Florida Libertarian News & Info

by Michael "M.G." Gilson

Libertarians have experimented with ways to turn ideas into action, develop long-term plans and stay focused while trying out different things. There has been a lot of discussion about tying in management, planning, and social interaction in a very Libertarian way. In December of 1999, Florida Libertarians adopted a new Libertarian Social Process for getting things done called the IMP which stands for "Improvement Management Process." The Executive Committee voted to adopt it, and serve as a resource for county use, after a presentation sponsored by the Libertarian International Organization and considerable effort looking at different member suggestions. Here is what is going on.

The IMP was developed and successfully used in several Fortune 100 companies-and even the US government-with superior results. Libertarians can now actually say that the developing standard for managing correctly is Libertarianism.

A political party without politics? The IMP is a way of managing things openly to match our politics. The IMP is basically a turbo-charged to-do list that automatically highlights areas that need attention. The to-do list is created by the membership's own suggestions. As a social process it involves first getting everyone's ideas out on the table ("the desirable process") and then encouraging people to self-assign. This is the exact reverse of how most of society works, where ideas are acted on one-at-a-time from above or by vote.

Benefit of Open Agendas. The idea? Learning to better work together on a non-authority basis, working with instead of against the Libertarian self-autonomy ethic, and start by putting various agendas "on the table" where everyone can discuss them. It automatically develops strategic planning and institutional memory, a growing worry, because all those ideas force everyone to sit down and plan long-term. The hope is to perfect it to make it a tool for all Libertarians. Among the things that are happening in Florida:

* An Ongoing Suggestion Process. Over 600 of your suggestions were collected since the convention, and boiled down into 240 action areas.

* Best Practice Comparison. To complement your ideas, since the convention the Executive Committee looked at the "best practices" of Libertarian groups here and abroad-no more "re-invent the flat tire." We've looked at things like how to win elections by having passive candidates, double the Libertarian vote by having poll-watchers, and how to prevent activist burn-out. In the works: a Florida-Specific Think Tank and candidate training.

* A Simple Management System. The IMP involves a simple management system that "highlights variances" when we wander from agreed goals, and on a timely basis. Using your ideas, we are now looking at areas to increase funds, clarify staffing tasks, and make numerous simple, high-payoff improvements. One exciting idea is the "Financial Tank," a way of permanent funding using trusts or endowments; another an "Action Needed" program for your continuing ideas.

* IMP Teams. All this activity is focused by open IMP Teams. Anyone can sign up or contribute their ideas, or take responsibility for a task. The Teams are working in areas such as Newsletter and Communications, Database design, Fundraising, and Operation Hammerlock-to keep Libertarians in government once elected, and help them communicate their successes.

* Opportunities, Goals and Plans. IMP teams commit to working with each local Libertarian group, to help them communicate needs, developing from the counties a 5-year plan including specific, measurable acts-critical tasks-that are known to work well: OPH Booth, Potluck meetings, Campus and High School Outreach, Targeted Fundraising, along with Campaign methods. A pilot Sister-Party program of activist mentoring with Serbian Libertarians is also being looked at.

* Remembering What We're Doing. A plan gives us a backlog that is organized, so suggestions not immediately feasible are not forgotten, and better continuity in the future. The IMP will help new members be Libertarian-by showing a dynamic fellowship that works by working with them, and that is focused, with tasks at hand for people to self-assign.

Amazingly, after the initial LIO grant, the IMP costs nothing, and is actually showing ways to liberate Volunteers' time and increase funding. There will be a manual on the Internet anyone can download.

* A Tool for Ambitious Goals? The IMP is being studied in local groups already, but is available for use everywhere. Besides helping with the Teams, we are asking Libertarians to sign up as Passive Candidates, by merely allowing the LP to place their name on the ballot with all the actual filing and other work to be handled by the State LP. Why? People respond when they see a large LP slate in the polling booth. This worked tremendously well in New Hampshire, where 29 Libertarians were elected after one-third of Party Members signed up-which, adjusted for population, would be like 480 here from a membership of 6,000. Can we even come close to that in 5 years? Each county taking advantage of your ideas is the first step.

To Participate: The IMP is not a State program, or a county program, or even strictly political. It is an ongoing tool that belongs to the membership, and that everyone can learn about, improve, and use. It is there to help people work together in a Libertarian, long-term way. Start by adding your suggestions to our growing list, and if there is an opportunity that you want to own, and investigate for your Libertarian group. The IMP teams are for everyone. We want you! Contact your local chair or Regional Rep, or the IMP Coordinator at 727-344-1038.
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