> I get similar feedback from both members and those who aren't members
>>>>> yet. ;-)
>>>>>
>>>>> When I mention that I'm committed to the business of the Party to fly
>>>>> all over the country to perform it on my own dime, the only response is one
>>>>> of respect for that commitment. My mother has mentioned to me several times
>>>>> that I MUST be crazy, and she makes the effort to find out my LNC travel
>>>>> schedule to help me get the most for my money. She's transferred Southwest
>>>>> Rapid Rewards points and hotel loyalty rewards that she's earned to reduce
>>>>> that liability. Last term, Dr. Feldman and I did not accept the funds that
>>>>> the LPIN sets aside for our Region Reps and Alternates to travel to these
>>>>> meetings.
>>>>>
>>>>> I've found that Robert does a terrific job negotiating the best rates
>>>>> for our group, and I appreciate that he does so.
>>>>>
>>>>> Our job is to provide governance for the Party, not micro-manage every
>>>>> decision or penny spent.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm looking forward to our next meeting in Alexandria,
>>>>>
>>>>> Brett C. Bittner
>>>>>
>>>>> Region 3 Representative
>>>>> Libertarian National Committee <http://lp.org/>
>>>>>
>>>>> brett.bittner at lp.org
>>>>> 317.699.2611
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sat, Jul 30, 2016 at 1:29 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <
>>>>> carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> It is my understanding that we vote on locations in general and trust
>>>>>> the staff to make suitable arrangements within a budget.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I certainly don't think a governing board should be wasting time
>>>>>> deciding between venues.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Running the party (including meetings) has certain overhead.  I have
>>>>>> no issue with it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I will ask my region what their thoughts are but I suspect they are
>>>>>> fine with reasonable accommodations for meetings.  Most members are in awe
>>>>>> that there are people willing to travel and do this work on their own
>>>>>> dime.  Outsiders think I'm crazy.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> *In Liberty,*
>>>>>> *Caryn Ann Harlos*
>>>>>> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska,
>>>>>> Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
>>>>>> Harlos at LP.org
>>>>>> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
>>>>>> <http://www.lpcolorado.org/>
>>>>>> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
>>>>>> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Saturday, July 30, 2016, Starchild <sfdreamer at earthlink.net>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I know we voted to meet in Alexandria, Tim – but I don't recall
>>>>>>> voting on a specific location in Alexandria. That's what I was talking
>>>>>>> about.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Robert, when you send the details, please include the full itemized
>>>>>>> details on the cost of the meeting along with the contract if there is one.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Love & Liberty,
>>>>>>>                                    ((( starchild )))
>>>>>>> At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
>>>>>>>                        RealReform at earthlink.net
>>>>>>>                                 (415) 625-FREE
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Jul 30, 2016, at 7:55 AM, Tim Hagan wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Alexandria was voted at the May 30 Post-Convention meeting.
>>>>>>> https://www.lp.org/files/20160530_LNC.pdf
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Tim Hagan
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> *From:* Starchild <sfdreamer at earthlink.net>
>>>>>>> *To:* lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>>>>>> *Sent:* Saturday, July 30, 2016 12:34 AM
>>>>>>> *Subject:* Re: [Lnc-business] [Lnc-votes] Dec Meeting
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Resending this as I'm not sure that it ever got posted...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>                                       ((( starchild )))
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Jul 25, 2016, at 6:53 PM, Starchild wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> In the past the LNC has often voted on meeting locations. Did I miss
>>>>>>> where this one was delegated to staff?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> How much will this location cost us, Robert? Does it include food or
>>>>>>> any other considerations? Room nights?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Love & Liberty,
>>>>>>>                                    ((( starchild )))
>>>>>>> At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
>>>>>>>                        RealReform at earthlink.net
>>>>>>>                                 (415) 625-FREE
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Monday, July 25, 2016, Robert Kraus <robert.kraus at lp.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The Dec meeting will be at the Residence Inn next to the office on Duke
>>>>>>> St. I will send out full details and a reservation link by the end
>>>>>>> of the week.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Live Free!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *Robert*
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Robert S. Kraus - Dir of Operations
>>>>>>> Operations at LP.org
>>>>>>> Libertarian National Committee, Inc.
>>>>>>> 1444 Duke Street
>>>>>>> Alexandria, VA 22314
>>>>>>> Ph: 202.333.0008 x 231
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Join today: https://www.lp.org/membership
>>>>>>> LP FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/libertarians
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Lnc-business mailing list
>>>>>>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>>>>>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
>
>
> --
> *In Liberty,*
> *Caryn Ann Harlos*
> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona,
> Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
> Harlos at LP.org <Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>
> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
> <http://www.lpcolorado.org>
> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org>
>
>
>
>
>
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> Lnc-business mailing list
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>
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