[Ansteorra] Non-Member Surcharge

[Dragonetti]

Greetings from Armand, 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jay Rudin
> Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 12:02 PM
> 
<snip>

> The goal is to convince people to buy memberships, and to get some
> money out of those who don't.  So it must be charged to all non-members
> who attend events.
> 
> (It goes back to the silly idea that people who make costumes and
> armor, teach classes, clean up after events, pay site fees to pay for
> sites, volunteer at demos, etc., are somehow not doing their fair share
> if they don't also buy a newsletter from a California corporation.)
> 
> Robin of Gilwell / Jay Rudin

That makes perfect sense *if* that is the only value you perceive or derive
from the corporation. However, I perceive the value in a body that sets some
minimal level of standardized rules (or framework) of play, provides
relatively convenient access to insurance to help secure event sites, and
the sense that I'm supporting the game beyond my local area and am part of a
larger Knowne World, among other things. Perhaps I'm deluded, but so be it.

Regarding Member Discount vs. Non-Member Surcharge: 

One could argue that, without the NMS, when a "member" and a "non-member"
pay the exact same site fee, that the non-member got a discount. Because the
_member's_ "extra" membership fees helped pay a portion of the corporate
insurance used to secure the site. (Probably not $3 or $5 worth, but that's
another issue.) My point is that when some claim the "truth", it is still a
matter of perception.

As one who continues to "pretend" a surcharge is not necessarily a
surcharge, I would hope you do not imply that I'm intentionally trying to be
un-chivalrous or deceptive, while I (and others) speculate on a marketing
approach intended to be improve the organization. 

With respect,
Armand Dragonetti