New member level proposed

A new LERN member level and dues for colleges and universities is being proposed to give you an option to keep your dues low, benefits high, and position LERN to remain the leading association in the world in continuing education.

LERN is currently the largest continuing education association in the world, and in good financial health.  In order to keep LERN financially viable and serving you and our other members, LERN is proposing to give you a dues option of either:
1) Increasing your dues; or
2) Keeping your dues low, your benefits high, and actually generating income for your program by generating registrations for UGotClass online courses. The new membership level is being proposed for several reasons, one of which is to keep members with modest budgets unable to afford significant dues increases.

We invite your feedback and suggestions on the proposed new dues option between now and October 1, 2015.  Just email your thoughts to info@lern.org   Subject line: LERN dues

Proposed New ‘Reward Level’ Membership Option
1.Reward Level for UGotClass Participation
Members participate in the Reward Level by generating registrations and income for UGotClass.  A minimum is set at least one year ahead.

2. Reward Level Discount on Dues
Members qualifying for the Reward Level receive a significant Discount off the Regular Dues.

3. Reward Level Additional Benefit/s
Members qualifying for the Reward Level receive one or more additional member benefits not available to other members, a proposed value between $100 and $300.

4. Members Get 50% of Income
In addition, Members generating UGotClass registrations receive 50 percent of the income.

Proposed Timeline and Dues Structure for Continuing Education Units in Community Colleges, Universities and other higher education institutions

	FY2016	FY2017	FY2018	FY2019	FY2020
Regular Dues	$745	$795	$895	$995	$1,095
Reward Level Dues Discount	N/A	$50	$150	$250	$350
UGotClass Registrations Needed	N/A	5	10	15	20
Additional Benefits Value	N/A	$100 – $300	$100 – $300	Minimum $100-$300	Minimum $100 – $300
Plus You Earn	N/A	$500	$1,000	$1,500	$2,000

Notes
-Beginning on July 1, 2015, dues level increases by $50 to $745
-“FY” is Fiscal Year, July 1 through June 30 of the next calendar year. Example: FY16= July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016.
-UGotClass registrations would be counted for the time period July through June, although exceptions can be made as long as the time period is 12 months.
-Shows Reward Level Discount savings if joining Reward Level in FY2016

Rationale

We project a need to increase income by 2020.  LERN dues are currently just 16 percent of our income, much lower than the association average of 38 percent.  Your member benefits are extremely high. The new membership level is being proposed for several reasons, one of which is to keep members with modest budgets unable to afford significant dues increases.

The Reward Level membership purpose is to generate $2 million from UGotClass by 2020, a level of income that would sustain LERN and continue its member benefits for all members/constituencies in LERN.  For LERN members choosing the option of Regular Dues, LERN would also make its income goals.

We invite your feedback and suggestions on the proposed new dues option between now and Oct. 1, 2015.  Just email your thoughts to info@lern.org   Subject line: LERN dues

If you wish to speak with or email the Chair of the LERN Board of Directors or any other Board Members, simply request their contact information.