[Lnc-business] Requests for agenda items

[Sam Goldstein]

Mr. Bishop-Henchman.

If I'm reading your proposal correctly it would remove the ability of 
non-LNC members of the party to serve on the various committees.  
Currently non-LNC members serve on two of the committees your proposal 
would eliminate.

Please correct me if I missed this in the proposal.

Live Free,

---
Sam Goldstein
Libertarian National Committee
317-850-0726 Cell

On 2019-07-11 09:37, Joe Bishop-Henchman via Lnc-business wrote:
> 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