[Lnc-business] Budget Increase Motion - Branding

[Joshua Katz]

Thank you Wes for that explanation.  I agree that we ought to price door
hangers below cost in order to expend the $20,000 donation.  I also
certainly agree that we do things, spending money, to increase visibility,
and that $30,000 is a reasonable amount beyond the donation to spend on
visible branding.  I'm less certain that selling promotional items like
this is the best way to do that, but I'm no expert.  My primary concern is
the co-branded materials with a group with which, to all appearances, we
are having difficulty agreeing on terms of cooperation.

Joshua A. Katz
Westbrook CT Planning Commission (L in R seat)

On Thu, Sep 15, 2016 at 12:29 PM, Wes Benedict <wes.benedict at lp.org> wrote:

> Joshua, I would like to price things on average below their costs partly
> so I can give more stuff for free away to our candidates and affiliates as
> a service to our candidates and affiliates.
>
> 9/15/2016 YTD branding revenue is estimated at $235,933.64.
>
> Last year, a donor gave $20,000 to subsidize door hangers for 2016:
>
> http://www.lp.org/blogs/staff/early-christmas-gift-to-lp
>
> so I think spending at least $20,000 more than we bring in is certainly a
> reasonable thing to do but spending $50,000 more is also very reasonable.
>
> Basically, we are a political party trying to grow our outreach. We could
> spend $50,000 on a TV ad for a flash in the pan result. Or we can spend
> $50,000 on things like shirts, door hangers, and stickers, that have a
> lasting advertising affect and also spur volunteer activity (at least in
> the case of the door hangers).
>
> We give a free sticker to new members and new inquiries.
>
> It's a common refrain "national doesn't do anything for it's affiliates
> and members . . . ." This is me trying to do something for our affiliates
> and members that I think also benefits the national LP and our affiliates
> and members.
>
>
> Wes Benedict, Executive Director
> Libertarian National Committee, Inc.
> 1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314(202) 333-0008 ext. 232, wes.benedict at lp.orgfacebook.com/libertarians @LPNational
> Join the Libertarian Party at: http://lp.org/membership
>
> On 9/15/2016 9:14 AM, Joshua Katz wrote:
>
> I'm confused by this motion.  The ED recently told us, in response to my
> inquiry, that items are priced so that revenues and expenses are
> approximately equal (expenses exempting fixed costs, overhead, and labor,
> which are charged to other line items).  Why do we need a non-offsetting
> change now?  I understand that this doesn't say that expenses will exceed
> budgeted revenue, but I'm just not following the logic.
>
> Also, does actual revenue mean YTD or pro-rated?  What is the current
> actual revenue YTD for this item?
>
> If we are taking losses on items, I would like to hear about what has
> changed.  Let me also say that I am uncomfortable if we are pricing
> promotional items co-branded with the campaign in such a way that we take a
> loss, in the absence of an executed contract.  If we are losing money
> selling J/W items (as I said, if) then let's stop doing that or change the
> prices, at the very least until we have a contract.  I'm not saying, to be
> clear, I'd favor losing money on selling these items with a contract either.
>
> If this is one of those cases where, well, it happened, and we need to
> adjust for it - fine, but why did it happen and are we changing prices to
> keep it from continuing?
>
> Joshua A. Katz
> Westbrook CT Planning Commission (L in R seat)
>
> On Thu, Sep 15, 2016 at 12:34 AM, Nicholas Sarwark <chair at lp.org> wrote:
>
>> Dear All,
>>
>> I would like to make the following motion on the Treasurer's behalf
>> (to avoid the need for cosponsors):
>>
>> The budget for 55-Brand Political Materials Expense shall be $50,000
>> higher than actual revenue for 26-Brand Political Materials.
>>
>>
>> Yours in liberty,
>>
>> Nick
>>
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>
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