IEEE follows that model. After so many years of membership and only after a certain age, you automatically become a Life member without needing to request it, retaining all the publications and rights you were receiving prior. All dues are waived going forward. They do check each year to make sure we are still kicking. Separately, they also have a senior membership status, not age or longevity based, but which is merit based measured against listed milestones of professional accomplishments including advanced degrees, publications, upon review of a cv by committee and recommendations and such. It has perks at no extra fees. And yes, one can be a senior life member as well. Last dues payment by me in 2018 (now a senior life member) was $231 per year. Spectrum magazine (first class publication) is the major benefit with newsletters and such as our League has.
Bob Famiglio, K3RF
Director - ARRL Atlantic Division
610-359-7300
Serving NNY, WNY, WPA, EPA, SNJ, DE and MD/DC sections
From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org> On Behalf Of Minster, David NA2AA (CEO)
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2023 12:52 PM
To: Boehner, James, N2ZZ (Dir, RK) <jboehner01@yahoo.com>; Jairam, Ria, N2RJ (Dir, HD) <n2rj@arrl.org>; Baker, Mickey, N4MB (Dir, SE) <mbaker@arrl.org>; arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org
Subject: [arrl-odv:34686] Re: Member feedback
No, we wouldn’t look to change the terms of an installment payment in process on Life Membership.
I am not a fan of Life Membership. I much prefer Lifelong Membership where it is something that is achieved, like company retirement plans that follow the rule of 85: you must be at least 55 years old with 30 years of service to qualify.
I’ve looked, and don’t understand the genesis of the program – why would they ever have considered doing it. It started in 1967 for a whopping $130 where it was calculated on 20 years of membership. The membership numbers were flat during the 1960’s so I’m wondering if it was created to solve a cash flow problem.
It certainly doesn’t do us any favors in the long run. But members love being a Life Member, even joining very late in life.
Thanks
David
From: James F. Boehner, MD <jboehner01@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2023 1:10 AM
To: Jairam, Ria, N2RJ (Dir, HD) <n2rj@arrl.org>; Baker, Mickey, N4MB (Dir, SE) <mbaker@arrl.org>; Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) <dminster@arrl.org>; arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org
Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:34679] Re: Member feedback
The one comment I received was from a younger ham, perhaps about 30 years old or so. He has signed up for life membership on the installment plan. He was most worried about the ARRL changing the terms of his current installment agreement.
I would think that all previous transactions would be complete and not subject to change should there be a fee increase while the installments were still in process.
’73 de JIM N2ZZ
From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org> On Behalf Of Jairam, Ria, N2RJ (Dir, HD)
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2023 3:06 PM
To: Baker, Mickey, N4MB (Dir, SE) <mbaker@arrl.org>; Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) <dminster@arrl.org>; arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org
Subject: [arrl-odv:34679] Re: Member feedback
Personally I think it is how the question is worded - members should not be under the illusion that we are going to give a discount for print opt out. Some have been banging the drum for this. Expectations are important. We have to make sure we aren't inadvertently push polling for a desired result because it will come back to bite us.
Yes I agree it will cause a loss of membership, but I disagree that they will come back. There has to be value for what is being paid and many members I've spoken to have said that they don't see the value in $49 today, so I can't imagine they would be happy with a dues increase and may simply leave, and leave silently. Value is the key here.
What does an ARRL membership get you? For many it's a magazine subscription. Take that away and for many there is no benefit. Harsh, but it is reality. Personally I don't think we are there yet, where the non magazine benefits outweigh the magazine subscription.
There are also going to be members who ask if we have committed to any fiscal austerity measures.
The other part that was implied - changing life member benefits and maxim society benefits has to be done carefully. This, IMO will be worse than a dues increase on annual members.
A careful balancing act, for sure.
Ria
N2RJ
From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org> on behalf of Baker, Mickey, N4MB (Dir, SE) <mbaker@arrl.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2023 2:57:45 PM
To: Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) <dminster@arrl.org>; arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org>
Subject: [arrl-odv:34678] Re: Member feedback
Same feedback from the 30 or so at the Stuart Fl this weekend.
Best advice I can give is to make it simple.
Maybe a small increase with no print mag, $ for print mag.
We ARE GOING TO LOSE membership. They will come back.
My concern is print advertisers. We need to be selling the "live link" in the ad that they can direct as they need - all they need to do is get the click.
Mickey N4MB
Get Outlook for iOS
From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org> on behalf of Minster, David NA2AA (CEO) <dminster@arrl.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2023 2:52:35 PM
To: arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org>
Subject: [arrl-odv:34677] Member feedback
There’s now a new winner for responses to my monthly column, far outpacing the emotional feedback to the first Diversity & Inclusion piece.
That winner is the April column on making a tough decision together on the possibility of a dues increase.
I have received dozens of emails. And the themes are pretty consistent and all supportive: a reasonable increase is OK and people are willing to pay for printed QST. Is this group statistically relevant? Perhaps not. Is this group potentially biased? Well, they all think enough of ARRL to write the CEO, so maybe. The real details will come from the survey in May.
One thing is that there have been questions that I have answered back – and even asked the authors questions to help me understand their points better. I am going to create a page on the website that will contain these Q&A’s for other members to read in advance of the survey.
When that page is active, I will share the URL with you so that you can use it when addressing members in your Division Town Hall meetings or at in person events.
If you have received feedback via email, please forward me the email, without removing email headers and signatures please.
I will be working with A&F on an overall strategy to present and gain full approval at the July Board meeting for a January 2024 implementation.
Thanks
David