FW: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
190 views
Skip to first unread message
lnc-public_forward
Feb 13, 2026, 7:20:25 PMFeb 13
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 12:20:16 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
Dear Colleagues,
Mr. Vinson had a deficiency in his membership status which created a brief lapse that he has cured.
Unfortunately, this lapse created an auto-resignation as expressed in the by-laws, Article 7 Sec. 7:
"A National Committee member shall be a sustaining member of the Party..."
I appreciate Mr. Vinson, his years of work and dedication to the LNC (including LPF), and will be making the following motion to ensure he can continue his work on this committee:
I move to appoint Robert Vinson to At-Large.
Sincerely,
Steven Nekhaila
Chairman, LNC
lnc-public_forward
Feb 13, 2026, 7:21:10 PMFeb 13
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Andrew Watkins <andrew....@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 12:21:03 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
To: LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
lnc-public_forward
Feb 13, 2026, 7:43:21 PMFeb 13
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 12:43:12 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Andrew Watkins <andrew....@lp.org>; Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
Point of order:
Our bylaws specifically provide the grounds that trigger an auto resignation, and lapsed membership is not amongst those reasons.
There is a reason that our bylaws state that missing two meetings triggers auto resignation, which is that something doesn't trigger auto resignation unless it is specifically stated in the bylaws.
If a violation of a bylaw were able to trigger an auto resignation just for the fact of the violation - then a majority of this board would have been auto resigned for their vote to adopt JC arguments that the Statement of Principles does not apply to them.
Absent disciplinary action, or something in our bylaws that triggers auto resignation, a member cannot be removed.
Andrew Chadderdon
Region 1 Rep | Libertarian National Committee
From: Andrew Watkins <andrew....@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 7:21:03 PM
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 7:21:03 PM
To: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
lnc-public_forward
Feb 13, 2026, 8:32:16 PMFeb 13
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 1:32:06 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>; Andrew Watkins <andrew....@lp.org>; Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
Mr. Chair, I rise in support of Mr. Chadderdon's Point of Order:
The Libertarian Party Bylaws define “sustaining members” as members who, during the prior twelve (12) months, have donated at least $25 or who are Life Members. (Bylaws Art. 4, Sec. 4.) The Bylaws contain no provision declaring that a sustaining member is automatically
suspended, loses voting rights, or becomes ineligible for office upon the mere passage of a date without renewal.
The Bylaws further adopt Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised as the Party’s parliamentary authority where not inconsistent with the Bylaws. (Bylaws Art. 16.) Under RONR, a member in arrears in dues “retains the full rights of a voting member” unless the bylaws
expressly provide for automatic suspension or the member has been formally disciplined. (RONR 45:1; see also RONR 1:13 n.3; RONR 61:6.)
Mr. Vincent has not been disciplined, nor formally dropped from the membership rolls, nor provided notice of ineligibility prior to his election. Even assuming
arguendo that the alleged lapse raised an eligibility question, Mr. Vincent's immediate renewal cured any deficiency before any final LNC action affecting his rights. Treating a promptly cured lapse as permanently disqualifying is unsupported by the
Bylaws, inconsistent with RONR, and contrary to established Party practice.
I urge the chair to stop unilaterally violating member rights and to respect the bylaws of the Libertarian Party by promptly reversing his ruling.
Austin Martin
R1
Join the fight and support the removal of Antifa from the LP by donating at the link below:
Ua may ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono
From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 2:43:12 PM
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 2:43:12 PM
lnc-public_forward
Feb 13, 2026, 11:08:11 PMFeb 13
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 4:07:53 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>; Andrew Watkins <andrew....@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
Mr. Chadderdon,
Your point is well taken. The issue before us is not one of “auto-resignation,” but rather of qualification and resulting vacancy.
Article 7, Section 4 states:
“A National Committee member shall be a sustaining member of the Party…”
This language is present tense and continuous. It establishes an ongoing qualification for service on the National Committee.
In prior instances, regional representatives who did not meet this requirement were unable to serve. The region made appointments, those appointments were declined due to failure to meet the qualification, and the region subsequently revoted once the deficiency
was cured.
The same principle applies to a sitting member. Qualification to hold office is determined at all times.
This interpretation is also consistent with prior LNC practice, in which sitting members who ceased to meet the sustaining membership requirement were deemed to have vacated their seats upon confirmation of the lapse.
If at a given moment a member is not a sustaining member, then at that moment the member does not meet the qualification required by Article 7. Subsequent renewal restores eligibility prospectively; it does not retroactively eliminate the period during which
the qualification was not met. To hold otherwise would render eligibility variable and subject to selective enforcement.
The references to RONR concerning members “in arrears” address membership rights within an assembly. They do not govern eligibility to hold an office where the bylaws expressly require a defined qualification. Where bylaws prescribe qualifications for office,
those qualifications control (under RONR, the bylaws are the controlling authority and supersede any conflicting provision of the parliamentary authority).
Accordingly, the Chair rules that failure to meet the ongoing qualification set forth in Article 7 results in a vacancy of the National Committee position upon confirmation of that failure.
Sincerely,
Steven Nekhaila
Chairman, LNC
lnc-public_forward
Feb 13, 2026, 11:25:11 PMFeb 13
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Jonathan McGee <jonatha...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 4:25:02 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>; Andrew Watkins <andrew....@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
Codpiece
Jonathan McGee
Region 2 Representative, Libertarian National Committee
From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 10:07 PM
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 10:07 PM
lnc-public_forward
Feb 13, 2026, 11:26:55 PMFeb 13
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 4:26:47 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
Dear "chair",
You cannot unilaterally violate membership rights without proper process.
Therefore, we reject your ruling, and consider it null, void, and the proper subject of public mockery.
Sincerely,
Austin Martin
Join the fight and support the removal of Antifa from the LP by donating at the link below:
Ua may ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono
From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 2:20:16 PM
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 2:20:16 PM
To: LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
lnc-public_forward
Feb 14, 2026, 12:37:09 AMFeb 14
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 5:36:59 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
I appeal the ruling of the chair.
In 2009, Fedpath (who also manages organizations funded by George Soros) tried purging "undesirables" from the LNC while he was chair in this exact same way.
"April 30, 2009 — The Judicial Committee releases a statement that a LNC member can only be removed by consecutive absences or for cause by 2/3 vote of the, per the Bylaws, and that Wrights is in fact still a member of the LNC. This confirms the interpretations
of Seebeck and Knapp.
Wrights publishes an article by Seebeck that purports to expose the full plan by Redpath, Starr, Carling, Sullentrup, Kraus, et al. to purge “undesirables” from the LP."
Source:
This is a replay Cointelpro-style operations against the LNC — with a well-documented history.
Please support this appeal to restrain our hostile executives.
Mahalo for your kokua to this important matter.
Austin Martin
R1
Join the fight and support the removal of Antifa from the LP by donating at the link below:
Ua may ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono
From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 6:26:47 PM
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 6:26:47 PM
lnc-public_forward
Feb 14, 2026, 4:21:26 AMFeb 14
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 9:21:17 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
I appeal on the ground that I raised in my point of order.
Andrew Chadderdon
Region 1 Rep | Libertarian National Committee
From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 12:36:59 AM
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 12:36:59 AM
lnc-public_forward
Feb 14, 2026, 9:50:54 AMFeb 14
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 2:50:46 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>; Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
Mr. Chadderdon,
You have moved to overturn the ruling of the Chair.
I will supplement my ruling with the 2009 JC decision on this very subject:
Mr. Secretary, please begin a ballot on whether the ruling of the Chair shall be sustained.
A reminder to the body that alternates cannot make interrupting motions.
Sincerely,
Steven Nekhaila
Chairman, LNC
lnc-public_forward
Feb 15, 2026, 9:50:04 AMFeb 15
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 2:49:55 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>; Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
Point of Order, Mr. Chair - I believe that Mr. Vinson did not lapse as a Sustaining Member. Mr. Vinson has been a pledge signed member and has made multiple contributions exceeding $25 within the last 12 months prior to his reported "lapse".
Our bylaws state that a member must sign the pledge and donate at least $25 in the prior 12 months. Neither the bylaws or the policy manual define or restrict type of donations. Meaning spending money on events, targeted fundraisers, merch, etc. And while traditionally
the LNC has excluded such contributions as being applied towards membership, there is nothing in the bylaws or policy manual that supports that restriction.
How contributions are reported to the FEC or IRS have no bearing on how the LNC determines what contributions apply towards membership. Technically the members at convention could amend the bylaws to require a person to purchase from the LP an "F* ICE" t-shirt
to qualify as a sustaining member.
LP Bylaws Adopted in Convention, May 2024, Washington, DC
ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP
1. Members of the Party shall be those persons who have certified in writing that they oppose the initiation of force to achieve political or social goals.
2. The National Committee may offer life memberships and must honor all prior and future life memberships.
3. The National Committee may create other levels of membership and shall determine the contribution or dues levels for such memberships.
4. “Sustaining members” are members of the Party who:
a. During the prior 12 months have donated, or have had donated on their behalf, an amount of at least $25; or
b. Are Life members.
In Liberty,
Evan
From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 9:50 AM
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 9:50 AM
lnc-public_forward
Feb 15, 2026, 10:39:37 AMFeb 15
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 3:39:29 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>; Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
Mr. McMahon,
Your point is well taken, the bylaws only state that an individual must donate to the LNC for qualification as a sustaining member. There is no codified clause that differentiates a donation from a contribution.
While traditionally, contributions for merchandise, events, and convention expenses may not have gone towards sustaining membership, there is nothing that supports this within our governing documents, nor in any FEC or IRS guidance I could find.
Meaning, that since Mr. Vinson had contributed towards events within the period of his membership, that membership had extended an additional 12-months from that date. Meaning, there was never a lapse in Mr. Vinson's membership, therefore, he maintains his
seat.
Provided that an individual contributes to the LNC in any capacity, and signs the non-aggression pledge, they become a sustaining member.
The LNC may make exceptions to Lifetime Memberships, etc, as we control membership tiers not defined in the Bylaws.
Therefore, my motion to appoint Mr. Vinson is out of order, and he retains his seat as a National Committee member.
Sincerely,
Steven Nekhaila
Chairman, LNC
lnc-public_forward
Feb 15, 2026, 11:00:25 AMFeb 15
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 4:00:15 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
A donation is not the same thing as a contribution.
Goods and services purchased from the party are not the same thing as donations.
Our bylaws specifically call for membership to be based on donations. Merchandise purchases and event tickets are objectively not donations, and therefore cannot qualify towards membership related donation thresholds.
Andrew Chadderdon
Region 1 Rep | Libertarian National Committee
From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 10:39:29 AM
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 10:39:29 AM
lnc-public_forward
Feb 15, 2026, 11:10:31 AMFeb 15
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 4:10:23 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>; Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
I do not wish to alarm anyone, but I agree with Mr. Chadderdon.
Donations have, for many years, been distinct from purchases. Someone buying a convention package or a hat from the LP store isn't the same as making a donation to the Party.
Membership dues, donations, and targeted funds (such as legal or ballot access) should be counted. I don't think we should include purchases when accounting for memberships.
I asked about this directly years ago before I'd bought a lifetime membership, because I thought maybe my convention package would count toward it - it did not, and I agree that it should not have.
Keith Thompson
Region 3 South Rep
From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 10:00 AM
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 10:00 AM
lnc-public_forward
Feb 15, 2026, 11:28:27 AMFeb 15
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 4:28:18 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>; Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
I appeal the ruling of the chair, that merchandise, convention packages, and other purchases count toward membership dues.
Memberships dues have always been distinct from merch purchases. Ruling that they should be counted as dues, especially this close to a convention, would be an absolute upheaval of long-established precedent.
If we interpret the bylaws this way, it would also likely mean that LP store purchases in their entirety should be counted toward membership, not just the Party's take.
Would we then give people refunds for excess lifetime membership payments?
Would we need to reconcile people who have signed the pledge with people who have bought merch?
How far back would we go with this?
I believe we should stick with the decade+ long precedent rather than making sweeping changes to membership classification, especially close to a convention.
Keith Thompson
Region 3 South Rep
From: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 10:10 AM
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 10:10 AM
lnc-public_forward
Feb 15, 2026, 11:32:34 AMFeb 15
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 4:32:28 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
I co sponsor/second/support this appeal
Andrew Chadderdon
Region 1 Rep | Libertarian National Committee
From: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 11:28:18 AM
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 11:28:18 AM
lnc-public_forward
Feb 15, 2026, 11:57:26 AMFeb 15
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Otto Dassing <otto.d...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 4:57:14 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>; Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
I really like the idea of anti-cosponsoring motions.
Get Outlook for iOS
From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 11:32:28 AM
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 11:32:28 AM
lnc-public_forward
Feb 15, 2026, 12:33:08 PMFeb 15
to lnc-p...@googlegroups.com
From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 5:32:58 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Otto Dassing <otto.d...@lp.org>; Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>; Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Motion to appoint Robert Vinson as At-Large
Mr. Thompson,
The LNC controls Lifetime Memberships, the body could pass a PM amendment stating that certain types of purchases do not count towards Lifetime Memberships, as we control those tiers.
Regardless, Mr. Secretary, please note Mr. Thompsons appeal of the ruling of the Chair and start a ballot as to whether the Chair’s ruling shall be upheld.
Sincerely,
Steven Nekhaila
Chairman, LNC
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages