Even in 2013, members of the Board had begun discussing the inevitability of a dues increase.  With the Centennial coming up in 2014, it clearly was not going to be a year to announce a dues increase, so everyone was spared having to think about it too deeply.

As we began 2014, the need for a dues increase became more and more evident.  In the first half of 2014, A&F had two subcommittees that began work on a dues increase and possible changes to life membership.  There were brief reports by these groups included in the July Report of A&F, with further discussion at the July Board meeting, which may have been lost in the noise of the Convention.  The dues study subcommittee developed scenarios for a $6 and a $10 increase, and these were presented at the November A&F meeting.  Simultaneously, staff was developing the 2015-16 plan, and included a dues increase in the plan.  At the November meeting, A&F voted to recommend the plan to the Board for acceptance at the upcoming January meeting.  This is the plan which includes the $10 increase.  A&F did discuss a smaller increase, but it was realized that this would mean coming back to the membership again in 2 or 3 years, and it was felt that taking our medicine all at once was preferable to multiple small sips.  Of course, we will still not be able to wait another 10 years for the next increase.  A&F also discussed life membership, and decided not to make any changes at this time, although since life membership is priced at a multiple of the current yearly dues, the price of life membership would necessarily rise, as well.

Thus, in order to implement the dues increase, Dave sent out the necessary enabling changes to bylaws, enough ahead of time so they can be properly voted on at January's meeting.  This probably wouldn't have taken people so much by surprise if the A&F Minutes from the November meeting had already been issued, but some situations conspired to delay their compilation.  I will be working on the minutes and get them to the Board as soon as possible.  I apologize that it was not sooner.

No one likes the idea of a dues increase.  The financial analysis that led to the current 2015-16 plan made it clear that we could not postpone an increase any further and still maintain a fiscally healthy organization.  Most members I have talked to, and other Directors have told me this as well, understand that 10 years of no dues increase cannot continue, and many are even surprised that the increase would only be $10.

Every now and then, the Board must take action that it knows will not be popular, but that is necessary for the health of the organization.  Regretfully, this is one of those issues.

73,

       Greg, K0GW

       2014 A&F Chair