[Lnc-business] Various items

[james.lark at lp.org]

Dear colleagues:

 

I hope all is well with you, and that you and your loved ones have enjoyed a
wonderful holiday season.  I am writing to offer some comments about various
items; I hope you will find these comments worthy of your attention.

 

1)  In a separate message, I shall send Dan Fishman a Word file that
contains a list of dates and events in 2020 that may be worthy of note; I
shall cc the LNC-Business list with the message.  The purpose of this list
is to help LPHQ and state affiliates prepare outreach material (including
press releases and op-eds) well in advance of such dates and events.  (I
believe we should prepare as much material as possible well in advance so
that we don't have to scramble as these dates and events approach.)  

 

As some of you may remember, I have prepared and distributed a "dates of
interest" calendar each December for several years.  From the feedback I
have received, many of our LP colleagues have found the calendar to be
helpful in their planning.

 

2)  In a separate message, I shall vote to sustain the ruling of the chair
regarding the motion of Mr. Phillips.  I believe there is a reasonable
argument that Robert's Rules (as applied per Article 16 of the LP Bylaws)
allows the LNC some latitude with respect to the matter in dispute.
However, I also believe the most reasonable interpretation of the Bylaws
(with respect to both the letter of the law and to LP custom) is that
refusing to accept submission of the certification and an accompanying
payment for sustaining membership is tantamount to the LNC imposing an
additional criterion (or criteria) for membership.

 

I hope the Bylaws and Rules Committee members will seek to craft language by
which the Bylaws can be amended to provide guidance to the LNC in such
situations.  If I have the opportunity, I shall endeavor to prepare
suggested language for consideration by the Committee.

 

3)  Regarding the specific situation of the person in question, Mr. Phillips
has graciously sought to find a way to deal with the many legitimate issues
and concerns that have arisen.  Allow me to offer a suggestion in this
matter.

 

I believe it would be appropriate for Mr. Sarwark to send a message to the
person in question in which he (Mr. Sarwark) provides the following:

 

*  Information about the Libertarian Party, including our platform and
bylaws

*  A brief statement of why the person's membership has raised concerns

*  A suggestion that the person end the membership until the LP members
assembled at the 2020 national convention offer guidance in this situation.

 

Mr. Sarwark's message could also include an invitation for the person to
provide information about the convictions and subsequent legal efforts.  I
shall be happy to assist Mr. Sarwark in crafting such a message if he is so
inclined.

 

As always, thanks for your work for liberty.  Best wishes to you for a great
2020.

 

Take care,

Jim

 

James W. Lark, III 
Professor, Dept. of Engineering Systems and Environment 
Professor, Applied Mathematics Program, Dept. of Engineering and Society 
Affiliated Faculty, Department of Statistics 
University of Virginia 

Advisor, The Liberty Coalition 
University of Virginia 

Region 5 Representative, Libertarian National Committee