[Ansteorra] SCA Membership dues and Such things as that

[Paul Gilbert]

Greetings.......

I have read thru the BoD minutes and the various postings that have come
across the list concerning the proposed(?)/done deal of the $3 surcharge
from the BoD for non-members.

Some of the posts are logical and well thought out and some
are...urrrr....interesting ;0)

It is unfortunate that such an action as the surcharge is having to be
implemented or even considered. I state "considered" as the date of
implementation is Jan 1, 2003. This gives folks that had/have an opinion,
that did not express it, time to write the BoD and tell them their feelings
on the matter.

I HIGHLY suggest, if one is "for" OR "against" the idea, to sit down and
send the BoD their opinion ASAP!

This may look like a done deal, but it is not. We have time to possibly
influence a change. I believe that is one reason that the BoD chose to wait
till Jan 1, 2003 to begin its enforcement.

There have been some suggestions as to what to do about costs and money,
that would be from a logistics standpoint, a nightmare to implement, track
or administrate. Thus, the method that the BoD has chosen seems to be the
path of least resistance and the easiest to administrate. I do not blame
them for that. To track cards, to keep up with pro-rated or whatever
payments of newbies, etc would be near impossible.

As whether to charge the fee???? I have mixed feelings on that. I agree
that we need some kind of incentive to get non-members to become members.
The surcharge is a way to prod them to do that. If they attend very many
events, 11.66 to be exact, they would have purchased a membership. However,
I take the BoD to task as to why $3 and why send it ALL to corporate.

The line of thought about sueing a non-member to recover costs....that
would be hard, costly and a really chicken... to do. I always was under the
belief that one of the reasons that we have the insurance is to cover
"everyone" that attends the event. Thus, the reason for the case of the
ones that pay, covering for the ones that do not pay, not being fair to the
ones that pay. The BoD will have to explain that line of reasoning alot
better for me to accept that one.

As to the cost of the membership at $35 dollars and someone not having the
funds.

That is absolute hogwash!!!!!

I can assure you that most folks that expound that belief, have and
consistently do spend much more that the $35 at least once per year on
things that are optional expenses and that funding could be re-tasked to
support the hobby and fun that the SCA umbrella provides.

I can put this even simpler.........Let me put the cost of membership into
a financial perspective......

The current cost of a membership is $35......that breaks down to.....

.09589041 cents per day.

.6730 cents per week.

$ 2.9166 per month.

Now everyone reach into your pocket and pull out your current pocket
change.....most of you have some change in your pocket or purse and if you
do not, I bet you have some running around in the floor of your car or
underneath your favorite chair/couch/futon at home.

Count the change, most likely it exceeds the amount of membership for one
week. I am pretty sure it does for a day or a few days. There will be
exceptions to this. But not many and I feel that there are folks that are
better off (financially) that would be happy to help those that can not
honestly afford a membership.

.09589041 cents per day to cover your butt at an SCA event in case you or
someone does something stupid. Pretty cheap insurance. I wish I could cover
my car that cheap.

Granted, I have to have a membership due to my Landed Baronial status. But
I would have one anyway because it is a way to support the organization
that makes this all possible in a united and consistent (or at least
reasonable consistent) front for all that wish to participate in the hobby
we all love....The SCA.

I have seen this same issue raise it's head in another hobby I have. All
the same arguments and all the same reasons for and against. But that hobby
does not have the exposure of the liability that the SCA does with the
fighting and scope of the activities. It is even more important here to
have a membership IMHO.

Now.....with all that above said. I am mixed in my feelings on the
surcharge. I think $3 is too high and some of it should be shared on at
least a Kingdom level.

The board did what they did because not enough folks spoke up.

We, you still have a chance. Get them cards, letters and emails going.
There is at least one more board meeting before it takes effect and who
knows, they might be convinced to change their mind.

I sent in my opinion before. I will do it again.

Stay tuned.....film at 11.......

In Service......

H.E. Niklas Vasilevich
Baron of the Barony of Raven's Fort





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Paul Gilbert,   KE5ZW                   H.E. Niklas Vasilevich,
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