[Durham INC] Partisan Political Posts on the INC Listserv

Wed Apr 11 09:28:00 EDT 2012

I agree with Reyn that Tom should have put "some candidates" in the subject line, and some legalese about INC not endorsing any candidate-- we probably should have some standard language like "INC is non-partisan and doesn't endorse candidates, but in the interest of increasing participation in the political process, I am sharing this information about an event."  
If we get a flood of announcements of this kind of event, we might need to look at collecting and sending out a weekly summary, but that is a bridge to cross when we get to it

Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:07:48 -0400
From: reynbowman at gmail.com
To: inc-list at durhaminc.org
Subject: Re: [Durham INC] Partisan Political Posts on the INC Listserv

I guess Tom could have been more clear that the slate noted isn't an INC slat but I thought it was appropriate for him to invite INC listserv participants.  In my opinion, he in no way misrepresented INC or encroached on its non-partisan nature.

On Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 8:33 AM, Richard Ford <rbford at aim.com> wrote:

I think it helps INC's clout to be strictly non-partisan, since we work with many elected officials in the City and County.
Dick FordDowning Creek

On Apr 11, 2012, at 12:05 AM, John Martin wrote:

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
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-- 
Reyn Bowman
2203 Shoreham St
Durham, NC 27707
919-381-1497
www.bullcitymutterings.com

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