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

Tue Aug 2 19:33:06 EDT 2016

I will have full meeting info plus link in the am. 

Live Free!

Robert

Robert S. Kraus - Dir of Operations
Operations at LP.org
Libertarian National Committee
Ph: 202.333.0008 x 231

Join today: https://www.lp.org/membership

LP FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/libertarians 

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From: Lnc-business [mailto:lnc-business-bounces at hq.lp.org] On Behalf Of Brett Bittner
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2016 10:14 AM
To: lnc-business at hq.lp.org
Subject: Re: [Lnc-business] [Lnc-votes] Dec Meeting

Just wanted to ping Robert about the reservation link. 

Just reserved my flights to and from DCA.

Brett C. Bittner

Region 3 Representative 

 <http://lp.org/> Libertarian National Committee

 <mailto:brett.bittner at 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 <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>  Party Radical Caucus

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 <http://www.lpcolorado.org/>  Party of Colorado

Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>  Radical Caucus

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 <http://www.lpcolorado.org/>  Party of Colorado

Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>  Radical Caucus

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 

 <http://lp.org/> Libertarian National Committee

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 <http://www.lpcolorado.org/>  Party of Colorado

Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>  Radical Caucus

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

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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 <tel:202.333.0008%20x%20231> 

Join today: https://www.lp.org/membership

LP FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/libertarians

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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. <mailto:Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>  Harlos at LP.org

Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado <http://www.lpcolorado.org> 

Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org>  Caucus

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