2007-02-18 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

FSP Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 2/18/2007

In Attendance:

Absent:

Meeting Agenda

I. Election of a director to replace Sandy

II. New Hampshire Liberty Forum Update

III. Direct mail discussion

IV. Future of FSP (deferred from last month)

Jon moves that Varrin act as Chair for the meeting; Steve seconds. Varrin is appointed acting chair by unanimous consent.

Varrin moves that Jon be appointed Secretary for the meeting; Steve seconds. Jon is appointed acting secretary by unanimous consent.

Meeting was called to order by Varrin at 2:19PM FST.

 

Varrin takes the agenda out of order

II. New Hampshire Liberty Forum Update

Varrin requests an update on the NHLF. Jon reports that there are currently 232 keynote seats sold as reported on the website, but it is known that 240 total have been sold. 146 Friday dinners, 184 3-day passes, and 36 1-day passes have been sold as well. 110 people were interested in being present to watch action at the New Hampshire State House on Thursday before the NHLF commences. There is discussion on what revenue impact the NHLF will have. Varrin notes that without a final report, the only thing that can be assumed is that the event will cost less than the $12,000 previously budgeted for it. Discussion turns to reimbursing Steve for the cost of the Porcupine Flying Discs and FSP Buck Knives he had made. Jon makes a motion to reimburse Steve for the cost of the flying discs. Morey Seconds. Varrin brings up the point that the Treasurer is not present, and suggests we amend the motion to take effect after the Liberty Forum when the status of the FSP's funds is more clear. Steve agrees to wait until the March meeting to revisit this issue. Morey moves to table the motion. Jon Seconds. Motion to table passes 5-0 Jon requests information on how many FSP Buck knives are left. Varrin reports he knows of only 10 remaining, unless Phil Denisch has control of any. Varrin reports the remaining knives will be available for sale at the Liberty Forum.

III. Direct Mail Discussion

Varrin reports that the test mailing to the list rented from the Advocates for Self Government returned sufficient funds so far to justify mailing the remaining names on the list. He proposes to bring up the issue in the March meeting.

Varrin asks to add two items to the agenda. Varrin moves to formally thank Sandy for her service as the Secretary and Board Member of the Free State Project. Morey seconds. Sandy is praised in discussion. Varrin moves to close discussion, Morey seconds. Motion to close discussion passes 5-0. Motion to formerly thank Sandy passes 5-0. Jon notes discussion can be closed with unanimous consent. Varrin moves to formally thank Morey for his service as a Free State Project Board Member. Steve seconds. Motion passes 4-0-1

I. Electing a director to replace Sandy

Morey moves to elect a director to the FSP, using the same nomination and voting process as was used in February 2006. Jon Seconds. Discussion commences on who should comprise the voting body. Jon notes that the org chart only has 16 people on it. Morey suggests that anyone who has been an active volunteer in the last year can request a vote, and that the board would approve who qualified for that status. Morey moves to amend his motion to strike "using the same nomination and voting process as was used in February 2006" and replace it with "voters to include anyone who has been an active volunteer in the past year, can request a vote. The Board approves voter ballots" Jon seconds. Varrin moves to amend the amendment to read "voters to include anyone who has been an active volunteer in the past year. Active volunteers in the past year can request a ballot and the Board will determine their status. The winner will be decided by condorcet vote" Morey seconds. Vote on the amendment to the amendment passes 4-0-1 (Brian lost interet connectivity and calls Varrin on the phone. Varrin relays the discussion to Brian). Vote on the amended amendment passes 5-0. The amended motion now reads "I move to elect a director to the FSP. Voters to include anyone who has been an active volunteer in the past year. Active volunteers in the past year can request a ballot and the Board will determine their status. The winner will be decided by condorcet vote" Motion passes 5-0.

IV. Future of FSP

Once again lacking a full slate of Directors, no formal motion is put forward, but the general consensus of the board is to pursue allowing Participants to declare their intention to move in manners similar to the First 1000 program. Steve says he has written an essay based on this idea which will soon be published on the FSP website. Jon suggests a meeting after the Liberty Forum to discuss this with interested Participants. Varrin concurs and is tasked to determine if it is possible to get meeting space for this Sunday afternoon. Agenda item is carried over to the next meeting.

Varrin moves to close meeting; Steve seconds.
Motion passes 5-0; meeting adjourned at 3:55PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Jon Maltz, Acting Secretary