There is a simple solution to everyone's concerns about cash awards in
the sport of endurance - and it can please most everyone! Let me go
back to 1990 in Stockholm.
I was "road crew" in Stockholm. Just went on my own volition & dollars
to be part of something big, to help out and to learn. (I have been in
endurance since 1985 and have been interested in the concept of
international E racing since 1987). Anyway, there in Stockholm, after
the race, we had a meeting at the hotel to discuss the future of AERC
vs. international endurance competition. Everyone was in the same
uproar then about international vs AERC as I am seeing now regarding
cash awards. During this meeting, it became apparent to me that it
didn't have to be "versus;" it could be "and."
There was a simple way to accommodate BOTH those who wished to keep AERC
a grass roots organization and those who wanted to compete
internationally. That was to make a "sub-organization" that AERC members could join additionally and finance additionally. Some people there
actually jumped up and yelled in my face how stupid the idea was and how
it couldn't possibly work. But some other heros defended me, also, for,
if nothing else, speaking up. Afterwards, I was asked to write up these
suggestions and send them in. Apparently others agreed because this is
what we have now - and it seems to be working. The only reason I am
writing this now is to lay the groundwork for a similar concept:
Create "AERC Professional" another sub-organization of AERC in addition
(separate) to AERC International - If you want to run for money, you
must be a member of AERC Professional. Any endurance ride sanctioned by
AERC giving a single prize of over, say $50 (or AERC says $1,000 now for
a steward to be required?) IN GOODS VALUE or CASH must be part of and
sanctioned by AERC Professional.
The purpose of these "sub-organizations" in my mind is to keep the
integrity, the original purpose and the function of our grassroots AERC
pure. We ALL hold the basic AERC very dear. Let's not damage it.
Let's build on it.
Thank you for reading,
Diana Benson
dbenson@juno.com