Loomio
Wed 8 May 2019 4:32PM

[itsquad] Loomio group plan update

H HgO Public Seen by 35

We received this very long mail to inform us that Loomio is changing business model : if we want to keep using their service, we will have to PAY :money_mouth:

In short, if we choose Option 1, we will have to pay at least 22€ / month, or 220€/year (because there is a discount of 50%, we need to take action before 29th May).

Of course, they forgot to mention Option 5 : install your own Loomio server. Although I don't know how much it is easy to install / maintain.

PS : I didn't copy/paste the links, because well… there were A LOT of links :sweat_smile:

> Hi,
>
> I am reaching out to you today to let you know about upcoming changes to Loomio. Please read this e-mail in full as it contains important information that may affect how you use this service.
>
> ## Loomio 2.0
>
> Many of you told us that you would like a mobile app version of Loomio, and we listened. We are currently working on a mobile-first Loomio experience and can’t wait to share more about this and other new features with you!

>
> ## Changes to subscription plans
>
> Since launching in 2012, we have helped more than 100,000 groups collaborate, engage with members and reach decisions together. We feel honoured to have walked alongside many of you on this journey.

>
> Our goal is to continue providing you with an excellent service, while also developing the Loomio platform so it can work better for you. Our vision is to help organisations like yours work better collectively, now and into the future.
>
> As you can imagine, there are real costs to hosting, supporting and developing Loomio software. So that we can continue development and support for Loomio, we have implemented new pricing plans at loomio.org/pricing.
>
> As a social enterprise and worker cooperative – paid subscriptions are our lifeblood and help us sponsor unfunded community groups.
>
> ## What this means for you
>
> Your group is currently on one of our legacy plans and we need to clarify plan status to ensure no disruption to your Loomio use. We are asking you to upgrade to a paid subscription plan at 50% off rate (locked in for life), apply for special rates or ask us to continue getting Loomio for free, paid by us.
>
> Please select one of the options below. More information is available in Help Subscription pricing.
>
> ### Option 1: 50% off all paid plans for life - limited time offer to 29 May 2019
>
> Upgrade your group to a current paid subscription plan. In thanks for your active support, we are offering a 50% discount off paid plans, for your group for life! Use coupon code LOOMIO50 when you upgrade. Applicable for commercial and funded non profit organizations including political parties.
> * Small (up to 50 people): $US 24.50 per month ($245.00 per year)
> * Medium (up to 500 people): $US 74.50 per month ($745.00 per year)
>
> ### Option 2: Member organization
>
> If your group is a volunteer or member supported organization, apply for special rates on annual plans with the Member supported application form. Applicable for some activist organizations, co-housing groups, community groups, collectives, sports clubs and spiritual groups:
>
> * Small (up to 50 people): $US 98.00 per year
> * Medium (up to 500 people): $US 149.00 per year
>
> ### Option 3: Unfunded community group
>
> We sponsor Loomio free to unfunded groups such as activists, hobby groups, classroom education, families and friends.
>
> If your group has no funds, apply for a free sponsored plan with our Community Application form.

>
> ### Option 4: Move the group to a subgroup
>
> If you have several groups, you may wish to consolidate these under a single group subscription. In most cases we can move groups to become subgroups of a parent group. To do this, please contact us.
>
> ## Act now to avoid disruption to your service
>
> We will soon be shifting all legacy groups to trial status, with limits on the number of threads and people invited. If your group has already exceeded the limits, you may not be able to invite new people or start new threads.

>
> Please either upgrade your subscription plan or apply to continue using Loomio by 29 May 2019.
>
> ## Feedback

>
> If you have any questions about these upcoming changes at Loomio, please don’t hesitate to ask. We would love to hear how Loomio is working for you via email reply, or book a time for a call here.
>
> Thank you for your ongoing support.

H

HgO Thu 9 May 2019 8:51AM

@iljabaert Yes, we need a IT meeting, but I'll have less time starting from June as I'll start working :/

I think everyone is saying the same thing : let's try to have the loomio membership (option 2), which would cost us about 10€/month (it's 150 US dollars / year, so about 130€ / year). I think that's a fair price, and that'll help the loomio team developping the project.

We must apply through this Google form : https://forms.gle/yg2HpRZkmYmGEyBq7

I agree that having a new server with loomio would be more maintenance, and I'm almost alone to do that (and I'll have less time in the next month).

In the meantime, we should explore other solutions, like Discourse or Mattermost…

LM

Lander Meeusen Fri 10 May 2019 9:42AM

Too bad that there's going to be charges. :(

On the other hand this is an occasion to evaluate our communication. To do that properly and inclusively we'll need time. (Questions I have: what do people think of Loomio? (pro's/con's) What other platforms are available? (I'd like to add https://citizens.is/. It's used by the Pirateparty in Amsterdam. https://yrpri.org/community/705) What do we need in a platform? (discussion, voting, ...?)

So I agree with most of what's being said: keep Loomio for now, pay for it and start looking and thinking about other options.

H

HgO Sun 12 May 2019 6:45PM

I started a pad for the Loomio membership application form : https://pad.pirateparty.be/p/loomio-application

I

Ilja Sun 12 May 2019 7:10PM

I answered the other questions too

H

HgO Fri 17 May 2019 8:27AM

Thanks to those who answered ! I'll send the form tonight ;)

H

HgO Sat 18 May 2019 3:26PM

I just sent the form, and it was super fast :o

I got a coupon code. @patrickinstalle I'll send it to you, with a link to do the payment.

Unfortunately, we can only get the discount for a yearly subscription… That means that if we decide to self-host or try alternatives, we will do it next year (or pay for "nothing")

RVE

Renaud Van Eeckhout Sat 18 May 2019 3:28PM

Thank you :)

We wouldn't be paying for "nothing", as we would still have Loomio available if the other options ended up not being good enough after all, and/or giving a little bit too much in the next months makes up for not having contributed for a tool we use since a few years already.

LM

Lander Meeusen Sun 19 May 2019 3:25PM

Thank you for taking care of it. A year should give us enough time to come up with a plan. Should we open a new thread? Or maybe two separate threads: what do we need in an online platform? / What options are out there (pros and cons)?

H

HgO Tue 21 May 2019 8:35AM

Ok, this was unexpected, but the Loomio team decided to offer us the plan upgrade :astonished: :tada: :confetti_ball: :

Hi

Thanks for filling out our Member supported application form. It is very good to hear about your work and how you are using Loomio :-)

We would love to support and encourage use of Loomio in your community, so I have upgraded your Loomio group to the Medium plan for 12 months, for free.

The cost of your group is funded by Loomio, and we hope you can make good use and encourage your members to use Loomio in their workplaces and communities.

Is there anything else I can help you with?

Warm regards,

FD

Florence D. Wed 22 May 2019 4:24PM

Salut je ne comprends pas les discussions en anglais donc je n ai pas suivi mais en gros on reste sur loomio et c est gratuit c est ça ?

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