[Lnc-business] Empowered Future Committee update

Sun Dec 18 18:20:29 EST 2016

I don't really see any room for controversy on this point.  The committee
was asked to gather bids.  It will be up to the LNC if we wish to accept
one of those bids, do nothing, or choose to work internally, or some
combination of the above.  The LNC voted only to let this very early stage
move forward - and, as was discussed at the meeting, nothing that we
authorized actually needed our authorization.  Somes and Sharpe could have
gotten the information and come to us with it; they chose to consult with
us first, as Mr. Sharpe explained, to determine a baseline level of
interest.  (Interestingly, they are also asked to report on or before my
birthday.)

If, hypothetically, we accepted a bid and moved forward, what we'd get is a
report.  Naturally, as you point out, any action based on that report would
need its own authorization.  (At least, that which falls in the LNC's scope
would, which includes anything where we are directing, as a matter of
policy, that things be done in a certain way.)

Regarding the APRC: as currently constituted, the APRC would not be asked
to consider messaging recommendations.  As I've pointed out many times, the
APRC doesn't deal with such concerns - it deals with messages and
communications on a "one at a time" basis, and approves them (or not) based
on conforming with bylaws, policy, and not advocating moving public policy
in a direction different from that of the platform.  It also may reject
communications that portray the party in a negative light.  As an example
of what the APRC does not do: there was a motion made last term to direct
that communications portray our candidates as legitimate seekers of public
office, not as spoilers (it failed) (I am not sure if my summary matches
the wording precisely).  That motion didn't conflict with the APRC's role
because that's not the sort of thing the APRC does.  If it had been
adopted, though, the APRC would have responded by rejecting any proposed
communications that conflict with that direction.  The LNC, of course,
could tell the APRC to do other things by amending the policy manual.

On the other hand, I suggested, prior to the last LNC meeting, forming a
committee to do what you suggest - make recommendations to the LNC.  I
removed the item from the agenda, however.

Joshua A. Katz

On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 4:59 PM, Ken Moellman <ken.moellman at lpky.org> wrote:

>
> Do we have access to the video archive of the meeting?  Does anyone have
> that link handy?
>
> I had thought the purpose of the committee was, broadly, to find out how
> we could boost our image through the modification of wording and
> phraseology. As part of that, they would solicit bids from political image
> consultants to determine a cost of having them given their
> recommendations.  I remember that during discussion there was talk of not
> having to accept the bids, or only accepting portions of bids, and that
> some work could be possibly done internally.  The LNC would still have to
> approve any spending in that regard. And in my mind, I assumed that any
> recommendations, whether from paid or unpaid sources, would have to be run
> through APRC or the entire LNC prior to implementation.
>
> I think clarification regarding the scope of this committee would be a
> good idea. I am personally in favor of a committee that works to fine-tune
> our messaging; that makes suggestions on using words and phrases that
> soothe, rather than scare, the public. These would be recommendations
> presented to the APRC and/or the LNC, and not implemented officially until
> approve is given from one or both of those.
>
> I have no doubt that Messrs Demerest, Sharpe, Somes have the very best
> intentions in mind, and I just want to be sure that everyone agrees to the
> scope NOW so there are no hurt feelings later.
>
>
> ---
>
> Ken C. Moellman, Jr.
> LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative
> LPKY Judicial Committee
>
>
>
> On 2016-12-18 17:43, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote:
>
> I also do not know where this committee name came from. This was not
> approved by the LNC, the Committee Name approved by the LNC was "Committee
> to Review 2016 Campaign"
>
> And this is the Motion:
>
>
> On behalf of Trent Somes, Mr. Hagan moved that the Libertarian National
> Committee establish a committee to take bids from political consultants for
> the task of extensively reviewing and making recommendations for the
> Libertarian Party's messaging (and modes of messaging), inclusion in the
> debates, fundraising and campaign finance, campaign mechanics, and state
> and local affiliates. Said agency will agree to present their findings to
> the public before December of 2017. The committee will take bids until the
> 10th of January.
>
> And a subsequent Motion:  Ms. Mattson made a motion which, following
> amendment without objection, was to appoint the just-approved committee to
> be three people, comprised of Larry Sharpe, Trent Somes, and a third person
> of their choosing.
>
> *I must insist that we keep to what was actually voted on and approved.*
>
>
>
> --
> *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/>
>
>
> On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 3:38 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <
> carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Good choice!  But here I am with an objection already- Ken said "Good
>> luck with that committee. I'm excited to have a formalized report on how to
>> improve our branding and image without abandoning our principles. "
>>
>> *That is not what this committee was created to do.  The committee was
>> created to obtain bids and obtain bids only. That is it.*
>>
>> I will continue to raise these objections about the LNC tendency to
>> slippage.  I ask everyone to refer back to the meeting minutes for
>> precisely the purpose of this committee.
>>
>> --
>> *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/>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Dec 18, 2016 at 3:33 PM, Patrick McKnight <
>> patrick.joseph.mcknight at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Fantastic.
>>>
>>> Patrick McKnight
>>> Region 8 Representative
>>>
>>> On Dec 18, 2016 5:28 PM, "Ken Moellman" <ken.moellman at lpky.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Good luck with that committee. I'm excited to have a formalized report
>>>> on how to improve our branding and image without abandoning our principles.
>>>>
>>>> ---
>>>>
>>>> Ken C. Moellman, Jr.
>>>> LNC Region 3 Alternate Representative
>>>> LPKY Judicial Committee
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 2016-12-18 17:17, Trent Somes wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hello all -
>>>>
>>>> After careful consideration, Larry Sharpe and I have chosen David
>>>> Demarest as the third member to our committee. He has graciously accepted
>>>> the position and we are excited to get rolling.
>>>>
>>>> We will work hard to continue to keep the LNC updated on our progress.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you very much,
>>>>
>>>> Trent Somes, III
>>>>
>>>> Sent from iPhone
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
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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>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> *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>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Lnc-business mailing list
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> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>
>
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