[HCoop-Discuss] [docelic, ntk] Cracking down on negative balances

[Adam Chlipala]

Nathan Kennedy wrote:
> I don't think the deposit should be based on 3 months at pledge level.
> I think it should be based on three months at the minimum contribution 
> level and be the same for everyone.
>   

I'm open to any idea where we aren't providing services without payment 
at any point. Certainly modifying my plan only by ignoring pledge 
amounts wouldn't achieve this goal; the regular deposit might not be 
enough to cover even a single month's payment by someone with a high pledge.

> I think that our system should, for any member whose (new sense) balance 
> reaches zero, should automatically reduce their pledge level to 1 
> immediately,

This is a great idea. Too bad that it requires some additions to the 
portal, but I think it's worth doing. :-)

> and that pending implementation of this, we should unwind 
> and bill out any donations above the 1 unit pledge level out to the 
> membership from members who have negative balances.  There probably 
> aren't many in that situation anyway.  And that the balance should be 
> the same for everyone, based on 1 unit pledge level.
>   

You're suggesting forcing the membership at large to pay for the extra 
charges that a few members incurred by setting pledges too high? I'm 
still in favor of doing a one-time request for voluntary contributions 
to cover negative balances of departed members, but it doesn't make 
sense to me for people who still want to be members in good standing.