Document:LNC Policy Manual 21 August 1994

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LNC Policy Manual

as amended August 21, 1994

I. GENERAL POLICY

Section 1. MEETINGS:

A. OPEN MEETINGS: LNC meetings are open to Party members. However, participation is not permitted except by majority vote of the committee.

B. AGENDA: Changes in the placement of items on the agenda may be made by majority vote; this includes those items placed on the agenda by two-thirds approval.

C. PROCEDURE FOR ROLL CALL VOTES: A request of three members shall be enough to require a roll call vote.

D. AUDIO TAPE RECORDINGS: The Director shall be responsible for recording all LNC meetings on audio tape, providing a copy to the Secretary, retaining the tapes for one year at the national headquarters, and making copies available to any other member upon request at cost.

E. ALTERNATES' PARTICIPATION: Free substitution of Alternates for Regional Representatives at LNC meetings is permitted.

Section 2. CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

A. It shall be the affirmative responsibility of each Libertarian National Committee (hereafter LNC) member, and each Libertarian Party (hereafter Party) officer or employee, to disclose to the LNC in connection with the performance of their respective duties: (a) if such person's own economic or other interests might conflict with the interests of the Party in the discharge of such duties; or (b) if such person's duty to others might conflict with the interests of the Party in the discharge of such duties. Any such disclosure shall be made at the earliest opportune moment, prior to the discharge of such duties and clearly set forth the details of the conflict of interest;

B. No LNC member, Party officer or employee shall: (a) transact business with the Party unless the transaction is fair and equitable to the Party; or (b) use information gained in the discharge of Party duties to the disadvantage of the Party.

C. OTHER PARTIES: Members of the LNC shall not be registered to vote in another political party or a member of any political party other than the Libertarian Party. .

D. Neither the National Director nor any other employee of the Party shall: 1. Endorse, support, contribute any money, or use his or her title or position to aid any candidate in any Party primary, or in any campaign for office, or nomination, within the Party or any State Party. 2. Serve as a delegate to any National or State Party convention. 3. Permit LPHQ to be used by anyone at any time to aid any candidate in any Party primary, or in any campaign for office, or nomination, with the Party or any State Party.

E. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing in this section shall prevent the National Director or any employee of the Party from providing the same information and services that would be provided to any other member of the Party to any such candidate.

F. No Party funds may be expended in any of the types of campaigns described in this section.

G. No employee of the Party shall be a member or alternate of the Libertarian LNC. Any person employed by the Party shall be terminated immediately upon his or her election to the LNC. This resolution shall be included in all employment agreements and contracts between the Party and its employees.

H. CANDIDATES: Nothing in the standing resolutions shall preclude the National Director and members of the LPHQ staff from being candidates for public office.

Section 3. LITERATURE:

A. All reprints of Party literature shall be required to show credit to the author if such credit is given on the original.

B. All wording on material produced by the Party shall be regarded as integral to the piece, and no wording shall be added to materials after approval of their form and content by the LNC or the Advertising/Publications Review Committee. It is understood that this resolution shall not apply to copyrights, addresses, etc.

C. STATUE OF LIBERTY: It is the sense of the LNC that the Statue of Liberty is an appropriate graphic symbol to be used on Party promotional materials.

D. PARTY IDENTIFICATION: All materials for public distribution will carry the designation Libertarian Party.

Section 4. INVOLVING GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCIES IN DISPUTES:

In accordance with the Platform of the Party which calls for the abolition of all government regulatory agencies engaged in initiation of coercive force, including the Federal Election Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, it shall be the policy of the Party to consider any attempts to involve such agencies in disputes between individuals or organizations to constitute force as is used in the Pledge given by members of this Party. This policy resolution does not pertain to use of government police and courts in defense against force or fraud.

II. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. MEMBERSHIP STATEMENT.

Membership forms produced by the LNC shall include a membership statement that meets the requirements of Article 7, Section 1 of the Party Bylaws. Any new wording for the membership statement shall be subject to the same review process as all other Party Literature. A list of wordings which have been approved for use in Party literature shall be maintained at the National office.

Section 2. DUES.

For the purposes of determining delegate apportionment and eligibility to hold Party office under Article 7, Section 3 of the Party Bylaws, a member's dues shall be considered current if:

1. he or she has contributed Membership Dues of $25 to the National Party during the preceding 12 months ;or
2. an affiliate party has collected $10 from the member on behalf of the Party and forwarded it to the National office during the preceding 12 months ; or
3. he or she is a life member of the Party.

Section 3. LIFE MEMBERSHIP.

A member who contributes $1000 during any-twelve month period shall be granted life membership in the Party. Also, honorary life membership may be granted by a two thirds vote of the LNC.

Section 4. NON-MEMBER CONTRIBUTORS.

Non-member contributors shall be provided all benefits provided to members, except for those rights specifically granted only to members by the Party Bylaws or this Policy Manual.

Section 5. BENEFITS.

Current members and contributors shall receive the Party's newsletter (currently LP NEWS). Members shall receive a membership packet and a membership card within one month after joining the Party.

Section 6. PREMIUM MEMBERSHIPS.

The Development Area Manager shall establish premium membership levels, including the contributions required for each level and the benefits received.

III. OFFICERS

Section 1. POSITION DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL CHAIR:

A. The Chair serves as the presiding officer of the LNC and of all National Conventions and, in that capacity:

1. guides the deliberations and activities of the LNC according to Party Bylaws, may convene an LNC meeting according to the Party Bylaws, serves as a full voting member of the LNC and serves as a nonvoting member of all committees appointed by the LNC;
2. guides the deliberations and activities of National Conventions according to the Party Bylaws and adopted Convention Rules and is automatically entitled to delegate status at National Conventions.

B. The Chair serves as chief executive officer of the Party, reporting to the LNC, and in that capacity:

1. is responsible, along with the LNC, for ensuring the direction and management of activities, affairs, properties, and funds of the Party, consistent with the Party Bylaws and LNC policies;
2. is responsible for recommending Policies, Plans, Programs and Projects to the LNC and, once approved, for their direction and accomplishment;
3. ensures the development of proposed operating income and expenditure budgets and approves all contracts of over $1000 prior to any commitment of the Party to the contracts;
4. makes appointments, subject to Party Bylaws and LNC policies.

C. The Chair represents and serves as the chief spokesman of the Party as appropriate, including:

1. representing the Party to the public, including the business community, media, other political and educational organizations, government agencies, and elected officials;
2. planning and directing all investigations and negotiations pertaining to cooperative efforts of the Party with non-libertarian political organizations and the acquisition or sale of major assets;
3. maintaining systems of internal and external communication, including providing a monthly chair's report to all LNC members.

D. The Chair supervises the National Director and the National Headquarters, including:

1. prescribing specific limitations on the authority of the National Headquarters management;
2. appointing and employing the National Director with the advice and consent of the LNC, subject to the right of the LNC to discharge the Director at any time by majority vote;
3. providing advice and consent to the National Director on the appointment, employment, and termination of all National Headquarters personnel;
4. ensures the adequacy of the services provided by the National Headquarters to the LNC and its subcommittees, the Party, its affiliates and their campaign committees.

Section 2. POSITION DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL SECRETARY:

A. The Secretary shall take minutes of all LNC meetings. Minutes shall be mailed to all LNC members not more than 30 days after each meeting.

B. The Secretary shall prepare a synopsis of convention business, including committee reports and the records of voting for offices, for approval by the LNC.

C. The Secretary shall keep a tally of mail ballots between meetings, and shall destroy the ballots after each meeting. Mail ballots shall not include accompanying argument for or against the passage of the motion. An LNC member may change his or her vote on a mail ballot. The change must be signed and dated and received by the Secretary by the deadline for return of ballots.

D. The Secretary shall maintain a concise and complete accounting of the LNC's policy manual.

E. LNC members, alternates, and state chairs shall receive copies of the Bylaws and Platform after each convention.

F. LNC agendas, minutes, mail ballots, resolution updates, and other supporting material shall be sent without charge to all LNC members, alternates, and committee chairs, as well as to any state chair that requests them. Any Party member may obtain these materials at his or her own cost. A list of such material shall be available from National Headquarters on request and may be periodically sent to state chairs and/or advertised in the LP News.

Section 3. POSITION DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL TREASURER

A. RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY: The Treasurer shall have responsibility and authority to perform the following functions:

(1) To prepare and file Federal Election Commission reports and income tax returns as required by law and to regularly consult with the Director on the fulfillment of tax reporting requirements.
(2) To supervise and review the preparation of all accounts and disbursements of the Party.
(3) To render appropriate management reports to the Chair as requested.
(4) To collect and receive assets and funds to which the Party may be entitled, including membership dues, contributions and other revenues.
(5) To assist the National Director to develop cost and management controls to account for investments in such projects as are authorized by the Chair and/or the LNC.
(6) To supervise the bookkeeper currently retained by the Party.
(7) To develop and maintain appropriate banking relationships.
(8) To make an annual financial report to the LNC on or before April 1st of the following year.

B. CHECKING ACCOUNTS: The Treasurer is authorized to set up checking accounts, with the approval of the Chair, in order to carry out the business of the LNC. Approval will be sought from the LNC at the request of the banking institution. Each and every checking account established, except payroll accounts, will require two signatures on all checks. Persons permitted to sign will include only the officers, the National Director, and those headquarters staff members to be agreed upon by the joint decision of the Chair and the Treasurer.

C. REPORTS: The Treasurer shall provide to the LNC a balance sheet, a statement of revenues and expenditures, a statement of overdue accounts payable and debt outstanding other than LNC-authorized mortgages or leases if any on a monthly basis, no later than the end of the month following the month to which these statements pertain, and copies of summary pages of Federal Election Commission reports and income tax returns no later than the end of the month during which these reports were filed. If the Party has overdue accounts payable or has debt outstanding other than LNC-authorized mortgages or leases, then the Treasurer shall specifically comment on debt reduction efforts in monthly financial reports. The revenue and expenditure statement shall contain monthly, monthly percent-of-budget, year-to-date, and year-to-date percent-of-budget figures for each account.

IV. NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

Section 1. RESPONSIBILITIES

The purpose of the National Headquarters (LPHQ) is to provide full-time, professional support for the on-going political activities of the Party. The activities of the headquarters include:

a. record-keeping

1. membership/contributor database

2. accounting

3. FEC reports

4. archives

b. member services

1. filling orders and requests

2. answering questions

3. handling complaints

4. acknowledging and reviewing correspondence

5. liaison with LP News editor

c. development activities

1. inquiry response

2. direct mail prospecting

3. regular membership/subscription renewals

4. process liberty pledge payments

5. direct mail fundraising

6. telemarketing support

7. membership packets/cards

8. premium fulfillment

9. long-term renewals

d. affiliate party services

1. reports to state affiliates, LNC, and Executive Committee

2. activist newsletter (Libertarian Volunteer)

3. activist directory

4. state and national contact lists

5. lists of Libertarian office holders

e. external communication

1. development and sale of literature and other outreach materials

2. news releases

3. response to media inquiries/requests

4. development and maintenance of media contacts and lists

5. liaison with Shadow Cabinet

6. public testimony

7. participation in outside conferences

Section 2: POSITION DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL DIRECTOR

A. The Director serves as the chief operating officer of the National Headquarters (LPHQ), and in that capacity:

1. directs , administers, and coordinates the activities of the LPHQ, in accordance with the policies of the LNC;
2. directs the development and preparation of short-term and long-term plans and budgets for the LPHQ;
3. ensures the general and daily management of the LPHQ;
4. develops and maintains the organizational structure of LPHQ;
5. ensures that LPHQ procedures are fully documented;
6. appraises and evaluates the performance of LPHQ and Party operations, personnel, and activities;
7. initiates, reviews, and approves the appointment, employment, and termination of all LPHQ personnel, with the advice and consent of the Chair;
8. develops adequate and equitable personnel policies, including those dealing with employee compensation, and ensures that the interests of employees and volunteers as individuals are preserved and protected;
9. ensures that all LPHQ activities and operations are carried out in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and laws governing business operations and political activities;
10. participates in the acquisition and sale of major assets, and in the investigations, evaluations, and negotiations of cooperative efforts with non-libertarian political organizations;
11. maintains control over the Party's computer data base and develops distribution and pricing policies for mailing and telephone lists, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee.

B. The Director is directly responsible to the Chair, and reports to the LNC, and in that capacity:

1. maintains adequate and necessary communications with the Chair, and ensures that the Chair is kept fully informed of all pertinent LPHQ and Party activities;
2. submits all contracts of over $1000 to the Chair for approval prior to any commitment of the Party to the contracts;
3. submits periodic written reports to the Executive Committee and LNC .

C. The Director, along with the Chair and the Executive Committee, is actively involved in the development of policies, plans, programs, and projects that cover Party operations, financial performance, growth, communication, and political action.

V. FINANCES

Section 1. FINANCIAL PROCEDURES:

This Committee endorses sound financial practices and controls in the operations of its affairs. From time to time it is appropriate to add or modify such controls in order to strengthen the fiduciary duty of the Party to its contributors. The following policies are established:

A. The LNC will not be responsible for the debts incurred by future presidential campaigns or any other campaign. However, the LNC may vote to make monetary and nonmonetary contributions to such campaigns under the limits prescribed by law. If such contributions are made, they shall be made only after such candidate or campaign has agreed to meet the reasonable financial and budgetary controls set by the LNC. No candidate or staff member of a campaign is permitted to place orders, make purchases, or sign contracts in any manner that would lead a person to assume that the LNC is liable for the debt. The Secretary is responsible for publicizing this policy to all candidates for the Presidential nomination and other candidates who seek aid from the LNC or the national office.

B. The Party may financially support the candidacies of persons who meet the following requirements: (a) that they are running as candidates of the Party unless the laws in their state make it necessary or desirable for ballot access purposes that they run as independents; (b) that they are certified as libertarian candidates by the governing board of the Party in their state; and (c) that they refrain from supporting any Presidential ticket other than the Party candidates.

C. All fund raising letters are to be approved by the Chair.

D. Special Projects and task forces may not be used to raise money unless and until the requirements in Article X, Section 1 have been fulfilled.

E. Independent contractors doing business with the LNC are required to sign formal contracts which clearly set forth the parties' intention that they be treated as independent contractors.

Section 2. BUDGET

A. Preparation

The Executive Committee, in consultation with the National Director and area managers, shall develop an annual operating budget and present it to the LNC for approval prior to the start of each fiscal year. This budget shall include a statement of anticipated revenue and expenditures in sufficient detail to adequately outline specific activities and plans, including those for raising funds, and to outline the major categories of expense required to implement each activity or plan.

B. Amendment

1. The budget may be amended at any time by a majority vote of the LNC.

2. Expense items within one budget area may be amended by the area manager, with the consent of the Executive Committee, as long as the total expense for that area is not increased.

3. A line for a previously unbudgeted item, total expense not exceeding $1000, may be added to the budget by the Chair, with the consent of the Executive Committee.

4. An existing budget line may be increased by the Chair, with the consent of the Executive Committee, during the period between LNC meetings, provided there is a corresponding reduction from the contingency fund. .

C. Spending limit

1. Funds shall not be disbursed for any expense which is not in the budget. Funds shall not be disbursed for any budget line which exceed the total budgeted expense amount by 10% or $100, whichever is more.

2. The Director may not disburse any funds in excess of these limits until a budget amendment is approved. Failure to follow this policy may be cause for dismissal.

3. Any officer who authorizes an expenditure or approves a disbursement in excess of these limits shall be personally liable to reimburse the Party for the excess amount. Each officer shall sign a statement acknowledging that he or she is aware of this policy and agrees to be bound by it.

4. The Treasurer is required to report any violations of this policy to the LNC.

Section 3. PERSONAL LIABILITY OF LNC MEMBERS:

A. The officers, employees, agents, and members of the LNC of the Party shall not be personally liable for any debt, liability, or obligation of the Party.

B. All persons, corporations, or other entities extending credit to, contracting with, or having any claim against, the Party may look only to the funds and property of the Party for the payment of any such contract or claim, or for other payment of any debt, damages, judgement, or decree, or any money that may otherwise become due or payable to them from the Party.

C. The Contract Provision Liability Clause shall be included in all contracts.

Section 4. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS:

A. The Party Chair or Treasurer shall be required to approve and evidence by signing or initialing all expenses and expense account reimbursements made to the National Director or other officers prior to payment. No officer shall approve his or her own expenses. To avoid possible hardship due to delays in such approvals, the Chair or the Treasurer may at his or her discretion authorize a permanent expense advance of up to $200 for any LNC officer or the Director which shall be considered a draw against any reimbursable expenses incurred but not yet reimbursed. Any such advances so made shall be fully reflected on the Party financial statements and shall be repayable in full by the individual immediately upon termination of employment or ceasing to hold LNC office for any reason. Any exception to this policy must be approved in writing by the Party Chair.

B. Travel by officers at Party expense must be for the explicit purpose of conducting Party business. Such business travel must be deemed necessary and approved by the Chair, in writing, or by the LNC. All travel expense reports are to be audited by the Treasurer, and approved by the Treasurer and the Chair. Travel expense incurred by the LNC members for the purpose of attending LNC meetings are excluded from this policy. The LNC may require a refund of costs upon a majority vote. Any person accepting travel expenses must sign an agreement that they will refund upon a vote of the LNC.

Section 5. FUNDS IN EXCESS OF PROJECTIONS.

RESOLVED, any money exceeding projections should be placed in an interest bearing account until that account totals at least $10,000.

VI. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

1. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee consists of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and a fifth member selected by the LNC. The Executive Committee shall meet between LNC meetings and shall exercise all powers of the LNC except for the addition, deletion, or amendment of the LNC policy manual or amendment of the budget beyond the limits defined in Article V Section 2. The Chair shall serve as chair of the Executive Committee. Minutes shall be kept of Executive Committee meetings, shall be reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee, and shall be distributed to all LNC members (including alternates) and area managers within one week of such approval. Other members of the LNC may attend or audit business meetings of the Executive Committee at their own expense.

2. Area and Project Managers

The activities of the Party, other than those activities performed by the LPHQ, shall be divided into activity areas. The Chair, with the advice and consent of the LNC, shall appoint a manager for each area that the Chair elects not to manage directly.

Unless explicit structures or appointment procedures are specified by the LNC, the area manager shall determine the area's organizational structure. The area manager, with the advice and consent of the Chair, shall appoint managers to oversee and implement those projects that the area manager elects not to manage directly.

3. Terms of Office

The terms of office for all area managers, project managers, committee chairs, and committee members shall be from the date of their appointment until the second LNC meeting following a regular Party convention. They shall hold their appointments until that time unless they resign, or are removed or replaced in accordance with ordinary procedures.

4. Organizational Chart

An organizational chart reflecting the organization of the Party, including all standing committees and activity areas, will be maintained by the LPHQ, and will be sent to each LNC member (including alternates) and to each affiliate party chair prior to each LNC meeting.

5. Administration Area

The purpose of the Administration area is to provide general oversight of the Party's office procedures, financial records, advertising, publications, legal activities, and standing committees.

A. Internal Auditor:

The LNC shall appoint a qualified internal Auditor. The Auditor shall review LNC financial procedures and records at least twice each year. The Auditor shall pay special attention to, and report to the LNC regarding all tax compliance issues, such as the timely preparation and provision of accurate 1099 forms. After each review, the Auditor shall report in writing to the Executive Committee, which will have 30 days to prepare a written response. Both will then be forwarded to the entire LNC. The Auditor may also request the LNC to authorize an independent financial audit, if the Auditor believes that such an audit is warranted.

B. General Counsel

The LNC shall appoint an attorney to serve as the Party's General Counsel. All contracts or modifications thereto are to be reduced to writing. All contracts of more than one year in duration or for more than $5000 shall be reviewed and approved by General Counsel prior to signing by the Chair.

C. Legal Action Committee

The Chair of the Legal Action Committee is responsible for investigating, recommending, and coordinating legal action on behalf of and in support of the Party, and shall recruit attorneys willing to perform legal work on behalf of the Party.

D. Advertising & Publication Review Committee

The LNC shall appoint a three person Advertising & Publication Review Committee (APRC). The Committee shall review the contents of advertising, publications, and other materials produced or distributed by the Party, to ensure that they are consistent with the Statement of Principles and the Party Platform.

The committee shall review periodicals published by the Party (including LP News, Liberty Pledge News, and the Libertarian Volunteer), in-house fund raising letters, renewal letters and news releases after publication or distribution. The committee chair shall report to the relevant manager or editor, and to the Chair, any items which, in the opinion of the committee, were inappropriate.

The committee shall review advertising material, literature, prospecting letters, inquiry response packets, membership packets, and any similar material to be distributed to members or the public (other than those listed above) after approval by the Chair and prior to printing, distribution, or use. The national headquarters shall provide copies of proposed material to all members of the committee. All material must be approved by two-thirds of the committee before printing, distribution, or use.

The chair of the committee shall report the committee's decision to the national headquarters, and to the Chair, as quickly as possible. If the material is not approved, the chair of the committee shall specify which items are considered inconsistent with the Statement of Principle and/or Platform, and is encouraged to suggest acceptable alternatives. Failure of the committee to object within 10 days of receipt shall be considered approval.

The committee shall also review materials authorized for use in Party educational programs, or which are otherwise to be promoted by the Party. The committee may authorize such use or promotion, subject to those appropriate conditions or disclaimers needed to maintain consistency with the Statement of Principles and the Party Platform.

E. Convention Oversight Committee

The three member Convention Oversight Committee is responsible for all aspects of National Conventions. The Committee shall develop bid specifications, solicit and evaluate Convention bids, negotiate contracts, and report back to the LNC on adherence by convention operators to existing contracts.

The Program of any Libertarian National Convention shall not include any persons or organizations who oppose the existence of the Party; who contend that the libertarian philosophy is immoral; who contend that political activism is either immoral or ineffective in the cause of liberty; or who advocate that the Party should be incorporated into some other political party.

F. Program Committee

The Program Committee shall prepare and submit draft planks for the Party Program to the LNC, in accordance with Article 6 of the Party Bylaws.

6. Development Area

The purposes of the Development Area is to maximize membership and financial support of the Party, to ensure that ever-increasing resources are available for Party activities. The following activities are included in the Development area:

a. Obtaining new members/contributors

1. prospecting mailings

2. advertising development and placement

3. inquiry response

b. Membership/contributor renewal

1. regular renewal letters

2. upgrading to higher membership levels & premiums

3. monthly pledge program

4. renewing lapsed members

c. Fundraising

1. direct mail

2. telemarketing

3. large donor program

4. wills and bequests

5. donor thanks and recognition

7. Affiliate Support Area

The purpose of the Affiliate Support Area is to help our state, local, and campus groups organize, grow, and conduct effective political action. The Ballot Access Chair and Affiliate Support Area Manager are required to satisfy themselves and report to the LNC that they are complying with state election and campaign finance laws whenever they fund ballot access for non-federal candidates.

The following activities are included in the Affiliate Support Area:

a. Ballot Access

1. petition drives

2. lobbying

3. legal challenges

4. maintenance of ballot access

b. State/Local/Campus Organizing

1. communication through regional LNC reps

2. organizational support for state affiliates

3. organizing assistance for local and campus groups

4. activist training and support

c. Political Action Projects (excluding campaigns and ballot access)

1. community action

2. initiatives and referendums

3. lobbying

4. major events

8. Candidate Support Area

The purpose of the Candidate Support Area is to help our candidates conduct effective campaigns and get elected to public office. The following activities are included in the Candidate Support Area:

a. federal & statewide campaigns

b. state legislative campaigns

c. local campaigns

d. school board campaigns

e. financial support for winnable races

f. candidate recruitment

g. campaign training

h. issue support

i. collection and dissemination of candidate lists and election results

The Campaign Support Area Manager is required to satisfy himself and report to the LNC that he is complying with federal and state election and campaign finance laws whenever he provides financial support for candidates

9. Written Reports

Any report that is to be presented at an LNC meeting should be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least 18 days prior to the meeting. Reports should be submitted in computer readable form if possible. The Secretary shall develop the agenda for the meeting with the advice and consent of the Chair. The Secretary shall print the agenda and all reports and mail them to the LNC at least 14 days prior to the meeting.

VII. LP NEWS

Section 1. EDITORIAL POLICY FOR LP NEWS:

A. PURPOSE:

(1) The Libertarian Party News (hereinafter LP News) is the name of the Party's newsletter and as such is the principal regularly issued publication of the Party. It is the major communications medium of the party. It conveys the Party's message and self-image to all who receive it. It serves as the one unifying publication for the political views within the Party.

(2) Final responsibility for the production of LP News must rest with one person: the Editor. It is the responsibility of the Editor to produce the best possible publication within the guidelines of these policies.

B. MARKET FOR LP NEWS:

(1) The LP News is distributed to three major groups: Party members and contributors, media representatives, and prospective members. The LP News shall address itself primarily to Party members and its role shall be complementary to other publications within the libertarian movement.

(2) The LP News shall focus on three types of articles: (a) those providing a libertarian perspective on current issues along with how and why this perspective differs from that of other political parties; (b) those providing information on libertarian, libertarian oriented and Party activities around the U.S. and the world; and (c) those discussing the tactics and strategy of Party political activities.

(3) This leaves to other publications the areas of scholarly articles, in-depth analysis of current issues, regular coverage of the arts (book and film reviews), analysis of libertarian movement (as opposed to Party) tactics and strategy, in-depth debate of questions on which their is no libertarian consensus, critique of individuals within the libertarian movement, and reporting of routine state and local activities and personalities.

(4) The proper tone for all articles is factual and even-handed. "Mainstream" political rhetoric shall be used to present "radical" libertarian ideas. "Buzz words" and "libertarian jargon" shall be avoided in order to make the LP News appealing to the broadest possible readership. Personal attacks on persons and institutions within the libertarian movement are to be avoided.

(5) The article in LP News shall, on the whole, represent the core ideas of agreement in the Party. No articles shall be published which contradict the Party Platform. Articles which address areas where the Platform is silent may be published provided that they are noted as representing the opinions of the author only and not those of the Party.

(6) A directory of state and Party contacts shall be included at least once every three months.

C. EDITORIAL POLICIES:

(1) The LP News shall be published in a tabloid format. The frequency of publication shall be at least bi-monthly unless the Chair decides that frequency is inconsistent with the approved budget or the Party's current financial condition. The number of pages per issue and the circulation per issue shall be the responsibility of the Chair consistent with the approved budget and the Party's current financial condition.

(2) The selection of articles, their layout and the graphics for LP News, the relative amount of space assigned to articles, advertisements, Party announcements, and regular features shall be the responsibility of the Chair except as detailed in this Policy Statement.

D. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL POLICIES:

(1) The exact levels of financial support provided by the Party for LP News shall be established annually in the approved budget for the Party or in other LNC resolutions.

(2) No classified advertising shall be accepted. All advertisements will be clearly labeled as such. See the Reviews and Reporting section of this policy for reporting requirements for rejected advertisements.

E. EDITOR SELECTION:

The Chair shall select the Editor with the advice and consent of the LNC. Due consideration should be given to the professional as well as libertarian background of the individual selected.

F. REPORTING:

At each LNC meeting, the Editor shall report the following regarding the LP News: (a) circulation per issue; (b) number of pages per issue; (c) cost per issue, including cost per category of expenditure, i.e., printing, art work, postage, etc.; (d) ad revenue per issue and equivalent dollar value of "exchange" ads; (e) advertisements rejected and why; and (f) items found unsatisfactory by the APRC and action to be taken on them. Any contract between the LNC and any Editor shall include a provision obligating the Editor to provide the above information.

Section 2. RECOMMENDED STUDY:

Recommendations appearing in the LP News for the study of Internal Education material not produced by the Party shall be accompanied by a disclaimer to the effect that they may contain material inconsistent with the Party Platform. The only authoritative statement of Party positions is contained in its platform.

VIII. FEDERAL ELECTIONS

Section 1. CAMPAIGN LAW SUITS:

The campaign committee of any Party candidate for president or vice president shall inform the LNC of any suits filed by or against the Committee within one week of such filing.

Section 2. EQUAL TIME RULE:

The Party, its elected and appointed officials acting in its behalf, and candidates nominated by it, shall refrain from invoking or threatening to invoke "the equal time" rule, "reasonable access rule". or any other Federal Communication Commission rule or any coercive instrument to obtain broadcast air time for any party candidate or spokesman on any privately owned and financed (i.e. non-government) broadcast facility.

Section 3. FAIR ELECTION LAWS.

The Party pledges its full and unqualified support in the effort to pass a Fair into law. The Party shall maintain membership in the Coalition for Free and Open Elections (COFOE).

IX. PROJECTS

Section 1. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPECIAL PROJECT OR TASK FORCE:

A, PROPOSAL A detailed proposal specifying the purpose, means personnel, and objectives proposed for the project or task force must be prepared in writing and approved by the National Chair and by all area managers that will be involved in the project.

B. PROJECT DIRECTOR The Chair shall appoint a project director who will be responsible for the final development and execution of the project or task force.

C. BUDGET: A budget for the project or task force must be approved by the Chair and by any area manager whose budget funds will finance the project. If previously unbudgeted funds in excess of the Chair's discretionary funds are needed, the approval of the LNC is required.

Section 2. JULY 4 ADOPTED:

It was passed that the 4th of July be adopted by the Party as the holiday most exemplifying the principles of Libertarians. All Libertarians would be encouraged to make a special effort to present programs, events, public advertising, and any other means available of bringing the Libertarian message to the public celebrating Libertarian principles and philosophy and strengthening intra-Libertarian ties.