[Lnc-business] membership levels are not correct on the LP.org site for joining and contributing

[Wes Benedict]

Dear Kevin Knedler, Aaron Starr, and the LNC:

I'd like to get our publications in line with the new membership plans 
in the policy manual as soon as practical.
I think we came close months ago, but Mr. Knedler has pointed out some 
things he thinks may not be in compliance.
I think one of the things he may be right about, but some he may not be, 
or it is an area subject to interpretation.

I've had some discussions with the APRC and Mr. Knedler about complying 
with the new membership policies, but discussions with the APRC have the 
feature of being confidential. Therefore, I'd like to do this in the 
open with the LNC to see if we can all get on the same page and in a 
manner that can be shared be referred back to and shared with others 
publicly as needed.

Most of you probably don't need to spend your time or mental energy on 
this. However, I'm including the whole LNC because handling this more 
privately has resulted in people not being on the same page.

I've copied Mr. Starr on this email because I believe he was a primary 
designer of some of the Policy Manual language for the prior membership 
plan clarifications adopted in the 2009-2010 time frame. Sometimes in 
the past when I would read the policy manual and make an interpretation, 
Mr. Starr held a different view and typically I found that the LNC was 
willing to go with Mr. Starr's interpretation as was I once I clearly 
understood what was intended. So I wanted to bring Mr. Starr into the 
conversation before issuing a request to a programmer to have our 
website updated. I'm guessing whatever changes are finally agreed upon 
won't cost a lot if I wait until we're all on the same page before 
making the changes.

I'd like to finish updating our old website before working on our new 
website.

Mr. Knedler's suggested corrections are in his email below.

I've put my comments in red.

Additionally, I'd like to put in a request to our secretary to see if 
she thinks she can re-write pages 37-41 of our Policy Manual (without 
changing the meaning) to be more easily understood. I made an attempt to 
make the policy manual language more understandable on the website 
although I already know it's not complete, but to explain things 
completely gets really complicated:
here: https://www.lp.org/membership-levels

Since I know where Mr. Knedler stands, my preferred next step is to wait 
to see if Mr. Starr has specific recommendations on the things below.

Thanks,

Wes Benedict, Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee, Inc.
*New address: 1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314*
(202) 333-0008 ext. 232, wes.benedict at lp.org
facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
Join the Libertarian Party at: http://lp.org/membership

On 1/4/2015 7:16 PM, Kevin Knedler wrote:
>
> Happy New Year everyone.
>
> I took a look and it is still not accurate per the LNC approved policy 
> manual that goes back to an LNC vote in August of 2011.
>
Just to be clear, the LNC postponed implementation until August 1, 2014, 
a deadline which was met for the most part.
>
> On the page for donations on the lp.org site there are errors
>
> One-time donation
>
> MISSING $25,000
>
> MISSING $15,000
>
> MISSING  $2,500
>
There are at least two donation pages.
One I'll refer to as the "membership" page: https://www.lp.org/membership
and the other I'll refer to the "contribute" page 
https://www.lp.org/contribute

Neither has the $25,000, $15,000, or $2,500 options. I don't believe the 
Policy Manual language requires all association levels and amounts to be 
printed on all online donation forms. So I don't think we are required 
to put those amounts on either page. However, if I've interpreted the 
Policy Manual incorrectly, I will have those donation options added. 
Even if they are not required to be there, I'll add them if the Chair 
asks me to or if Aaron Starr and several on the LNC write to me that 
they think it's a good thing to do.

I'll need the requests to state whether those donation levels belong on 
just the membership page, or also on the contribute page.

There was a time in the past when contributions that were NOT in 
response to a renewal offer were not counted towards membership 
association levels. I think maybe they do count now with Mr. Knedlers 
new plan, but that's not clear (see next paragraph). We typically have 
NOT put membership levels on non membership contribution forms like this 
one https://www.lp.org/contribute or on typical fundraising letters.

Page 40 of the Policy Manual says (and I believe Mr. Starr was the 
original source of this) "Other contributions in response to other than 
a membership renewal appeal shall not as a policy extend the benefits 
lapse date, however Staff shall have the discretion on a case-by-case
basis to extend a contributor’s benefits lapse date up to one year from 
the last contribution date, if failure to do so would damage donor 
relations."

I think our website is already too cluttered and our membership programs 
are too complicated, plus we're supposed to get a new website soon, so 
I'm not inclined to initiate an optional change that makes things more 
complicated and cluttered without clear support from the LNC.

> Monthly Pledge
>
> MISSING $2,500 a month
>
> MISSING $1,500 a month
>
Same as above.
>
> Also there is a $10 a month level and that is not part of the policy 
> manual.
>
> $15.00 is the lowest level
>
> Of course if someone wants to give $10 it can be in the “Other amount 
> box” in the monthly pledge section.
>
It sounds like Mr. Knedler wants me to remove the $10/month amounts from
here https://www.lp.org/membership
and here: https://www.lp.org/contribute

I disagree with Mr. Knedler's interpretation. I don't think the policy 
manual prohibits offering $10/month pledges. In fact, the policy manual 
on page acknowledges the existance of $10/month pledges saying 
"Individuals pledging at least $10 per month using an automated 
recurring payment method, such as a valid credit card or ACH debit, 
shall have their benefits lapse dates extended to
the last day of the following December."

Plus, the $10/month amount is quite popular. I will not remove those 
unless that is specifically ruled a requirement by the APRC, or if the 
Chair or LNC directs me to remove the $10 per month option.

> The levels correspond in increments:
>
> $25,000 or 2,500 a month
>
> $15,000 or 1,500 a month
>
> $5,000 or 500 a month
>
> $2,500 or 250 a month
>
> $1,500 or 150 a month      This level and above is Lifetime and Torch 
> Club level.
>
> $500 or 50 a month
>
> $250 or 25 a month
>
> $150 or 15 a month
>
> $50 one time   with nothing per month
>
> $25 one time   with nothing per month
>
I'm not sure that the info above is requesting. However, I think we 
should add to this page:
https://www.lp.org/membership
"This level and above is Lifetime and Torch Club level."
in the two places I put red circles in the image below:



> Please take a look and I really hope this can be fixed.
>
> A lot of time was put into the policy changes .
>
> Thank you.
>
> Kevin Knedler
>

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