[Lnc-business] proposed changes to membership program

[Elizabeth Van Horn]

Looks great Lauren!

I've never heard of the Torch Club, and if I've never heard of it, other 
LP members might not have either.  If staff is given discretion on 
where, and when, to use the categories in-print, online, or elsewhere, 
it may help spread awareness. (AKA:  Your idea is good. ; )

---
Elizabeth Van Horn


On 2018-04-11 12:15, 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