[Lnc-business] Caryn Ann Harlos fundraising and membership recruitment
Elizabeth Van Horn
elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
Fri Feb 23 18:09:47 EST 2018
Well said. I agree. I'm also willing to let the current reimbursements
happen, although I still think it's wrong. As Caryn Ann did do the
conventions under the impression that she'd be reimbursed. But, nothing
further, as this board should be in the loop in advance, for
reimbursements to any of us.
---
Elizabeth Van Horn
On 2018-02-23 17:36, Joshua Katz wrote:
> The arguments made here are my reason for opposing the clawback
> notion.
> I'm not talking about your disclosure. Staff and/or the chair
> should
> be informing the board of these sorts of transactions and seeking
> affirmative approval from the board, with those involved in the
> transaction abstaining. The issues here are raised when staff makes
> available to a board member, on a discretionary basis, an
> opportunity
> not available to similarly situated board members (i.e. this doesn't
> extend to the chair, for multiple reasons, but one of them is that
> none
> of us are similarly situated). That creates the potential for
> conflict.
> I acknowledge that the ED and chair knew. Everyone knew,
> apparently,
> except the board. Conflicted transactions require authorization of
> the
> disinterested board members, with full disclosure, and that's what
> wasn't done. That also wasn't your job to do. It should have been
> presented to us by staff. I'm not talking about your potential
> conflict of interest report, I'm talking about the transaction
> itself.
> I'm not terribly interested in recriminations, though. What I am
> interested in is, moving forward, understanding this norm and
> applying
> it to such transactions, and everyone involved seeing the potential
> for
> conflicts here.
>
> Joshua A. Katz
> On Fri, Feb 23, 2018 at 4:20 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos
> <[1]caryn.ann.harlos at lp.org> wrote:
>
> As to disclosure issue- it was approved by the ED. The Chair
> was
> in
> that loop. The whole arc of fundraising was to start involving
> board
> members more.
> Considering I disclosed pennies on a steemit video this
> certainly
> is
> not some grand omission. When I am given official sanction to
> do
> something by the Party - and everything is approved by Chair or
> Treasurer - it isn’t something that is a conflict which is to
> disclose
> unknown or potentially unknown things. The Party asked me. It
> is on
> financial statements. The Chair and Treasurer were aware. I
> openly
> talked about it on Facebook.
> On Fri, Feb 23, 2018 at 3:10 PM Caryn Ann Harlos
> <[1][2]caryn.ann.harlos at lp.org> wrote:
> Elizabeth I am shocked frankly at an ability to read something
> sinister
> but not everything.
> My comment to the Platform Committee had ZERO intentions of
> that.
> I have already clearly stated here that recruitment trips are
> just that
> and nothing more. My comment was simply and only how I would
> spend my
> time. Which I do at every event.
> On Fri, Feb 23, 2018 at 2:54 PM Joshua Katz
> <[2][3]planning4liberty at gmail.com> 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][3][4]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 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. 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][5](202) 333-0008 ext. 232,
> [1][4][4][6]wes.benedict at lp.org
> [2][5][5][7]facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
> Join the Libertarian Party at:
> [3][6][6][8]http://lp.org/membership
> -------- Forwarded Message --------
> Subject: Harlos Fundraising
> Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2018 11:27:47 -0500
>
> From: Robert S. Kraus
> [4]<[7][7][9]robert.kraus at lp.org>
> To: Wes Benedict
> [5]<[8][8][10]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][9][11]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 2. [12][10][12]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 3. [13][11][13]http://lp.org/membership
> 4. mailto:[14][12][14]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 5. mailto:[15][13][15]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 6. mailto:[16]Operations at LP.org
> References
> 1. mailto:[14][16]elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
> 2.
> [15][17]https://maps.google.com/?q=n+Ann+and+Jess+Mears+
> together+are+n&e
> ntry=gmail&source=g
> 3. tel:[18](202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 4. mailto:[16][19]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 5. [17][20]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 6. [18][21]http://lp.org/membership
> 7. mailto:[19][22]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 8. mailto:[20][23]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 9.
>
> [21][24]https://maps.google.com/?q=Harlos+pegged+as+solicitor+
> for+a+tota
> l+of+$2,33&entry=gmail&source=g
> 10. tel:[25]202.333.0008 x 231
> 11. mailto:[22][26]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 12. [23][27]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 13. [24][28]http://lp.org/membership
> 14. mailto:[25][29]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 15. mailto:[26][30]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 16. mailto:[27]Operations at LP.org
> References
> 1. mailto:[31]caryn.ann.harlos at lp.org
> 2. mailto:[32]planning4liberty at gmail.com
> 3. mailto:[33]elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
> 4. mailto:[34]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 5. [35]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 6. [36]http://lp.org/membership
> 7. mailto:[37]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 8. mailto:[38]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 9. mailto:[39]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 10. [40]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 11. [41]http://lp.org/membership
> 12. mailto:[42]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 13. mailto:[43]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 14. mailto:[44]elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
> 15.
> [45]https://maps.google.com/?q=n+Ann+and+Jess+Mears+together+
> are+n&entry=gmail&source=g
> 16. mailto:[46]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 17. [47]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 18. [48]http://lp.org/membership
> 19. mailto:[49]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 20. mailto:[50]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 21. [51]https://maps.google.com/?q=Harlos+pegged+as+solicitor+
> for+a+total+of+$2,33&entry=gmail&source=g
>
> 22. mailto:[52]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 23. [53]http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 24. [54]http://lp.org/membership
> 25. mailto:[55]robert.kraus at lp.org
> 26. mailto:[56]wes.benedict at lp.org
> 27. mailto:[57]Operations at LP.org
>
> References
>
> 1. mailto:caryn.ann.harlos at lp.org
> 2. mailto:caryn.ann.harlos at lp.org
> 3. mailto:planning4liberty at gmail.com
> 4. mailto:elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
> 5. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 6. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 7. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 8. http://lp.org/membership
> 9. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
> 10. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 11. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 12. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 13. http://lp.org/membership
> 14. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
> 15. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 16. mailto:elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
> 17. https://maps.google.com/?q=n+Ann+and+Jess+Mears+together+are+n&e
> 18. tel:(202) 333-0008 ext. 232
> 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. https://maps.google.com/?q=Harlos+pegged+as+solicitor+for+a+tota
> 25. tel:202.333.0008 x 231
> 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:caryn.ann.harlos at lp.org
> 32. mailto:planning4liberty at gmail.com
> 33. mailto:elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
> 34. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 35. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 36. http://lp.org/membership
> 37. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
> 38. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 39. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 40. http://facebook.com/libertarians
> 41. http://lp.org/membership
> 42. mailto:robert.kraus at lp.org
> 43. mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org
> 44. mailto:elizabeth.vanhorn at lp.org
> 45.
> https://maps.google.com/?q=n+Ann+and+Jess+Mears+together+are+n&entry=gmail&source=g
> 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.
> https://maps.google.com/?q=Harlos+pegged+as+solicitor+for+a+total+of+$2,33&entry=gmail&source=g
> 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:Operations at LP.org
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