In a meeting in Kansas City this past weekend, the Libertarian National Committee voted to set membership dues for the National Libertarian Party at zero, opening the door for anyone to become a member of the party at no cost.  At the same meeting the LNC voted to end the United Membership Program (UMP) that served as an agreement between the LNC and the Libertarian Party's state affiliates.  Through that agreement, states were provided with revenue based on how many dues-paying members they had.

Within the same motion, the national staff was instructed to develop plans and set aside funds to begin extensive training for members, state offices, campaign managers, activists and candidates.  The areas of training will include: ballot access, FEC compliance, fundraising, database usage, member recruitment and candidate recruitment and training.

The shift to a zero-dues structure will essentially move the National Libertarian Party from an organization heavily focused on membership to an organization that is focused on winning elections above all else.  The national staff has already started planning to make a seamless transition to zero dues and is beginning to develop training programs to assist the states.

The move to the zero-dues structure will take effect on Jan. 1, 2006 and UMP will begin phase-out on Sept. 30, 2005. 

After Jan. 1, 2006, the only requirement of membership to the National LP will be for the individual to certify: "I do not believe in or advocate the initiation of force as a means of achieving political or social goals."

New members will receive a welcome package but will not receive a subscription to LP News, the official monthly newspaper of the Libertarian Party, which may be obtained through a separate subscription.  Current members whose memberships are set to expire after Jan. 1, 2006 will receive LP News for the remainder of their current subscription.

Note that membership in the LP remains important as it will count toward the member's home state delegate allocation at the LP's national conventions.

Despite the January transition to zero dues, prospective and current members are encouraged to join or renew their memberships before Dec. 31, 2005: The $25 dues will be applied to a one-year subscription to LP News.

The National Libertarian Party's income will soon be based solely upon donations from its members, so supporters of the Libertarian Party are strongly encouraged to start a monthly pledge in order to ease this transition.