The Chair briefly commented on some recent activities.
Deryl Martin was elected as Treasurer to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mark Tuniewicz. A proposal to not elect a replacement until after an investigation of the reasons for the resignation was considered but not adopted.
The minutes of the December meeting were approved. There was brief discussion of additional corrections to be made to these minutes and to minutes of Executive Committee meetings.
The Treasurer provided a written report and commented on his concerns regarding liquidity and revenue shortfalls. There was discussion of the financial situation, topics including: outstanding accounts payable, causes of the revenue shortfalls, and membership renewals. The committee approved a one month delay in the schedule for CD deposits.
There was discussion of a proposal to modify the UMP to increase the payments to affiliates and also increase dues. Topics included: costs of serving members at the national level, other changes that might be made to the UMP, the interests of non-UMP affiliates, and the relationship of such a step to the financial situation and to the SPT process. The issue was postponed until after the SPT process.
The Political Director provided a written report and commented on various topics including tracking of officeholders, ballot access, and the role of party leaders in supporting candidates.
The Communications Director provided a written report and commented on various topics including a new writer, media activity levels, planning for increasing the effectiveness of media efforts, and recent decisions not to issue press releases on certain news items.
The National Director commented on and provided updates to the new monthly reports that he is producing, with particular emphasis on budget variances.
A request by the LP of Costa Rica that we forward a notice about their activities to our e-mail list was approved.
Regional representatives reported on activities in the affiliates, covering such topics as membership, candidates, activities of office holders, ballot status issues, conventions, and alternative strategies being tried at the state level.
The committee went into executive session to discuss legal issues relating to the unresolved situation in Arizona.
The committee adopted goals for 2001 relating to ballot access, number of candidates and election victories, media activities, number of members and contributors, end of year net worth, and strategic planning.
The committee passed a resolution reaffirming the existing policy concerning disclosure of conflicts of interest, affirming that it applies in the case of an LNC member being employed by or otherwise receiving payments from a pre-nomination presidential campaign, and stating the intent of the committee to further consider this subject at future meetings.
Participation in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal campaign finance laws was approved, subject to negotiation of terms including use of the LP mailing list, with another vote of the LNC required to approve the terms.
There was discussion of the SPT process. It was decided that the remaining meetings of the SPT would be open to observation.
Other topics briefly discussed included: the Program, and database software for affiliates.
The next meeting is scheduled for 25-26 August 2001 in Las Vegas. The following meeting is scheduled for 8-9 December in the Washington, DC area.
Note: This is only a summary of the meeting, and is not intended to be relied upon as a complete record of business.