[Lnc-business] membership levels are not correct on the LP.org site for joining and contributing
Wes Benedict
wes.benedict at lp.org
Wed Jan 7 14:57:31 EST 2015
Based on Mr. Starr's comments below, as well as comments from our
Treasurer in another email, and after further consideration myself, I do
plan to make some changes to the labeling and amounts on the
contribution pages provided we don't run into major technical hurdles.
I'll let you know when we're ready to have one of you make sure the
$15,000 and $25,000 contribution levels work on the website.
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 1/7/2015 3:24 AM, Aaron Starr wrote:
>
> Hello Wes,
>
> If you or Alicia Mattson could forward this to the LNC, I would
> appreciate it.
>
> I understand your frustration and concern, and my position is probably
> pretty close to your own. However, it appears that the LNC adopted a
> different position.
>
> Just so we are clear, I did not draft the language that was adopted by
> the LNC in 2011. It is quite different from the proposals I advocated
> and were adopted in 2009-2010. To give context to this discussion,
> back in May 2010 the relevant section of the Policy Manual read as
> follows:
>
>
> 1)Membership Forms
>
> Membership forms produced by the LNC shall include a membership
> statement that meets the requirements of Article 5, Section 1 of the
> Party Bylaws. Any new wording for the membership statement shall be
> subject to the same review process as all other Party Literature.
>
>
> 2)Association Levels
>
> The following levels of association are recognized by the Party:
>
> * Basic $25 annual dues payment
> * Regular $50 annual dues payment
> * Supporting $100 annual dues payment
> * Sponsor $250 annual dues payment
> * Patron $500 annual dues payment
> * Torch Club $1,000 in dues or
> contributions prior twelve months
> * Chairman's Circle $5,000 in dues or contributions
> since last convention
>
>
> 3)Life Membership Status
>
> A member who contributes at least $1,000 during any twelve-month
> period shall be granted life membership in the Party.[i] <#_edn1>
>
>
> 4)Benefits
>
> Non-member contributors shall be provided all benefits provided to
> member contributors, except for those rights specifically granted only
> to members or sustaining members by the Party Bylaws or this Policy
> Manual.
>
> A member or non-member contributor with a future benefits lapse date
> shall be entitled to the following basic benefits:
>
> * Customized Party membership card, updated annually, identifying
> the individual’s level of association and lapse date
> * Subscription to LP News
>
> Those maintaining Torch Club status shall also be entitled to the
> following benefits:
>
> * Special mailings
> * Invitation to the Torch Club event at the convention
>
> Those maintaining Chairman’s Circle status shall also be entitled to
> the following benefits:
>
> * Special mailings
> * Invitation to the Torch Club event at the convention
> * Invitation to the Chairman's Circle event at the convention
> * Participation in special conference calls with the Chair
>
> Staff shall have the discretion to create and bestow additional benefits.
>
>
> 5)Benefits Lapse Date
>
> An individual’s benefits lapse date is independent of the sustaining
> membership lapse date defined by the Party’s Bylaws.[ii] <#_edn2>
>
> Individuals making a first contribution shall have a benefits lapse
> date established one year from the date of receipt. Individuals who
> remit the required amount of dues in response to a membership renewal
> request shall have the benefits lapse date extended by one year from
> the existing lapse date or one year from the date of receipt,
> whichever is later.
>
> Individuals who remit the required amount other than dues during the
> Renewal Period shall have the benefits lapse date extended by one year
> from the existing lapse date or one year from the date of receipt,
> whichever is later.
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> Notwithstanding the above, an individual who has contributed an amount
> sufficient to have qualified for life membership status shall be
> entitled to lifetime basic benefits.
>
> The language “The following levels of association are recognized by
> the Party:” precedes an enumerated list of the levels of association
> authorized by the LNC. It specifies the levels recognized, and
> therefore no other levels may be recognized. In contrast, staff is
> given much leeway to create and grant additional benefits to existing
> levels of association (“Staff shall have the discretion to create and
> bestow additional benefits.”). To create additional or different
> levels of association, however, requires a change be made to the
> Policy Manual. This limiting phrase did not change after 2010.
>
> Back in 2010, dues payments (not contributions) were what established
> association levels in the Policy Manual. Dues payments were typically
> received in response to a renewal request during the Renewal Period.
> (As defined in the Policy Manual, “Renewal Period” for an individual
> is the period commencing with the first membership renewal appeal sent
> to that individual until the receipt of a contribution sufficient to
> extend that individual’s benefits lapse date.)
>
> However, the LNC does not send renewal requests for dues to monthly
> pledgers. To accommodate these loyal donors and not have their
> benefits lapse do to a lack of a dues payment, the following language
> was included: “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.” That language was designed to make it
> easier for staff to administer the pledge program; it did not create a
> new level of association. That language did not change in 2011.
>
> Some of the updates made in 2011 created internal consistency issues.
> For example, the new language adopted by the LNC concerning the
> association levels specifies contributions (not just dues) be included
> for measuring whether an individual has achieved an association level;
> however, the following language was not updated at the time of the
> change: “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.” It is difficult when such language conflicts arise. I
> can certainly empathize with your position. You may want to suggest
> some clean-up language. In the interim, when you do encounter a
> conflict between existing language and new language, it is proper to
> give more weight to the new language, as that is more likely to be in
> line with the legislative intent of the board that last decided the
> matter.
>
> Does the Policy Manual require that you put membership levels on the
> website? It never occurred to me that staff would need direction to
> do that. I suppose we don’t have to ask for donations at all on the
> website, though I don’t recommend that. It seems to me that the
> intent of the authors would be to have all the options for association
> marketed to potential donors in one manner or another. I think you
> would run into some hot water if you promote only some levels of
> association and not the others. To be prudent, you should seek
> guidance from the LNC on that question.
>
> I hope that was at least somewhat helpful.
>
> Aaron Starr
>
> (805) 583-3308 Home
>
> (805) 404-8693 Mobile
>
> starrcpa at gmail.com
>
> *From:*Wes Benedict [mailto:wes.benedict at lp.org]
> *Sent:* Monday, January 05, 2015 2:06 PM
> *To:* Kevin Knedler; lnc-business at hq.lp.org; Aaron Starr
> *Subject:* Re: [Lnc-business] membership levels are not correct on the
> LP.org site for joining and contributing
>
> 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 <mailto: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
> <mailto: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 <mailto:Lnc-business at hq.lp.org>
>
> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> [i] <#_ednref1>Authorized by Bylaw 5.2.
>
> [ii] <#_ednref2>Qualifications for sustaining membership are defined
> by Bylaw Articles 5.3 and 5.5.
>
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