[Lnc-business] Requests for agenda items

[Joe Bishop-Henchman]

Going backwards:

#4 I am fine with detailing transparency requirements, and indeed other 
requirements people may find essential to spell out. I am not sure what 
you mean about removing delegate gains they wanted, but I don't think 
there's disagreement here. If you point me to something that already 
exists, I'd be happy to move that amendment or second your moving of it.

#3 I can go either way on the committee choosing its chair vs. the LNC 
selecting the chair. We practice both for different committees and I 
don't know if one is obviously better than the other. There is a danger 
of a committee grinding to a halt if the committee chair is opposed by a 
majority of his or her own committee.

#2 I believe the executive committee must be a workable size. We 
probably disagree on this, but I think delegates' criteria for Chair and 
Vice Chair are to be general representatives of the party as a whole, 
while for Secretary and Treasurer are more for the carrying out of 
specialized tasks. Outside of state LPs and many state governments, 
secretaries and treasurers are usually appointed and not elected. I will 
accept the will of the LNC as a whole on this, though.

#1 I consider the question of APRC confidentiality an unrelated issue, 
with the intention to incorporate whatever the LNC as a whole decides.


JBH

------------
Joe Bishop-Henchman
LNC Member (At-Large)
joe.bishop-henchman at lp.org
www.facebook.com/groups/189510455174837

On 2019-07-11 09:21, Caryn Ann Harlos wrote:
> I briefly took a look Mr. Bishop-Henchman, and would like you to
> consider several objections/points.  I could not support as is.  I may
> have further comments when I think on it some more.  I really like the
> overall idea and want to support.
> 
> 1.  The APRC secrecy guidelines need to go.  Mr. Olsen and I will be
> working on new language for that section, and if that is adopted
> first, then that would take of this.  But in any event, I will not
> approve anything that has those secrecy requirements ever.
> 
> 2.  Removing the Secretary and the Treasurer from the Executive
> Committee is highly offensive  - we are officers in this party  per
> our Bylaws and the delegates get to determine that we are not.  I
> would not be exaggerating to say I was appalled at that.  Upon until
> that point, I was like yes, yes, yes, I can work with this, and then
> that - which is an absolute demeaning of the trust the delegates
> placed in Mr. Hagan and I.  I was joking on social media that I was
> going to change my title to Minutes Maid, it seems like you in
> actually would live to do that.
> 
> 3.  I would require that the LNC appoint the chairs of those
> committees and that they must be LNC members.  Otherwise this is an
> unacceptable divesture of our responsibilities.
> 
> 4.  There must be transparency protocol in place as this also
> effectively removes nearly all the gains the delegates said they
> wanted.
> 
> I am willing to work with you on alternatives if you are willing.  I
> can say though that if you are amenable to changing number 2, we do
> not have a starting place.  Please let me know.
> 
> IN LIBERTY,
> 
> __
> 
> _ PERSONAL NOTE:  I have what is commonly known as Asperberger's
> Syndrome (part of the autism spectrum).  This can effect
> inter-personal communication skills in both personal and electronic
> arenas.  If anyone found anything offensive or overly off-putting (or
> some other social faux pas), please contact me privately and let me
> know.  I am asking you to help me - in a diverse world, we must work
> to meet each other halfway._
> 
> On Thu, Jul 11, 2019 at 7:04 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 [1]
>> 
>> 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
> 
> 
> Links:
> ------
> [1] http://www.facebook.com/groups/189510455174837