Recruiting Delegates
The first stage to changing the LP Platform is to get a large number of
members at the convention who agree with the principle that the platform
needs to be fixed. There are several approaches available. Among them:
Convert Existing Activists A beginning would be to
lobby among the core activists who are likely delegates at the next
convention. These people can be reached by contacting existing
Libertarian organizations. Most local party officers can be contacted by
email. Many can be reached in person at state conventions. These people are
worth spending a great deal of time with since they are the leaders in the
movement; however, many are hardcore purists who would oppose our aims.
Motivate Incrementalists in the Party. There are many in
the party who already agree with our aims. They need to be motivated to
become delegates—and stay on the floor during the platform debates.
Reaching these people probably needs to be done through advertising in
LP News. Small ads that bring people to this site may suffice.
Convert and Motivate Existing Members. This is a more
challenging approach: getting existing party members to realize what it
takes to win, and get them to the convention.
Recruit Outside the Party. There are many small-l libertarians
who would support the LP if it were reformed. We can and should recruit heavily
from this group. Party outsiders can affect the debate two ways:
- Join the party, and be delegates.
- Promise to join the party if reforms occur. This can influence existing
delegates.
Potential recruits can be categorized at least two ways:
- Membership status. Whether the person has been a member
in the past or not.
- Current objection. Does the person object to the current
platform due to disagreement, or does that person object to the lack of
electoral success of the LP?
There are multiple approaches to recruiting these people. Among them:
- Participating in small-l libertarian organizations, and recruiting in
person.
- Promotion on small-l blogs and message boards.
- Advertising in the small-l press, such as Reason.
- Advertising in the semi-libertarian press.
Further articles and discussion on recruitment will be placed in the
Strategy section of this web site.
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