[Lnc-business] proposed changes to membership program

[Lauren Daugherty]

Sorry that the formatting on my email, which was very tidy, was removed 
by the system and that makes it a little harder to read.

Early next week, I'll send you a Word document of the membership section 
of the policy manual with proposed changes included as tracked changes, 
so that it is easy to see the exact changes I'm recommending.

Lauren Daugherty
Head of Development
Libertarian National Committee

On 4/11/2018 11:15 AM, Lauren Daugherty wrote:
>     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
>