ANST - Kingdom Membership/Pay to Play

[Lee Cavett]

Greetings...

I seem to recall, that when I joined, it was not at all uncommon for
groups to have a "membership discount" at the gate, for local events.
Usually it wasn't as much as $5...  more like 2 or 3. When did it become
unfashionable? Well, right about the time a certain corporation began to
REQUIRE a "non-member fee", the proceeds of which were sent to that
corporation.

Now personally, I don't have a problem with the local group getting a
couple of bucks extra, either for themselves or as a voluntary donation
to kingdom, from a non-member fee or membership discount or what have
you. I paid it often enough; my membership record is somewhat spotty,
particularly in those days before the Meltdown. I was deeply opposed to
the mandate from Corporate. But I feel that it should be up to the local
group. Let me stress once again, however, that it should be small. I
would gladly pay an extra buck or two as penalty for forgetting my card,
since I already have to sign that ridiculous roster waiver; it will help
me remember in the future. Five bucks extra is excessive. 

You know what really ticks me off? Five bucks extra at the gate for
failing to send in a paid pre-registration for a WEEKEND event. 33%
upcharge.

The ability to be an officer, or to fight in Crown Tourney, is one the
more important benefits to membership -- and a good litmus test as well.
Actually having to invest in the Society to help make it run shows a
little more responsibility.

Oh, and as for other benefits to membership, I feel that the kingdom
newsletter is a BIG one. I've seen enough whining in various Web venues
about how event info doesn't get posted on the Web quickly enough, or
accurately, or with maps and directions, etcetera ad nauseam. Accurate,
timely event info is worth the cost. Or at least mostly accurate and
sort of timely. :)

Donal O Dochartaigh
former Kingdom officer
current local officer
member (with more than occasional lapses) since 1992

-- 
"All kings is mostly rapscallions." 
  Mark Twain (1835-1910)  - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
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