<div dir='auto'>Thank you for that gracious offer Mr Lark. Your words are well spoken as always.<div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">I look forward as well to your list of dates. I found it very helpful last year as well.<br><br><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature" dir="auto">John Phillips<br>Libertarian National Committee Region 6 Representative<br>Cell 217-412-5973</div></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Dec 29, 2019 8:20 PM, "james.lark--- via Lnc-business" <lnc-business@hq.lp.org> wrote:<br type="attribution" /><blockquote class="quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><p dir="ltr">Dear colleagues:
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
I hope all is well with you, and that you and your loved ones have enjoyed a
<br>
wonderful holiday season. I am writing to offer some comments about various
<br>
items; I hope you will find these comments worthy of your attention.
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
1) In a separate message, I shall send Dan Fishman a Word file that
<br>
contains a list of dates and events in 2020 that may be worthy of note; I
<br>
shall cc the LNC-Business list with the message. The purpose of this list
<br>
is to help LPHQ and state affiliates prepare outreach material (including
<br>
press releases and op-eds) well in advance of such dates and events. (I
<br>
believe we should prepare as much material as possible well in advance so
<br>
that we don't have to scramble as these dates and events approach.)
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
As some of you may remember, I have prepared and distributed a "dates of
<br>
interest" calendar each December for several years. From the feedback I
<br>
have received, many of our LP colleagues have found the calendar to be
<br>
helpful in their planning.
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
2) In a separate message, I shall vote to sustain the ruling of the chair
<br>
regarding the motion of Mr. Phillips. I believe there is a reasonable
<br>
argument that Robert's Rules (as applied per Article 16 of the LP Bylaws)
<br>
allows the LNC some latitude with respect to the matter in dispute.
<br>
However, I also believe the most reasonable interpretation of the Bylaws
<br>
(with respect to both the letter of the law and to LP custom) is that
<br>
refusing to accept submission of the certification and an accompanying
<br>
payment for sustaining membership is tantamount to the LNC imposing an
<br>
additional criterion (or criteria) for membership.
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
I hope the Bylaws and Rules Committee members will seek to craft language by
<br>
which the Bylaws can be amended to provide guidance to the LNC in such
<br>
situations. If I have the opportunity, I shall endeavor to prepare
<br>
suggested language for consideration by the Committee.
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
3) Regarding the specific situation of the person in question, Mr. Phillips
<br>
has graciously sought to find a way to deal with the many legitimate issues
<br>
and concerns that have arisen. Allow me to offer a suggestion in this
<br>
matter.
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
I believe it would be appropriate for Mr. Sarwark to send a message to the
<br>
person in question in which he (Mr. Sarwark) provides the following:
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
* Information about the Libertarian Party, including our platform and
<br>
bylaws
<br>
<br>
* A brief statement of why the person's membership has raised concerns
<br>
<br>
* A suggestion that the person end the membership until the LP members
<br>
assembled at the 2020 national convention offer guidance in this situation.
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Mr. Sarwark's message could also include an invitation for the person to
<br>
provide information about the convictions and subsequent legal efforts. I
<br>
shall be happy to assist Mr. Sarwark in crafting such a message if he is so
<br>
inclined.
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
As always, thanks for your work for liberty. Best wishes to you for a great
<br>
2020.
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Take care,
<br>
<br>
Jim
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
James W. Lark, III
<br>
Professor, Dept. of Engineering Systems and Environment
<br>
Professor, Applied Mathematics Program, Dept. of Engineering and Society
<br>
Affiliated Faculty, Department of Statistics
<br>
University of Virginia
<br>
<br>
Advisor, The Liberty Coalition
<br>
University of Virginia
<br>
<br>
Region 5 Representative, Libertarian National Committee
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</p>
</blockquote></div><br></div>