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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>This will serve as formal notice to the affiliates that the LNC Secretary, Ruth Bennett, has resigned. It is my understanding that Ms. Bennett will be issuing a formal statement soon, and I will forward this once received. I wish to thank Ms. Bennett for all she has done for liberty, and I support her decision.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have appointed Dr. James Lark to serve as secretary pro tem. He will perform all required functions of the Secretary until the LNC has selected a new Secretary. Dr. Lark has informed the LNC that he does not intend to seek the position on a permanent basis. He still remains a Regional Representative, and will only cast one vote on any LNC proceedings. My thanks to Dr. Lark for stepping up to the plate during this transitional period.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I intend to appoint a new Secretary as soon as possible. The process will be as follows:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We will be accepting self-nominations for Secretary immediately, and nominations will close at midnight on January 24<sup>th</sup>, 2013 (Eastern). Nominations should be sent to <a href="mailto:Secretary@lp.org">Secretary@lp.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shortly thereafter, the secretary pro tem will submit a mail ballot to select a new Secretary. The mail ballot rules provide for a voting period of ten days. If no nominee receives the required majority vote, we will proceed with the same basic procedure we use in convention – drop the lowest and vote again.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My intent is that we have a new properly appointed Secretary in place before our March 16<sup>th</sup> & 17<sup>th</sup> LNC meeting in Chicago.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For the record, I have received self-nominations from David Blau, Chuck Moulton and Gary Johnson (of Texas).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Geoffrey Neale<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chair, Libertarian Party<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>