FW: Objection to Improper NDA Demands on New LNC Members

[lnc-public_forward]

 

---

From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2026 12:54:42 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>
Subject: Objection to Improper NDA Demands on New LNC Members

Aloha!

I wanted to renew a matter of concern I raised early last term once again:

The NDA's being requested of our new members may be void; the contracts lack explicit approval from the body and are unreasonable in their scope and terms. Furthermore, these over-broad anti-transparency measures conflict with regional duties and the bylaws of our organization. This means our NDAs will be very unlikely to hold up in court, and our demand to have one signed before obtaining basic member rights may be considered an act placing each regional member under duress and into a direct conflict of interest. This coercion of LNC members and the chilling effect on their rights and duties is repugnant to our principals. I believe these contracts are void, or otherwise unenforceable, and may in some ways be worse than having no-NDA. 

I strongly advise members to seek private, independent legal advice on whether this excessive contractual instrument is enforceable — and to understand with what they are asking you to agree.

I also encourage us to adopt a proper, valid, defensible NDA which protects transparency and is actually approved by the body, rather than one drafted in secret by conflicted individuals who do not hold themselves to the same standards they propose for others. 

Mahalo, 

Austin Martin

R1

Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

[lnc-public_forward]

 

---

From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2026 1:11:24 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Objection to Improper NDA Demands on New LNC Members

Greetings, 

I would be curious to know how the current NDA differs from ones used in the past, and when the current one was adopted. 

Additionally, I'm wondering what types of internal discussions are considered privileged information under the current NDA, and who makes the determination as to when they become so. 

This seems like important information to know when operating in this environment. 

Thank you.

Alfa Shaw 

Region 9

Get Outlook for Android

---

From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 27 May 2026 20:54:42

[lnc-public_forward]

 

---

From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2026 2:16:11 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Objection to Improper NDA Demands on New LNC Members

Aloha!

I am not an attorney — so I have CC'd LNC Special Counsel Oliver Hall on this correspondence. 

Mr. Hall, if you could be so kind as to provide an answer to Mr. Shaw's excellent questions, the committee would be grateful. 

Mahalo nui loa!

Austin Martin

R1

Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

---

From: Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 27 May 2026 15:11:24

[lnc-public_forward]

 

---

From: Jesse Phillips <jesse.p...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2026 5:47:24 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Alfa Shaw <alfa...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; LNC Public <lnc-p...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Objection to Improper NDA Demands on New LNC Members

The NDA seems pretty standard and generally expected conditions. In fact I found it rather unassuming.

On a related note, the bylaws do state what is public and items that are considered private, I do not see how the NDA can overrule what is explicitly stated in the organization rules.

---

From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 7:16 PM