[Durham INC] Partisan Political Posts on the INC Listserv

[John Martin]

Hi,
I've received an inquiry from a delegate about Tom Miller's recent listserv post (below) and I wanted to solicit your reactions.  
INC is officially a non-partisan organization.  In addition, our articles of incorporation say the following:  "this corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office."
It would appear to me that Tom's posting, which is advocating for certain candidates for office, crosses that line.  It entangles INC in the "distribution of statements. . .on behalf of  . . .candidate[s] for public office."  
Some of you may see this differently, and that's why I am asking for your guidance.  But please bear in mind that we need a very simple principle that the moderators of the listserv can enforce equitably, and that everyone can understand.  One such principal would be to ask people not to put messages about partisan events on the listserv, and not to advocate for or against candidates.  
If you prefer a different principle, please state it clearly, and explain why it doesn't contravene the passage above in our articles of incorporation.  
Thanks.  I appreciate your help.
John Martin, PresidentInterNeighborhood Council of Durham

--- On Tue, 4/10/12, Tom Miller <tom-miller1 at nc.rr.com> wrote:

From: Tom Miller <tom-miller1 at nc.rr.com>
Subject: [Durham INC] This will be fun! Don Moffitt's Meet the Candidates Rally
To: inc-list at rtpnet.org, inc-list at durhaminc.org
Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 2:28 PM

Dear Neighbors:  Here is an event that should be great fun.  Don Moffitt is having a rally to support what will be a truly great ticket for the May 8 elections.I plan to be there and I hope you will come too.  The right decisions start with the right elected officials.Come out to meet, greet and support great candidates for the Board of County Commissioners and State Senate!  Sunday, April 154:00 to 5:00 pm  The Green Room, 1108 Broad Street, Durham  Fred Foster - Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)Wendy Jacobs - BOCCEllen Reckhow - BOCCWill Wilson - BOCCMike Woodard - State Senate  It'll be fun AND informative.  Doors open at 3:45First hundred people in the door get a free beverage of your choice!  Sponsored by Don Moffitt  Thanks, Don!  Tom Miller
-----Inline Attachment Follows-----

_______________________________________________
Durham INC Mailing List
list at durham-inc.org
http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://rtpnet.org/pipermail/inc-list/attachments/20120410/0db6b150/attachment.html>