[Lnc-business] Requests for agenda items

[Alex Merced (LNC Vice Chair)]

I support this motion, thank you JBH!

Alex Merced
Vice Chair of the Libertarian National Committee/LP

> On Jul 11, 2019, at 9:04 AM, Joe Bishop-Henchman via Lnc-business <lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:
> 
> Mr. Chair,
> 
> I request agenda time for the following.
> 
> Resolution to develop details to establish 5 LNC standing committees, disestablish 4 existing committees, and enhance LNC oversight to monitor and strengthen staff marketing, fundraising, budget, and campaign strategies.
> 
> WHEREAS, this is a key time for the Libertarian Party, juggling multiple key priorities in ballot access, litigation, candidate recruitment, data resources, fundraising, legal compliance, marketing, membership recruitment and retention, staff development, and more; and
> 
> WHEREAS, both in allocating scarce resources among these many priorities and in making the case to potential donors to support these priorities, it is essential to have clear operations, fundraising, marketing, and campaign strategies for the year, and clear line of sight for staff management and LNC oversight; and
> 
> WHEREAS, the LNC can offer a vital role monitoring and strengthening our staff as they carry out their operations, fundraising, marketing, and campaign strategy roles; and
> 
> WHEREAS, this oversight role is most effective through specialization, focus, and institutional champions rather than everyone generally responsible for everything; and
> 
> WHEREAS, the amount of responsiblity and oversight that falls on the LNC, in dollar amounts, number of staff, scope, and long-term vision, is so large as to make it difficult to do within the general LNC meeting each quarter by everyone; and
> 
> WHEREAS, current periodic reports to the LNC are inconsistent in their length, inclusion of metrics, focus on short-term activity and long-term goals, and other items vital to meaningful overisght; and
> 
> WHEREAS, it is desirable to align LNC members and LNC staff on those operations, fundraising, marketing, and campaign strategies through the process of periodically reviewing strategic direction and monitoring ongoing implementation and metrics; and
> 
> WHEREAS, a standing committee structure reflects the best practices of most successful Boards and organizations, particularly ones with large Boards and multiple responsibilities and goals, and the success we've had with committees focused on ballot access and the convention; and
> 
> WHEREAS, a standing committee structure would enable proposals to be fine-tuned and perfected by those who follow the area most closely, enabling the full LNC to vote on vetted proposals that clearly identify pros and cons rather than drafts-in-progress; and
> 
> WHEREAS, a committee structure focusing Board members on the areas of operations/budget, fundraising, marketing/membership, and campaigns/candidates parallels the intended focus of our staff structure on those four general areas;
> 
> THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LNC establish a drafting committee to prepare, for the LNC's consideration, formal language effectuating the following changes to the Policy Manual and LNC operations:
> 
> STANDING COMMITTEES
> 
> Standing committees exist to monitor and strengthen LNC staff executing certain areas of responsibility. As an oversight function, their role is to set goals and review strategy, and not to execute tasks except as indicated herein.
> 
> The LNC shall have five standing committees:
> Budget & Operations Oversight
> Fundraising Oversight
> Marketing & Membership Oversight
> Campaigns & Candidates Oversight
> Procedures & Positions
> 
> 1. Budget & Operations Oversight Committee. The committee shall give oversight to operations activity of our staff. The committee is tasked with annually reviewing staff's budget submission and presenting a recommended budget to the full LNC for its consideration, and effectuating it once approved, forwarding recommendations for modifications to the LNC from time to time as deemed necessary. In its oversight and activity, the committee's objectives shall be an LNC that (a) follows an adopted budget that reflects the goals adopted by the LNC; (b) has positive cash flow and adequate cash reserve; (c) has positive net assets; (d) is 100 percent compliant with legal obligations; (e) adopts best practices for staff talent development and human resources; (f) plans for staff needs, recruitment, and other operating or capital spending needed to advance long-term goals; and (g) ensures safe, modern, and accountable use of resources and adoption of best practices for operations and risk management. The LNC Treasurer shall be a voting member of this Committee.
> 
> 2. Fundraising Oversight Committee. The committee shall give oversight to fundraising activity of our staff. The committee is tasked with annually reviewing the standing staff fundraising strategy presented to it for its consideration, forwarding recommendations for modifications to the LNC from time to time as deemed necessary. In its oversight and activity, the committee's objectives shall be an LNC that (a) raises the funds as envisioned in its adopted budget; (b) contributes to positive net cash flow; (c) has clear strategies for prospecting and qualifying donors, and monitors the metrics (# meetings had, direct mail response rates, etc.) thereof; (d) has clear strategies for asking donors, and monitors the metrics (dollars raised, renewal rates, etc.) thereof; (e) has clear strategies for stewarding and cultivating donors and monitors the metrics (renewal rates) thereof; (f) has clear differentiating strategies between major donors and other donors; and (g) assists staff in fundraising events and trainings.
> 
> 3. Marketing & Membership Oversight Committee. The committee shall give oversight to the marketing activity of our staff. The committee is tasked with annually reviewing the standing staff marketing strategy presented to it for its consideration, forwarding recommendations for modifications to the LNC from time to time as deemed necessary. The committee is also tasked with the responsibilities currently assigned to the APRC, with its activities in this regard subject to the confidentiality limitations as outlined in the current policy manual. In its oversight and activity, the committee's objectives shall be an LNC that (a) enhances the Party's public standing and promotes its brand; (b) gets positive media attention for the accomplishments and activities of the Party and its elected and appointed officials; (c) improves awareness of the Party and its candidates among target audiences; (d) attracts and retain volunteers and members among target audiences; (e) reinforces fundraising and candidate support objectives; (f) increases vote totals for Libertarian candidates; and (g) adequately promotes new initiatives and projects.
> 
> 4. Campaigns & Candidates Oversight Committee. The committee shall give oversight to the campaign and candidate recruitment and support activity of our staff. The committee is tasked with annually reviewing the standing staff campaign and candidate support strategy presented to it for its consideration, forwarding recommendations for modifications to the LNC from time to time as deemed necessary. In its oversight and activity, the committee's objectives shall be an LNC that (a) elects and re-elects Libertarians to public office; (b) identifies affiliate and candidate needs; (c) promotes best practices in campaign tactics and techniques; (d) provides data resources such as the CRM project and training to our affiliates and candidates; (e) targets resources to national, state, and local campaigns that are winnable or important for ballot access; (f) recruits candidates; and (g) prioritizes 50-state-plus-DC ballot access.
> 
> 5. Procedures & Positions Committee. The committee is tasked with reviewing and fine-tuning proposed modifications to the Policy Manual, resolutions of LNC public positions, the LNC's own operations, or other LNC rules not under the purview of the Bylaws & Rules Committee. The committee is also tasked with general ethical accountability of the LNC and its members, including recommending to the full LNC any additions to or revisions to organizational, document retention, whistleblower, conflict of interest, or other similar LNC-adopted policies. The Chair of the Procedures Committee is the designated recipient of whistleblower information. In its oversight and activity, the committee's objectives shall be an LNC that (a) meets the highest ethical standards; (b) has adopted procedures enabling us to operate quickly to take advantage of opportunities but in a way that is fair to its members; (c) organizationally monitors and strengthens our staff in their role carrying out the broad goals stated for them; and (d) ensuring public policy resolutions to be considered by the LNC are drafted to be accurate, principled, and timely.
> 
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the drafting committee should recommend procedures for the standing committees, which may include the following:
> 
> Each LNC member, the term in this respect inclusive of regional alternates, shall be entitled to sit as a voting member on on no fewer than one committee, and shall not sit on more than three committees. No standing committee shall have fewer than five members or more than nine members.
> 
> At the earliest opportunity in any meeting after the new term of the LNC commences, the LNC Chair and LNC Vice Chair shall together solicit each LNC member's ranked preference for committee choices and jointly present a comprehensive list of assignments to the LNC for its consideration, modification, and approval. Committee assignments may be subsequently modified by the LNC as if it was any other business, without referral to committee. If the Chair and Vice Chair cannot agree on a joint list to present, the LNC shall in open session assign its members to committees through procedures it deems appropriate.
> 
> Each committee shall elect a chair and a vice chair from its members at its first meeting, and until that time the longest-serving LNC member on the committee shall act as interim committee chair. In the event of subsequent vacancy in the post of committee chair, the vice chair shall automatically become chair and the committee shall elect a new vice chair. No person may be Chair of more than one standing committee.
> 
> The LNC Chair and LNC Vice Chair shall be ex officio non-voting members of all five standing committees. The LNC Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer may not be Chair of any standing committee.
> 
> Each committee shall meet regularly, monthly if practicable, by phone, web conference, or in-person. All resolutions or proposals sponsored by two (2) or more members shall be referred by the Chair within forty-eight (48) hours to one or more germane standing committees. Proposals referred to a committee shall be considered by that committee at its next regular meeting, or at a special meeting called by the committee chair with at least twenty-four (24) hours notice on the LNC list and actual notice to all members. Should a majority of the voting members of the LNC so request, a proposal shall bypass all committees and proceed to immediate LNC action, either by email ballot or placed on the agenda at the next meeting as the sponsors choose.
> 
> The committee to which a proposal is referred shall consider the proposal, adopt amendments and make other modifications as it deems fit, and then shall forward to the full LNC with one of the following recommendations and any explanation or summary the committee deems fit to provide: immediate email ballot and do pass, immediate email ballot and do not pass, immediate email ballot and no recommendation, consideration at the next LNC meeting and do pass, consideration at the next LNC meeting and do not pass, consideration at the next LNC meeting and no recommendation. If the committee fails to make such a recommendation within forty (40) days, it is automatically discharged from committee to be considered at the next LNC meeting.
> 
> A majority of a committee consists of a majority of those participating in the committee meeting, or if done by e-mail ballot, a majority of the committee membership. Committee chairs have full voting privileges.
> 
> At each LNC meeting, each proposal shall identify the committee(s) to which the proposal was referred, any changes made in committee and a summary thereof, and the recommendation from the committee(s), if any.
> 
> The Chair or staff shall present to each committee all draft contracts or other proposed agreements under its purview for consideration.
> 
> EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
> Executive Committee. The executive committee shall consist of the LNC Chair, LNC Vice Chair, and the five chairs of the standing committees as voting members. Membership in the executive committee shall not be considered a standing committee for purposes of the limit on total number of committees one member may be on.
> 
> SPECIAL COMMITTEES
> Special committees are permanent committees that exist to each execute one vital LNC responsibility, and include a mix of LNC and non-LNC members. Membership on these special committees shall not be considered a standing committee for purposes of the limit on total number of committees one member may be on:
> 
> [No changes to membership or responsibilities of these committees]
> Audit Committee.
> Awards Committee.
> Ballot Access Committee.
> Convention Oversight Committee.
> Historical Preservation Committee.
> Information Technology Committee.
> Youth Engagement Committee.
> 
> COMMITTEES ESTABLISHED BY THE BYLAWS
> These committees are committees established by the Members in Convention to carry out vital tasks.  Membership on these committees shall not be considered a standing committee for purposes of the limit on total number of committees one member may be on:
> Bylaws & Rules
> Platform
> Credentials
> 
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proposal put forward by the drafting committee shall disestablish the following committees: Affiliate Support (duties assumed by Campaigns & Candidates), APRC (duties assumed by Marketing Committee), Candidate Support (duties assumed by Campaigns & Candidates), EPCC (duties assumed by Budget & Operations and Policies & Procedures).
> 
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the policy manual should create a formal orientation for new members, including providing them with the current Budget, staff marketing plan, staff fundraising plan, policy manual, committee information, and other relevant documents.
> 
> JBH
> 
> ------------
> Joe Bishop-Henchman
> LNC Member (At-Large)
> joe.bishop-henchman at lp.org
> www.facebook.com/groups/189510455174837
> 
>> On 2019-07-10 21:03, Nicholas Sarwark via Lnc-business wrote:
>> Dear All,
>> I am preparing the agenda for our upcoming meeting in Austin. If you have
>> specific agenda items you would like to request, please let me know.
>> Yours truly,
>> Nick