Subject: RE: [RC] Attention all ride managers- fee
hike
When was this decision made? And why
was there no discussion with the membership prior to the decision? I
don't recall seeing any notice in the EN that the BoD was considering raising
AERC's rider fees. Which directors voted for this, and why? I hope this was a
roll call vote, as I truly want to know. AERC does not exist without rides,
without ride managers. I can think of many better places to raise the extra
funds that are apparently needed to keep the organization afloat, once again.
Just a few years ago AERC was rolling in extra funds, and half the Board was
proposing new ways to spend all this extra money. What happened? The rides, the
riders, the ride managers are the heart of this sport. I would much rather see
less money spent on the zillions of awards given out at year's end, or the
thousands spent on research and trails grants, than ask more money from the
people that define the sport - the riders and ride managers. This is foolish.
I have recommended in the past, and
recommend again that the Board consider a professional to assist in the area of
spending and budgeting. The AERC is a corporation with a sizeable yearly budget,
and to place the responsibility for managing the financial affairs of the
corporation in the hands of a non-professional elected volunteer (treasurer) and
expect a large Board comprised of volunteers to understand the nuances of
corporate finances well enough to make sound decisions regarding the spending
and budgeting of these funds is ridiculous.
Plus I once again ask this Board to stop
conducting your business in a vacuum. 90% of BoD discussion of important issues
occurs on the private BoD email list. During my time as a director I
watched this list (which seemed like a good idea when the 'net was new and
exciting) evolve into a powerful persuasive tool for some individuals,
and on several occasions was personally harrassed for trying to keep the
membership informed of some of the issues that were being discussed and settled
on this list. I have often questioned the ethics and legalities of the
BoD list, where even though votes are not cast, many decisions are made.
The general membership has no idea what it's elected corporate directors are
discussing on a daily basis! This is OUR organization, you guys are supposed to
be managing it responsibly, and for the sake of the entire organization
(including the rest of us - the 5000+ people that support and fund the
organization). Also the monthly private telephone conference calls are
marginally acceptable, where discussions are made and votes are cast in private.
Steph (mad)
-----Original Message----- From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
Enduroride@xxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 7:23
AM To: AERCMembersForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx;
ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] Attention all ride managers-
fee hike
Please take note when making your flyers for this coming year:
Starting in December 2005, all day members (non AERC members) will be
charged $15.00 extra per ride(was $10.00) and rider fees will be up $1.00
per rider for a total of $5.00 plus the $1.00 drug testing fee in all
states except CA. For rides already with flyers online, just notify Mike Maul
of the fee changes in your ride entries and they will be changed. Also unless
another sponsor comes through, we will no longer be offering first time member
discounts.
