[Lnc-business] Requests for agenda items

[Joe Bishop-Henchman]

As drafted, yes. The idea would be that staff oversight is the 
responsibility of LNC members and therefore membership should be limited 
to them.

However, I am a big admirer of the Convention Oversight Committee and 
the Ballot Access Committee, and in a way modeled much of this proposal 
on emulating the successes of those committees. And they have non-LNC 
members. So maybe that needs to change in this proposal.

JBH

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

On 2019-07-11 09:50, Sam Goldstein wrote:
> 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