WiFi access permitting, I’ll be liveblogging from the 2019 Libertarian Party of Alabama state convention in Auburn this weekend (in the comments of the website version of this post). Anyone else there is welcome to join me in doing so. I have been told NJ and possibly some other states will be having theirs this weekend also [Update from LP.org: Indiana] so if anyone wants to post updates from those you are welcome to do so, or start a separate thread if you prefer. If you are not already signed up to create posts at IPR and would like to be comment here.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
I like a mix of both of those kinds of speakers.
Paul Frankel,
Secretary, Libertarian Party of Alabama
Thanks for the Alabama convention liveblogging. Much appreciated.
I agree with Andy Craig’s comment about speakers on practical politics appeal to me a lot more than speakers on inspirational topics.
I put up a new thread with the highlights. @pingback.
https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/07/party-secretary-sarah-wires-libertarian-party-of-alabama-convention-report/
https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2013/06/crissy-brown-the-libertarian-party-of-alabama-2013-convention-brings-home-one-key-message-for-the-movement/
https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2013/06/libertarian-party-of-alabama-convention-tomorrow-june-8-2013/
https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2014/05/alabama-new-mexico-libertarian-conventions-today/
https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2015/06/libertarian-party-of-alabama-2015-convention-liveblog/
2016: https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2016/02/watch-eleven-candidates-debate-at-the-joint-mississippi-and-alabama-libertarian-parties-convention/
2018: https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2018/03/liveblogging-from-alabama-libertarian-state-convention-2018-and-other-state-lp-conventions-this-weekend/
So many posts! So maybe a one or two paragraph summary at the end would be good.
Love the hotel photos. Very cool.
I’ve received a draft copy of the bylaws. They are not on the LPA website yet as they are still open to comment for fixing errors if there are any. My contact info is on the about tab at the top of the page if anyone would like to request a copy.
Logan Wetzel, Jacob Hornberger
Logan Wetzel and Frank Dillman
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2134231249946070&set=a.129797080389507&type=3
Richard Fast with convention table, Jacob Hornberger and Ron Bishop
https://www.facebook.com/fastrichard/posts/10157238062949954
Richard sent me photos of handwritten notes. I can email or messenger them to those who are interested and have added him here so he can upload them himself if he so chooses.
Cara Schulz
Yesterday at 7:50 AM
Thank you so much for having me at your convention! It was great getting to meet many of you and I appreciate how many of you attended the candidate training. You have an amazing affiliate.
For those who were at my training, remember when I said that people of modest means are offended when you DONT ask them to donate to your campaign and you show respect for them by asking for a donation? This popped up on my feed last night….
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2210901693/permalink/10157327903646694/
Richard Fast: Cara Schulz Thank you for all you do. I learned a lot.
If anyone wasn’t at the training and is interested, I’ll send you my notes.
Me: Thank you Cara Schulz, great meeting you and the training was both educational and entertaining. Would love to have it on video for the future. In the meantime I will add Richard’s notes to my liveblog of the event at IndependentPoliticalReport.com and to the files area of this group. Your speaking/presentation style was just what was needed on Sunday as I too was very tired from the preceding two days.
Cara Schulz selfie with the class
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214347099411141&set=a.2880758817865&type=3&permPage=1
Cara Schulz
March 23 at 7:37 PM ·
Laura Chancey Lane receives an award, and a standing ovation, for her work this past year for the LPA.
#RiseOfTheLibertarianWomen
https://www.facebook.com/cara.schulz/posts/10214341150582424 (3 photos)
Pike County LP exec com members at LPA convention. L to R: Ash Jennings and Richard Fast are also on the LPA exec comm. Richard Fast and Logan Wetzel are also in Troy University student government and head up the Troy University Libertarians. Sam McHenry of Pike Co LP and Troy U LP is on the right.
Cara Schulz summarizes Koerner presentation
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214338725921809&set=a.2880758817865&type=3&theater&ifg=1
Robin Koerner presenting on Political Psychology – what makes people change their minds on a mass scale.
“A critical culture change happens when masses of people are exposed to an injustice to a person or persons and it outrages them as a human being, not as a Democrat or a Republican or a Libertarian.”
Cara Schulz If you tell a story the listeners feel the pain, too. You engage people in a way that cannot be ideologically resisted.
Paul Vallandigham That’s how Jeff Hewitt got elected: our precinct walkers talked about how he saved taxpayers from higher taxes by starting a city fire department. Political persuasion is very similar to preaching. Only the specific goal is different, not the successful method.
Cara Schulz People need to picture it happening to them.
Cara Schulz If you tell the right story to enough people you don’t have to argue with them.
“I feel what you feel about this injustice” If people believe you feel the way they feel about an injustice, they will accept your solution. “I get what you feel”
Cara Schulz The more that people identify with the victim the more that they will do to right an injustice.
Robin Koerner at LPAL
I currently plan to report live from LP state conventions in TN (March 30) and Arkansas (April 13-15). Outside chance Mississippi (Apr 26-27). Let me know if anyone wants to help with any of those or any other states that are coming up.
Arthur Thomas IV was up from Texas with Whitney Bilyeu
Cara Schulz (not from LPA convention)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCHNXCf4HNc
It’s past the weekend so hammer away on Georgia or any other state all you want.
Post convention exec comm meeting
Transfer of records
Use personal email til national crm ready
Region reps will have access to their regional memberships, county chairs to county
No schedule yet on migration of CRM
Convert website to wordpress
Pierce Godwin wants to do newsletter/blog with state party
Richard Fast moves to move Pike from Region 4 to 3. Elijah seconded
Passes unanimously. Laura Lane will update the map.
PO box moving from Montgomery to Huntsville
Change of address with po and on website
Next meeting 7:30 pm Thursday Apr 25
Same number and pin
POB 2375 Madison AL 35758
https://www.lpalabama.org/leadership has been updated
2nd day – Training with Cara Schulz
Convention adjourned. Exec com meets at 4:20
Fast and Dillman elected at large
Justin Campbell withdraws.
Nominated At Large
Frank Dillman -declined
Peter Loyola – has not been state party member 30 days
Richard Fast
Ron Bishop
Frank Dillman reconsidered, wants to run after all
Justin Campbell
Chair overruled on disqualifying Loyola
Region 1 – Noah Rhys
Region 3 – Ash Jennings
Region 4 – Anthony Peebles
Scott Neighbours new Region 2 rep. No other candidates.
Boyd 14-13 over Bishop.
Ron Bishop nominated for Vice Chair. Elijah Boyd also nominated for Vice Chair. Votes Being Counted. I am nominated and elected for Secretary. Scott Hammond nominated for Treasurer.
No other humans nominated . Lane elected with no votes for NOTA
Back to AL
Laura Lane nominated for chair
Joe Bishop-Henchman
2 mins
I have the privilege of attending the LP Indiana convention this weekend. Great to see over 70 Hoosier Libertarians as they select candidates and decide on strategy for the coming year.
I also want to echo a comment from Andy Craig:
“As for today’s business in particular, it was an excellent decision to dedicate this morning to Nathan Fatal of the Leadership Institute for a training presentation on organization, data management, and campaign skills. Often state parties feel like they need to bust their budget to bring in celebritarian speakers. That doesn’t really do much to increase turnout, and people don’t get as much out of it since such speakers tend to recycle the same speech anybody can watch on YouTube or read in their published works. Practical interactive presentations like this are a much better choice. If you want to have some outside speakers other than this sort of training, consider bringing in local in-state groups an
Robin Koerner videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ6aXKSmIRseMrrtzbWYwfA/videos
I believe that one failed.
Debate on whether state chair should be reimbursed up to $1,000 to attend national convention.
If you are there or know anyone who is please invite them to post updates.
I believe New Mexico is having a state convention this week end as well. Don’t know if anyone there is plugged into IPR.
Garber denies that Ramsey, Hicks et al are racists and defends the speaker line up at the FL convention. As I posted elsewhere:
“Libertarians for Trump,” “Blood and Soil” and simultaneously musing about IQ/race theory and denying that white supremacism even exists at all (among many, many other things) is not libertarianism. And as for the folks who invited them: http://archive.is/t5jC7
Others in attendance include Cara Schulz from national/MN and Spenser Garber who is running for Vice Chair of FL
Back in business, voting on bylaws
Proposed Bylaws Change
Proposed Change to:
ARTICLE IX: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Amend by striking: All mention of version of Robert’s Rules.
It now reads:
ARTICLE IX: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (10th ed.) shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these Bylaws.
If adopted would read:
ARTICLE IX: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these Bylaws.
Recommended by: Leigh LaChine
Proposed Bylaws Change 2
Proposed Change to:
ARTICLE V: CONVENTION
Amend by:
Changing number of days to give notice of Convention and adding wording regarding voting and election of Delegates to National Convention
It now reads:
ARTICLE V: CONVENTION
Section 1. The Party shall hold an annual convention of delegates to conduct such business as may properly come before it, at a time and place set according to these Bylaws and in conformance with these Bylaws and Convention Rules. (2/3 required to amend)
Section 2. It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to set the time, place, and schedule of events for the Annual Convention. At least 30 days notice must be provided to the members concerning these arrangements.
Section 3. In order to vote at the Convention, a Party member must have been a member at least 30 days prior to the date of the Convention.
Section 4. All votes for one or more candidates, officers, or delegates must include as the last selection the option, “None of the Above”(NOTA). If NOTA receives a majority of votes, an entirely new slate of candidates may be offered and a new vote taken, or that position shall go unfilled.
Section 5. At-Large Members of the Executive committee are elected at the Annual convention. Up to two At-Large positions may be filled, but are not required. A single election for both possible seats is conducted in the following manner: Each voting member my cast up to two votes, but no more than one vote for any one candidate or for NOTA. Of the two candidates receiving the highest vote totals, those receiving more votes than NOTA shall be declared elected.
If adopted would read:
ARTICLE V: CONVENTION
Section 1. The Party shall hold an annual convention of delegates to conduct such business as may properly come before it, at a time and place set according to these Bylaws and in conformance with these Bylaws and Convention Rules. (2/3 required to amend)
Section 2. It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to set the time, place, and schedule of events for the Annual Convention. At least sixty days notice must be provided to the members concerning these arrangements.
Section 3. In order to vote at the Convention, a Party member must have been a member at least 30 days prior to the date of the Convention and reside within the state. In order to vote on a given matter, a delegate shall be present on the floor at the time that the vote is taken. Each delegate present shall have one vote.
Section 4. The Chair may require any motion offered from the convention floor to be in writing, to be signed by the maker, and to be submitted to the Secretary.
Section 5. On all matters except elections and endorsements, voting shall be conducted by voice vote or a show of hands. If ten or more delegates object to the Chair’s ruling on the outcome of a vote, a division or counted vote shall be held. On any vote, the Chair may satisfy the first call for a division or counted vote with order in the room and an uncounted show of hands. All voting for Party officers or for endorsements of candidates for public office, when more than one candidate has been nominated, shall be by secret ballot.
Section 6. All votes for one or more candidates, officers, or delegates must include as the last selection the option, “None of the Above”(NOTA). If NOTA receives a majority of votes, an entirely new slate of candidates may be offered and a new vote taken, or that position shall go unfilled.
Section 7. At-Large Members of the Executive committee are elected at the Annual convention. Up to two At-Large positions may be filled, but are not required. A single election for both possible seats is conducted in the following manner: Each voting member my cast up to two votes, but no more than one vote for any one candidate or for NOTA. Of the two candidates receiving the highest vote totals, those receiving more votes than NOTA shall be declared elected.
Section 8. Delegates to the national convention shall be selected at the state convention preceding the national convention.
Section 8.1. The State Chair shall automatically be a delegate and considered the Delegation Chair. The Party will pay for the Chair’s hotel room and travel expenses, up to $1,000.
Section 8.2. Members in attendance at Convention that are Party Lifetime Members, shall be given first choice of delegate seats. Party Executive Committee members in attendance shall be considered secondly. Any delegate spots not filled at this point are open to Party members in attendance at convention.
Section 8.3. After the state convention has selected delegates, any Party member may have their name listed as an alternate. Alternates are not given precedence by Region or County.
Section 8.4. After the state convention has selected delegates, the Executive Committee may fill any vacancies in the delegation prior to the deadline for reporting the names of delegates to the National Party. Any vacancies in the delegation will be filled at National Convention from the alternates currently present by a “drawing of straws.”
Section 8.5. In the event that the Party does not have a full delegation present at National Convention, no alternates from other states will be seated.
Rational:
To give members more time to plan for attending the state convention; to clarify voting procedures, and to clarify how Delegates to National Convention are selected.
Recommended by: Pascal Bruijn, Matt Shelby
Proposed Bylaws Change 3
Proposed Change to:
(None)
Amend by: Adding new ARTICLE V: COUNTY AFFILIATES
If adopted would read:
ARTICLE V: COUNTY AFFILIATES
Section 1. The Party shall be divided into county affiliates. Each county affiliate shall have its own County Executive Committee, consisting of at least four Officers; Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2. State membership shall be the only requirement for County Executive Committee membership. A Party member that resides in an unorganized county may participate in an organized county of their choosing, until such time as the county of their residence becomes an organized affiliate.
Section 3. County Executive Committees shall conduct their business in any manner they choose consistent with these Bylaws.
Section 4. Counties with small memberships may combine into one large organization, provided that counties are allowed to break away in order to form their own separate affiliate if they so desire.
Section 5. The appropriate Region Representative may appoint a county Chair Pro Tem for any county in which there is no active county organization. The Chair Pro Tem must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and return it to the Party Secretary. Upon receipt of the NDA, the Chair Pro Tem shall be provided a list of members in the county. It shall be the responsibility of said Chair Pro Tem to promote the development of a county organization within that county.
Section 6. A county organization is deemed as having selected its officers only if an election notice has been mailed to its members at least fourteen days, but no more than thirty days, in advance of that election. The election notice shall also be sent to and received by the Region Representative and/or Party Secretary at least fourteen days in advance of the election. Such notice shall specify the reason for the meeting and a time and place reasonably accessible to its membership.
Section 6.1. Counties may also adopt county bylaws at the same meeting or hold a separate meeting at a later time. County Executive Committees should then send copies of the bylaws to their Region Representative and/or Party Secretary at least fourteen days before the next State Executive Committee meeting for consideration and approval. If the State Executive Committee approves the County’s bylaws, the county is then considered an organized affiliate.
Section 6.2. Each County Executive Committee may maintain one or more campaign finance funds independent of any campaign finance funds maintained by the State Executive Committee or any other Committees of the Party.
Section 6.3. Each County Executive Committee shall be responsible for compliance with any applicable election and campaign finance laws.
Section 6.4. County Executive Committees may endorse Candidates as per the State Bylaws, Article VI, Section 6.
Section 7. If a county fails to hold meetings at least once per month and/or is not actively promoting the Party’s candidates and message and/or the Executive Committee receives notice from the County that they are disbanded, the State Executive Committee may declare a county organization to be inactive.
Rational:
There has been no procedure for establishing a county affiliate other than standing rules established by the Executive Committee, and it is often argued that “it’s not in the bylaws” and “state law doesn’t require that.” Adoption of this Article will formalize the procedure.
Recommended by: Ash Jennings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dscjyHjeS-U …he has a Spanish language version also.
Break for lunch, will have talk from Robin Koerner. Back at 1 pm for business (officer elections, bylaws).
Correction, to recommend to executive committee to consider.
Sophocleus moves to affiliate with region 2, passes.
Chairs report
Working on procedures manual
Bank accounts consolidated. Working to resolve issue with IRS with what tax status is. Pike County is new recognized affiliate, Troy University recognized campus affiliate. Richard Fast and Logan Wetzel on board of Pike Co LP and Troy U Student government. Jefferson and Shelby merged into Greater Birmingham. Unofficial historical committee. Press releases condemning sheriff of Etowah County, second on same subject, each candidate for ballot access, gas tax, lawsuit over voter list. Switching from nationbuilder to national LP CRM. May get microsoft office 365.
Lawsuit motion, motion to dismiss from state and response from attorney.
39 delegates and 42 in attendance. 20, 27, 30 for half, 2/3 and ¾.
March to March 23k-something in donations, 23k-something in spending. ? Sounds high . Filing monthly electronically with state now. Tracking spending trends. Switching CRMs will save money. Current balance 15k and change.
Region 1 – Madison County 2 monthly meetings, business and social. Elijah Boyd ran for State House in District 10. Had to challenge rejection of petitions and won. Going to parades. Newsletter, welcome package. Tennessee Valley affiliate organized in July and disaffiliated in Mar. Did shoe drive. Noah suggests going in national region 2 with FL rather than Region 7 with TX.
Region 2 – Zane not here. Etowah county town hall for 2018 elections. Meetings in Hoover/Pelham monthly, starting up with meetings in Black Warrior River/N.W. Jefferson/Tuscaloosa/Walker area. Plans to work gun shows, Alabaster City Fest. Shelby County had ballot access but failed to get candidates. Got one to file but it turned out to be a state rather than county office so did not qualify.
Region 3 – Pike Co mentioned above. Trying to start other counties. 2 candidates , Frank Dillman Macon County Commission 16% and Ernest Claybon for Montgomery City Council this year. Montgomery-Elmore affiliate recognized as PAC by the state.
Region 4 – Mobile, gun shows; Baldwin County – Laura Lane chair, Pike is region 4 but looking to move to region 3. Matt Shelby ran in District 96 state House and Michael Reeves – board of education – Baldwin – Matt got help from Baldwin County citizens for government accountability PAC.
In attendance – Whitney Bilyeu, region rep; Jacob Hornberger may be running for president.
Frank Dillman and Michael Reeves recognized as lifetime members.
Hornberger talk. Future of Freedom Foundation. https://jacobforliberty.com/
Finally got internet working. Will post what I have so far.
Computer problems so no live blog. Taking notes in my computer and will get that online when I can connect not sure when that will be.
If possible, I’d like to keep this one focused on just the states that are having conventions this weekend, at least through this weekend. After that I don’t care. Open thread is there as always for any other topic or I can sign people up to put up new topics if you ask.
I noticed the twenty odd guys sitting around the Georgia LP convention got rid of the abortion plank.
https://www.facebook.com/LPGeorgia/
What will they do when all their mistresses and daughters get pregnant?
BIG JERKS!!
Indiana, according to LP.org
Any others besides Alabama and NJ this weekend? Anyone besides me want to blog from either of these or any others which may be happening?