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

Mon Jan 5 17:05:47 EST 2015

For more background on this, I wrote an article that is on page 15 of LP 
News here:
http://www.lp.org/files/lp_news/2014-4_LP_News.pdf

Although the article is pretty long, I think I did leave out some of the 
details like explaining "Torch Club."

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 1/5/2015 2:46 PM, Wes Benedict wrote:
> 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
>>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Lnc-business mailing list
> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org

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