[Lnc-business] Caryn Ann Harlos fundraising and membership recruitment
Wes Benedict
wes.benedict at lp.org
Fri Feb 23 14:09:39 EST 2018
Thanks for the response.
Joshua, we have sent Chair Sarwark and Vice Chair Vohra to fundraising
events and have reimbursed their travel expenses.
Our Head of Development is setting up additional fundraising events with
the intention of the chair to attend.
What do you think about that? Would you recommend we cease reimbursing
the travel expenses for sending the chair for fundraising events?
Wes Benedict, Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee, Inc.
1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314
(202) 333-0008 ext. 232, wes.benedict at lp.org
facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
Join the Libertarian Party at: http://lp.org/membership
On 2/23/2018 1:56 PM, Joshua Katz wrote:
> As I said, what's done is done. You should send the funds. That's
> just my opinion, of course, since I can't act for this organization,
> but it's my opinion.
>
> Joshua A. Katz
> On Fri, Feb 23, 2018 at 12:50 PM, Wes Benedict <[1]wes.benedict at lp.org>
> wrote:
>
> Here's where we stand expense-wise on this if I have my facts
> correct--and I have gotten facts wrong on this so I want to be
> transparent and corrected if I'm wrong.
> So far, we have reimbursed Caryn Ann Harlos $198.96 for SW Airlines
> under "Membership Fundraising Costs" and I think that was for the
> Arizona state convention.
> Additionally, Caryn Ann submitted expenses for reimbursement for
> $439.73 to be paid for fundraising at the WA state convention.
> I submitted those expenses to the treasurer with a request for
> approval, received the approval, but we haven't sent those funds to
> Caryn Ann yet. Approval attached, if attachments are working today.
> Now I'm unsure what I should do about the $439.73.
> I'm pretty sure I should go ahead and have the funds issued,
> because, this was all done in compliance with the policy manual and
> with the knowledge of the chair and treasurer.
> Is there any opposition to me issuing the funds to Caryn Ann for the
> $439.73?
> Today coincidentally we received the memberships in the mail from
> WA: a total of 16 memberships for $690 total plus a $25 a month
> donor.
> Josh, what do you think? Do you think I should issue the payment of
> $439.73 to Caryn Ann?
> Wes Benedict, Executive Director
> Libertarian National Committee, Inc.
> 1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314
> [2](202) 333-0008 ext. 232, [3]wes.benedict at lp.org
> [4]facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
> Join the Libertarian Party at: [5]http://lp.org/membership
> On 2/23/2018 12:35 PM, Joshua Katz wrote:
>
> I agree with the ED on scenario 1. I lean towards agreeing
> about
> Scenario 2.
> There should also be LNC training, at the start of each term
> (or, at
> least, this is my suggestion to future LNCs) about recognizing
> issues
> relating to duties of directors.
> Joshua A. Katz
> On Fri, Feb 23, 2018 at 11:11 AM, Wes Benedict
> <[1][6]wes.benedict at lp.org>
> wrote:
> Scenario 1.
> If the LNC wants to encourage the chair to approve reimbursing
> Caryn
> Ann Harlos for expenses for travel outside of her region for
> the
> purpose of recruiting dues-paying members, then the LNC can
> pass a
> motion to that effect.
> ==========
> Unless that happens, I lean towards taking Joshua's advice of
> discontinuing the practice, given that no one has spoken up in
> support, and that Caryn Ann has rescinded her willingness.
> I think Caryn Ann probably recruited more dues-paying members
> to the
> national LP in the past 12 months than all other LNC members
> combined.
> Aaron Starr started a program called "Give or Get". It was
> quite
> successful, was in 2006 to 2008 and you can read about in the
> LNC
> minutes here:
> [2][7]https://www.lp.org/lnc-meeting-archives/
>
> I believe flights and hotel expenses were covered for a few LNC
> members for the "Give or Get" program. I point that out because
> there's a precedent for paying travel expenses for LNC members to
> do
> fundraising.
> The LNC has routinely reimbursed the current and former Chairs
> for
> travel expenses related to party business including fundraisers,
> but
> excluding LNC meetings, and in accordance with the Policy Manual.
> ==========
> Scenario 2.
> While typing this note a donor has offered to help cover Caryn
> Ann's
> expenses for this purpose. If the donor is willing to cover 100%
> of
> those expenses, and if the donor reimburses Caryn Ann directly,
> and
> then the donor reports the reimbursements to me as an in-kind
> contribution (probably with the assistance of Caryn Ann), that
> would
> take control of the process out of my hands and out of the LNC's
> hands.
> ==========
> I recommend the LNC vote regarding Scenario 1, so you can make it
> more clear whether or not you approve having LNC members have
> expenses reimbursed for raising funds, but that's up to you all.
> As
> we ramp up our fundraising efforts, it will help me to know if I
> should make staff the primary relationship builders with our
> donors,
> or if I should keep the opportunity open for board members as
> well.
> I also encourage feedback from individual LNC members regarding
> Scenario 2 even though technically I don't think approval is
> required. I'd like that feedback because I'm willing to cooperate
> with Caryn Ann and the donor if there's not a lot of opposition
> by
> the LNC. If there's a lot of opposition by the LNC, I'll be less
> cooperative with Caryn Ann as she recruits members and raises
> funds
> for the party.
> Thanks,
> Wes Benedict, Executive Director
> Libertarian National Committee, Inc.
>
> [3]1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314
> [4][8](202) 333-0008 ext. 232, [5][9]wes.benedict at lp.org
> [6][10]facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
> Join the Libertarian Party at: [7][11]http://lp.org/membership
>
> On 2/23/2018 12:01 AM, Joshua Katz wrote:
> Wes,
> Thank you for opening a discussion on this. I do not believe
> it is
> proper to use party funds to send LNC members to state
> conventions
> unless they are "lame ducks" (and, honestly, probably not then
> either). The facts provided are enlightening and important,
> but
> the
> question here is about the principle, not the people or the
> individual
> circumstances. The principle is that, as you note in your
> email,
> this
> is a discretionary decision by staff. Staff is determining,
> based,
> to
> be sure, on perfectly legitimate factors, which LNC members are
> being
> sent and where. There is nothing compelling staff in the
> future to
> use
> the factors you identify here, and different, less legitimate
> factors,
> could be used in the future. The way to prevent that is "all
> or
> nothing." But "all" is impractical, and also not a good idea.
> Other corporations handle this in a more direct fashion - they
> pay
> directors. We don't do that (and I'm not suggesting it). In
> fact,
> we
> encourage directors to donate, and I highly appreciate that Ms.
> Harlos
> does so. I don't see how it changes this arrangement, though.
> We
> have
> rules against being an employee and a director simultaneously -
> to
> the
> extent an LNC member benefits (in addition to the party
> benefits)
> from
> such travel paid for by the party, the arrangement is somewhat
> akin
> to
> employing that director to provide a service: in this case,
> membership
> recruitment. Maybe Ms. Harlos gets no benefit at all from such
> travel,
> but will that be true for future LNC members? The potentials
> for
> self-dealing are numerous. Directors play a role in selecting
> and
> hiring staff - could directors hire and retain staff who will
> provide
> travel for those specific directors, and in turn, then enjoy an
> advantage in future LNC elections?
> I have every confidence that Ms. Harlos does not campaign while
> at
> these conventions. If an LNC member attends a convention and
> is
> highly
> visible (you can't recruit national members if you sit in the
> back
> of
> the room quietly), benefits are still gained, albeit
> incidentally
> and
> without that being the motive, in future elections. It's not a
> policy
> manual violation because they're no campaigning, but the
> conflicts
> remain potentially large. By definition, it is a benefit not
> available
> to other candidates - the reason it doesn't violate the policy
> manual
> is that it's not done in the role of candidate.
> Be that as it may, we could still decide that the benefits
> outweigh
> the
> dangers. That would be a reasonable decision. However, I am
> of
> the
> opinion that before it began, it should have been disclosed to
> the
> board and a vote taken of the disinterested directors. It
> could be
> pointed out that, potentially at least, there would be no
> disinterested
> directors in such a decision (at least in spirit) - that would
> be a
> reason not to do it.
> Your answer to why you aren't sending other LNC members to
> state
> conventions is perfectly appropriate and rational. You should
> not
> send
> people to state conventions at party expense who will not
> produce a
> positive return on investment (I, for instance, probably
> wouldn't). Of
> course, other LNC members could, conceivably, produce value in
> other
> ways. I have provided parliamentary services for several state
> parties, sometimes with funding from the state party, sometimes
> at
> my
> own expense. That's not something that produces funds for the
> party,
> of course, but it does provide affiliate support, something we
> also
> do. I most certainly should not do that on party funds. What,
> precisely, is the difference? Well, membership brings in money
> and, as
> you note, numbers have been falling. Does that make it a
> priority
> over
> providing other services, or the many other things we could
> send
> LNC
> members to do? Well, maybe. The LNC did not adopt any goals
> this
> term. Last term, the LNC adopted goals, and
> retaining/increasing
> membership wasn't one of them. I believe you told us that you
> weren't
> focusing on membership numbers, as a result. As has come up in
> prior
> discussions, I agree with not prioritizing membership numbers -
> I
> think
> that, over the long term (granted, not the immediate term) we
> need
> to
> focus on relying less on membership for revenue and developing
> other
> streams. To your credit, staff (and especially Lauren) has
> been
> developing other revenue streams, and doing so very
> effectively.
> Membership does have the advantage of predictable cash flow,
> admittedly. But I simply am not that worried about falling
> membership
> numbers persay - if anything, I think of membership numbers as
> the
> tail, not the dog. That is, I think we can improve membership
> by
> doing
> things like electing candidates to public office and having
> them
> implement libertarian policies. More importantly, this board
> doesn't
> seem to regard it as a priority. But that is a somewhat
> different
> question.
> Or, to use another example, members of the LNC travel to states
> where
> signatures are needed and gather hundreds of volunteer
> signatures.
> Granted, they don't desire to be paid for their expenses in
> those
> cases, but if they did, I don't think staff would agree to pay
> -
> and I
> think that would be the right call, most of the time at least.
> That
> also doesn't put money in our pocket, although it has the
> ultimate
> effect (if history is any guide) of keeping money there that
> would
> otherwise leave.
> So, in summary, my position is that we should not fund LNC
> member
> travel, even if the LNC member agrees not to run for
> reelection.
> But I
> recognize that opinions can differ on that, so my additional
> opinion is
> that the board is within its rights to decide otherwise, but
> that
> potentially conflicted transactions involving board members
> should
> be
> discussed with the board ahead of time, and approved by a
> majority
> of
> disinterested directors. What's done is done. I think that
> before
> it
> continues, action should be taken to approve it (or not) by a
> majority
> of disinterested directors. There's no rule that can compel
> that
> outcome, it's just my opinion.
> Joshua A. Katz
> On Thu, Feb 22, 2018 at 9:56 PM, Wes Benedict
>
> <[1][8][12]wes.benedict at lp.org>
>
> wrote:
> Dear LNC,
> Caryn Ann Harlos has recruited a lot of dues-paying
> members
> by
> attending state conventions and getting people to join
> or
> renew.
> At first, she did this at state conventions she was
> attending
> in her
> region at her own expense.
> Her results were so strong that I asked her if she would
> be
> willing
> to go to some other states outside of her region to do
> similar
> fundraising efforts if her travel expenses were
> reimbursed.
> We have been struggling to keep membership from falling.
> We
> send
> renewal emails and renewal letters that perform
> reasonably
> well
> but
> pretty much exhaust that method. Other methods we try
> have
> very
> low
> ROI. Caryn Ann's ROI has been comparatively strong.
> Caryn Ann attended the Washington State convention last
> weekend
> and
> recruited 18 to 20 dues-paying members for the national
> LP.
> That trip is one in which we have reimbursed her for her
> travel.
> I'd like to send Caryn Ann to more state conventions to
> have
> her do
> this work. No one else has done this as successfully as
> Caryn
> Ann.
> Caryn Ann is a volunteer so we don't pay her for her
> time.
> For conventions that Caryn Ann is unable to take the
> time to
> attend,
> I will be sending our staff member Jess Mears. The thing
> with
> Jess
> is that we pay her for her hours to travel, attend, and
> return
> from
> state conventions. She's unlikely to get as high of a
> ROI.
> I received a complaint today that it is inappropriate
> for
> someone
> running for a position on the LNC to have travel
> reimbursed.
> I sympathize with the complaint, but do not think it's a
> violation
> of our policies.
> Nevertheless, I bring this up to the LNC for your
> feedback.
> If
> you
> request a stop to sending Caryn Ann Harlos or any other
> LNC
> member
> to state conventions for the purpose of recruiting
> dues-paying
> members, we can end the program.
> A reasonable question might be, "I'm willing to go to
> state
> convention at the expense of the LNC and recruit
> members--why
> don't
> you send me?" The answer is that Caryn Ann proved her
> willingness
> and capability within her own region. No other LNC
> members
> have
> mailed us several envelopes of dues-paying members from
> their
> states. Caryn Ann and Jess Mears together are not able
> to
> attend
> every state convention. If you are interested in
> helping,
> and
> willing to prove your ability first at a state in your
> region
> or at
> another state at your own expense, let me know and we
> might
> be
> able
>
> [9]to try that. And then we can report the results.
> Below is a report from Robert Kraus with some of the
> fundraising
> results from Caryn Ann.
> I welcome your feedback.
> Wes Benedict, Executive Director
> Libertarian National Committee, Inc.
> 1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314
> [2][10][13](202) 333-0008 ext. 232,
> [1][3][11][14]wes.benedict at lp.org
> [2][4][12][15]facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
> Join the Libertarian Party at:
> [3][5][13][16]http://lp.org/membership
> -------- Forwarded Message --------
> Subject: Harlos Fundraising
> Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2018 11:27:47 -0500
>
> From: Robert S. Kraus
> [4]<[6][14][17]robert.kraus at lp.org>
> To: Wes Benedict [5]<[7][15][18]wes.benedict at lp.org
> >
> I have Harlos pegged as solicitor for a total of $2,335.00
> for
> 82
> members 49 of which where new (these 82 folks have also
> contributed
> a
> net total excluding conv related gifts of $6,261.74 since
> 2016
> convention - bunch of them to Hist Preservation of course
> so
> she has
> her
> fans)
> In addition she is likely 95% responsible for the $12,120
> raised for
> Historic Preservation
> Finally she has given $2181 herself since the 2016
> convention
> (non
> convention related - however $1525 was for Hist
> Preservation)
> --
> Robert S. Kraus - Operations Director
> [6]Operations at LP.org
> Libertarian National Committee, Inc.
> 1444 Duke Street
> Alexandria, VA 22314
> Ph: [8]202.333.0008 x 231
> References
>
> 1. mailto:[9][16][19]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 2. [10][17][20]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 3. [11][18][21]http://lp.org/membership
> 4. mailto:[12][19][22]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 5. mailto:[13][20][23]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 6. mailto:[14]Operations at LP.org
> References
> 1. mailto:[21][24]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 2. tel:[22][25](202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 3. mailto:[23][26]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 4. [24][27]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 5. [25][28]http://lp.org/membership
> 6. mailto:[26][29]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 7. mailto:[27][30]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 8. tel:[28]202.333.0008 x 231
> 9. mailto:[29][31]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 10. [30][32]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 11. [31][33]http://lp.org/membership
> 12. mailto:[32][34]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 13. mailto:[33][35]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 14. mailto:[34]Operations at LP.org
> References
> 1. mailto:[36]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 2. [37]https://www.lp.org/lnc-meeting-archives/
> 3. [38]https://maps.google.com/?q=144
> 4+Duke+St.,+Alexandria,+VA+22314&entry=gmail&source=g
> 4. tel:[39](202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 5. mailto:[40]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 6. [41]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 7. [42]http://lp.org/membership
> 8. mailto:[43]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 9. [44]https://maps.google.com/?q=to+
> try+that.+And+then+we+can+report+the&entry=gmail&source=g
> 10. tel:[45](202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 11. mailto:[46]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 12. [47]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 13. [48]http://lp.org/membership
> 14. mailto:[49]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 15. mailto:[50]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 16. mailto:[51]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 17. [52]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 18. [53]http://lp.org/membership
> 19. mailto:[54]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 20. mailto:[55]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 21. mailto:[56]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 22. tel:[57](202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 23. mailto:[58]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 24. [59]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 25. [60]http://lp.org/membership
> 26. mailto:[61]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 27. mailto:[62]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 28. tel:[63]202.333.0008 x 231
> 29. mailto:[64]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 30. [65]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 31. [66]http://lp.org/membership
> 32. mailto:[67]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 33. mailto:[68]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 34. mailto:[69]Operations at LP.org
>
> References
>
> 1. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 2. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 3. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 4. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 5. http://lp.org/membership
> 6. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 7. https://www.lp.org/lnc-meeting-archives/
> 8. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 9. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 10. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 11. http://lp.org/membership
> 12. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 13. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 14. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 15. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 16. http://lp.org/membership
> 17. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
> 18. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 19. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 20. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 21. http://lp.org/membership
> 22. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
> 23. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 24. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 25. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 26. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 27. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 28. http://lp.org/membership
> 29. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
> 30. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 31. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 32. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 33. http://lp.org/membership
> 34. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
> 35. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 36. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 37. https://www.lp.org/lnc-meeting-archives/
> 38. https://maps.google.com/?q=1444+Duke+St
> 39. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 40. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 41. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 42. http://lp.org/membership
> 43. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 44. https://maps.google.com/?q=to+try+that.+And+then+we+can+report+the&entry=gmail&source=g
> 45. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 46. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 47. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 48. http://lp.org/membership
> 49. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
> 50. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 51. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 52. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 53. http://lp.org/membership
> 54. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
> 55. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 56. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 57. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 58. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 59. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 60. http://lp.org/membership
> 61. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
> 62. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 63. tel:202.333.0008 x 231
> 64. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 65. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 66. http://lp.org/membership
> 67. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
> 68. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 69. mailto:Operations at LP.org
>
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