[Ansteorra] Non-Member Surcharge

[Dragonetti]

Armand again... (sorry folks)

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lori C.
> 
<snip>
> What I'm finding enlightening about this discussion is the idea that so
> many people think charging newcomers/non-members an extra $5 is a bad
> idea, and yet they are willing to redefine it and sell it down the
> river. I understand not wanting to drive off newcomers, but repackaging
> a bad idea does not suddenly make it a good idea.

Speaking only for myself, I've never said the NMS is good or bad. I tend to
view it (especially it's coming disproportionate rate increase) as trying to
foster a move to membership. (Which is actually a money loser for the
corporation) In the end, it may fail miserably, lose money and serve only to
run folks off faster. Of course, I could be wrong (it's happened once before
back in 1979) and the corporation simply wants more revenue, in which case
they may have miscalculated.

> Repackaging corporate ideas so corporate doesn't suffer the negative
> consequences of their choices is not high on my priority list. If their
> idea is good, then it will stand on its own. If it isn't, well, they
> need to know that too.

Agreed. However, I don't think the original poster's intent was concerned
with propping up the image of the corporation, but rather to use a bit of
positive marketing to the goal of being more "welcoming" of newcomers.

The corporation is often disparaged as providing no meaningful value, having
nefarious intent and it's BOD being composed of self-selecting narcists bent
on damaging our game. (Note: I'm not saying that you believe that, or are
doing so. Not at all.) My take on the BOD is that those folks try to do
their best as they volunteer their time and resources. They've recognized a
looming financial problem and are trying to do "something" to address the
issues.

This touches a much greater concern of mine: 
As I recall, this discussion began with a few well meaning suggestions, put
forward by some brainstorming, enthusiastic-types. Then, we veterans jumped
all over the discussion and killed their further contributions. This is a
small example of the type of behavior that I think runs folks off.
(Discussing ways to attract and retain members was the original topic.) Mea
Culpa! I am most certainly guilty of what I'm griping about now. How ironic.

> 
> ~ Kat M.

-=Armand=-