Re: [AISdiscuss] Life Memberships

[irishud@earthlink.net]

I am furthering the discussion on life memberships by responding to 
Brad's comments.

Jay


>     As I read Jeannie's message there are three distinct issues we are
>discussing: 1. O/S Life memberships; 2. US Life Memberships: and 3. 
>banning the
>purchase of multiple triennial memberships.  While 1 & 2 maybe combined into a
>motion, I don't think 3. is a wise move and at the very least it should be
>discussed at a scheduled Board meeting.  Frankly, issues that 
>monetarily affect
>members should have the full airing of a scheduled Board meeting.
>
>Discussion:
>
>     1. Eliminating O/S Life memberships.
>
>         The AIS has no ability to protect itself from currency fluctuations
>between countries; therefore, we should immediately eliminate this membership
>option by electronic vote.
>
>     2. Eliminating US Life Memberships:
>
>         Electronic voting would be viewed by the membership as a secret vote
>without allowing for input from them.  While this discussion has merit, it
>should only be voted on in an open Board meeting.  Personally, I'm 
>not supportive
>of doing this at this time.

This is the reason for AIS discuss. It goes out to a lot of members 
and they may respond if they wish. Electronic votes have to be 
confirmed at the next board meeting. This is good for items that need 
immediate action.


>
>     3.  Banning multiple triennial purchases:
>
>         Eliminating this option for the AIS membership would be viewed very
>negatively and probably be revenue neutral at best.  In practice this behavior
>of some members to buy multiple membership in advance of a dues increase
>usually produces extra revenue in the years of our worst budget 
>shortfalls.  This
>is because we don't increase dues until we are running in the red!  A practice
>of increasing dues modestly every 3 years would probably do wonders for our
>"boom & bust" budgetary cycles.  Also, it would minimize the practice of
>multiple membership purchases.


Although this is not a part of my motion I am highly in favor of it. 
With our reserves we are covered at present and although the extra 
income is nice it in itself it creates a boom or bust situation as 
membership income will drop for a few years to compensate for lack of 
future increases. Like any business AIS has no way to control many of 
our costs each year. For the last couple of years we have had a bust 
and I foresee that continuing. The biggest example is the cost of 
insurance along with printing, postage and a slowdown in storefront 
sales. We have raised some fees and membership dues and it will be 
interesting to see whether that action actually increases revenue. We 
can only hope that it will so that further drastic action will not be 
necessary.

>
>There is a saying that goes something like this: "Every solution creates its
>own set of problems." 
>
>Therefore, it is best to give serious consideration to all Board actions,
>because actions that restrict the options of the members will likely produce a
>set of negative problems.  We should be looking at ways to INCREASE options
>because then there is a possibility of producing some positive "problems."


Let's have some ideas.

>
>
>It is raining here again too and the temperature is 42 degrees.
>
>Brad
>
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