Can be accessed in its original format here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GEGc0SQGH5vYp2iSLZCiGmc_UUeldRBtuc0FP-7CyhE/edit?usp=sharingTitle: Motion to Amend Standing Rules to Add Operation First Step Incentive ProgramMover: Hector RoosI move to amend LPF Standing Rules, introduce a new Article III to be titled “Operation First Step Incentive Program” and adjust the numbering of Standing Rule Article numbers accordingly as follows:
Article III Operation First Step Incentive Program
Section 1. Purpose. The LPF establishes the Operation First Step Incentive Program to directly assist its affiliates with funding to achieve their local goals by providing a financial incentive to affiliates for members who are appointed to public office and join certain community service organizations.
Section 2. Timing. Funds awarded to an affiliate will cause a payment by the LPF Treasurer to the affiliate within 60 days after confirmation by the LPF EC of the Award earned by the LPF EC.
Section 3. Applying for an Award. Affiliates or LPF registered voters must submit requests for an Award with evidence to the LPF Chair, LPF Treasurer and their Regional Representative.
Evidence of an Appointment can include an official letter of appointment, a saved copy of a government website listing a member's appointed status, or a media publication announcing or referencing a member's appointed status. Other forms of evidence of an Appointment is acceptable at the discretion of the LPF EC.
The LPF EC will approve the achievement of each Award at the EC meeting following the submission of a request by an affiliate with evidence of an Appointment.
Section 4. Award for Appointments.
Awards for Municipal (<100,000 population) or County (<250,000 population) Board Appointments: $200 for the first Board Appointment for each separate LPF voter
$100 for each additional concurrently held Appointment by the same LPF voter
$100 for each re-Appointment to a Board by the same LPF voter
$100 additional to above for service as the presiding member of a Board (except for temporary assignment to fill in for the usual presiding member)
Awards for Municipal (>100,000 population) or County (>250,000 population) or any Regional (multi-county) Board Appointments:
$300 for the first Board Appointment for each separate LPF voter
$200 for each additional concurrently held Appointment by the same LPF voter $200 for each re-Appointment to a Board by the same LPF voter
$300 additional to above for service as the presiding member of a Board (except for temporary assignment to fill in for the usual presiding member)
Awards for State Board or any Gubernatorial Appointments:
$400 for the first Board Appointment for each separate LPF voter
$200 for each additional concurrently held Appointment by the same LPF voter
$200 for each re-Appointment to a Board by the same LPF voter
$300 additional to above for service as the presiding member of a Board (except for temporary assignment to fill in for the usual presiding member)
Section 5. Award for Community Service Organization membership.
$50 for the first Membership for each separate LPF voter
$30 for each additional concurrently held Membership by the same LPF voter
Section 6. Retroactive Awards. In the case of Appointments or Memberships by LPF voters earned in the previous 365 days from the effective date of this rule or in a county with a new county affiliate, the LPF EC will honor applications for a retroactive Award according to Section 3 of this rule.
Section 7. Definitions.
Appointments (Appointed) are served when a LPF voter takes the oath of office and is accepted as a voting member on a Board for a partial or full term OR switches party affiliation to LPF during a term on a Board.
Awards are cash payments to LPF affiliates for EC approved achievement of an Appointment or Membership in a Service Organization.
Board is a government created and maintained board of citizens whose members are appointed by either an elected public official or by vote of the current board members composed of at least half the membership appointed by elected public officials. Boards can be temporarily impaneled for a specified purpose, for example, charter review or redistricting.
Program refers to the Operation First Step Incentive Program.
Service Organizations are voluntary membership, non-profit groups organized locally to support their community through charitable activities, including fundraising for charity by charging to participate in events. The approved organizations are Rotary, Kiwanis, Optimist, Lions clubs; Loyal Order of the Moose (and its affiliated membership programs); and Chamber of Commerce. Other organizations will need case-by-case approval of the LPF EC. Usually, clubs like Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Toastmasters, Masonic Lodges and religious organizations / churches are not Service Organizations with broad membership access and service to the community.
Membership in Service Organizations to earn Awards must be voluntary (not for compensation) and paid enrollment (minimum one year period) with some form of proof of acceptance by the Service Organization. Evidence of the nature of the Service Organization may be requested (if not an approved Service Organization), such as the charter or mission statement (probably via website). LPF expects the voter qualifying for the award to attend at least one Service Organization meeting per quarter.
LPF EC is the Libertarian Party of Florida Executive Committee.
The financial liability to the LPF will be a maximum of $6,500 to be expended with the approval of the LPF EC.
Threshold to Pass: Two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee (LPF Standing Rules Article XIII, Section 2)
Rational: The OFS Incentive Program was initially passed in 2021 and successfully used as a fundraising program for affiliates. The annual cost of the program never exceeded $3,000. It is debatable whether ongoing appointments and memberships should be rewarded every year. However, it was agreed previously to award funds only once per person per appointment. In addition, by affiliates applying for the award they are in turn informing the LPF of who is prepared to run for office or otherwise provide political leadership. The language for this proposed Standing Rule is based on the originally approved motion for the OFS with some re-write for clarity and adjusted to reflect past board practices (example: pre-approval of Moose lodge members).
