<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:16px"><div style="" class=""><span style="" class="">The Policy Manual states the levels are recognized by the Party, and then lists the benefits that the contributors receive for each level. The Policy Manual does not state that every level has to be listed on every membership form, nor does it disallow the form from offering other amounts, like $10/month or the Other option. I believe the policy is about dictating what benefits must be given for each contribution level, and not about what should be listed on the membership & contribution webpages. I agree with Mr. Benedict's interpretation. If the intent of the policy and the LNC is otherwise, then we should clarify the Policy Manual. <br></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: HelveticaNeue,Helvetica
Neue,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida Grande,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class=""><br><span style="" class=""></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: HelveticaNeue,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida Grande,sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class=""><span style="" class="">Tim Hagan<br style="" class=""></span></div><div style="" class=""><br style="" class=""></div> <div class="" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <div class="" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <div style="" class="" dir="ltr"> <hr style="" class="" size="1"> <font style="" class="" size="2" face="Arial"> <b style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-weight:bold;">From:</span></b> Wes Benedict <wes.benedict@lp.org><br
style="" class=""> <b style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> Kevin Knedler <KKnedler@columbus.rr.com>; lnc-business@hq.lp.org; Aaron Starr <starrcpa@gmail.com> <br style="" class=""> <b style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Monday, January 5, 2015 11:46 AM<br style="" class=""> <b style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [Lnc-business] membership levels are not correct on the LP.org site for joining and contributing<br style="" class=""> </font> </div> <div style="" class=""><br style="" class=""><div style="" class="" id="yiv3030939054">
<div style="" class="">
<div style="" class="">Dear Kevin Knedler, Aaron Starr, and
the LNC:<br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
I'd like to get our publications in line with the new membership
plans in the policy manual as soon as practical.<br style="" class="">
I think we came close months ago, but Mr. Knedler has pointed out
some things he thinks may not be in compliance.<br style="" class="">
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 style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
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 style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
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 style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
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 style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
I'd like to finish updating our old website before working on our
new website. <br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
Mr. Knedler's suggested corrections are in his email below. <br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
I've put my comments in red.<br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
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 style="" class="">
here: <a style="" rel="nofollow" class="" target="_blank" href="https://www.lp.org/membership-levels">https://www.lp.org/membership-levels</a><br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
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 style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
Thanks,<br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
<div style="" class="">Wes Benedict, Executive Director<br style="" class="">
<small style="" class=""><small style="" class="">Libertarian National Committee, Inc.<br style="" class="">
<b style="" class="">New address: 1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314</b><br style="" class="">
(202) 333-0008 ext. 232, <a style="" rel="nofollow" class="" ymailto="mailto:wes.benedict@lp.org" target="_blank" href="mailto:wes.benedict@lp.org">wes.benedict@lp.org</a><br style="" class="">
facebook.com/libertarians @LPNational<br style="" class="">
Join the Libertarian Party at: <a style="" rel="nofollow" class="" target="_blank" href="http://lp.org/membership">http://lp.org/membership</a></small></small><br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
</div>
On 1/4/2015 7:16 PM, Kevin Knedler wrote:<br style="" class="">
</div>
<blockquote style="" class="" type="cite">
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<div style="" class="">
<div style="" class="">Happy New Year everyone. </div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class="">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. </div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<font style="" class="" 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 style="" class="">
<blockquote style="" class="" type="cite">
<div style="" class="">
<div style="" class="">On the page for donations on the lp.org
site there are errors</div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class="">One-time donation</div>
<div style="" class="">MISSING $25,000</div>
<div style="" class="">MISSING $15,000</div>
<div style="" class="">MISSING $2,500</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<font style="" class="" color="#ff0000">There are at least two donation pages. <br style="" class="">
One I'll refer to as the "membership" page:
<a style="" rel="nofollow" class="" target="_blank" href="https://www.lp.org/membership">https://www.lp.org/membership</a><br style="" class="">
and the other I'll refer to the "contribute" page
<a style="" rel="nofollow" class="" target="_blank" href="https://www.lp.org/contribute">https://www.lp.org/contribute</a><br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
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 style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
I'll need the requests to state whether those donation levels
belong on just the membership page, or also on the contribute
page.<br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
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 style="" rel="nofollow" class="" target="_blank" href="https://www.lp.org/contribute">https://www.lp.org/contribute</a> or
on typical fundraising letters. <br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
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 style="" class="">
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 style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
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 style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
<blockquote style="" class="" type="cite">
<div style="" class="">
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class="">Monthly Pledge</div>
<div style="" class="">MISSING $2,500 a month</div>
<div style="" class="">MISSING $1,500 a month</div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<font style="" class="" color="#ff0000">Same as above.</font><br style="" class="">
<blockquote style="" class="" type="cite">
<div style="" class="">
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class="">Also there is a $10 a month level and that
is not part of the policy manual. </div>
<div style="" class="">$15.00 is the lowest level </div>
<div style="" class="">Of course if someone wants to give $10 it
can be in the “Other amount box” in the monthly pledge
section.</div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<font style="" class="" color="#ff0000">It sounds like Mr. Knedler wants me to remove
the $10/month amounts from <br style="" class="">
here <a style="" rel="nofollow" class="" target="_blank" href="https://www.lp.org/membership">https://www.lp.org/membership</a><br style="" class="">
and here: <a style="" rel="nofollow" class="" target="_blank" href="https://www.lp.org/contribute">https://www.lp.org/contribute</a><br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
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 style="" class="">
the last day of the following December."<br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
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 style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
<blockquote style="" class="" type="cite">
<div style="" class="">
<div style="" class="">The levels correspond in increments:</div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class="">$25,000 or 2,500 a month</div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class="">$15,000 or 1,500 a month</div>
<div style="" class="">$5,000 or 500 a month</div>
<div style="" class="">$2,500 or 250 a month</div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class="">$1,500 or 150 a month This level and
above is Lifetime and Torch Club level. </div>
<div style="" class="">$500 or 50 a month</div>
<div style="" class="">$250 or 25 a month</div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class="">$150 or 15 a month</div>
<div style="" class="">$50 one time with nothing per month</div>
<div style="" class="">$25 one time with nothing per month</div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<font style="" class="" color="#ff0000">I'm not sure that the info above is
requesting. However, I think we should add to this page: <br style="" class="">
<a style="" rel="nofollow" class="" target="_blank" href="https://www.lp.org/membership">https://www.lp.org/membership</a><br style="" class="">
"This level and above is Lifetime and Torch Club level." <br style="" class="">
in the two places I put red circles in the image below:</font><br style="" class="">
<img style="" class="" src="cid:1.1438003211@web141505.mail.bf1.yahoo.com" alt=""><br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
<br style="" class="">
<blockquote style="" class="" type="cite">
<div style="" class="">
<div style="" class="">Please take a look and I really hope this
can be fixed. </div>
<div style="" class="">A lot of time was put into the policy
changes .</div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class="">Thank you. </div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class="">Kevin Knedler</div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
<div style="" class=""> </div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br style="" class="">
</div>
</div><br style="" class="">_______________________________________________<br style="" class="">Lnc-business mailing list<br style="" class=""><a style="" class="" ymailto="mailto:Lnc-business@hq.lp.org" href="mailto:Lnc-business@hq.lp.org">Lnc-business@hq.lp.org</a><br style="" class=""><a style="" class="" href="http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org" target="_blank">http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org</a><br style="" class=""><br style="" class=""><br style="" class=""></div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>