Here is a thought provoking note from Nevada SM, Dick Flanagan, K7VC. I'm forwarding it to ODV with his premission. It makes very good sense to me, and I ask that each of you carefully read it to see if you don't agree with me. I can't imagine that the implementation costs would be prohibitively high. Thanks for your consideration. 73, Bob -- Bob Vallio, Director - Pacific Division ARRL The national association for AMATEUR RADIO ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Dick Flanagan <dick@twohams.com> Date: Jan 26, 2007 5:35 PM Subject: ARRL Life Membership Categories To: Bob Vallio W6RGG <w6rgg@arrl.org> Hi, Bob. I have a suggestion that I should have made to you before you left for the BOD meeting, but better late than never. I would like to propose "honorary" levels of ARRL life memberships. I was in the Diamond Club program for a few years and I recently cancelled it. When I talk about honorary levels of life memberships, let me give an example of what I mean. I have been a life member of another national organization for over 45 years. Like ARRL, their straight life membership costs around $1,000, but they also have three additional levels of life membership: Endowment for a total of $1,500, Patron for a total of $2,500 and Benefactor for a total of $4,000 These three additional levels provide the member with the same benefits as a regular life member, but they also entitle them to a distinctive lapel pin, patch, decal, membership certificate and associated bragging rights. I was a regular life member of this other organization for about ten years before I upgraded to Endowment. Another twenty years and I upgraded to Patron and I'm currently sending them a hundred bucks a month to make the final step up to Benefactor. The reason I would like ARRL to consider something similar to this program is that psychologically it is goal oriented. While the Diamond Club never ends, you can actually see and achieve something tangible through the other system. If you agree, will you propose such a plan? If you don't agree, would you please tell me why. Thanks, Bob. 73, Dick -- Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM k7vc@arrl.org