Re: Fwd: non-member fees--yes, more!

[Maggie Mieske <mmieske@netonecom.net>]

The crowd is still cheering!!  Some semblance of sense on ridecamp!!  My kids are
in 4-H and I understand exactly what you are saying!  They still have to pay for
some things in 4-H ie. entry fees, workshops, or whatever but they get a discount
because they are members... why should it be otherwise?  They go to their
meetings, put their time into their projects whether it's a horse, dog or rabbit
and they SHOULD get the breaks.  Guess what?  Sometimes, because they are 4-H,
they get to ride the rides at the fair for free one afternoon!  Now THERE is
discrimination for you!!  :)
Thanks for a good letter!
Maggie

SandyDSA@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 12/3/98 6:46:49 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> tobytrot@bigfoot.com writes:
>
> << I know 4-H doesn't...at least they have never charged me a
>  non-member fee.
>   >>
> IN fact, 4H is the ONE group that doe snot allow participatio in their own
> sanctioned events unless you belong to 4H. Some clubs sponsor fundraising
> shows - one of our does - but to participate as 4H you muct be in it - from
> September till August out here. There are many, many organizations with a
> closed membership - you must pay to belong. Some, like AERC and thousands of
> others, allow participation if you pay a nominal fee. This is as it should be,
> otherwise why become a member? At some level of inclusion, it should be made
> worthwhile to join. Without a consistent membership, it would be impossible
> for any group to maintain a semblance of constance in its operations -
> financial and otherwise. Ultimately, those who DO belong get to do the barking
> while those who DON'T must put a cork in it. That is simple, logical reality.
> Doesn't mean barking gets one anywhere at all, but at least putting one's
> money where one's mouth is" at LEAST is a modicum of entitlement to do so.
>
> We never remarked on how AERC operated - until we DID become dues-paying
> members. We didn't like the increase - and still think it was excessive. But
> the alternative was not quite desireable. It might be if they shoot up the
> dues again (hello, management!). Anyway, if you wnat to play the game, I guess
> you have to pay.
> San
>
>   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: non-member fees--yes, more!
> Resent-Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 18:54:50 -0800 (PST)
> Resent-From: ridecamp@endurance.net
> Date: Thu, 03 Dec 1998 18:42:07 -0800
> From: terre <tobytrot@bigfoot.com>
> To: ridecamp@endurance.net
>
> kat said:
> >I have never been to a "schooling show" that charged me nom-member
> fees...I know 4-H doesn't...at least they have never charged me a
> non-member fee.
>
> One of the major differences between endurance and the other equestrian
> sports is that we do not have an unsanctioned "schooling" format.  In other
> disciplines, riders can participate in unsanctioned, inexpensive "back
> yard" type competitions until they feel ready to move up to the sanctioned
> events.  This "level" of competition does not exist in our sport--riders
> are involved with the National organization from the very beginning.  The
> alternative to paying full fees (and non-member fees) is non-participation.
>  There is no introductory level.
>
> Terre