Poster activism, supplies & storage

Rob,

  Excellent solution! Is this what you guys did? How did the posters go over? How was Pride in general? Did we get any new members or activists?

  Anyone with a vehicle up for going around the city with me and getting some of the posters up in the public eye? I've got spray-on glue and a roller, and am back in town.

  Sorry about the portable tables by the way, if they are in my possession. It's been a while and I'm not sure I have them, but will check. I don't think I have any LPSF banners, just the small blue and white LP one I bought from national HQ.

  I don't have a lot of space here, but I would rather volunteer to store them at my place than see the LPSF pay for storage specifically for this purpose if no one else can store them after they leave your place. A downside is that I do live on the third floor -- based on your account of trying to move them, it may be a bit of a chore getting them up the stairs.

Love & Liberty,
        <<< starchild >>>

,_.___

For info on what's legal:

http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/sfdpw/bsm/signage_code.pdf

Jeremy

Chris,

  I was thinking primarily of places like the ugly clapboard surrounding construction projects. People put posters up on such surfaces all the time. I don't know how many of them officially register or follow the boneheaded city regulations (which Jeremy posted in a separate message), but judging from the amount of graffiti and such in the city generally, there are probably many who make the very libertarian assessment that these laws are simply not worth following. I doubt we would be held liable for fines or face much in the way of public opprobrium for doing something so commonplace. If you think our group will be more harmed than helped by such action, then maybe we should get some Democrat and Republican posters and put those up instead?

  Just because something has the LPSF's contact info on it does not prove that the LPSF was responsible for posting it. The party does not automatically endorse every activity or action for which volunteers are solicited on this list. This action need not be official. Party representatives often have the party's name, phone number, URL, etc., attached to their name via business cards, candidate filings, and so on. Should we start demanding they pay their taxes, in order to avoid public opprobrium falling on the party? Should we start telling our activists to wear their seatbelts so they aren't fined? After all, sustaining fines can reduce the ability of our activists to contribute to the party, with the financial result being the same as if the party itself had been fined directly.

Love & Liberty,
        <<< starchild >>>

To my knowledge, there were no takers on the "free" posters. Lots of
readers though. I think we'll have better luck with them as a
fundraiser selling them to people already self-identified as
Libertarians, via a direct mail piece to LP members or registered Ls in
SF, and via our website.

And I second the concern raised by Chris. The only places we should put
these are places where we've purchased ad space (Muni bus shelters,
subway tunnels) and privately-owned windows with the consent of the
owner (shopkeeper or homeowner). I can't think of a single circumstance
where spray glue and a roller would be an appropriate way to hang these
posters. If you know of any such places, Starchild, please let us
know. (Construction sites don't count -- One, because every
construction wall I've seen clearly says "Post No Bills", and two,
because LPSF defends private property, even if nobody else in the City
does.) I can imagine that there's some wall in San Francisco where
"community art" or whatever they're calling vandalism these days is
strongly encouraged by whomever owns the wall. And if you know of such
a place, Starchild, I'd of course want our message to go up there via
spray glue or whatever else you deem appropriate. (Though we should be
ready for any posters not in a private store or home window, or not in a
protective ad case like Muni bus stops, to be defaced with "fascists" or
"Nazis" by Libertarian-haters.)

As for transportation and storage of these things, I'm afraid that
moving them even once more in their current packaging will destroy
them. I've placed an order for 20 USPS mail tubes, so I can put about a
dozen in each tube, and they'll be easier to move (and I'm sure we will
eventually have at least 20 sales by mail, so we're not screwing USPS
out of free tubes).

Rob

Starchild wrote:

Rob,

Excellent solution! Is this what you guys did? How did the posters go
over? How was Pride in general? Did we get any new members or activists?

Anyone with a vehicle up for going around the city with me and getting
some of the posters up in the public eye? I've got spray-on glue and a
roller, and am back in town.

Sorry about the portable tables by the way, if they are in my
possession. It's been a while and I'm not sure I have them, but will
check. I don't think I have any LPSF banners, just the small blue and
white LP one I bought from national HQ.

I don't have a lot of space here, but I would rather volunteer to
store them at my place than see the LPSF pay for storage specifically
for this purpose if no one else can store them after they leave your
place. A downside is that I do live on the third floor -- based on
your account of trying to move them, it may be a bit of a chore
getting them up the stairs.

Love & Liberty,
<<< starchild >>>

,_.___

Now that Outright is an honest-to-goodness mutual benefit corporation
(el-cheapo Wyoming incorporation papers) adhering to IRS 501c4
standards, we actually can do more political campaigning, as long as
it's not our organization's primary activity.

However, it is SF Pride that has the "no campaigning" rule, which is a
requirement placed on them by the City in exchange for receiving Hotel
Tax arts funding for Pride activities. In addition, Outright is trying
to remain neutral regarding candidates for LP nomination, since the top
three all are equally good on our issues, and we want to endorse the
eventual nominee without any burned bridges.

I'd say that as long as the presidential candidate and their supporters
are holding their own literature and merely standing near the Outright
booth to hand it out to the crowd, then they're just Americans
exercising their First Amendment right to campaign for office in a
public space. The only thing that would get Outright in trouble is if
people wearing Outright shirts were giving out the literature, or if we
were distributing the candidate's literature from our tables, or worst
of all if we hang a candidate's banner on our booth. If we stick to
these commonsense guidelines, I'm sure we'll be more compliant with SF
Pride's rules than any of the other political parties.

I'll be there all day both days. I think I'm pretty familiar with
what's allowed and what isn't, so let's just play it by ear, and if I
see anything starting that is a clear no-no, I'll just ask them to stop.

As for the posters, these suckers are heavy. How about this? We take a
couple to display at the booth, and have a sign saying "sign up to
receive your own poster for free (pick up your copy at our next monthly
social)." Then tell those who sign up that they can pick up their
poster after the next LPSF meeting at the social hour. At that point,
we can press them for LPSF/Outright membership dues, but give it away
for free if they still refuse. After the effort of showing up to our
monthly meeting, I'd say they deserve a free poster. And for anyone who
doesn't want to show up, we can offer to ship it to them for a
reasonable shipping and handling fee (some acceptable amount over what
it would actually cost us to mail it to them).

Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks,

Rob

Amarcy D. Berry wrote:
>
> Hi Phil and All,
>
> I do not believe we discussed what we wanted to do with the LPSF
> posters at the Pride Booth. I am assuming we will give them out to
> people in exchange for whatever donation they wish to give? We
> cannot "sell" them for a specific price (no sales tax permit).
>
> Also, has anyone heard anything else regarding the LP Presidential
> Candidates who wanted to stop by the booth? Do any of you have any
> concerns about our booth "campaigning" for a specific candidate
> (please correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to recall that Outright,
> as a non-profit, cannot do that).
>
> Thanks,
>
> Marcy
>
> --- In lpsf-activists@
<mailto:lpsf-activists%40yahoogroups.com>yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:lpsf-activists%40yahoogroups.com>, Brian Miller
> <hightechfella@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi, folks:
> >
> > Attached is the information for Pride. We have exactly one parking
> permit so we'll have to rotate cars for multiple vehicles.
> >
> > Early-morning set-up works best.
> >
> > Curt, I'll give you a call tonight to review. Looking forward to
> working with all of you on this!
> >
> > San Francisco Pride 2007
> > General Exhibitor Guidelines and Information
> > Contacting Exhibitor Relations During the Event
> > The Exhibitor Relations Information Booth will be located on Polk
> Street at Lech Walesa between Grove Street and Hayes
> > Street. You cannot drive to the Exhibitor Relations booth, you will
> have to walk. We will assist you with any questions or
> > concerns you may have may be addressed at this location.
> > Exhibitor Relations may also be reached at 415-225-4477 DURING the
> event.
> > Entrance/Exit Instructions
> > The site will be open to Exhibitors starting at 6 AM on both
> Saturday and Sunday. Vehicles will be allowed to enter the
> > site at this time and up until 9 AM. NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO
> ENTER THE SITE AFTER 9 AM---NO
> > EXCEPTIONS!! All vehicles must be off the site by 9:15 AM. In
> addition, vehicles cannot be parked by your space while
> > setting up---only while unloading. Please do not park your vehicle
> in someone else's space while unloading. This will
> > make you very unpopular with the person who will be your neighbor
> for the rest of the day. Also, please do not leave
> > your vehicle unattended while on the site. Any vehicles found
> unattended will be towed, at the expense of the owner---
> > and tow charges in San Francisco are expensive. We will begin
> towing vehicles left on site at 9:30 AM. Please
> > unload your materials as quickly as possible and exit immediately
> thereafter to find parking.
> > The event ends at 6:00 PM on Saturday and 7:00 PM on Sunday, at
> which time Exhibitors must begin striking their space
> > (for Exhibitors vending both days, please see: Additional
> Information for Saturday Exhibitors). Exhibitors are
> > encouraged to have their spaces dismantled and ready for loading by
> 6:30 PM on Saturday and by 7:30 PM on Sunday.
> > Vehicles will be allowed on the site again when we reopen the
> gates, sometime after 6:15 PM on Saturday and when the
> > gates are reopened, sometime after 7:15 PM on Sunday. Vehicles must
> be completely cleared out by 8 PM on Saturday
> > and 9 PM on Sunday.
> > Please review the following entrance instructions. Varying from
> these designated entrance patterns will cause traffic
> > problems and delays. The enclosed Vehicle Permit is coded for your
> zone to help both you and our Vendor Relations staff
> > direct you on the morning of the event. THIS MUST BE DISPLAYED ON
> THE DASHBOARD OF YOUR VEHICLE.
> > To access the site:
> > Entry points valid for Saturday and Sunday unless otherwise noted.
> See map for entry point numbers:
> > A-B: Gate 1 Enter at Grove and Van Ness
> > C-D-E-F-G-H: Gate 2 Enter at Larkin and Hayes
> > I-J-L-M-Civic Center Plaza (PNW, PNE, PCN, PCM, PCS, PCE, PSW, PSE):
> > Saturday – GATE 3 Enter at McAllister & Larkin
> > Sunday – Gate 6 Enter at Larkin and Turk
> > K: Saturday - GATE 4 Enter at Fulton and Hyde WestSide
> > Sunday – Gate 7 Enter at Hyde and Turk
> > ME: Saturday – Gate 4W Enter at Hyde and Fulton
> > Sunday – Gate 7 Enter at Hyde and Turk
> > N-O-P-Q: GATE 7 Enter at Hyde and Turk
> > V-W-X-Y-YN:GATE 5 Enter at Polk and Turk
> > R-S-T-U-Z-ZW: GATE 6 Enter at Larkin and Turk
> > YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER OR EXIT THE SITE AT ANY OTHER
> LOCATION.
> >
> > Parking
> > Once your materials are unloaded, parking is available outside the
> Celebration site and is the responsibility of the
> > Exhibitor. Please note that your Vehicle Load/Unload Permit is NOT
> a parking permit. Plenty of legal parking should be
> > available north of Turk, south of Market and west of Van Ness
> Avenues. See below for special Exhibitor parking
> > information. Please be aware that the SFPD will be patrolling the
> area regularly for illegally parked vehicles. All vehicles
> > parked anywhere on the Celebration site will be towed and we will
> not look for you to move your vehicle
> > prior to towing. Keep in mind that on Saturday we will have
> additional street closures that begin at 8 PM. Read all signs
> > carefully.
> > VEHICLES ARE NOT PERMITTED TO DRIVE ANYWHERE ON THE CELEBRATION
> SITE BETWEEN 9:30 AM AND
> > WHEN WE REOPEN THE GATES SOMETIME AFTER 6:15 PM ON SATURDAY AND
> BETWEEN 9:30 AM AND
> > WHEN WE REOPEN THE GATES SOMETIME AFTER 7:15 PM ON SUNDAY. THERE
> ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. IF
> > YOU DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON THE CELEBRATION SITE DURING THOSE HOURS
> YOU WILL BE CITED AND
> > YOUR VEHICLE MAY BE IMPOUNDED. YOU WILL ALSO BE SUBJECT TO ARREST
> BY THE SAN FRANCISCO
> > POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE WILL PROSECUTE ALL SUCH TRANSGRESSIONS TO THE
> FULLEST EXTENT OF THE
> > LAW.
> > We have made arrangements with CITI PARK located on Larkin near
> Golden Gate for Exhibitor parking
> > this year. The lot will open at 6 AM on both days and will close at
> 7 PM on Saturday and 8 PM on Sunday.
> > The Parking Fee is determined by CITI PARK. There is no overnight
> parking at this location.
> > You are responsible to pay for parking and to adhere to their rules
> and regulations.
> > This lot is inside the Celebration Site and you will not be able to
> move your car on Saturday from 9:30AM
> > to 6:15PM and on Sunday from 9:30 AM to 7:15 PM.
> > Please display your Vehicle Load/Unload Permit on your dashboard.
> > THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED BY SFLGBTPCC, Inc. AS A SERVICE TO OUR
> EXHIBITORS
> > ONLY. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT SPACE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR
> VEHICLE. WHEN
> > YOU USE CITI PARK YOU ARE CONTRACTING WITH THEM DIRECTLY AND
> SFLGBTPCC, Inc. IS
> > NOT A THIRD PARTY IN YOUR CONTRACT WITH CITI PARK.
> > Booth Inspection
> > It is important that all Exhibitors have their booth staffed and
> ready by 10:00am. At that time Exhibitor Relations Staff
> > will be visiting your booth to offer assistance with any unresolved
> problems, distribute trash bags for your use, and to
> > make sure your EHHIBITOR BOOTH LICENSE is clearly displayed. If you
> do not have your EXHIBITOR BOOTH LICENSE,
> > a duplicate will be required. There is a $10.00 fee for a
> replacement.
> > Booth Forfeiture
> > If your Booth space is not staffed and occupied by 10:00am on
> either day of the event, we will assume that you will not
> > be participating and your space may be assigned to another
> Exhibitor. If your booth is reassigned for this reason, there
> > are NO REFUNDS. If you arrive after 10:00 there is no guarantee
> that Booth Space will be available.
> > Keeping Your Area Clean
> > All Exhibitors are responsible for keeping their spaces clean and
> clear of debris during and immediately after the event. It
> > is the responsibility of each Exhibitor to appropriately dispose of
> their waste appropriately, either at the Recycling Area or
> > at the dumpsters and located throughout the site. Failure to do so
> may result in a surcharge.
> > Security
> > If you are collecting money, or selling items via credit card, it
> is important that you keep your receipts secure at all times.
> > Do not assume that hiding them is adequate. Large crowds of people
> frequently draw dishonest individuals. These people
> > take advantage of the general activity to study where receipts are
> kept, and then take advantage of a moment's
> > inattention to reach in to your booth and steal your receipts.
> Additionally, secure the back of your booth to stop people
> > who might reach in and steal merchandise.
> >
> > Booth Structures and Equipment
> > If you requested and paid for a booth structure and/or a Table and
> Chairs on your application, the booth structure and/or
> > Table and Chairs will already be set up for you at your space. This
> structure will also be dismantled for you at the end of
> > the celebration on Sunday. Tables and Chairs may be left at the
> booth location. Each Exhibitor must provide for
> > themselves any other equipment needed for the operation of their
> booth. Please do not request equipment from
> > us as no other EQUIPMENT will be AVAILABLE. Power is only available
> by prior arrangement.
> > The Weather
> > Everybody talks about the weather, but you can do something about
> it. The most important thing that you can do is
> > make sure that any signs and items are secured. Sometimes the
> weather is beautiful and sunny, and other times, a
> > strong the wind can pick up in the afternoon. If we are supplying
> your structure, it will be weighted down to withstand
> > the wind. If you are providing your own structure, be sure to bring
> adequate weights to keep the structure
> > from blowing away. Placing spikes in the street is strictly
> prohibited.
> > Sales Info
> > The State Board of Equalization requires that sales tax for all
> merchandise sold on private property be reported.
> > Compliance with resale regulations and the reporting of sales tax
> is the responsibility of each Exhibitor. It is up to each
> > Exhibitor to keep accurate sales tax receipt records in the event
> that the State Board of Equalization inspects or audits
> > booths. The "Exhibitor Contract" signed by all applicants for
> exhibitor space at our event (located on the back side of
> > your application) releases the SFLGBTPCC from all sales tax
> liability for merchandise sold at individual spaces.
> > All sales vendors must display their State of California Resale #
> in a visible location at their space.
> > ALL VENDORS MUST DISPLAY IN THEIR BOOTH THE SF PRIDE VENDOR LICENSE.
> > Additional Information for Saturday Exhibitors
> > Those exhibiting both days of the Celebration will have the same
> location on both Saturday and Sunday, unless you have
> > special arrangements for a different Sunday Booth. Please be aware
> that additional exhibitors will be coming on Sunday
> > who were not present on Saturday---i.e., spaces next to or near you
> that are empty on Saturday will not be empty on
> > Sunday. Do not take it upon yourself to move to a different
> location just because it appears empty.
> > There are some Saturday exhibitors who are scheduled to move to a
> different location on Sunday. If you are going to be
> > in a different location on Sunday, make sure that your Saturday are
> is left as clean as it was when you arrived.
> > As mentioned in the Exhibitor Application, limited
> overnight `roving' security will be provided at the Celebration area,
> but
> > our site is extremely large and not fenced in. There will be no one
> who will be "personally" monitoring your booth and its
> > materials. Any materials left on site Saturday overnight will be
> left at your own risk. The Parade Committee
> > highly recommends that all materials be taken with you at the
> conclusion of Saturday's event. Also please be advised that
> > this area can get very windy at night. If you bring your own tent,
> we suggest you remove it on Saturday night. The
> > SFLGBTPCC, Inc., will assume no liability for theft of or damage to
> any merchandise, materials or
> > equipment left at the Celebration site.

.

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The posters are the property of the lpsf. Since libertarians respect property, the use of the posters should be directed by the lpsf while in our possesion. We will discuss distribution channels at the next meeting. Please bring your ideas and concerns.

Phil