Organization Center

2005-01-28 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

FREE STATE PROJECT, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
28 January 2005

In Attendance:
  • Jason Sorens (board member)
  • Jean Alexander (board member)
  • Eddie Bradford (board member)
  • Varrin Swearingen

  1. CALL TO ORDER

    • Jason Sorens called the meeting to order

  2. NEW BUSINESS

    1. Election of New Directors

      • Jason Sorens moved to elect Varrin Swearingen director of the Free State Project.
      • Eddie Bradford 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Eddie Bradford moved to close discussion.
      • Jason Sorens 2nd.
      • 3 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Vote on original motion
      • 3 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes.
      [Varrin Swearingen is elected to the board of directors of the Free State Project.]
      • Jason Sorens moves to elect Amanda Phillips director of the Free State Project.
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Jason Sorens moves to close discussion
      • Jean Alexander 2nd.
      • 4 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Vote on original motion
      • 4 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes.
      [Amanda Phillips is elected to the board of directors of the Free State Project.]

      [Delayed, Amanda Phillips joins the meeting.]

    2. Bylaws Changes

      • Jason Sorens moves to adopt amended bylaws forwarded in an email from him with the subject heading "next email?" Those amended bylaws are here.
      • Amanda Phillips 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Jason Sorens moves to close discussion.
      • Jean Alexander 2nd.
      • 5 in favor - 0 against - 0 abstain
      • Vote on original motion
      • 5 in favor - 0 against - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes.
      [The Organizers have restructured the leadership. In redefining the roles of the board and officers a new board was elected. This board is comprised of the following people: Jason Sorens, Amanda Phillips, Varrin Swearingen, Evan Nappen, Jean Alexander and Steve Cobb. The original board made the appropriate motions to formalize this new structure.]

    3. Eddie Bradford Tenders Resignation

      • Eddie Bradford tendered his resignation as director of the Free State Project, Inc.

    4. New Directors

      • Jean Alexander moves to add Steve Cobb to the board of directors.
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Jason Sorens moves to close discussion.
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • 4 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Voting on original motion
      • 4 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes

      • Jason Sorens moves to elect Evan Nappen director of the Free State Project, Inc.
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Jason Sorens moves to close discussion.
      • Jean Alexander 2nd.
      • 4 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Voting on original motion
      • 4 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain

    5. Adjournment

      • Jean Alexander moves to adjourn.
      • Jason Sorens 2nd.
      • 4 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes 4-0-0.

      Meeting is adjourned.

2004-08-08 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

FREE STATE PROJECT, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
8 August 2004

In Attendance:

  • Jason Sorens
  • Jean Alexander
  • George Reich
  • Eddie Bradford
  • Kat Dillon

1. CALL TO ORDER

  • Jason Sorens called the meeting to order
2. NEW BUSINESS

  1. Treasurer's Report

    • Reviewed and discussed. We await response to the fundraising drive.

  2. President's Report

    • Reviewed and discussed. Discussion of more focused reporting occurred.

  3. Reappointment of President

    • Jason Sorens moved to elect Amanda Phillips President of the FSP for another term ending February 15, 2005.
    • Eddie Bradford 2nd.
    • Discussion
    • George Reich moved to close discussion.
    • Jason Sorens 2nd.
      Vote 5 in favor - 0 against - 0 abstain.
    • Vote on original motion.
      5 in favor - 0 against - 0 abstain.
      Motion passed 5-0-0.

    [Amanda Phillips, President of FSP for the last six months, is reappointed for another six months.]

  4. Appointment of Vice President

    • Jason Sorens moved to elect Evan Nappan as Vice President of FSP for a term ending February 15, 2005.
    • Jean Alexander 2nd.
    • Discussion
    • Jason Sorens moved to close discussion.
    • Jean Alexander 2nd.
      Vote 5 in favor - 0 against - 0 abstain.
    • Vote on original motion.
      5 in favor - 0 against - 0 abstain.
      Motion passed 5-0-0.

    [Evan Nappan is appointed Vice President of FSP.]

  5. Articles of Incorporation Wording Correction

    There was a wording error in our Articles of Incorporation revision from last month. It should read:

    "No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in these Articles."

    The end of that sentence originally said 'article the third'.

    [A typographical error during the 7/11/04 meeting is hereby corrected.]

  6. Adjournment

    • Jason Sorens moved to adjourn.
    • Eddie Bradford 2nd.
      Vote 5 in favor - 0 against - 0 abstain.
      Motion passed 5-0-0.
    • Meeting is adjourned.


Back to Minutes

2005-02-20 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

FREE STATE PROJECT, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
20 February 2005

In Attendance:
  • Jason Sorens
  • Jean Alexander
  • Eddie Bradford
  • Varrin Swearingen
  • Amanda Phillips

  1. CALL TO ORDER

    • Jason Sorens called the meeting to order

  2. NEW BUSINESS

    1. Proxy Vote

      • Jason Sorens moved to allow Amanda Phillips to be Evan Nappen's proxy voter.
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Varrin Swearingen moved to close discussion.
      • Jason Sorens 2nd.
      • 4 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain - 1 not voting
      • Vote on original motion
      • 2 in favor - 2 opposed - 1 abstain
      • Motion fails 2-2-1.
      [Proxy voting for Evan Nappen this session is not allowed.]

    2. Phone Participation

      • Jason Sorens moves to allow Evan Nappen to participate by phone via Amanda Phillips.
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Jason Sorens moves to close discussion
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • 4 in favor - 1 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Vote on original motion
      • 4 in favor - 1 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes 4-1-0
      [Participation by phone for Evan Nappen via Amanda Phillips is allowed.]

    3. Porc Fest/Fundraising Mailing

      • Varrin Swearingen moves to approve $3,400 for the Porc Fest/Fund Raising mailing
      • Jason Sorens 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Jason Sorens moves to close discussion.
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • 5 in favor - 0 against - 0 abstain
      • Vote on original motion
      • 5 in favor - 0 against - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes 5-0-0.
      [Spending over $500 has to be approved by the board of directors. This vote approves the fundraising/Porc Fest mailing.]

    4. Quarterly Organization Reviews

      • Jean Alexander moves that the board review the organization's and hence its own performance with respect to strategic goals, on a quarterly basis .
      • Jason Sorens 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Jason Sorens moves to close discussion.
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • 4 in favor - 0 against - 0 abstain - 1 not voting
      • Vote on original motion
      • 5 in favor - 0 against - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes 5-0-0
      [A quarterly review process is approved. This process will have the board evaluating whether the organization is meeting its strategic goals.]

    5. Temporary Treasurer

      • Jean Alexander moves that Jason Sorens be temporary Treasurer until a new permanent Treasurer is found.
      [Amanda Phillips reports that Evan Nappen is now on the phone.]
      • Amanda Phillips 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Jason Sorens moves to close discussion.
      • Jean Alexander 2nd.
      • 5 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain - 1 not voting
      • Vote on original motion
      • 4 in favor - 2 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes 4-2-0
      [Jason Sorens is temporary Treasurer until a new permanent Treasurer is found.]

    6. Next Week's Meeting Format

      • Varrin Swearingen moves to have next weeks meeting be on Yahoo chat.
      • Jean Alexander 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Varrin Swearingen moves to close discussion.
      • Jean Alexander 2nd.
      • 3 in favor - 2 opposed - 1 abstain.
      • Discussion still open
      • Jean Alexander moves to close discussion.
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • 5 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain - 1 not voting
      • Vote on original motion
      • 3 in favor - 2 opposed - 1 abstain
      [No consensus on meeting occurs. Motion is represented. Additional discussion occurs.]
      • Jean Alexander moves that next week's meeting be in Yahoo chat.
      • Steve Cobb 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Jason Sorens moves to close discussion.
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • 6 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Vote on original motion
      • 4 in favor - 2 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes.
      [Next week's board meeting will be held via Yahoo chat.]

    7. Adjournment

      • Jason Sorens moves to adjourn.
      • Jean Alexander 2nd.
      • 6 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes.
      [Meeting is adjourned.]

2005-04-17 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

FREE STATE PROJECT, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
17 April 2005

In Attendance:

  • Jean Alexander
  • Steve Cobb
  • Amanda Phillips
  • Adam Rick
  • Jason Sorens
  • Varrin Swearingen

Not In Attendance:

  • Evan Nappen

  1. Call to Order

    Jason Sorens called the meeting to order.

  2. Board Authority to Remove/Veto Choice for Department Heads

    • Adam Rick moved to adopt the policy that the Board of Directors shall have the power to remove or veto a choice of department head if a problem were to arise.
    • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
    • Discussion
    • Jason Sorens moved to close discussion.
    • Steve Cobb 2nd.
    • Adam Rick withdrew his motion with the understanding that the Board may exercise this power in extraordinary circumstances.

    [It was determined that the board does have this authority without a vote. Voting on such a power would actually limit the board's authority.]

  3. Annual department goals to the Board

    • Jean Alexander moved that all officers, board members and department heads provide annual goals that support the organizations strategic goals.
    • Jason Sorens 2nd.
    • Discussion
    • Jason Sorens moved to close discussion
    • Varrin Swearingen 2nd
    • Vote: 6 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain
    • Vote on original motion: 6 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain
    • Motion passes.

    [All Officers, Board Members and Department Heads will provide annual goals that support the organizations strategic goals.]

  4. Monthly Activity Reporting

    • Jason Sorens moves that department heads make monthly reports, which are publicly available, to the board and on the website.
    • Jean Alexander 2nd
    • Discussion
    • [Monthly with a report of "no activity" and brief checklist reports acceptable.]
    • Jason Sorens moved to close discussion.
    • Jean Alexander 2nd.
    • Vote: 6 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain
    • Amanda Phillips recommends rewording so that reports are made to the President/VP who then reports to the board.
    • Jason Sorens revises the motion to department heads are required to provide monthly reports, collected by the president, which are made available to the board and on the website.
    • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
    • Jason Sorens moved to close discussion.
    • Vote: 6 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain
    • Vote on original motion: 6 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain

    [Monthly reports from all department heads will be collected by the President/Vice President and then made available to the Board of Directors and on the website.]

    Amanda Phillips leaves chat and continues participation via telephone.

  5. Budget

    • Treasurers proposed annual budget is discussed. A few changes are suggested.
    • Jean Alexander moved that the board accept the annual budget as amended.
    • Adam Rick 2nd.
    • Discussion
    • Jason Sorens moved to close discussion.
    • Jean Alexander 2nd.
    • Vote: 6 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain
    • Vote on original motion: 6 aye - 0 nay - 0 abstain

    Steve Cobb leaves the meeting

  6. Adjournment

    • Adam Rick moves to adjourn the meeting
    • Jean Alexander 2nd
    • Vote: 5 aye - 0 nay -- 0 abstain
    • Meeting is adjourned.

2005-03-20 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

FREE STATE PROJECT, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
20 March 2005

In Attendance:
  • Jason Sorens
  • Jean Alexander
  • Steve Cobb
  • Varrin Swearingen
  • Amanda Phillips (via telephone)

  1. CALL TO ORDER

    • Jason Sorens called the meeting to order

  2. OLD BUSINESS

    1. 7th Director

      • Jason Sorens moved to elect Adam Rick to the FSP Board of Directors.
      • Jean Alexander2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Jason Sorens moved to close discussion.
      • Jean Alexander 2nd.
      • 5 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Vote on original motion
      • 5 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes 5-0-0.
      • Evan joins the meeting via telephone and adds his "aye" to the vote.
      • Motion passes 6-0-0.

      [Adam Rick is elected to the 7th seat on the FSP Board of Directors.]

    2. Adjournment

      • Varrin Swearingen moved to adjourn the meeting.
      • Jason Sorens 2nd.
      • 5 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Amanda and Evan no longer present.
      • Motion passes 5-0-0.

      [Meeting is adjourned.]

2005-02-27 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

FREE STATE PROJECT, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
27 February 2005

In Attendance:
  • Jason Sorens
  • Jean Alexander
  • Steve Cobb
  • Varrin Swearingen
  • Amanda Phillips

  1. CALL TO ORDER

    • Jason Sorens called the meeting to order

  2. NEW BUSINESS

    1. Revised Mission Statement

      • Varrin Swearingen moved to adopt the following revised mission statement: The Free State Project is an agreement among 20,000 pro-liberty activists to move to New Hampshire, where they will exert the fullest practical effort toward the creation of a society in which the maximum role of government is the protection of life, liberty, and property. The success of the Project would likely entail reductions in taxation and regulation, reforms at all levels of government to expand individual rights and free markets, and a restoration of constitutional federalism, demonstrating the benefits of liberty to the rest of the nation and the world.

      • Jean Alexander2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Jason Sorens moved to close discussion.
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • 5 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Vote on original motion
      • 5 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes 5-0-0.

      [A revised FSP Mission Statement is adopted.]

    2. Strategic Goals for 2005

      • Jason Sorens moved to adopt the following strategic goals for 2005:

        1. Increase the signup rate by 100% or more.

        2. Increase the number of national media stories (from 13 in 2004).

        3. Place FSP leaders as speakers at local groups in many states, in order to increase the strength of local groups.

        4. Complete the Active Activist Army project.

        5. Initiate new advertising and direct mail campaigns while progressively evaluating their effectiveness.

        6. Continue to obtain endorsements from libertarian "celebrities."

        7. Make sure that every self-identifying libertarian has heard of the FSP by the end of the year.

      • Jean Alexander 2nd
      • Discussion
      • Jean Alexander moved to close discussion.
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • 3 in favor - 0 opposed - 2 abstain
      • Voting on original motion
      • 4 in favor - 1 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes 4-1-0.

      [FSP 2005 Strategic Goals are adopted.]

    3. Adjournment

      • Varrin Swearingen moved to adjourn the meeting.
      • Amanda Phillips 2nd.
      • 5 in favor - 0 opposed - 0 abstain
      • Motion passes 5-0-0.

      [Meeting is adjourned.]

2005-06-30 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Free State Project, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
June 30, 2005

In Attendance:
  • Jason Sorens
  • Jean Alexander
  • Steve Cobb
  • Varrin Swearingen
  • Amanda Phillips
  • Evan Nappen
  • Adam Rick

  1. CALL TO ORDER

    Jason Sorens called the meeting to order

  2. NEW BUSINESS

    1. Monthly Reports

      Amanda Phillips reported that monthly reports had been sent. The remainder of the board had not received them. Amanda Phillips was to resend the reports the next business day. Amanda Phillips was also to forward to the board the organization chart.

    2. Increase Number and Quality of Volunteers

      • Varrin Swearingen moved to increase the quality and number of volunteers by approximately 100%.
      • Steve Cobb 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Vote to close discussion
      • Aye – 7, Nay – 0, Abstain – 0
      • Vote on original motion
      • Aye – 3, Nay – 4, Abstain - 0

      • Adam Rick moved amend the motion to - increase substantially the number and quality of volunteers.
      • Jean Alexander 2nd
      • Discussion
      • Without objection voting on amendment
      • Aye – 7, Nay – 0, Abstain – 0
      • Voting on the original motion
      • Aye – 7, Nay – 0, Abstain - 0
      • Motion passes

    3. Strategy/Mission Change

      • Jason Sorens moved to make a public announcement requesting public input into potential changes to the SOI and PG. Public announcement of the request to be made via email and on the forum on 7/11, close comments on 9/1, Board decision announced on 10/1
      • Adam Rick 2nd.
      • Discussion
      • Jason moved to close discussion
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
      • Aye – 6, Nay – 1, Abstain – 0
      • Vote on original motion
      • Aye – 7, Nay – 0, Abstain – 0
      • Motion carries.

    4. Org Disc List

      • Adam Rick moved to eliminate the orgdisc list
      • Varrin Swearingen 2nd
      • Discussion
      • Jason Sorens moved to close discussion
      • Amanda Phillips 2nd
      • Aye – 7, Nay – 0, Abstain – 0
      • Vote on original motion
      • Aye – 6, Nay – 1, Abstain – 0
      • Motion carries

    5. Organizers List

      • Adam Rick moved to eliminate the organizers list
      • Amanda Phillips 2nd
      • Discussion
      • Varrin Swearingen moved to close discussion
      • Jason Sorens 2nd
      • Aye – 7, Nay – 0, Abstain – 0
      • Vote on original motion
      • Aye – 3, Nay – 4
      • Motion fails

    6. Adjournment

      • Jason Sorens moved to adjourn the meeting.
      • Jean Alexander 2nd.
      • 7 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstain
      • Motion passes
      • Meeting Adjourned.

2005-08-28 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting
August 28, 2005

In Attendance:
Jason Sorens
Jean Alexander
Varrin Swearingen
Amanda Phillips
Adam Rick
Steve Cobb
Evan Nappen

  1. Call to Order

    Jason Sorens called the meeting to order.

  2. Adjournment

    Jason Sorens moved to adjourn the meeting.
    Varrin Swearingen 2nd.
    6 in favor, 1 opposed, 0 abstain
    Motion carries
    Meeting is adjourned.

[The board discussed various business topics today that did not require a vote including, primarily, strategy/mission change and hiring a PR firm.]

2005-08-14 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting
August 14, 2005

  1. Meeting called to order by Chair Jason. Adam, Jean, Steve, Jason, Varrin, and Amanda in attendance.

  2. Monthly Reports: July reports will be collated and posted online shortly; August reports will wait until the VP of Operations can take charge of collecting them.

  3. Varrin makes motion to create Vice Presidents of Operations, Publicity, and Resources, where Operations will include day-to-day management activities, Publicity will cover both advertising, marketing, outreach, and related activities, and Resources will include financial and human resources. Motion seconded. Adam offers amendment to motion, to create Vice Presidents of Operations and Publicity. Amendment seconded.

    Amendment adopted: 4 aye (Adam, Jean, Steve, Jason), 2 nay (Varrin, Amanda).

    Amended motion adopted: 6 aye, 0 nay.

  4. Varrin makes motion to offer Steve position of Vice President of Publicity. Motion seconded.

    Motion adopted: 6 aye, 0 nay.

  5. Jean makes motion to offer Varrin position of Vice President of Operations. Motion seconded.

    Motion adopted: 6 aye, 0 nay.

  6. Next Board meeting scheduled for August 28, time TBD.

  7. Jean makes motion to rotate future Directors' meetings between telephone and Yahoo Messenger media, starting with telephone for the August 28 meeting. Motion seconded.

    Motion adopted: 6 aye, 0 nay.

  8. Jason makes motion to adjourn. Motion seconded.

    Motion adopted: 6 aye, 0 nay. Meeting adjourned.

2005-09-18 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Free State Project, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
September 18, 2005

In Attendance:

Jason Sorens • Amanda Phillips • Adam Rick • Steve Cobb • Jean Alexander

Continuation of 9/11/05 meeting


  1. Public Relations Effort

    • Adam Rick moves to move to executive session
    • Amanda Phillips 2nd
    • 5 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstain
    • Motion passes

    • Executive Session ensues

    • Adam Rick moves to end executive session
    • Jason Sorens 2nds
    • 5 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstain
    • Motion passes

  2. Adjournment

    • Amanda Phillips moves to adjourn
    • Adam Rick 2nds
    • 5 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstain
    • Motion passes