New Dues Structure for 2008

Tue Sep 25 15:05:04 MDT 2007

 WOW,

I certainly have seen some interesting discussions going on from my post.

Personally, I don't think there should be any differentials is pricing for the organization. If it costs the organization X dollars per member to run the organization, then that cost should be aggregated across to all members equally. If it costs more to run international programs, then pass on the additional costs in an appropriate manner.

I think there is a fundamental problem with ANY organization that has needed a 15% (more or less) annual increase over several years. The annual dues increases have contributed to a 10,000 member loss from 2000 through 2007. This tells me that the board is unwilling and/or unable to control cost and increase membership--and this is leading to the dues increase. 

Bells and whistles might be nice, but I went to a chapter meeting last night with 12 member present. I don't remember when the last time was that I actually read the Intercom. I really like the Lone Writers SIG, but I really need to decide if their is an acceptable return on my investment.

Rather than working on the DOL to change a job classification, it is time that the organization re-establish the membership, look at cost cutting measures, and re-evaluate priorities. The business plan of making large dues adjustments every year is not producing the desired results. The trend is that the organization is weakening.

I do agree that members discussing forming a new listserv with another provider is in bad form. This is not the forum for this discussion.

But, discussing the dues issue is important to many lone writers.

Teresa Trujillo
Book Workshop/Mighty Designs
1501 E. Orangethorpe Avenue
Suite 130
Fullerton, California 92831
Phone (714) 525-0882
Fax (714) 879-7156
Cell (714) 926-8343

-----Original Message-----
From: Bonni_Graham at scantron.com
To: stc-ac <stc-ac at lists.stc.org>
Sent: Tue, 25 Sep 2007 10:05 am
Subject: [stc-ac] RE: Fwd: STC: New Dues Structure for 2008

I just want to make sure I'm following
the logic of this thread of posts here: 

We *don't* want US/Canada members to
subsidize/underwrite the dues for International members, but we *do* want
nonacademic members to subsidize/underwrite the dues for academic members?
We don't want to be "taxed" so STC can provide services to offshore
counterparts, but we're all in favor of nonacademic members being "taxed"
to provide service to academic members? "Cost-shifting to your membership
base" is not a good idea for growing internationally, but it's a fabulous
idea for growing academically?

Hmmmm.

Although my employer currently pays
my dues, I pay the dues for my two staff members, and paid my own dues
for 16 of the 17 years I've been a member. I believe in demonstrating to
the various entities for which I and my staff work (my clients, UCSD, UCR,
etc.) that I am committed to and serious enough about my own profession
to be a part of its professional society, above and beyond any other benefits
I get from membership. I would continue to be a member even if I had to
resume paying my own dues again.

My 2 cents (not even adjusted for inflation...)

Bonni Graham

Product Management / Marketing: End-User Documentation

Lecturer, University of California (San
Diego Extension, Riverside Extension, and Riverside Main campuses)

Scantron Corporation

110 West A Street, Suite 800

San Diego, CA 92101

[ T ] 619.578.5261

[ C ] 858.349.9488

[ F ] 619.615.0522 

www.scantron.com

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