[Lnc-business] Financial implications of canceling in-person convention

[Caryn Ann Harlos]

I believe this is less true months into this thing. Colorado had a very
profitable cancelled convention - they had well over half donate
their tickets but that was in March.  But I can tell you that I have $2K
into this, and I cannot afford to simply donate.  My mortgage is in
forbearance right now.

But it is not just tickets.  It is the gala and the fundraising boost we
get from that and the convention for then and the future.

Perhaps if the past LNC did not saddle us with a $250K deficit we would not
be in this position.  But here we are.

*In Liberty,*

* Personal Note:  I have what is commonly known as Asperger's Syndrome
(part of the autism spectrum).  This can affect inter-personal
communication skills in both personal and electronic arenas.  If anyone
found anything offensive or overly off-putting (or some other social faux
pas), please contact me privately and let me know. *



On Sat, May 9, 2020 at 3:38 AM Susan Hogarth via Lnc-business <
lnc-business at hq.lp.org> wrote:

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> I know there are concerns about financial repercussions of failing to hold
> an in-person convention. And I know state party experience doesn’t
> necessarily translate to the national level, but I did want to share North
> Carolina’s experience, because I do think we could see a similar
> situation.
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>  LPNC is a mid-sized state affiliate. Our conventions are held yearly over
> a full weekend and typically draw 70-100 delegates. They typically break
> even money-wise, pulling in money through a fundraiser if we manage it
> right.
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>   At the time we pulled the plug on our in-person meeting, we had   sold a
> total of 89 packages, mostly full registrations, and some tables. (We wound
> up with an online convention of over 90 delegates). As soon as the decision
> was made we began receiving “Just keep my registration fee” notes (I’ve
> seen these posted in public forums at the national level too, since last
> week, and even before). We did have some expenses, but most were
> recoverable.
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>   We contacted each delegate to ask if they wanted a refund or to make a
> donation (I’ve seen at least one person suggest not offering a refund and
> waiting for members to request it - I think that’s a horrible idea. There’s
> over 20% unemployment - you’re really going to make people *ask* for their
> money back?!). For donors we offered as a thank you a new Tshirt design.
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> We made 34 refunds, which included some business table refunds. One person
> requested their money go to their county affiliate. One person we didn’t
> connect with quickly enough so our treasurer sent the refund, and they
> turned around and donated it back.
>
>
> So, in a sad kind of way, we had a financially ‘successful’ convention. It
> certainly wasn’t a   disaster. I know the economics of the national
> convention are much different, but I do believe we can count on at least
> 1/3 of our registrations converting to donations in the event of full
> cancellation without rescheduling an in-person event. I do think each
> registrant should be contacted personally if this becomes the case so that
> we can give them options. I am willing to help make these calls (Tara has
> been teaching me a thing or two 🥰 and has been very encouraging, which
> will be the subject of another post).
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>   Susan Jane Hogarth
>
>   Region 5 Alternate
>
>   919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
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