[Lnc-business] proposed changes to membership program

[Lauren Daugherty]

Hi everyone,

At the last LNC meeting you directed me to review our current membership 
program, particularly the names of two giving levels (Minuteman and 
Patriot), and recommend changes at the next meeting.

I've talked with different staff about this and sought their input, on 
multiple occasions, over the past few months and even previous to that.

If I could wave a magic wand and make changes easily and instantly, 
there would be more changes that I'd want to make. But none of us have 
magic wands. We have to be practical about how changes would be 
made...how much time that would take away from other things, whether the 
changes would have enough impact to justify the costs (dollars and 
hours) of the change, etc.

I'm recommending these changes to you because I think they 1) improve 
our membership program and will make it more effective, and 2) are 
simpler than other options.

In summary, I recommend:

- changing the names on the 5 bottom categories, both to remove the 
names "Minuteman" and "Patriot" and to provide more of an obvious ladder 
that will hopefully encourage people to upgrade;

- giving staff discretion on where and when to use which categories 
in-print, online, or elsewhere; obviously our goal is to maximize the 
effectiveness of our fundraising materials and what is practical and 
optimal on one item may not be on another;

- giving staff until the end of 2018 to implement the changes in giving 
level names;

- simplifying the benefits for the top 5 categories as outlined in the 
policy manual.

CURRENT GIVING LEVELS:

  * Chairman’s Circle*$25,000 annually or $2500 monthly in dues or
    contributions
  * Select Benefactor*$15,000 annually or $1500 monthly in dues or
    contributions
  * Beacon of Liberty*$5,000 annually or $500 monthly in dues or
    contributions
  * Pioneer of Freedom*$2,500 annually or $250 monthly in dues or
    contributions
  * Lifetime Founder*$1,500 annually or $150 monthly in dues or
    contributions

  * Patriot $500 annually or $50 monthly
  * Minuteman$250 annually or $25 monthly
  * Advocate$150 annually or $15 monthly
  * Supporter$50 annually
  * Foundation Member$25 annually

SUGGESTED REVISION:

  * Chairman’s Circle*$25,000 annually or $2500 monthly in dues or
    contributions
  * Select Benefactor*$15,000 annually or $1500 monthly in dues or
    contributions
  * Beacon of Liberty*$5,000 annually or $500 monthly in dues or
    contributions
  * Pioneer of Freedom*$2,500 annually or $250 monthly in dues or
    contributions
  * Lifetime Founder*$1,500 annually or $150 monthly in dues or
    contributions

  * Platinum$500 annually or $50 monthly
  * Gold $250 annually or $25 monthly
  * Silver $150 annually or $15 monthly
  * Bronze $50 annually
  * Basic $25 annually

The logic here is that when people hear "silver" they automatically 
expect and know that gold comes after that, and it makes them more 
likely to "upgrade" later. (Upgrades are very important in fundraising.) 
When people hear "advocate" there is no giving ladder that comes to 
mind, they way there is with the bronze, silver, gold, platinum system.

Additional recommendations for changes to the membership section of the 
policy manual:

- Adding: "Staff shall have discretion as to when to list any or all 
membership levels and/or benefits online, in print, or elsewhere, based 
on practical considerations such as layout, and with their priority 
being to maximize both membership and donations."

- In benefits for Torch Club, remove from all:

  * Mention and photo in LP News, with the permission of contributor
  * Mention and photo on LP Website, with the permission of contributor

- Also remove: Those maintaining Torch Club status shall also be 
entitled to the following benefits:

  * Special mailings
  * Invitation to the Torch Club event at the convention

- On upper level Torch Club, keep the VIP seating at banquet but remove 
specific designations as to whom they'd be seated with.

- On Chairman's Circle, remove:

  * Naming of an event**
  * Direct contact with National Chair, POTUS nominee, or significant LP
    candidate during campaign season**

Some of these requirements are just impractical, especially as our donor 
base grows. Staff would of course continue to make sure donors are 
appreciated. In my opinion, these changes would help us do our job better.

Please email or call me if you have any questions.

Lauren

-- 
Lauren Daugherty
Head of Development
Libertarian National Committee

-------------- next part --------------
   Hi everyone,

   At the last LNC meeting you directed me to review our current
   membership program, particularly the names of two giving levels
   (Minuteman and Patriot), and recommend changes at the next meeting.

   I've talked with different staff about this and sought their input, on
   multiple occasions, over the past few months and even previous to that.

   If I could wave a magic wand and make changes easily and instantly,
   there would be more changes that I'd want to make. But none of us have
   magic wands. We have to be practical about how changes would be
   made...how much time that would take away from other things, whether
   the changes would have enough impact to justify the costs (dollars and
   hours) of the change, etc.

   I'm recommending these changes to you because I think they 1) improve
   our membership program and will make it more effective, and 2) are
   simpler than other options.

   In summary, I recommend:

   - changing the names on the 5 bottom categories, both to remove the
   names "Minuteman" and "Patriot" and to provide more of an obvious
   ladder that will hopefully encourage people to upgrade;

   - giving staff discretion on where and when to use which categories
   in-print, online, or elsewhere; obviously our goal is to maximize the
   effectiveness of our fundraising materials and what is practical and
   optimal on one item may not be on another;

   - giving staff until the end of 2018 to implement the changes in giving
   level names;

   - simplifying the benefits for the top 5 categories as outlined in the
   policy manual.

   CURRENT GIVING LEVELS:
     * Chairman’s Circle*     $25,000 annually or $2500 monthly in dues or
       contributions
     * Select Benefactor*     $15,000 annually or $1500 monthly in dues or
       contributions
     * Beacon of Liberty*     $5,000 annually or $500 monthly in dues or
       contributions
     * Pioneer of Freedom* $2,500 annually or $250 monthly in dues or
       contributions
     * Lifetime Founder*      $1,500 annually or $150 monthly in dues or
       contributions

     * Patriot                         $500 annually or $50 monthly
     * Minuteman                $250 annually or $25 monthly
     * Advocate                    $150 annually or $15 monthly
     * Supporter                   $50 annually
     * Foundation Member$25 annually

   SUGGESTED REVISION:

     * Chairman’s Circle*     $25,000 annually or $2500 monthly in dues or
       contributions
     * Select Benefactor*     $15,000 annually or $1500 monthly in dues or
       contributions
     * Beacon of Liberty*     $5,000 annually or $500 monthly in dues or
       contributions
     * Pioneer of Freedom* $2,500 annually or $250 monthly in dues or
       contributions
     * Lifetime Founder*      $1,500 annually or $150 monthly in dues or
       contributions

     * Platinum                       $500 annually or $50 monthly
     * Gold                              $250 annually or $25 monthly
     * Silver                             $150 annually or $15 monthly
     * Bronze                          $50 annually
     * Basic                             $25 annually

   The logic here is that when people hear "silver" they automatically
   expect and know that gold comes after that, and it makes them more
   likely to "upgrade" later. (Upgrades are very important in
   fundraising.) When people hear "advocate" there is no giving ladder
   that comes to mind, they way there is with the bronze, silver, gold,
   platinum system.
   Additional recommendations for changes to the membership section of the
   policy manual:
   - Adding: "Staff shall have discretion as to when to list any or all
   membership levels and/or benefits online, in print, or elsewhere, based
   on practical considerations such as layout, and with their priority
   being to maximize both membership and donations."

   - In benefits for Torch Club, remove from all:
     * Mention and photo in LP News, with the permission of contributor
     * Mention and photo on LP Website, with the permission of contributor

   - Also remove: Those maintaining Torch Club status shall also be
   entitled to the following benefits:
     * Special mailings
     * Invitation to the Torch Club event at the convention

   - On upper level Torch Club, keep the VIP seating at banquet but remove
   specific designations as to whom they'd be seated with.
   - On Chairman's Circle, remove:
     * Naming of an event**
     * Direct contact with National Chair, POTUS nominee, or significant
       LP candidate during campaign season**

   Some of these requirements are just impractical, especially as our
   donor base grows. Staff would of course continue to make sure donors
   are appreciated. In my opinion, these changes would help us do our job
   better.

   Please email or call me if you have any questions.

   Lauren
--
Lauren Daugherty
Head of Development
Libertarian National Committee