[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
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