[Lnc-business] Update from Illinois

[William Redpath]

I just spoke with LPIL Chair and Delegation Chair Steve Suess.  The LPIL
had a full slate of 37 delegates for the national convention.  Of those,
he says, now only 5 are going to Orlando (I know, probably not all 37
would have gone to Austin, but still...).  And, we've got a week to go
for possible further attrition. 

I don't know the economics of this convention well enough to
prognosticate what the LNC should do to maximize its gain or minimize
its loss from this convention, but could it be that cancellation is the
least bad financial option at this point?  I don't know.  I will leave
it to Bette Rose, et al. to number crunch that. 

A fair amount has been made on this list about potential delegate
personal financial losses.  As sportscaster Warner Wolf used to say,
"Let's go to the videotape!"  

Delegates can ask for their convention package payment back (many will
not, and fewer will, if we ask nicely).  They can cancel the hotel at no
penalty at this time.  They may not get a refund from their airline
ticket but will almost certainly get full credit on a future ticket to
be used over the next year or two.  I think very few people would suffer
economic loss, and there might be a net economic gain if the employed
save some vacation days. 

Don't necessarily look to hotel reservations to judge attendance.  I
surmise that many reservations have not been cancelled yet.  

The "Will of the Delegates" did vote for a second sitting in
Orlando--over a tenth of a year ago.  A lot has happened since then that
could not have been foreseen. 

Yes, some people are speaking up loudly on both sides of this issue, but
what does the actual body of delegates think NOW?  That is the truly
relevant question, and if it is to go forward with the second sitting in
Orlando, so be it.  However, if that were to occur without remote
access, so that delegates can participate in the convention from
wherever they are, that would have very harmful ramifications for the
LP. 

I do think a poll of the delegates should be taken again ASAP to
ascertain across all delegations #1) what are their current attendance
plans?, and #2) do they want the second sitting to occur July 9-12?  I
think #1 is far more important than #2 in forming a decision.  After
all, what is going to happen if only one-seventh of the credentialed
delegates show? 

I think all of us greatly respect the convention knowledge and very hard
work of the COC for both Austin and Orlando, and I would very much
regret little to nothing ultimately coming of it in 2020.  But, I think
there is still time, for the overall good of the Libertarian Party, to
get a good handle on what all of the delegates are thinking right now,
and that could be effected very quickly. 

Bill Redpath 

On 2020-06-30 23:09, john.phillips--- via Lnc-business wrote:

> You remember I already did that ;)  
> 
> Teasing aside, I 100% support this and wholeheartedly sign on.  Thank you
> 
> John Phillips
> Libertarian National Committee Region 6 Representative
> Cell 217-412-5973 
> 
> On Jun 30, 2020 11:02 PM, Caryn Ann Harlos via Lnc-business <lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:
> 
>> I call upon my fellow LNC members to promise to support and work for remote 
>> participation if the in person convention goes forward. 
>> 
>> I do so pledge. 
>> 
>> *  In Liberty,* 
>> * Personal Note:  I have what is commonly known as Asperger's Syndrome 
>> (part of the autism spectrum).  This can affect 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) in an actual email, please contact me privately and let me know.  *