The Executive Committee (ExComm) of the Libertarian Party of Iowa (LPIA) met on Sunday, October 7, at the Lonestar Steakhouse in Coralville, Iowa. Committee members attending were Mark Nelson (Chair), Christy Welty (Vice-Chair), Tim Hird (Treasurer), Kevin Litten, Rich Moroney, and Tom Stanley.
Others attending included Clyde Cleveland (gubernatorial candidate), Ed Noyes (attorney general candidate), Jason Gross (campaign manager for Clyde Cleveland), and Bob Dostal of Iowa City.
Mark Nelson called the meeting to order at 12:15 pm. The agenda was approved unanimously, with minor modifications. Mark asked for a minute of silence in observance of the bombing in Afghanistan in response to the events of September 11th. He then made a brief opening statement.
1. Tom Stanley was appointed with unanimous approval to serve as LPIA Secretary for the balance of the term ending at the LPIA 2003 convention. An at-large ExComm position was thus opened. It was agreed unanimously not to fill the ExComm position at this time.
2. The minutes of the March 17, 2001 ExComm meeting were approved unanimously.
3. Tim Hird presented the Treasurer’s report. Cash on hand as of 10/02/01 was $3,330.34. Year to date income and expenses are $7,567.00 and 6,123.28 respectively. UMP receipts from the national party are approximately $300 per month. The March 2001 state convention was marginally profitable. There remain almost $4,000 in unpaid pledges from the convention. The annual report fundraising appeal mailed after the convention raised approximately $800 gross. State-mandated financial reports still cannot be filed electronically. It may be several months or longer before electronic filing is operational.
4. Mark discussed membership growth. There are currently 239 LPIA members,
of whom 27 have not signed the national membership oath. We have checks and/or
signed membership forms from an additional approximately 40 people.
The Committee unanimously agreed to retain the current $10 introductory membership
program. Mark will work with ExComm members and others to contact lapsed members
and those making inquiries, with the goal of increasing our
membership to above 300 by the end of the year.
5. The Committee discussed amending the Bylaws with respect to the makeup
of the ExComm. Christy will report back to the ExComm before the 2002 State
Convention with a specific proposal. Ideas considered include:
a. electing three vice-presidents, one for each of the following outreach
areas: Membership, Lobbying & Public Policy, and Elections;
b. electing ExComm members from each of the five congressional districts,
and allowing carpetbagging into these districts;
c. retaining some at-large seats on the ExComm;
d. establishing as volunteer staff positions the following, to be held by
either ExComm members or others: Media Director, Fundraising Director, Webmaster.
6. Clyde Cleveland gave a presentation on his campaign for Governor. Ed Noyes also presented his ideas as Attorney General candidate. Jason Gross, Clyde Cleveland’s campaign manager and formerly with the Iowa office of Citizens for a Sound Economy, was introduced. Discussion followed. It was noted that the ExComm does not have the authority to endorse or formally nominate candidates. This will be done by the membership at the 2002 State Convention. It was also noted that no one else has indicated interest in running for either post, and that between now and the Convention the ExComm will encourage all qualified candidates in their efforts. It was unanimously agreed to provide the LPIA mailing list to both campaigns. In addition, the LPIA will mail to its mailing list a postcard announcing the time and place (11/5, in Des Moines) of Clyde Cleveland’s formal declaration of candidacy for Governor. Clyde Cleveland agreed to pass on to the LPIA the names of those supporting or expressing interest in his candidacy.
7. The Committee discussed candidate goals for the 2002 election. It was agreed that the LPIA should work to achieve a full slate of statewide and congressional candidates, plus as many state legislative seats as possible.
8. Rich Moroney discussed petitioning objectives. The Committee unanimously agreed to have Mark Nelson stand in as Lt. Governor on the Gubernatorial petition, and to submit stand-ins for all 6 remaining statewide offices on one, unified petition. Rich estimates that the Secretary of State’s office should either accept or reject a unified petition form within three weeks. The Committee unanimously agreed to spend up to $750 between now and the State Convention to defend submission of a unified petition.
9. Rich presented developments regarding registering to vote as a Libertarian. He is working on this project with other minor parties in Iowa. He is pursuing both possible legal action (or the threat of legal action), and model legislation.
10. It was agreed that our primary lobbying issue for this period should be the registration right discussed above.
11. Fall fundraising efforts were discussed and unanimously agreed upon. A fundraising letter will be mailed. It will solicit funds for radio ads on issues that are likely to be topics in the 2002 campaign. The LPIA will hire Jason Gross, on a commission only basis (at 20% of receipts) to follow up the letter with phone calls.
12. Methods of processing credit card donations on the website, and processing monthly credit card pledges were discussed. The Committee unanimously agreed to purchase the software offered by Card Services International at a cost of $745. Transaction costs are 20¢ plus 2.3% per transaction (with a minimum monthly percentage fee of $15). Other monthly fees are approximately $25.
13. The Committee discussed the LPIA website. It was unanimously agreed to replace Mike Ryan as Webmaster with a suitably qualified replacement.
14. The Lipase cell phone service and 800 number service were discussed.
It was unanimously agreed to cancel the cell phone service and to point the
800 number at Jason Gross’s cell phone. Jason agreed to look into less expensive
800 service, which would also allow us to keep the current 800 number.
15. Kevin Litten presented ideas for publicity and outreach at colleges and universities, and ideas for outreach to prison populations and their families.
16. The Committee discussed and unanimously approved the provisional affiliation of the University of Northern Iowa College Libertarians, subject to their incorporating provisions in their Constitution relating to election of officers and announcement of meetings.
17. Arrangements for the 2002 State Convention were discussed. Clyde was
appointed to look into suitable sites (possibly the Iowa City Sheraton), speakers,
and other arrangements for a weekend in late February or the first
half of March. Various ideas were discussed including a social gathering on
Friday night, an Iowa elected official speaking Saturday afternoon, and a
fundraising banquet with a main speaker on Saturday evening. It was emphasized
that the convention fee should be kept reasonably low (with no charge for
the business session).
18. The Committee discussed the LPIA newsletter schedule. Mark suggested mailing a larger newsletter twice a year, and a smaller mailing (i.e. 11 x 17 folded) more often, perhaps once a month heading into the election year.
19. Christy discussed the importance of social interaction among LPIA members and other supportive of libertarian principles. The Committee agreed to continue to support people’s initiatives (such as Hughie Tweedy’s highly successful party) that would provide a forum for recruitment of new members.
20. Unless called at an earlier date, the Committee agreed to next meet in person at the 2002 State Convention.
21. The Committee adjourned at 4:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Stanley, Secretary