It might be nice if one of our "on line directors" would explain why a 44%
increase in dues is necessary and what other alternatives were explored.
It seems that there might be ways to cut cost and raise additional funds.
For example - publishing cost for the "Endurance News". Currently may
technical journals are moving away from "paper" to electronic publishing
and the issues can be down loaded off the internet. This significatly
reduces publishing cost and mailing cost. Has this been explored. True
not all member have access to the internet and tradational means would be
required to support these members, still there should be savings using a
hybrid approach.
I think the membership would be a little less "hostile" to the price
increase if they understood why and what measures were being taken to
control cost to the members. For example why isn't the nonmember fee being
collected? Why isn't this fee going up along with the membership dues? It
also cost the AERC to keep records and publish resultes from limited
distance rides. Why isn't also there a fee accessed to the limited
distance rides?
I am sure these issues have been addressed by the directors and I feel the
rational behind the decisions made should be shared with the membership as
a whole.
Truman
______________________________________________________________________________
The race is not always to the swift, but to those that keep running.
Truman and Mystic "The Horse from HELL" Storm
prevatt@lds.loral.com - Sarasota, Florida
____________________________________________________________________________
__