Re: .Discussion of Memberships, e-memberships and pricing structure


Y'all,

This is a good discussion. Because the changes have been recent and it takes time to disseminate information, many members are just becoming aware of the structure of these changes and how the two memberships differ and what they cost. I don't think anybody is trying to cheat anyone, but members are trying to determine which membership they should choose, or, if to get the services they want, they need both.

My concern is that the information given by Gerry, John, Robert, Dana, etc. in this AISdiscuss conversation get to the members (who are not privy to this conversation) in a way that informs, but does not infuriate. Our members are not adversaries, they are iris lovers who want to make informed decisions about where best to put the money they can spend on membership in this organization. There may be a few who are upset by the changes, but information provided which explains the structure, the sources of income and the cost of services of the membership types will win over most of these.

Sue Ann, RVP 7 (Kentucky & Tennessee)

Sue Ann Barnes
205 Westwood Ave
Jackson, TN 38301
731-422-5253
731-499-1396
barnes-s@charter.net
Success is: Being true to yourself.
                 Loving what you do.
                 Doing what you love.


On Mon, Jul 30, 2012 at 12:32 PM, Robert Pries wrote:

I am delighted that members should want e-membership. Perhaps we have created something of value. But apparently it is not enough value to pay for it. I am a life member. When I joined with life there was no e-membership. There was no Iris Encyclopedia and there was no Iris Register. The amount I paid did nothing to provide for these services. Even though there was a period of high interest rates after I joined as a life member these were not enough to pay for all the bulletins I now enjoy. In fact presently AIS looses money on Life members with interest rates as low as they are at present. It is disappointing that Life members would feel cheated. They are receiving services now that their membership did not pay for. To think they cannot help to pay for new services is discouraging. I guess we all want something for nothing. I do not mind paying for things I use. I am sure there are life members who have no internet connections and perhaps cannot afford them. They are proba! bly perfectly happy with the bulletin. Originally it was believed that e-members would help to subsidize, at least a little, the costs of regular print membership. Although with the amount we spent on e-membership from, grants, donations, etc. I am not sure it has turned out to help much. But e-members are helping to pay the costs of what print members are getting, but the print members are crying foul that they should get what e-members get all for free. Who is trying to cheat whom.

----- Original Message -----
Gerry,
    I think we should have listened closer to what you were saying
because that is what I am hearing now. Most of the folks that are unhappy
feel like they are getting cheated.  They bought and paid for "full"
memberships and now, there are things they can't get to unless they pay
again, and again, and again, every year.
    I go back to my previous
question and I'll add a few more that I have been asked.
	* What do these
electronic services cost us? * Is the cost covered by our e-members dues? * How many e-members do we have? * How much do we need to charge our regular members for this service? Since my first post, I have received several additional emails from folks thanking me for bringing it up and stating that they feel the same way. I think there are a lot of people
unhappy about this that just haven't spoken out.

Thanks,

Dana
   Dana Brown
ddbro@sbcglobal.net
Malevil Iris Gardens & Kennels
www.malevil-iris.com

 I
own a dog and I vote!!

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