Libertarian Party of Wisconsin: Excom FAQ
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December 13, 2002. (Compiled with assistance from Jim Sewell, Carl Schoen, and H. Benjamin Malliett.) Q: Can I still run for an Executive Committee position if I am not a member of the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin? A: No. You must be a member in good standing at the time of your election. If you are not yet a member, you can join the day of the Convention; then you will be an official member. Q: What are the duties of the Chair of the State Party? A: The Chair shall be the chief executive officer of the Party, holding the powers of administration pertaining to the ordinary business affairs of the Party and such other powers as may be delegated by the Executive Committee. Please note: Because LPWI now has an Executive Director, this position may be less time consuming than in prior years. Q: What are the duties of the Vice-Chair of the Party? A: The Vice-Chair shall be the chief assistant to the Chair, performing such duties as the Chair may prescribe and having such powers as the Chair may delegate. The Vice-Chair shall serve as Acting Chair upon death, disability, resignation, or absence of the Chair until the Executive Committee appoints a new Chair. Please note: Because LPWI now has an Executive Director, this position may be less time consuming than in prior years. Q: What are the duties of the Secretary of the Party? A: The Secretary shall assist the Chair and Executive Committee. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Executive Committee and keep such minutes and records as are necessary. There are two main responsibilities: attending, taking notes and typing minutes, and giving a report at the EXCOM and Convention meetings; and managing membership. The first takes about five hours in addition to the time for the meeting to prepare the report and minutes. Managing membership is very time consuming: Our current Secretary spends about four hours per week on average doing this, assuming help with the mailings. Some tasks include putting together the mailings for renewals, membership cards, and prospect packets, entering renewal and prospect information into the database, and handling requests from members for information from the database. The Secretary also must provide more timely lapsed/prospect information to the EXCOM members, the affiliate chairs, and local party membership to affiliate chairs. Please note: Because LPWI now has an Executive Director, this position may be less time consuming than in prior years. Q: What are the duties of the Treasurer of the Party? A: The Treasurer shall receive all moneys paid to the Party and shall deposit same in such banks or bank as designated by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall make an annual report to the Executive Committee and to the membership at large and any other reports as the Executive Committee shall request with respect to the finances of the Party. The Treasurer shall file all reports required by the State and National authorities. Please note: Because LPWI now has an Executive Director, this position may be less time consuming than in prior years. Q: What is an Executive Committee members and what are the duties and responsibilities of such a member? A: There are three types of Executive Committee (EXCOM) members: - Executive Officer (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past Chair) - Congressional district representatives (and alternates) - Members At-Large The Executive Committee is responsible for the control and management of all the affairs, properties, and funds of the Party consistent with the Constitution, its by-laws, and any resolutions which may be adopted in Convention. Executive Committee members will be elected by a simple majority of the members attending the Annual Convention during odd-numbered years. The Executive Committee shall take office immediately upon close of the Annual Convention and serve thereafter until the final adjournment of the next Annual Convention. No secret meeting will be held by the members of the Executive Committee of the Party; all meetings will be open to all Party members. The Executive Committee of the Party shall be composed of the following: (a) The four elected officers of the Party. (b) The most recent past chair willing to serve in this position. (c) Two members-at-large of the Party elected at a state Convention. (d) A Congressional District Member and Alternate from each Congressional District in the State of Wisconsin as elected from and by Party members residing within each particular Congressional District. The Executive Committee may appoint an interim member until such time as an election is held by Party members residing within the District in question. If the Executive Committee chooses to leave the office vacant, then that office shall not affect the number required for a Quorum. If a Congressional District member and/or Alternate fails to attend 3 Consecutive Executive meetings, that position shall be declared vacant. All members of the Executive Committee must be members in good standing of the Party. The Executive Committee shall meet at least quarterly and each newly elected Executive Committee shall determine the times and places of their quarterly meetings and announce them to the Convention in which they are elected; and by call of the Chair, or by the written request of one-third (1/3) or more of the committee. Q: Are there any financial responsibilities to be an EXCOM member? A: No; none of the positions have any personal finance commitments. Attending meetings, however, is very important for the future of the party. Thus, gas money and time (driving) may be the only direct personal costs to the positions. Q: How can I assure that I am considered for the position I want to run for? A: The first step is to attend the 2003 Convention in Tomah. Nominations and seconds for officers and At-Large EXCOM representatives have always been done at the comvention in front of assembled members. Q: How do I proceed if I am interested in one of these positions? A: None of the below steps are required (although they are all good ideas). You might consider: - Contacting LPWI State Chair Ed Thompson to notify him of your intent to run for the office of your selection (The benefits of this are great: Members will know that you are running prior to the Convention); - Attending the State Convention; - Attending and familiarizing yourself with your local Libertarians. (A current listing of LP events is available OnLine at http://www.localendar.com/public/lpwiwebmaster.); Nominations for EXCOM officers are made from the floor for officers and at large members. District members are chosen by district caucus. -- End of FAQ -- |