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For Immediate Release

January 4, 2008

NEW VISION FOR FREE STATE PROJECT, TIPPING POINT FOR LIBERTARIANISM

Nashua, NH - The first day of presentations for the 2008 Liberty Forum covered several broad themes and brought together members, speakers and activists from across the country and across the world, with attendees coming from as far away as Hawaii and Australia.

At the opening ceremonies, FSP President Irena Goddard related her own family's story of escaping Communism and the parallels of her later journey as part of the Free State Project. She then announced "FSP 3.0" which will let members decide their own threshold for making the move, be it the election of a certain statist politician, the imposition of "universal health care", or the number of participants. "The goal is to refocus on the members themselves, who are really what drives the Project and its success." said Goddard.

This initiative was modeled on the successful "First 1000" project to commit 1000 members to move to New Hampshire by the end of 2008. So far, 508 members reside in New Hampshire. The new membership thresholds will be rolled out in January.

The opening ceremonies also featured Sharon Harris, of the Advocates for Self-Government, showing how Libertarianism is a "sticky" idea that is approaching its tipping point of mass adoption. She explained how liberty is a simple, profound, credible idea, the foundation for any widespread movement. The only facet it traditionally lacks, if only in tone, is the emotional impact and appeal. She pointed out that "people care about your ideas when you care about them."

Harris reminded the audience that all great progress in history has been the story of liberating humanity, be it ending feudalism or prohibition or the separating church and state. She said, "Libertarianism is the new anti-slavery movement. Be it warrantless searches, huge tax burdens, or undeclared wars, the people are yearning to be free. The future of western civilization depends upon you, let's move liberty forward."

The Liberty Forum continues until Sunday at the Crowne Plaza in Nashua. Full details are at http://www.freestateproject.org/libertyforum

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In Attendance:
Jason Sorens
Jean Alexander
Irena Goddard
Varrin Swearingen
Jon Maltz
Peter Eyre

I. Meeting Called to Order
Meeting begins at 2:07pm

II. New Director
Jason Sorens moves to appoint Peter Eyre Director of the FSP
Irena Goddard 2nds
Jason Sorens oves to close discussion
Jean Alexander 2nds
On closing discussion and the motion:
5 aye, 0 nay, 0 abstain
Motion passes
Peter Eyre is Director of the FSP

III. Secretary/Treasurer Officer Swap
Irena Goddard moves to swap officer positions between Jason Sorens and Jean Alexander effective 1/7/08 leaving Jason Sorens Secretary and Jean Alexander Treasurer
Varrin Swearingen 2nds
Jason Sorens moves to close discussion
Varrin Swearingen 2nds
On closing discussion and the motion:
6 aye, 0 nay, 0 abstain
Motion passes
Effective 1/7/08 Jason Sorens is Secretary and Jean Alexander is Treasurer of the FSP.

IV. Flexible Triggers
Jean Alexander moves that we accept flexible triggers in Irena Goddard's email of 12/15/07/
jason Sorens 2nds
jason moves to close
jean 2nds
On closing discussion and the motion:
6 aye, 0 aye, 0 abstain
The motion passes.
Flexible triggers as outlined in Irena Goddard's email of 12/15/07 are approved by the Board of Directors

V. Adjournment
Irena Goddard moves to close the meeting
Jean Alexander 2nds
6 aye, 0 nay, 0 abstain
The meeting is adjourned

In attendance:
Jason Sorens
Jean Alexander
Irena Goddard
Jon Maltz
Brian Sullivan
Steve Cobb

I. Meeting Called to Order
Meeting begins at 209pm

II. Discussion of Irena Goddard as a Presidential Candidate
Jean Alexander moves to appoint Irena Goddard as President of the Free State Project.
Steve Cobb 2nds
Discussion, discussion closed.
Voting on the motion, 4 aye, 1 abstain, 1 absent
The motion passes
Irena Goddard is the new President of the Free State Project.

III. Adjournment
Jason Sorens moves to adjourn
Jean Alexander 2nds
Without discussion there is a call for voting
6 aye, 0 nay, 0 abstain
The Motion passes
The meeting is adjourned.

In attendance:
Jason Sorens
Jean Alexander
Brian Sullivan
Jon Maltz
Irena Goddard
Steve Cobb
Varrin Swearingen


I. Meeting Called to Order

II. New Director
Discussion of someone to replace Brian Sullivan as director occurred. One candidate bubbled up. Email exchange with candidate will occur before next meeting where a vote will be taken.

III. Triggers
Discussion of trigger implementation was undertaken. Mockup and offline discussion will occur and a formal vote taken next meeting.

IV. Thanks to Brian Sullivan
Varrin Swearingen moves for the board to formally thank Brian Sullivan for his service on the FSP Board.
Jon Maltz seconds
6 aye, 0 nay, 1 abstain
Motion passes.

IV. Adjournment
Jean Alexander moved to adjourn the meeting.
Varrin Swearingen 2nds
7 aye, 0 nay, 0 abstain
Motion passes.
The meeting is adjourned.

Attachment	Size
FSPBODMtgMins071118.pdf	24.67 KB

In attendance:
Jon Maltz
Jean Alexander
Varrin Swearingen
Irena Goddard
Brian Sullivan

Jon Maltz is serving as acting Chair

I. Meeting Called to Order
Jon Maltz calls the meeting to order at 2:09pm FST

II. Lynn Pina as Vice President of Operations
Varrin Swearingen moves to approve Lynn Pina as Vice President of Operations.
Steve Cobb seconds.
Voting on the motion
4 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 abstain, 1 absent
The motion passes.

III. Conflict of Interest Policy
Jon Maltz makes a motion to adopt the following conflict of interest policy:
If a FSP volunteer has the potential for a conflict of interest based on their profession, any relevant content they post to the FSP website shall include a disclaimer to that effect.
Amendment to include the word "relevant" in front of content.
Voting on amendment
6 in favor, 0 oppose, 0 abstain, 1 absent
Amendment passes
Amendment to replace website with www.freestateproject.org
Voting on amendment
2 in favor, 4 oppose, 0 abstain, 1 absent
Amendment fails
Voting on original motion with one amendment
6 in favor, 0 oppose, 0 abstain, 1 absent
The motion passes.

IV. Adjournment
Jon Maltz moves to adjourn the meeting
Varrin Swearingen seconds.
6 in favor, 0 oppose, 0 abstain, 1 absent
The meeting is adjourned.

1. Improve resources to help signers move.
2. Encourage people to notify the Free State Project of their move status.
3. Expand the use of effective methods to increase rate of signers by the end of calendar year 2007.
4. Improve resources to help people visit and learn about New Hampshire.
5. Develop and implement a trigger-based move pledge program that is acceptable to the board.

Free State Project, Inc. 

Board of Director

Meeting Minutes

May 8, 2007

 

Jason Sorens calls the meeting to order at 9:09pm. 

 

I. Bookkeeping

 

Varrin Swearingen moves to adopt the following statement: 

 

Operations and Finance are distinct functions within the organization and may not be combined in the same officer, nor may a financial officer and an executive officer be immediately related as family. The responsibility for financial control lies with the Treasurer, and the Treasurer may delegate certain tasks, such as bookkeeping, to any non-officer so long as full financial control remains with the Treasurer, who will submit monthly financial resports to the Board. This policy shall not be construed as alienating any element of the Board of Directors' authority.

 

Jason Sorens 2nds. 

 

Discussion 

 

Jason Sorens moves to close discussion. 

Varrin Swearingen 2nds.

5 in favor, none opposed. 

Discussion is closed. 

 

Voting on the motion

4 in favor, one opposed. 

The motion carries. 

 

Statement for the record from Jean Alexander:

 

I raised this issue for discussion because I feel it is a conflict of interest and is inappropriate, for the spouse of the president to be our bookkeeper. There are checks and balances in having finance completely separated from operations and this appointment is in conflict with those.

 

Without objection the meeting was adjourned.