Re: [AISdiscuss] Life Memberships

[CEMahan@aol.com]

Point of order!
 
The Board cannot vote to discontinue life memberships. The  category of ife 
membership is established by the By-Laws of the  Society and can only be 
discontinued by a change of the By-Laws, and  voted on by the entire AIS membership.
 
The Board can vote to change the cost of life memberships, but I personally  
think any change in dues should be done at the regular meeting of the Board 
not  over the Internet.
I do think it is reasonable to have a different price place on life  
membership for U.S./Canadian members and overseas members. But I think even this  
should be discussed in an open membership meeting with a full rationale as to  why 
it is desirable. There is no need to antagonize our overseas members (and  
there are VERY few overseas life members anyway).
 
As for changing the By-laws to discontinue life memberships, I am  unconv
inced it is a smart thing to do. Most organizations I belong to have life  
memberships, and it is a long tradition in AIS. Traditions are important.   And in 
any event, a vote to change the By-laws should only be done at the  regular 
Board meeting. 
 
It has only been in the past few years that the abnormally low interest  
rates have caused the income from a life membership to generate inadequate  
revenue.  Over many long years the interest income from a life membership  more than 
covered the cost of an annual membership. AND interest rates are not  going 
to stay low forever. 
 
Over the long run, the present value of money makes a life  membership an 
income producing category unless life memberships are priced too  low. If action 
is deemed necessary, it would be wiser to reprice the life  memberships than 
to discontinue them. But I strongly recommend that any  repricing be done in 
regular open board meetings. Perceived secrecy is the enemy  of organizational 
cohesion. Especially when the subject is money. 
 
Warm wishes to all, Clarence

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