[Lnc-business] Proposed

Jeff Lyons jeff.lyons at lp.org
Fri Jul 5 12:42:52 EDT 2019 





Mr. Merced accurately describes the hypocrisy and hostility that makes it no small wonder why Ms. Daugherty would want to seek opportunities with other, less erratic, employers.  I can't imagine our public discussion board is going to help attract a better candidate for the position of Development Director.




Mr. Fishman's proposal describes what our organization needs in a spokesman & fundraiser but also conflicts with ethics, our By-Laws, and the capacity of our organization.  I don't think the Chairman of the LNC should be paid income, regardless of the value or revenue they generate.  




However, I do believe that the Chair, or any member of the LNC, or any member willing to perform the duties described, should be qualified to recoup costs for pre-approved fundraising operations on a per diem basis.  I think it would be a great idea if all members of the LNC participated in conversations with our major donors and helped cultivate relationships that make them feel comfortable making contributions.  The LNC discussion board has the opposite effect, in my opinion.




-Jeff Lyons


LNC 8A




Get Outlook for Android







On Fri, Jul 5, 2019 at 11:07 AM -0500, "Caryn Ann Harlos via Lnc-business" <lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:










Also Mr. Merced (excuse my prior informalities) do you think the chair and
the ED did not discuss this first?  Discussion to get a feel and to find
out any potential unseen issues is not anti-transparency - though I would
argue the ED and the Chair doing so without alerting the officers or the EC
must certainly is.

On Fri, Jul 5, 2019 at 9:51 AM Caryn Ann Harlos 
wrote:

> Alex, because you are too nice to consider yourself blindsided.  I think
> you were disrespected.  But how you feel is how you feel, I know how it
> looks to me.
>
> No, the chair was never paid.  LNC members have, in limited and special
> circumstances been paid contractors OUTSIDE OF THEIR LNC DUTIES.  Such as
> ballot petitioning.
>
> Several Bylaws committees have discussed this issue meaning they certainly
> thought it was a bylaws, and therefore, a convention decision.
>
> On Fri, Jul 5, 2019 at 9:44 AM Alex Merced (LNC Vice Chair) via
> Lnc-business  wrote:
>
>> 1. This was not discussed with me since that was asked. I wouldn’t
>> consider myself blindsided, the LNC list is kinda where things like this
>> are supposed to be proposed and discussed. Dan brought his idea to everyone
>> so we can discuss, there is no blindsiding. If we discuss things in private
>> channels people get upset because of transparency but if we bring it up on
>> public channels then people get upset for not being approached prior. (If
>> we wonder why so little gets discussed it may be due to the likely
>> antagonism of bringing anything up in any channel which could also just may
>> be the matter the tone of an email can often times seem more serious or
>> combative than it probably is usually intended)
>>
>> 2. From a strategic point, I don’t disagree with Dan’s assessment. Having
>> a Chair that can be a more active face will allow them to do their duties
>> as Chair better and who better to build relationships with people &
>> organizations we need to build relationships with them the Chair and ED.
>> The Chair to my understanding had been paid in the past, was this changed
>> by a delegate vote, LNC vote or at the discretion of the Chair this would
>> give me some clarity on what’s the right channel for this to move through.
>>
>> 3. Also compensation would create an incentive to emphasize unity in the
>> party since there would be personal financial consequence to the Chair if
>> discord and fractures in the party grow.
>>
>> Although, the first thing would be to determine what historically has
>> been the proper channel for making this decision and discussing the pros
>> and cons.
>>
>> Alex Merced
>> Vice Chair of the Libertarian National Committee/LP
>>
>> > On Jul 5, 2019, at 10:43 AM, Richard Longstreth via Lnc-business <
>> lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:
>> >
>> > A change of this magnitude should be decided by the delegates and will
>> not
>> > have my support. The basic DNA of our party is grassroot volunteers and
>> our
>> > leadership structure is designed to have a volunteer board supervise and
>> > direct paid staff. The two should not mix, especially by an LNC vote. I
>> > also have the feeling our bylaws or policy manual are designed to
>> > discourage paid members on the LNC.
>> >
>> > Richard Longstreth
>> > Region 1 Representative (AK, AZ, CO, HI, KS, MT, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY)
>> > Libertarian National Committee
>> > richard.longstreth at lp.org
>> > 931.538.9300
>> >
>> > Sent from my Mobile Device
>> >
>> > On Fri, Jul 5, 2019, 06:57 Caryn Ann Harlos via Lnc-business <
>> > lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:
>> >
>> >> This was sent to the LNC from Starchild, and I support what he said as
>> >> well.  This would represent an internal power refocus - a decision for
>> the
>> >> delegates.  I frankly think it is as terrible as the not-heard prior
>> Bylaws
>> >> Committee proposal to expand the LNC to over 100 persons then
>> consolidate
>> >> power into a small Executive Committee.  I further feel there has been
>> >> already a freezing out of the rest of the LNC with the chair
>> effectively
>> >> treating the officers as non-officers, and the party being subtly ran
>> by
>> >> the chair, the ED (at the direction of the chair so not a criticism of
>> the
>> >> ED), and whoever is the current LNC favourite of the chair.
>> >>
>> >> Unfair?  Maybe.  But I am not going to mince my words on what I
>> perceive as
>> >> going on.
>> >>
>> >> The fact that this was thrown on the list without the other officers
>> being
>> >> consulted is another sign.  Was Mr. Merced at least consulted?  Or is
>> he as
>> >> blind-sided as I am?  What about Mr. Hagan?
>> >>
>> >> The chair is not the sole officer as inconvenient as that may be.
>> >>
>> >> =====
>> >>
>> >> Dear LNC members,
>> >>
>> >> I am frankly appalled to see the message below from the new executive
>> >> director floating a major policy proposal on the LNC list, to have his
>> boss
>> >> (the chair) start being paid at party expense. With all due respect, I
>> >> think the executive director is seriously overstepping his bounds and
>> has
>> >> made a major breach of ethics.
>> >>
>> >> The chair appoints somebody to a well-paying position, and then this
>> person
>> >> turns around and advocates that the party start to pay the chair? It
>> >> doesn't take a Mueller report to see the huge conflict of interest in
>> that.
>> >> Nor does it stop there – it would likewise be a conflict of interest
>> for
>> >> LNC members to use party funds to start paying a professional salary
>> to a
>> >> member of their own committee.
>> >>
>> >> But even that doesn't reflect the full extent of the problem with this
>> – I
>> >> don't think the Libertarian National Committee even has the authority
>> to
>> >> make the change he's proposing in the first place. Turning the LP chair
>> >> office into a paid position is something I believe would require a
>> bylaws
>> >> change by convention delegates, and for good reason: Such a move would
>> be a
>> >> significant change in party operations, a major further concentration
>> and
>> >> centralization of power at the top.
>> >>
>> >> Nick Sarwark is generally doing an excellent job as chair in my view,
>> and I
>> >> supported his reelection. But this is not about him – this is about the
>> >> structure of the party and a proposal to alter that structure in a way
>> that
>> >> would set a terrible precedent. What would come next, paying the
>> Secretary,
>> >> the Treasurer, the rest of the LNC, and making them full-time employees
>> >> too, putting more of our limited resources into overhead and attracting
>> >> people to our party's leadership who are in it for the money or as a
>> career
>> >> opportunity rather than because they want to work for freedom?
>> >>
>> >> This is the path toward taking power in the Libertarian Party out of
>> the
>> >> hands of grassroots activists, and putting it in the hands of paid
>> >> professionals. Staff members are *not* elected by our membership, and
>> >> really should not even be on the LNC discussion list and debating
>> policy
>> >> proposals in the first place, unless all LP members are able to do the
>> >> same. Paid employees are banned from being convention delegates, and
>> there
>> >> is a good reason for that; senior staff in particular have a
>> >> disproportionate amount of control over party operations as it is.
>> >>
>> >> Having been on the LNC for two terms, I'm familiar with the pattern of
>> >> committee members seeking to maintain good relations with staff in
>> order to
>> >> have more personal influence with them and how they carry out party
>> >> operations on a day-to-day basis. This is in part because so much
>> power is
>> >> *already* concentrated in the position of party chair, who exercises
>> nearly
>> >> sole control over who is hired and who is let go, that other LNC
>> members
>> >> otherwise have little sway with staff, and consequently tend to be
>> careful
>> >> to preserve what influence they do have by seeking to stay on their
>> good
>> >> side. This is how things have gradually gotten to the point that
>> multiple
>> >> staffers are on the LNC list and increasingly feel empowered to inject
>> >> their personal views into LNC discussions, with the executive director
>> now
>> >> floating a major (and I believe improper) policy proposal.
>> >>
>> >> I don't want to give the impression that I think this is mainly about
>> poor
>> >> judgement on the part of the executive director – although I do think
>> >> floating such a proposal shows poor judgement, he is also new in the
>> job.
>> >> Probably nobody told him there's anything wrong with his weighing in
>> like
>> >> this, and he may have seen his predecessor and other staff similarly
>> >> getting involved in policy matters. Likely he has a high opinion –
>> probably
>> >> justified – of the chair's fundraising abilities, and may have just
>> thought
>> >> he was offering a sensible, practical idea.
>> >>
>> >> But there is a *lot* wrong with it. I strongly urge LNC members *not*
>> to go
>> >> down this path, and further to set some institutional guidance for
>> staff
>> >> members to limit their participation in LNC matters, for the good of
>> the
>> >> Libertarian Party and the need to keep it a bottom-up organization,
>> which
>> >> adheres to the highest ethical standards. The LP must not be allowed to
>> >> become another failed, top-down party like the Democrats and
>> Republicans,
>> >> run by those who are in it for the money and the power rather than by
>> their
>> >> grassroots members, because if that happens you can be sure it will
>> also
>> >> move away from being a *libertarian* party.
>> >>
>> >> Love & Liberty,
>> >>
>> >> ((( starchild )))
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Fri, Jul 5, 2019 at 7:46 AM Caryn Ann Harlos <
>> caryn.ann.harlos at lp.org>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> I oppose.  This is a decision for the delegates at convention.
>> >>> Additionally, considering the fact that right now our chair has been
>> >>> engaging in making enemies of particular sub-groups of libertarians
>> and
>> >>> Libertarians, it would be particularly galling to those Libertarians.
>> >>>
>> >>> On Fri, Jul 5, 2019 at 6:00 AM Daniel Fishman via Lnc-business <
>> >>> lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>>> Dear LNC, As I ponder how to replace one of the best fundraisers I’ve
>> >> ever
>> >>>> known, It occurs to me there is a synergistic opportunity right now.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> I have thought for a long time that the chair of the LNC should be a
>> >> paid
>> >>>> position.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> There is a possibility right now to make that happen. Rather than
>> going
>> >>>> through a hiring process to replace a head of development, I’d like
>> to
>> >> put
>> >>>> the chair to work full time right now as a contractor. I believe a
>> paid
>> >>>> chair can focus full time on major donors and issuing press releases
>> --
>> >>>> two
>> >>>> things I would like to see us improve on immediately.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Lauren and I talked about the need for a paid chair a few weeks ago,
>> and
>> >>>> the serendipitous timing of the current Chair’s availability
>> concurrent
>> >>>> with the personnel needs of the organization leads me to believe the
>> >> time
>> >>>> for this proposal is now.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> I am proposing that the LNC offer the chair a contract to become a
>> >>>> contractor of the LNC. In return for this the chair would undertake
>> the
>> >>>> duties of major donor maintenance and recruitment, public appearances
>> >> and
>> >>>> press secretary as required.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> By making this a contract position, the LNC can terminate the
>> contract
>> >>>> with
>> >>>> 30 days notice if there is no longer an organizational need. This
>> also
>> >>>> doesn't change the nature of the position for future chairs, which
>> would
>> >>>> probably need to be done as a change to the bylaws.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> The positives are immediately apparent. A chair who can focus on the
>> >>>> business of the party, fundraising and appearances, is critical to a
>> >>>> professional and consistent message.  A chair who can support the
>> >>>> affiliates through meetings and advise is a chair who is growing the
>> >>>> party.
>> >>>> And a chair who is able to focus 100% of their professional effort to
>> >> the
>> >>>> job is an asset to the party.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Recognizing the role the chair has in the appointment of the
>> Executive
>> >>>> Director I hesitated to make the case -- but this is such a unique
>> >>>> confluence of events, I wanted to at least present the LNC with the
>> >>>> opportunity for you all to give it thumbs up or down.
>> >>>> ---
>> >>>> Daniel Fishman
>> >>>> Executive Director
>> >>>> The Libertarian Party
>> >>>> Join Us 
>> >>>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> --
>> >>>
>> >>> *  In Liberty,*
>> >>>
>> >>> *Libertarian Party and Libertarian National Committee Secretary *-
>> >> Caryn.Ann.
>> >>> Harlos at LP.org  or Secretary at LP.org.
>> >>> *Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee* - LPedia at LP.org
>> >>> Call me at 561.523.2250 and follow my public figure page at
>> >>> facebook.com/pinkflameofliberty/
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> =========================================================================
>> >>> Peaceful Commerce With All Nations * Non-interventionism * Re-Legalize
>> >> All
>> >>> Drugs * End Government Intrusion In The Bedroom * Repeal All Gun Laws
>> *
>> >>> Abolish All Taxation * Sound, Free-market Money * Abolish The Fed *
>> End
>> >>> Corporate & Individual Welfare * Abolish The IRS and Repeal the Income
>> >> Tax
>> >>> * Privatize Transportation Infrastructure * Free-market Emergency
>> >> Services
>> >>> * Open Migration * Transfer Government Schools To The Private Sector *
>> >>> Eliminate Regulation *
>> >>>
>> >>> *VOTE LIBERTARIAN * 800-ELECT-US or http://www.LP.org <
>> >> http://www.lp.org/>*
>> >>>
>> =========================================================================
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >>
>> >> *  In Liberty,*
>> >>
>> >> *Libertarian Party and Libertarian National Committee Secretary *-
>> >> Caryn.Ann.
>> >> Harlos at LP.org  or Secretary at LP.org.
>> >> *Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee* - LPedia at LP.org
>> >> Call me at 561.523.2250 and follow my public figure page at
>> >> facebook.com/pinkflameofliberty/
>> >>
>> >>
>> =========================================================================
>> >> Peaceful Commerce With All Nations * Non-interventionism * Re-Legalize
>> All
>> >> Drugs * End Government Intrusion In The Bedroom * Repeal All Gun Laws *
>> >> Abolish All Taxation * Sound, Free-market Money * Abolish The Fed * End
>> >> Corporate & Individual Welfare * Abolish The IRS and Repeal the Income
>> Tax
>> >> * Privatize Transportation Infrastructure * Free-market Emergency
>> Services
>> >> * Open Migration * Transfer Government Schools To The Private Sector *
>> >> Eliminate Regulation *
>> >>
>> >> *VOTE LIBERTARIAN * 800-ELECT-US or http://www.LP.org <
>> http://www.lp.org/
>> >>> *
>> >>
>> =========================================================================
>> >>
>>
>>
>
> --
>
> *  In Liberty,*
>
> *Libertarian Party and Libertarian National Committee Secretary *- Caryn.Ann.
> Harlos at LP.org  or Secretary at LP.org.
> *Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee* - LPedia at LP.org
> Call me at 561.523.2250 and follow my public figure page at
> facebook.com/pinkflameofliberty/
>
> =========================================================================
> Peaceful Commerce With All Nations * Non-interventionism * Re-Legalize All
> Drugs * End Government Intrusion In The Bedroom * Repeal All Gun Laws *
> Abolish All Taxation * Sound, Free-market Money * Abolish The Fed * End
> Corporate & Individual Welfare * Abolish The IRS and Repeal the Income Tax
> * Privatize Transportation Infrastructure * Free-market Emergency Services
> * Open Migration * Transfer Government Schools To The Private Sector *
> Eliminate Regulation *
>
> *VOTE LIBERTARIAN * 800-ELECT-US or http://www.LP.org *
> =========================================================================
>


-- 

*  In Liberty,*

*Libertarian Party and Libertarian National Committee Secretary *- Caryn.Ann.
Harlos at LP.org  or Secretary at LP.org.
*Chair, LP Historical Preservation Committee* - LPedia at LP.org
Call me at 561.523.2250 and follow my public figure page at
facebook.com/pinkflameofliberty/

=========================================================================
Peaceful Commerce With All Nations * Non-interventionism * Re-Legalize All
Drugs * End Government Intrusion In The Bedroom * Repeal All Gun Laws *
Abolish All Taxation * Sound, Free-market Money * Abolish The Fed * End
Corporate & Individual Welfare * Abolish The IRS and Repeal the Income Tax
* Privatize Transportation Infrastructure * Free-market Emergency Services
* Open Migration * Transfer Government Schools To The Private Sector *
Eliminate Regulation *

*VOTE LIBERTARIAN * 800-ELECT-US or http://www.LP.org *
=========================================================================

More information about the Lnc-business mailing list