LOPSA Policies/Membership classes

Membership classes

Policy approved by the Board on 7 November 2005.

Policy amended on 14 November 2005.

Policy amended on 20 October 2009.

The Association shall have the following classes of membership:

Class	Voting	Dues	Renewal period	Benefits	Notes
Individual Member	Yes	$40/year until May 2006; $50/year after	One year	All benefits as defined by the board, specifically including: Right to vote in all LOPSA elections Access to members-only LOPSA web content Access to members-only LOPSA web archives Access to participate in members-only LOPSA mailing lists Opportunity to be involved in members-only project- or topic-specific groups Member discounts on selected LOPSA merchandise and publications Other benefits as they are developed
Charter Member	Yes	$50	N/A	All benefits of Individual Membership, plus: The lifetime right, for as long as membership is maintained in good standing, to refer to oneself as a "Charter Member" A 3- or 4-digit member number (offered on an as-available basis) Recognition by name as a Founding Member on the LOPSA website (may be declined at member request) Other such benefits as defined by the Board	Admission to this membership class shall be limited to those joining prior to 1 May 2006. Renewals of Founding Members shall be as Individual Members. STG Transitional Membership or Individual Membership dues shall not be applied, in whole or in part, to Founding Membership dues.
Founding Member	Yes	Same as Individual Member	N/A	All benefits of Charter Membership, plus: The lifetime right, for as long as membership is maintained in good standing, to refer to oneself as a "Founding Member" A 1- or 2-digit member number Recognition by name as a Founder on the LOPSA website (may be declined at member request) Other such benefits as defined by the Board	Admission to this membership class shall be by invitation of the Board. Renewals of Founders shall be as Individual Members. STG Transitional Membership dues shall not be applied, in whole or in part, to Founder dues. Individual or Founding Member dues may be applied to Founder dues on an annualized pro-rata basis.
Student Member	Yes	$0/year	One year	All benefits of Individual Membership, plus such other benefits as defined by the Board	Admission or renewal of this membership class shall require proof of full-time primary, secondary, or post-secondary student status.
Lifetime Member	Yes	$1,000	20 years	All benefits of Individual Member or that member's current class, whichever is greater.	Lifetime Members will be exempt from Yearly Renewal Requirements. The Dues calculation is 20 * the non discounted rate for Individual Membership at the time the membership is purchased.
Honorary Member	No	$0	N/A	As defined by the Board	Admission to this membership class shall be by invitation of the Board.
Complimentary Member	Yes	$0	One Year	All benefits of Individual Membership except the right to to be a member of the Leadership Committee or the Board of Directors.	Admission to this membership class is for people who are not able to afford membership due to medical, financial, or other hardship. A person must submit a request for a complimentary membership.
Trial Member	No	TBD	One month	As defined by the Board.	Memberships in this class shall be automatically renewed unless cancelled or upgraded to another class of membership, as described in the policy on Trial memberships.

Voting status

Voting status as defined for each membership class above shall entitle a member of a voting class to:

1. Vote in elections, referenda, and other such ballots as may be offered to the Membership;
2. Stand for election for Association office, subject to the Rules; and
3. Participate in petition actions as defined in the Rules.