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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">For more background on this, I wrote an
article that is on page 15 of LP News here:<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.lp.org/files/lp_news/2014-4_LP_News.pdf">http://www.lp.org/files/lp_news/2014-4_LP_News.pdf</a><br>
<br>
Although the article is pretty long, I think I did leave out some
of the details like explaining "Torch Club."<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-signature">Wes Benedict, Executive Director<br>
<small><small>Libertarian National Committee, Inc.<br>
<b>New address: 1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314</b><br>
(202) 333-0008 ext. 232, <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:wes.benedict@lp.org">wes.benedict@lp.org</a><br>
facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational<br>
Join the Libertarian Party at: <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://lp.org/membership">http://lp.org/membership</a></small></small><br>
<br>
</div>
On 1/5/2015 2:46 PM, Wes Benedict wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote cite="mid:54AAEA28.7000008@lp.org" type="cite">
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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Dear Kevin Knedler, Aaron Starr, and
the LNC:<br>
<br>
I'd like to get our publications in line with the new membership
plans in the policy manual as soon as practical.<br>
I think we came close months ago, but Mr. Knedler has pointed
out some things he thinks may not be in compliance.<br>
I think one of the things he may be right about, but some he may
not be, or it is an area subject to interpretation.<br>
<br>
I've had some discussions with the APRC and Mr. Knedler about
complying with the new membership policies, but discussions with
the APRC have the feature of being confidential. Therefore, I'd
like to do this in the open with the LNC to see if we can all
get on the same page and in a manner that can be shared be
referred back to and shared with others publicly as needed. <br>
<br>
Most of you probably don't need to spend your time or mental
energy on this. However, I'm including the whole LNC because
handling this more privately has resulted in people not being on
the same page.<br>
<br>
I've copied Mr. Starr on this email because I believe he was a
primary designer of some of the Policy Manual language for the
prior membership plan clarifications adopted in the 2009-2010
time frame. Sometimes in the past when I would read the policy
manual and make an interpretation, Mr. Starr held a different
view and typically I found that the LNC was willing to go with
Mr. Starr's interpretation as was I once I clearly understood
what was intended. So I wanted to bring Mr. Starr into the
conversation before issuing a request to a programmer to have
our website updated. I'm guessing whatever changes are finally
agreed upon won't cost a lot if I wait until we're all on the
same page before making the changes. <br>
<br>
I'd like to finish updating our old website before working on
our new website. <br>
<br>
Mr. Knedler's suggested corrections are in his email below. <br>
<br>
I've put my comments in red.<br>
<br>
Additionally, I'd like to put in a request to our secretary to
see if she thinks she can re-write pages 37-41 of our Policy
Manual (without changing the meaning) to be more easily
understood. I made an attempt to make the policy manual language
more understandable on the website although I already know it's
not complete, but to explain things completely gets really
complicated:<br>
here: <a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://www.lp.org/membership-levels">https://www.lp.org/membership-levels</a><br>
<br>
Since I know where Mr. Knedler stands, my preferred next step is
to wait to see if Mr. Starr has specific recommendations on the
things below.<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-signature">Wes Benedict, Executive Director<br>
<small><small>Libertarian National Committee, Inc.<br>
<b>New address: 1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314</b><br>
(202) 333-0008 ext. 232, <a moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:wes.benedict@lp.org">wes.benedict@lp.org</a><br>
facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational<br>
Join the Libertarian Party at: <a moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://lp.org/membership">http://lp.org/membership</a></small></small><br>
<br>
</div>
On 1/4/2015 7:16 PM, Kevin Knedler wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:012701d0287c$df1a6890$9d4f39b0$@columbus.rr.com"
type="cite">
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<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy New Year everyone. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I took a look and it is still not
accurate per the LNC approved policy manual that goes back
to an LNC vote in August of 2011. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<font color="#ff0000">Just to be clear, the LNC postponed
implementation until August 1, 2014, a deadline which was met
for the most part.</font><br>
<blockquote
cite="mid:012701d0287c$df1a6890$9d4f39b0$@columbus.rr.com"
type="cite">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal">On the page for donations on the lp.org
site there are errors<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One-time donation<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">MISSING $25,000<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">MISSING $15,000<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">MISSING $2,500<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<font color="#ff0000">There are at least two donation pages. <br>
One I'll refer to as the "membership" page: <a
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://www.lp.org/membership">https://www.lp.org/membership</a><br>
and the other I'll refer to the "contribute" page <a
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://www.lp.org/contribute">https://www.lp.org/contribute</a><br>
<br>
Neither has the $25,000, $15,000, or $2,500 options. I don't
believe the Policy Manual language requires all association
levels and amounts to be printed on all online donation forms.
So I don't think we are required to put those amounts on either
page. However, if I've interpreted the Policy Manual
incorrectly, I will have those donation options added. Even if
they are not required to be there, I'll add them if the Chair
asks me to or if Aaron Starr and several on the LNC write to me
that they think it's a good thing to do.<br>
<br>
I'll need the requests to state whether those donation levels
belong on just the membership page, or also on the contribute
page.<br>
<br>
There was a time in the past when contributions that were NOT in
response to a renewal offer were not counted towards membership
association levels. I think maybe they do count now with Mr.
Knedlers new plan, but that's not clear (see next paragraph). We
typically have NOT put membership levels on non membership
contribution forms like this one <a moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://www.lp.org/contribute">https://www.lp.org/contribute</a>
or on typical fundraising letters. <br>
<br>
Page 40 of the Policy Manual says (and I believe Mr. Starr was
the original source of this) "Other contributions in response to
other than a membership renewal appeal shall not as a policy
extend the benefits lapse date, however Staff shall have the
discretion on a case-by-case<br>
basis to extend a contributor’s benefits lapse date up to one
year from the last contribution date, if failure to do so would
damage donor relations."<br>
<br>
I think our website is already too cluttered and our membership
programs are too complicated, plus we're supposed to get a new
website soon, so I'm not inclined to initiate an optional change
that makes things more complicated and cluttered without clear
support from the LNC.</font><br>
<br>
<blockquote
cite="mid:012701d0287c$df1a6890$9d4f39b0$@columbus.rr.com"
type="cite">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Monthly Pledge<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">MISSING $2,500 a month<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">MISSING $1,500 a month<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<font color="#ff0000">Same as above.</font><br>
<blockquote
cite="mid:012701d0287c$df1a6890$9d4f39b0$@columbus.rr.com"
type="cite">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also there is a $10 a month level and
that is not part of the policy manual. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">$15.00 is the lowest level <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of course if someone wants to give $10 it
can be in the “Other amount box” in the monthly pledge
section.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<font color="#ff0000">It sounds like Mr. Knedler wants me to
remove the $10/month amounts from <br>
here <a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://www.lp.org/membership">https://www.lp.org/membership</a><br>
and here: <a moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://www.lp.org/contribute">https://www.lp.org/contribute</a><br>
<br>
I disagree with Mr. Knedler's interpretation. I don't think the
policy manual prohibits offering $10/month pledges. In fact, the
policy manual on page acknowledges the existance of $10/month
pledges saying "Individuals pledging at least $10 per month
using an automated recurring payment method, such as a valid
credit card or ACH debit, shall have their benefits lapse dates
extended to<br>
the last day of the following December."<br>
<br>
Plus, the $10/month amount is quite popular. I will not remove
those unless that is specifically ruled a requirement by the
APRC, or if the Chair or LNC directs me to remove the $10 per
month option. </font><br>
<br>
<blockquote
cite="mid:012701d0287c$df1a6890$9d4f39b0$@columbus.rr.com"
type="cite">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal">The levels correspond in increments:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">$25,000 or 2,500 a month<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">$15,000 or 1,500 a month<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">$5,000 or 500 a month<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">$2,500 or 250 a month<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">$1,500 or 150 a month This level and
above is Lifetime and Torch Club level. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">$500 or 50 a month<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">$250 or 25 a month<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">$150 or 15 a month<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">$50 one time with nothing per month<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">$25 one time with nothing per month<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<font color="#ff0000">I'm not sure that the info above is
requesting. However, I think we should add to this page: <br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="https://www.lp.org/membership">https://www.lp.org/membership</a><br>
"This level and above is Lifetime and Torch Club level." <br>
in the two places I put red circles in the image below:</font><br>
<img src="cid:part10.00040204.02070404@lp.org" alt=""><br>
<br>
<br>
<blockquote
cite="mid:012701d0287c$df1a6890$9d4f39b0$@columbus.rr.com"
type="cite">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal">Please take a look and I really hope this
can be fixed. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A lot of time was put into the policy
changes .<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kevin Knedler<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br>
<br>
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