Joel, FB. I agree that a story that singles out the demise of the senior discount is not needed. I also agree that announcing it does need to be done tomorrow or the day after. Your note sends me a message that we also aren't going to drag our feet in getting the information out. This suggests a reasonable level of urgency. My friend and fearless leader, you have made a response that suggests my need in the GLD will be met. Tnx, Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je@arrl.org; Tel.: 513-459-0142 ARRL - The Reason Amateur Radio Is! Members - The Reason ARRL Is! _____ From: Joel Harrison [mailto:w5zn@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 4:23 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:16371] RE: [arrl-odv:16370] Cessation of senior discount Jim, First, we all need a chance to look at the minutes and agree they are correct and then we can publish a story about the board meeting. I don't envision a separate, exclusive story about this topic but rather that it will be included in the web story about the entire board meeting. As Dave said, March QST had the priority and now the focus is on the board meeting results. 73 Joel W5ZN _____ From: K8JE [mailto:K8JE@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 3:11 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:16371] RE: [arrl-odv:16370] Cessation of senior discount Dave, Yep. You, of course, are correct on the #3 vs. #2. Lapses mentalis! I clearly understand the desire to "get it right." I'm for this as well. However, I'm not certain what it is that needs to be "gotten right" before the change is announced. I doubt if we need to wait, for example, until all accounting or whatever processes for handling the defunct discount need to be in place before the announcement is made. At this time, it would seem all we would need to announce is that the Board abolished the Senior Discount effective January 1, 2009, but that current seniors who wish to keep the discount for as long as possible can do so by paying for a maximum of 5 years in advance. You folks are word masters such that it would seem this could be spieled out within 24 hours. Conversely, I do not believe this needs to be accomplished by "tomorrow." I believe everyone also know that there will not be thousands upon thousands of embittered senior members whenever this change is announced. The issue relates to the perception of transparency that was mentioned a few times during the meeting. Tnx, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je@arrl.org; Tel.: 513-459-0142 ARRL - The Reason Amateur Radio Is! Members - The Reason ARRL Is! _____ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 1:48 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:16371] RE: [arrl-odv:16370] Cessation of senior discount Jim, it's $3, not $2. Membership staff is working on a plan and response. Given that it doesn't take effect for more than 11 months I'd rather we get it right the first time. March QST wraps up today. I'm working on the editorial this afternoon, then will tackle the Board meeting minutes that Dave Patton has drafted. You'll all see the revised draft after that, i.e. before the Board meeting results are made public. Dave K1ZZ _____ From: K8JE [mailto:K8JE@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 1:29 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:16370] Cessation of senior discount Dave, At the risk of being considered to pound the same old drum, may I suggest we get the word out as soon as feasible about the senior discount for membership disappearing? To the Board (me included) this is merely a $2/year change. To others, the longer it goes unreported, it becomes "another" example of ARRL managing the news to try to hide information. I'd just as soon take my lumps for the $2/year without having extra lumps kicked in for being seen as being devious. Just a suggestion. 73, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je@arrl.org; Tel.: 513-459-0142 ARRL - The Reason Amateur Radio Is! Members - The Reason ARRL Is!