<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"><head><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml><o:OfficeDocumentSettings><o:AllowPNG/><o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch></o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--></head><body>
<style type="text/css" scoped> blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px #715FFA solid !important; padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white !important; } </style><div id="yiv1857785557"><div><div style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18079"><span id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18264">I'm a bit confused, and maybe a member of the Bylaws Committee can clear things up. First I read that the Bylaws Committee voted to make either its meetings or its e-mail deliberations secret. However, the Bylaws Committee Chair wrote that the committee </span>has not adopted any motions regarding its conduct. Is it that the e-mail list will be used only for informal deliberations and no votes nor business done on it?</div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18393"><br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_22165">I admit that I didn't pay attention to how the Bylaws Committees operated recently, other than filling out the surveys, to know if the custom has changed. But back in the old days when the committee did almost all of its work at in-person meetings just prior to conventions, the meetings were open to all party members to observe. From what I've heard from members of the current Bylaws Committee, they need clarification on what they can repeat of the contents from the e-mail deliberations and from meetings where non-members were not invited. <br clear="none"></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18392"><br clear="none"></div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18156"><span id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_22405">Thanks,<br clear="none"></span></div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18155"><span id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18394">Tim Hagan</span></div><div class="yiv1857785557qtdSeparateBR" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18085"><br clear="none"><br clear="none"></div><div class="yiv1857785557yahoo_quoted" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18089" style="display:block;"> <div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18088" style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"> <div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18087" style="font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"> <div dir="ltr" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18086"> <div class="yiv1857785557yqt0942801744" id="yiv1857785557yqtfd19321"><hr id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18153" size="1"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold;">From:</span></b> Joshua Katz <planning4liberty@gmail.com><br clear="none"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold;">To:</span></b> lnc-business@hq.lp.org <br clear="none"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sent:</span></b> Monday, May 22, 2017 6:14 PM<br clear="none"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [Lnc-business] (no subject)<br clear="none"> </div></div><div class="yiv1857785557yqt0942801744" id="yiv1857785557yqtfd77591"> <div class="yiv1857785557y_msg_container" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18127"><br clear="none"><div id="yiv1857785557"><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18129"><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18128">Mr. Hayes, thank you for your questions.<div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18261"><br clear="none"></div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18227">First, the bylaws committee has not held a single executive session. It is unlikely to hold a single executive session. If it chose to, it could hold every one of its meetings in executive session, but that would be counterproductive. The rules you cite for executive session are for the LNC, and are found in the Policy Manual. The bylaws committee, as should be easily recognized, is not the LNC.</div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_22396"><br clear="none"></div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18361">Committees operate under the following rule: "During actual deliberations of the committee, only committee members have the <i>right </i>to be present." (p. 501, emphasis added). Committees may decide to allow non-members to be present, on a meeting by meeting basis, but cannot adopt a rule to that effect due to a rule cited on another thread. That does not make the content of the meetings secret. It does not make the topics considered, or what was said about them, secret. Those are the crucial characteristics of executive sessions, hence, such rules do not describe an executive session.</div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18229"><br clear="none"></div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18249">My interpretation of that rule, which is not a ruling since I may only issue a ruling during a meeting, and this is an email, not a meeting, is that members should not reveal to non-members the identities of those making the arguments or how individuals voted at a meeting where the committee has chosen not to invite non-members. If the committee wanted that information known, it would open the meeting to non-members. What about emails? Emails are part of the committee deliberation, and are identified by author. It's a close case, since emails are not meetings. As I've pointed out before, RONR limits its comments on email voting to little more than "its hard, and if you decide to do it, you figure it out." In my opinion, it similarly should not be shared without committee permission.</div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18250"><br clear="none"></div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18251">Some confusion seems to have been created by the special rules the LNC has adopted for itself, and those placed into the bylaws regarding the LNC. Let's clarify that. The parent assembly of the bylaws committee, and other bylaws-mandated committees, is the convention, not the LNC. The LNC has some powers in connection with those committees (appointment of members, selection of a temporary chair, and writing rules regarding electronic meetings are those which come to mind). As such, with the exception of the rules adopted by the LNC for the conduct of electronic meetings (which authorize committees to opt in to recording, but do not require recording, and permit committees to allow non-members to attend, but do not require committees to do so), the rules the LNC adopts for its own conduct bear no relation to such committees. Nor may the LNC make rules for such committees, except as specifically authorized in the bylaws. Finally, as noted, such committees may not adopt rules for themselves which conflict with those in the bylaws or, where the bylaws are silent, with our parliamentary authority.</div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18252"><br clear="none"></div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18254"><br clear="none"></div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18253">The bylaws committee has, in fact, not adopted any motions regarding its conduct. Your inquiry is apparently launched by the committee's failure to do so, and implicit decision (so far) to abide by the rules in RONR without modification. As I pointed out at our last meeting, I disagree with the tendency to consider the choice to abide by our established rules as somehow abnormal or a "screw-up." </div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18296"><br clear="none"></div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18297">Having discussed to whom the bylaws committee reports, I will also review the purpose of committees and why they behave differently from assemblies. While exceptions exist, in general the purpose of committees is to research a topic or question and make recommendations. The bylaws committee is no exception (while several LNC-created committees are). The bylaws committee prepares a report showing its recommendations, which are then adopted, or not, by its parent assembly. The committee decides nothing on behalf of the party. The only decision it makes is to make recommendations, and those recommendations it chooses to make are, of course, fully publicly available. RONR says "When a committee is to make substantive recommendations . . . it should give members of the society an opportunity to appear before it and present their views on the subject a time scheduled by the committee." The committee has every intention to do so, both electronically and in person, and via surveys, as it has done in the past. There is no suggestion that it is useful for members of the society to know who introduced what proposals, who said what in debate, and so on. Sharing such information, in my opinion (and only my opinion - we can't infer the reasons people vote for things) politicizes the committee's work, and causes committee members to picture each comment, such as an attempt to wordsmith a proposal with which they may disagree, being blasted across various social media platforms. Nor is it conducive to delegates making decisions on the merits of the proposals. Knowing that I introduced a proposal tells you nothing about the proposal, yet might be the basis of a campaign to "vote no on the Katz motion." </div><div><br clear="none"></div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18309">On the other hand, there are arguments for making such things available, and for inviting all to attend our meetings. That's why the committee has to decide - there are arguments for both positions. The LNC does not get to decide because the committee does not answer to the LNC. As chair, I will do as the committee directs. My own opinion is that there is useful transparency, such as the aforementioned hearings, and working to make sure that adopted proposals are available to the public as soon as possible so that useful feedback can be gotten, less useful, and harmful. But then, I only rarely even vote on motions in committee, and hardly ever debate. </div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18322"><br clear="none"></div><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18311">I am also not particularly persuaded by the fact that different sorts of organizations, which serve different functions, have different sorts of rules, either internally (the LNC, for instance) or externally imposed (such as Sunshine Laws). In particular, pointing out that a committee would not be allowed to act a certain way if it were a government agency strikes me as a little like pointing out that I could not eat chocolate if I were a dog. It's true, but I don't learn anything from it. I have a different internal chemistry. The bylaws committee has no independent power and governs nothing. </div></div><div class="yiv1857785557gmail_extra" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18320"><br clear="all"><div><div class="yiv1857785557gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr">Joshua A. Katz<div><br clear="none"></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<br clear="none"><div class="yiv1857785557gmail_quote" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18330">On Mon, May 22, 2017 at 3:44 PM, <span dir="ltr"><<a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" ymailto="mailto:danielehayes@icloud.com" target="_blank" href="mailto:danielehayes@icloud.com">danielehayes@icloud.com</a>></span> wrote:<br clear="none"><blockquote class="yiv1857785557gmail_quote" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18329" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;"><div class="yiv1857785557yqt4601665201" id="yiv1857785557yqt08467"><div id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18328" lang="EN-US"><div class="yiv1857785557m_1860038582116045332WordSection1" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18327"><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal">All, and especially Mr. Katz in his role as chairman of the Bylaws Committee,<u></u><u></u></div><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18362">It has come to my attention and my brain momentarily allotted enough bandwidth to really think about this. Under what authority are our bylaws meetings secret? (No, Starchild has not hijacked my computer). Specifically Ms. Harlos is acting like she just joined Fight Club. Ms. 1000 Emails being mostly clammed shut. I am worried she might end up like the kid from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie that got the experimental candy.<br clear="none"><br clear="none">These are all the reasons for going into executive session in our rules with a majority vote.<br clear="none">• Legal matters (potential, pending, or past) <u></u><u></u></div><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal">• Regulatory and compliance matters (potential, pending, or past) <u></u><u></u></div><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18356">• Contractual compliance <u></u><u></u></div><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal">• Personnel matters (including evaluation, compensation, hiring, or dismissal) <u></u><u></u></div><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18364">• Board self-evaluation <u></u><u></u></div><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal">• Strategic issues (only those requiring confidentiality) <u></u><u></u></div><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18326">• Negotiations (potential, pending, or past) <br clear="none">Other topics require a two-thirds vote of LNC.<br clear="none"> No action can be taken while in Executive Session.<br clear="none">Discussion of action which may be taken in Open Session can occur.<br clear="none"><br clear="none"><br clear="none">The reasons for going into Executive session are supposed to be listed if a vote was taken.<br clear="none"><br clear="none">But when I ask about the vote to go into executive session I am told that there was no vote.<br clear="none"><br clear="none">I realize that we have rules all over the place and I might be missing something, hence I am asking, Why?<br clear="none"><br clear="none">Someone enlighten me as to what’s up before I slam big brown(11<sup>th</sup> ed.) on down.<br clear="none"><br clear="none">How is this remotely in line with what this organization stands for?<br clear="none">I would flip a gasket if the Louisiana Legislature was operating in this manner. This wouldn’t pass muster under Sunshine Laws for government. Let that sink in.<br clear="none"><br clear="none"><br clear="none">Daniel Hayes<br clear="none">LNC At Large Member<u></u><u></u></div><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18390"><u></u> <u></u></div><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></div><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal">Sent from <a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986">Mail</a> for Windows 10</div><div class="yiv1857785557MsoNormal" id="yiv1857785557yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1495509289234_18389"><u></u> <u></u></div></div></div></div><br clear="none">______________________________ _________________<br clear="none">
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