Dear Global Leather Village Member:

John Weis, founder of LLC, will present a poster on the plans of LLC, INCORPORATED  at LLC-2000 (March 31-April-2, 2000),
in Washington, D.C.   (This is a last-minute addition that came in on March 13th).  Also, the program has an open discussion 
on LLC-V on Sunday afternoon.

Ask questions: What is the relationship of LLC, INC and LLC-IV & V?   Who decided the host of LLC-III & LLC-IV?   Who 
decides the host of  the next LLC?  Why was and is there no broad founding diversity?  Why is there no public input or 
disclosure of the by-laws?  Was and is the  Board of Directors appointed or elected?   Where are the minutes  of the  LLC, 
INC.meetings?   When are these meetings?  Where are these  meetings?  What is the  Strategic Plan of LLC, INC?  Where
is  the  financial statement?   What is the budget?   How is it funded? What are volunteers actua;lly supporting?

There is chat and rumble and more, stirring, as to how long our  community can support a national organization, over 
time, that is less than democratic.  Isn't this a mirror repeat of what's happened  with the MMOW?   Two organizations 
have planned and executed  national event to impact the world with an image and agenda of  what it means to be 
lesbian or gay; transgender, bisexual or queer heterosexual without any open poll or participation of those peoples  - 
and wholly without input by the LeatherFetishSM community.  Is this the model we want for Leather Leadership, 
Leather identity, Leather agenda, Leather representation?  So far it appears that this is what we have at LLC, INC.

Assuming you advertise and there is a profit, where will that money end up?  Who will decided this, or indeed is it already 
decided?  ndeed what is the board doing while the conference is being produced?  Are meetings going on and decisions 
being made behind everyone's back as happened last year and announced only at the close of the conference?

The advertising people are sending out the call for sponsors.  The problem is, there is not enough information as to what 
will become of any monies that are 'profit'/over and above expenses.  Some potential sponsors are holding back at this 
time.  It would be unfortunate for LLC-2000 to suffer any loss of income only because of mistrust or misunderstand of 
the board - but this is the present reality.  Would you fund a national board who has never outlined it's expenditures?  
How can this be changed?.  

LLC-IV/2000 is mounting, wonderfully, the best LLC effort yet - and kudos' are already in order to the committee - 
especially the program committee and most all of the DCSMA membership.  Hopefully they will continue with last year's 
policy institute statements.

In  the Program as outlined in a recent Press Release (sneak-preview), there is nothing about LLC, INC. - National.  (The 
program is not published on the LLC, INC web site.)  Wouldn't it be appropriate for a general and open session titled,  
"Address the Board"?

At the close of LLC-III, the San Francisco organizing committee voted to award it's proceeds to DCSMA for the purpose 
of producing LLC-2000.  It repaid LLC (National and not yet, INC.) the seed monies but areed not to fund a body which 
was forming and acting in secret behind closed doors.

Last June, Michelle Buchannan personally 'brokered a deal' with John to open the board - to initiate a broadly inclusive 
(including  'People of Culture' and the Heartland) "Advisory Council" (which Michelle likely would have headed up) and 
that this 'Council' would have input on the final by-laws for LLC.  No such action was taken.

There was a brief 'rumor' that certain people 'might' be invited onto the board - but no public announcement - or 
discussion.  Frankly it's as-if, there is a fear of the community by the entire board.  Why else would it be so secretive?
Is there a hidden agenda?  These kinds of 'suspicions' occur when there is a darth of communications.  Such has been 
the case with LLC, INC from it's inception.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a problem that is "big enough to see and small enough to solve" at this point.  Please 
take the time to think about and correct the path of our future.  If Leather Leadership Conferences are to grow, to 
represent - indeed to lead, there  must be inclusion at every level and of every  kind - beginning with LLC, INC., 
Board of Directors.  And by the way, when are elections? How will nominees be selected?  Will you run?

With passion and concern - and asking questions,

Phil Ross