[Lnc-business] Caryn Ann Harlos fundraising and membership recruitment

Elizabeth Van Horn elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
Fri Feb 23 17:38:59 EST 2018


Caryn Ann, is AZ leadership aware of the fact that you were reimbursed 
by LP national for attending their convention?

---
Elizabeth Van Horn
LNC Region 3 (IN, MI, OH, KY)
Secretary Libertarian Party of Madison Co, Indiana
Chair-LP Social Media Process Review Committee
Vice-Chair Libertarian Pragmatist Caucus
http://www.lpcaucus.org/

On 2018-02-23 14:01, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote:
> AZ was pretty much a break even, and I found my own rides and lodging.
>    But getting any new members in AZ is good as it is a state that has 
> not
>    typically made that a priority so inculcating the value of national
>    memberships is breaking in new strides there.
> 
>    On Fri, Feb 23, 2018 at 11:57 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos
>    <[1]caryn.ann.harlos at lp.org> wrote:
> 
>    Plus two memberships were done electronically at the convention.  
> The
>    members didn't want to write down their credit card numbers.  So 
> there
>    were 18.  And two promised to be mailing in since they didn't have
>    their funds with them - I don't know whether they will or not, but 
> they
>    were recruited.
> 
>    On Fri, Feb 23, 2018 at 11:50 AM, Wes Benedict 
> <[2]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
>      [3](202) 333-0008 ext. 232, [4]wes.benedict at lp.org
>      [5]facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
>      Join the Libertarian Party at: [6]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][7]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][8]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][9](202) 333-0008 ext. 232, [5][10]wes.benedict at lp.org
>            [6][11]facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
>            Join the Libertarian Party at: 
> [7][12]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][13]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][14](202) 333-0008 ext. 232,
>      [1][3][11][15]wes.benedict at lp.org
>                  [2][4][12][16]facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
>                  Join the Libertarian Party at:
>            [3][5][13][17]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][18]robert.kraus at lp.org>
>                          To: Wes Benedict
>      [5]<[7][15][19]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][20]wes.benedict at lp.org
>                     2. [10][17][21]http://facebook.com/libertarians
>                     3. [11][18][22]http://lp.org/membership
>                     4. mailto:[12][19][23]robert.kraus at lp.org
>                     5. mailto:[13][20][24]wes.benedict at lp.org
>                     6. mailto:[14]Operations at LP.org
>            References
>                1. mailto:[21][25]wes.benedict at lp.org
>                2. tel:[22][26](202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>                3. mailto:[23][27]wes.benedict at lp.org
>                4. [24][28]http://facebook.com/libertarians
>                5. [25][29]http://lp.org/membership
>                6. mailto:[26][30]robert.kraus at lp.org
>                7. mailto:[27][31]wes.benedict at lp.org
>                8. tel:[28]202.333.0008 x 231
>                9. mailto:[29][32]wes.benedict at lp.org
>               10. [30][33]http://facebook.com/libertarians
>               11. [31][34]http://lp.org/membership
>               12. mailto:[32][35]robert.kraus at lp.org
>               13. mailto:[33][36]wes.benedict at lp.org
>               14. mailto:[34]Operations at LP.org
>      References
>          1. mailto:[37]wes.benedict at lp.org
>          2. [38]https://www.lp.org/lnc-meeting-archives/
>          3. [39]https://maps.google.com/?q=144
>      4+Duke+St.,+Alexandria,+VA+22314&entry=gmail&source=g
>          4. tel:[40](202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>          5. mailto:[41]wes.benedict at lp.org
>          6. [42]http://facebook.com/libertarians
>          7. [43]http://lp.org/membership
>          8. mailto:[44]wes.benedict at lp.org
>          9. [45]https://maps.google.com/?q=to+
>      try+that.+And+then+we+can+report+the&entry=gmail&source=g
>         10. tel:[46](202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>         11. mailto:[47]wes.benedict at lp.org
>         12. [48]http://facebook.com/libertarians
>         13. [49]http://lp.org/membership
>         14. mailto:[50]robert.kraus at lp.org
>         15. mailto:[51]wes.benedict at lp.org
>         16. mailto:[52]wes.benedict at lp.org
>         17. [53]http://facebook.com/libertarians
>         18. [54]http://lp.org/membership
>         19. mailto:[55]robert.kraus at lp.org
>         20. mailto:[56]wes.benedict at lp.org
>         21. mailto:[57]wes.benedict at lp.org
>         22. tel:[58](202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>         23. mailto:[59]wes.benedict at lp.org
>         24. [60]http://facebook.com/libertarians
>         25. [61]http://lp.org/membership
>         26. mailto:[62]robert.kraus at lp.org
>         27. mailto:[63]wes.benedict at lp.org
>         28. tel:[64]202.333.0008 x 231
>         29. mailto:[65]wes.benedict at lp.org
>         30. [66]http://facebook.com/libertarians
>         31. [67]http://lp.org/membership
>         32. mailto:[68]robert.kraus at lp.org
>         33. mailto:[69]wes.benedict at lp.org
>         34. mailto:[70]Operations at LP.org
> 
> References
> 
>    1. mailto:caryn.ann.harlos at lp.org
>    2. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>    3. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>    4. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>    5. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>    6. http://lp.org/membership
>    7. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>    8. https://www.lp.org/lnc-meeting-archives/
>    9. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>   10. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   11. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>   12. http://lp.org/membership
>   13. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   14. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>   15. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   16. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>   17. http://lp.org/membership
>   18. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
>   19. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   20. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   21. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>   22. http://lp.org/membership
>   23. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
>   24. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   25. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   26. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>   27. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   28. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>   29. http://lp.org/membership
>   30. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
>   31. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   32. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   33. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>   34. http://lp.org/membership
>   35. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
>   36. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   37. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   38. https://www.lp.org/lnc-meeting-archives/
>   39. https://maps.google.com/?q=1444+Duke+St
>   40. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>   41. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   42. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>   43. http://lp.org/membership
>   44. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   45.
> https://maps.google.com/?q=to+try+that.+And+then+we+can+report+the&entry=gmail&source=g
>   46. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>   47. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   48. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>   49. http://lp.org/membership
>   50. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
>   51. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   52. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   53. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>   54. http://lp.org/membership
>   55. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
>   56. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   57. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   58. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>   59. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   60. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>   61. http://lp.org/membership
>   62. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
>   63. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   64. tel:202.333.0008 x 231
>   65. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   66. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>   67. http://lp.org/membership
>   68. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
>   69. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   70. mailto:Operations at LP.org



More information about the Lnc-business mailing list