The Libertarian National Committee met on October 2, 2022. This column is now the live blog of that meeting, except for the parts of the meeting that were held in secret. Viewers are encouraged to submit comments, especially if the live blogger misses a point on something. Arizona libertarians may be discussed.
Meeting came to order. Alternate Mark Tuniewicz, who was not allowed to speak last meeting, is not present.
Public comments — NY lawsuit apparently failed.
Public Comments — Suggestions on new bylaws for states. Virginia — petition for a general member meeting by members and Treasurer (Mises advocate) under way. This was the state party that dissolved.
Organizing hurricane relief for Florida. Send goods, not the money the state governor asked.
Harlos took the position that the VA affiliate still exists.
Two motions to amend the policy manual. Harlos: Motion 1 would delete policy manual entries that have become dated. Yeniscavitch — we eliminated stuff that looks dated. This is a first stage. Harlos — Cuts policy manual 20 pages from 80 pages to 60. Roll call vote: 15-0-0
Next motion – policy manual amendment Yeniscavitch — There is a policy manual and an employee manual. Some employee manual material is in the policy manual and needs to be moved. We also need to revise the employee manual. Passed 15-0-0
Harlos asks for advice from former LNC members on what should be changed.
Affiliate support. Proposal that we should advise affiliates on what should helpfully be found in their bylaws. Affiliate support committee is working on this, too. Harlos: should give affiliates a list of things they should mention. Proposes that ‘professional parliamentarians’ should be consulted on writing bylaws.
McArdle: Affiliate support was directed to write recommendations, not directives on bylaws.
Discussion: Goals, status, update. Material on the one-note. Working with staff on membership drive for mid-November. Also fundraising, for which marketing tools are needed. Risk mitigation plan. Strategic partnerships being worked on. Grow party in new demographic directions. ID market research on our actual voter base; data will be shared with the affiliates. Clearer job descriptions, then update job descriptions. New ‘project management software’.
Team building tools. Candidate support committee has supported candidate questionnaire. Develop vision statement for next year and a half — held for next live meeting. Budget committee meeting has not yet met.
Harlos: members ask why the entire goals document is not visible. McArdle: Some documents have been redacted. Much will happen in November.
Pantke — putout document with blank pages ‘this page was redacted’. McArdle did not want to do this because it looks ugly. Also did not want people to notice material has been redacted.
Harlos claimed that committee work is a work product belonging to the party. Wants everyone to use an electronic widgit that she set up.
LP Merchandising: Move for executive session Harlos moves so the LNC does all executive session work at the same time at the end of the rest of the meeting. Without objection.
Motion to amend 2022 convention movement to add the 2nd minority report on the credentials in as an appendix to the minutes. the 2nd report was overlooked by the Credentials Committee Chair. There was a 1st minority report that the delegates refused to hear. Harlos put that in the minutes as an appendix, and now thinks that was not the best choice. Harlos urges the two reports be treated the same way, as appendices to the convention minutes. Harlos: Both minority reports will be on LPedia in any event. Prefer not to force people to search everywhere.
Roll call vote: Hagopian no. Harlos abstain. Nepomeceno abstain. two more abstentions. 11-1-4 motion passes.
McArdle I can’t tell you how excited I am about the policy manual. Sounds about to fall asleep.
Public comments: Congrats to chair on fine chairing job with four licensed parliamentarians in the audience.
Q: What happens to NM ballot access? A: Will be answered later.
Candidate support drive in mid-October. Goal is $10,000. Next LNC meeting is in person in November in Texas.
Harlos: Move for executive session for merchandising and legal issues update. Passes without objection. We will only come back to adjourn.
Did any other alternate want to speak on that motion?
Fwiw, my wife and I had committed to volunteering all this past weekend–thats the reason I didn’t attend this one meeting. I’ll be at the in person meeting in TX.
Also… The reference to my not being “allowed to speak” at the prior meeting was only on one agenda item, and it applied not just to me but to all alternates, as proposed by Secy Harlos. It would appear that the “courtesy” of allowing alternates to speak is subject to the whimsy or objection of any full-fledged LNC member.. since alternates cannot make motions, it’s difficult to appeal.
“Discussion: Goals, status, update. Material on the one-note. Working with staff on membership drive for mid-November. Also fundraising, for which marketing tools are needed. Risk mitigation plan. Strategic partnerships being worked on. Grow party in new demographic directions. ID market research on our actual voter base; data will be shared with the affiliates. Clearer job descriptions, then update job descriptions. New ‘project management software’.”
I’m reminded of every product data management rollout for every company I’ve ever worked for.
Thanks for this! I didn’t realize the live blog was here until you mentioned it above – I had been looking for a new post.
The LNC will apparently be receiving material on a group trying to start a New Mexico libertarian political party; there appear to be links to the Mises Caucus.