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

Elizabeth Van Horn elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
Fri Feb 23 18:03:28 EST 2018


Joshua, I have no idea why you're writing about "malice"?  No one has 
used such language. (Certainly not me.) I hope you're not casting 
aspersion my way.

---
Elizabeth Van Horn


On 2018-02-23 17:29, Joshua Katz wrote:

> Okay, I will remember in the future.  I don't care how I'm addressed
>    one way or the other.
>    Like I said, my distinction is not about quantity, it's about how it
>    was spent.  The ED and Ms. Harlos did not act with malice.  The
>    expenditures were, we're told, approved by the chair.  Ms. Harlos 
> acted
>    in reliance on representations made to her.  She is not the right 
> place
>    for this expenditure to fall, now that it's been made.  Moving 
> forward,
>    the issue should be addressed.
> 
>    Joshua A. Katz
>    On Fri, Feb 23, 2018 at 4:17 PM, Elizabeth Van Horn
>    <[1]elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org> wrote:
> 
>      Likewise, I agree with most of Joshua Katz's reply to me.
>      It's returning funds that shouldn't have been disbursed. If the
>      amount were large, like in the thousands, would you still not want
>      it returned?  What if it were 10K?  I ask, as the amount of funds
>      shouldn't' matter.  It's the principal.
>      (Also, I don't use "Ms" or other honorifics, my name is 
> sufficient.
>      If you wish to be addressed as Mr. Katz, I'm happy to do so, btw.)
>      ---
>      Elizabeth Van Horn
>      On 2018-02-23 16:54, Joshua Katz wrote:
> 
>      I agree with most of Ms. Van Horn's points, although I'd emphasize
>      that
>         my issue is more about disclosure of potential issues to the
>      board
>         ahead of time and the potential fiduciary issues I see here.  I
>         explained some, I can find more.  The solution to that is, in 
> the
>         future, disclosure to the board of transactions involving LNC
>      members,
>         and the orientation I mentioned earlier.  Anyway, I am writing 
> to
>         express disagreement with one point:  I almost always disagree
>      with
>         clawbacks or requested clawbacks absent actual malfeasance.  I
>      would
>         disagree with requesting the return of funds or stopping funds 
> in
>         progress.
>         Joshua A. Katz
>         On Fri, Feb 23, 2018 at 3:21 PM, Elizabeth Van Horn
> 
>       <[1][2]elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org> wrote:
>         Wes, here's my feedback, and I don't mind saying that I was
>    shocked
>         to read that an LNC member is being reimbursed to attend state
>         conventions within their own region.
>         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.
>         I've no problem with this. LNC representatives often attend 
> state
>         conventions within their own region, and if she works to boost
>         national membership while there, that's cool.<<<
>              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.
>         < This is something that should have been told to the LNC, and
>    even
>         discussed.  Why are we only finding this out, after someone
>         inquired?   Where's the transparency?<<<
>              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 have a problem with this.   Many LNC Regional 
> Representatives
>         will attend state conventions within their region.  If any of 
> them
>         do membership recruiting for national while there, that's
>    something
>         they choose to do.  Are you suggesting that Caryn Ann wouldn't
>    have
>         tried to boost membership at a state convention within her 
> region,
>         if she wasn't reimbursed?  Because, I doubt that.  This was
>         something she was doing as she chose to do, while attending
>         conventions within her own region. This isn't something that an
>    LNC
>         member should be reimbursed for. <<<
>              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.
>         Wes, you don't know what others have done regarding recruiting, 
> as
>         most people do it as a normal part of being in the LP.  I, nor
>    most
>         others, keep a log of the people we've gotten to join the LP, 
> as I
>         see it as a given this is done.<<<
>         Wes, do you know why my own state affiliate has let national
>         membership drop?  Because, they're unhappy with the national 
> LP.
>    At
>         my last state convention, our officers said that they want 
> people
>    to
>         keep state memberships current, but national doesn't do 
> anything
>    for
>         them, so they don't care much about that.  I had to mention 
> that
>    our
>         delegate count is tied to national membership, and since then, 
> I
>         followed -up on that, but our numbers still have dropped. I've
>    been
>         thinking of a way to reverse that, but if LPIN is successful in
>         reversing that trend, it's because our volunteers are 
> passionate
>         about the LP and liberty actions.  Not because anyone  is being
>         reimbursed for the expenses of travel and time.  (My state 
> isn't
>    the
>         only one that feels this way, btw)<<<
>              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 personally wouldn't send anyone to state conventions to 
> boost
>         national membership, if the national LP is paying for it.
>    Instead,
>         we should work to create a better LP that's responsive to it's
>         members and the public, and we grow through people seeking to 
> join
>         us.  Organic growth.<<<
>              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.
>         It's a matter of principal. Byreimbursing Caryn Ann Harlos for
>         traveling to state conventions within her own region, the LP is
>         subsidizing her efforts as a regional representative. This is
>         inappropriate.<<<
>              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.
>         Yes, I'm requesting a stop to reimbursing LNC members for 
> travel
>    to
>         state conventions within their own region.  I also am 
> requesting
>         that Caryn Ann repay the LP for the reimbursement costs of any
>    state
>         conventions she attended within her region.
>         As for "sending her" to other state conventions, this should be
>         discussed by the LNC.<<<
>              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
>              to try that. And then we can report the results.
>          Wes, I know a woman who renewed her membership due to a FB 
> post
>         that Andy Craig made. (She publicly wrote that he's the reason 
> she
>         renewed)   I'd wager that Andy is responsible for quite a 
> number
>    of
>         people renewing or joining the LP.  As Andy's an excellent
>    advocate
>         for the cause that is the LP.  If you want to find someone 
> who's
>    out
>         there building up hope in the LP, and getting people on board,
>    he's
>         the one.  You probably don't know this stuff, as Andy doesn't 
> seek
>         to be recognized for his efforts, he probably sees it as normal
>    for
>         people who support the LP.
>         Nor, do I know of others within the LP who keep track of how 
> many
>         people they've recruited.  So, your statement asking people to
>         "prove your ability", is moot.<<<
>         (truncated)
>         ---
>         Elizabeth Van Horn
>       On 2018-02-22 22:56, Wes Benedict 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 tha[3]t 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. Cary[2]n 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
>                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
>           [3][4](202) 333-0008 ext. 232, [1][4][5]wes.benedict at lp.org
>           [2][5][6]facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
>           Join the Libertarian Party at:
>      [3][6][7]http://lp.org/membership
>              -------- Forwarded Message --------
>              Subject: Harlos Fundraising
>                 Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2018 11:27:47 -0500
>                 From: Robert S. Kraus [4]<[7][8]robert.kraus at lp.org>
>                   To: Wes Benedict [5]<[8][9]wes.benedict at lp.org>
>           I have [9]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: [10]202.333.0008 x 231
>           References
>              1. mailto:[11][10]wes.benedict at lp.org
>              2. [12][11]http://facebook.com/libertarians
>              3. [13][12]http://lp.org/membership
>              4. mailto:[14][13]robert.kraus at lp.org
>              5. mailto:[15][14]wes.benedict at lp.org
>              6. mailto:[16]Operations at LP.org
>      References
>         1. mailto:[15]elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
>         2.
>      [16]https://maps.google.com/?q=n+Ann+and+Jess+Mears+together+are
>      +n&entry=gmail&source=g
>         3. tel:[17](202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>         4. mailto:[18]wes.benedict at lp.org
>         5. [19]http://facebook.com/libertarians
>         6. [20]http://lp.org/membership
>         7. mailto:[21]robert.kraus at lp.org
>         8. mailto:[22]wes.benedict at lp.org
>         9.
>      [23]https://maps.google.com/?q=Harlos+pegged+as+solicitor+for+a+
>      total+of+$2,33&entry=gmail&source=g
>        10. tel:[24]202.333.0008 x 231
>        11. mailto:[25]wes.benedict at lp.org
>        12. [26]http://facebook.com/libertarians
>        13. [27]http://lp.org/membership
>        14. mailto:[28]robert.kraus at lp.org
>        15. mailto:[29]wes.benedict at lp.org
>        16. mailto:[30]Operations at LP.org
> 
> References
> 
>    1. mailto:elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
>    2. mailto:elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
>    3.
> https://maps.google.com/?q=t+Caryn+Ann+is+unable+to+take+the+t&entry=gmail&source=g
>    4. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>    5. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>    6. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>    7. http://lp.org/membership
>    8. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
>    9. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   10. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   11. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>   12. http://lp.org/membership
>   13. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
>   14. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   15. mailto:elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
>   16.
> https://maps.google.com/?q=n+Ann+and+Jess+Mears+together+are+n&entry=gmail&source=g
>   17. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
>   18. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   19. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>   20. http://lp.org/membership
>   21. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
>   22. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   23.
> https://maps.google.com/?q=Harlos+pegged+as+solicitor+for+a+total+of+$2,33&entry=gmail&source=g
>   24. tel:202.333.0008 x 231
>   25. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   26. http://facebook.com/libertarians
>   27. http://lp.org/membership
>   28. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
>   29. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
>   30. mailto:Operations at LP.org



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