[Lnc-business] Discussion on LP records archives

Wed Mar 15 23:15:12 EDT 2017

A relevant update:

Volunteer Jackie Mason was at HQ to start the inventory of items in the
basement only on Monday.  There are approximately 10 cabinets of records
(some with four drawers, some with five drawers).  Jackie is experienced at
file maintenance, and it took her about an hour per drawer, thus we are
looking at about a total of 40 hours or so of volunteer time to get a
handle on what is there in the basement only - that obviously doesn't touch
the off-site storage which is not organized.  Jackie found some things
misfiled which she corrected (over the years people have taken things out
and it is inevitable that things get misfiled). There also is numerous
multiples making it not practical to just blanket send out a cabinet, for
instance, to scan.  It needs to be curated - one copy each removed, and
refiled and a recommendation made to the LNC/Staff for retention of these
multiples.  These factors all weight heavily in favour of putting these in
direct supervisory control here - when the records are returned, if a
decision is made about duplicates - it is possible that a good amount of
culling can happen.

Lists of the inventory will be made available once Jackie can scan them to
me.

-Caryn Ann

On Wed, Mar 15, 2017 at 11:23 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com
> wrote:

> To all, I would like to add as well... I really like the idea of an
> affiliate taking some part in this process and Colorado, as the birthplace
> of the Party, is the natural choice for a historical project.  I think I
> could get a pretty interested set of volunteers here and get some mileage
> out of this association.  Also, I would be available for any Party members
> who wished to visit and see the records.
>
> We have our convention in about ten days in Westminster (where David Nolan
> lived when the meeting took place around his dining room table - actually I
> am so obsessed with history I went and took a picture in front of his
> address - see attached), and I will be informing Colorado members about
> this ongoing project (obviously not saying anything about the records being
> here - no decision quite obviously is made on that).
>
> -Caryn Ann
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 15, 2017 at 11:08 AM, Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Thanks for all of this, Caryn Ann!
>>
>> Whitney
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 15, 2017 at 12:05 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos <
>> carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Whitney,
>>>
>>> Thanks for asking.  All of the initial budget will go to direct records
>>> preservation (or any costs directly associated with that such as if some
>>> software or electronic storage is needed) but I am anticipating it will go
>>> to the direct scanning of prioritized records.  None has been spent at this
>>> time as it is very difficult to set priorities until the records are
>>> inventoried and organized (particularly those in the off-site storage).
>>> Note that I have raised about $1,200 of that initial $5,000 already and
>>> once things get opened to the membership I expect to raise more.  LPedia is
>>> very close to being re-opened (we have a meeting about this tomorrow - we
>>> are running into an issue with image re-scaling that we are dealing with -
>>> and there is an off-chance we might need to move hosts).  So once this
>>> initial planning is all done, a mass scanning project will ensue for which
>>> that money is reserved, and I fully intend to keep raising for it.
>>>
>>> -Caryn Ann
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Mar 15, 2017 at 7:43 AM, Whitney Bilyeu <whitneycb76 at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I am in favor of this effort, but would like to know how the initial
>>>> $5000 is likely to be spent, as well.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for doing this, Caryn Ann!
>>>>
>>>> Whitney
>>>>
>>>> On Mar 15, 2017 1:07 AM, "Caryn Ann Harlos" <carynannharlos at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Bumping for additional commentary if any.
>>>>
>>>> -Caryn Ann
>>>>
>>>> On Sat, Mar 11, 2017 at 10:59 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos <
>>>> carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I have only done preliminary inquiries - it looks like around $210 but
>>>>> I would need to get with Wes on exact size.
>>>>>
>>>>> Short answer- same, or hopefully less.
>>>>>
>>>>> -Caryn Ann
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sat, Mar 11, 2017 at 10:51 AM Daniel Hayes <danielehayes at icloud.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> What would a storage facility cost in Colorado?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Daniel Hayes
>>>>>> LNC At Large Member
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Mar 11, 2017, at 11:37 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos <
>>>>>> carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> None yet.  We needed to get the committee together and we are
>>>>>> budgeting now.  We want to spend wisely and that requires knowing what we
>>>>>> have and not just scanning Willy Nilly.  Once reason Jackie is going to HQ
>>>>>> on Monday - we will start making spending decisions after that.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sat, Mar 11, 2017 at 10:17 AM Joshua Katz <
>>>>>> planning4liberty at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Of the initial $5k budget, how much has been spent?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Joshua A. Katz
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sat, Mar 11, 2017 at 11:03 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos <
>>>>>> carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> This is a discussion preliminary to a motion on the records of the LP
>>>>>> after extensive discussion with Wes and Wes running the thoughts by Nick
>>>>>> Sarwark
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Here is the state of things.  On the Historical Committee end, we
>>>>>> have a pretty talented group that was chosen, including the original
>>>>>> creator of the LP.org website Joe Dehn and the LPedia curator for
>>>>>> the past ten years James Gholston.  LPedia has been cleaned up (gigs and
>>>>>> gigs of spam removed) and moved to the new server.  We are kicking the
>>>>>> tires to make sure it is ready to fling back open for new account creation
>>>>>> - this is remarkable in itself, new account creation has been disabled for
>>>>>> years (five years I think).  Joe Buchman has been scanning using a
>>>>>> professional scanner - but that is slow going as it is on off hours he gets
>>>>>> to use as a volunteer, but we have some high quality scans to start.  And
>>>>>> once LPedia gets going fundraising for the initial budget will ramp up.  I
>>>>>> have already raised the first 20% but it is hard to ask for support without
>>>>>> some "product" to show.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> A problem is that is it very difficult to get started on bulk
>>>>>> scanning as we don't know what we have in Virginia, compounded by the fact
>>>>>> that some of it is in an offsite storage facility that is not organized (it
>>>>>> is safe and boxed well to preserve but no one has put in the very hard time
>>>>>> of getting those files into shape - there have been more pressing matters -
>>>>>> the fact that they are safe and stored is due to heroic efforts by Wes as
>>>>>> far as I am concerned - the legend was that much more was destroyed in the
>>>>>> Watergate flood than actually was).    None of committee members live in
>>>>>> Virginia (one lives several hours a year but is fairly new to Party
>>>>>> involvement though he has made sysadmin skills), and the guiding visionary
>>>>>> of the whole thing - me - lives in Colorado.  We can ask volunteers to
>>>>>> start (and I have one dedicated volunteer going down Monday to begin-
>>>>>> Jackie Mason) but in general that can be a spotty method as can using
>>>>>> interns, but without a very systematic organization the effectiveness of
>>>>>> the records preservation will be less than ideal.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So with this, I would to share  some of Wes' thoughts (to which I
>>>>>> concur) which were shared with Nick for the Committee's consideration with
>>>>>> some additional thoughts of mine at the end.  These summary thoughts from
>>>>>> Wes was after an extensive phone conference with me:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ====
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'd like Caryn Ann and the Historical committee to have access to
>>>>>> documents. But, coordinating and managing interns, shipping items, etc., is
>>>>>> going to cause a substantial  amount of interruption here at LPHQ.
>>>>>> Piece-by-piece, and box-by-box, training one volunteer after another how to
>>>>>> ship, scan, etc. Negotiating pay-rates for interns, etc. Answering hundreds
>>>>>> of questions.  It adds up quickly.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'd like to send Nick Dunbar with a 20' U-Haul filled with the
>>>>>> historical documents that are in our storage unit and basement. We'll
>>>>>> include the shelves from the storage unit as well, and will shut down our
>>>>>> storage unit.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'd like to deliver it all to Caryn Ann's neighborhood so she can
>>>>>> manage the project directly, rather than trying to coach an intern or
>>>>>> handful of semi-reliable volunteers from afar, with us at LPHQ having to
>>>>>> support the volunteers and interns, explain parking, arrange keys, etc.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The 20 foot Uhaul will cost about $1700 plus $700 gas. All will
>>>>>> easily fit in that, and won't get nearly as damaged as if we shipped via
>>>>>> carrier, plus it will require less TLC preparing the stuff to ship. We'll
>>>>>> have to spend on some boxes and tape. Motels and expenses for Nick along
>>>>>> the way plus a flight home. Overall, I'd estimate a roughly $5,000 expense.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I moved the entire contents from one storage unit to another a year
>>>>>> ago to go from a rate of approximately $400/month to $228/month. I know
>>>>>> what I'm getting into. I used movers that cost about $400 to to unload from
>>>>>> one unit, and upload to another unit in around 4 hours.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If Caryn Ann fails to make things happen, we'll know the address of
>>>>>> the storage unit and can always go through the process of moving things
>>>>>> back. The LNC will pay for and be in control of the storage unit, just like
>>>>>> we are in control of the one here. They're about to raise our rent from
>>>>>> $228/month to $248/month and we'll just shut it down after we empty it and
>>>>>> send things to Colorado.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've had access to all this stuff for years, and it never reaches
>>>>>> high enough priority for LPHQ staff to deal with.  It's worth giving Caryn
>>>>>> Ann and her volunteers and committee a shot at taking the stuff, organizing
>>>>>> it, and scanning and preserving and posting it online.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ======
>>>>>>
>>>>>> This would require approval of an additional $5000 in expenses.  I
>>>>>> was already thinking I would have to fly out to Virginia over the summer
>>>>>> and spend a weekend in that storage unit - this would save me that trip so
>>>>>> I would commit to a donation for this cause, in fact I have been
>>>>>> considering a life membership, so if this passes I would sign up for that
>>>>>> at the monthly rate to have a life membership at the end of one year and
>>>>>> while in CO, Nick can stay in our guest room.  Wes is confident he could
>>>>>> fundraise the majority of this money as well through several membership
>>>>>> emails.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> When the LP gets the records back they will be organized and
>>>>>> inventoried to be of use for years to come.  And I will be able to make
>>>>>> meaningful recommendations to the LNC as to culling.  And if the LNC in the
>>>>>> future ever wants to make records retention decisions they will actually
>>>>>> know what they have.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I can also get the state party here behind setting up a committee of
>>>>>> volunteers as a Historical Committee Support group to arrange organization
>>>>>> weekends in which I can spend weekends down with volunteers getting this
>>>>>> stuff into shape, and I will be able to directly supervise any bulk
>>>>>> scanning company we use.  And will be able to make sure we are not paying
>>>>>> to have 50 copies of one thing scanned because I will be able to curate the
>>>>>> items before they get sent out.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I think also if we video-documented this, it would be an interest
>>>>>> piece for next convention.   Also, though I haven't priced this out, I
>>>>>> think the storage costs would be less in CO. The facility doesn't have to
>>>>>> be in Castle Rock, we are spread out and more towards Denver in a less
>>>>>> pricier region would be more convenient for more volunteers here.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I am soliciting thoughts preliminary to making a motion.  I also ask
>>>>>> Wes to weigh in as he is closest to the issue.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> *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>
>>>>>> Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Lnc-business mailing list
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Lnc-business mailing list
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Lnc-business mailing list
>>>>>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>>>>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Lnc-business mailing list
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.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>
>>>> Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee
>>>>
>>>> A haiku to the Statement of Principles:
>>>> *We defend your rights*
>>>> *And oppose the use of force*
>>>> *Taxation is theft*
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Lnc-business mailing list
>>>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Lnc-business mailing list
>>>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.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>
>>> Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee
>>>
>>> A haiku to the Statement of Principles:
>>> *We defend your rights*
>>> *And oppose the use of force*
>>> *Taxation is theft*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Lnc-business mailing list
>>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>>>
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Lnc-business mailing list
>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.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>
> Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee
>
> A haiku to the Statement of Principles:
> *We defend your rights*
> *And oppose the use of force*
> *Taxation is theft*
>
>
>
>
>

-- 
*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>
Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee

A haiku to the Statement of Principles:
*We defend your rights*
*And oppose the use of force*
*Taxation is theft*
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