From: SCAM@hnewstrom.ess.harris.com (Harvey Newstrom)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Dues Increase!
Date: 7 Oct 92 01:14:15 GMT
Organization: Space Coast Area Mensa

The following items are reprinted from the October SCAM, newsletter of
Space Coast Area Mensa, Harvey Newstrom editor.  Permission is granted for
all reprints as long as proper attribution is given.


>From the September 12th, 1992 Minutes of the AMC
by Jean L. Cooper, Secretary:

Increased the membership dues to $45 effective with the 1993-94 membership
year.  Increased the dues allotment to local groups to $7.50 per full dues
paying member per year.  Resolved that any future change to the amount of
membership dues must be considered as an agenda item at two consecutive AMC
meetings before that change may be enacted.


>From a letter by Dave Remine, AMC Treasurer:
	
	At the Portland AMC meeting 9/12/92 the AMC, faced with a negative balance in
our general fund and ever increasing costs, reluctantly voted (18 yes, 1 no, 1
abstained) to raise dues for the membership year 1992-94 to $45.00.  This
action was taken after one and a quarter hours of debate and only after
extensive examination of options available.  While non-dues revenue is 23% of
our total budget it is much more limited and harder to increase than our
membership dues base.  It was also decided that all programs would be examined
at budget time with an eye to cutting costs wherever possible and to increasing
non-dues revenue to ensure as rapid as possible replenishment of our operating
funds.  While the AMC recognizes the economic hard times we are all going
through, it was simply impossible to allow the drain on funds to continue. 
Many of the AMC, including myself, realized and expressed the unpopular
political position of voting for a dues increase but concurred that the best
interest of Mensa must be paramount to one's own political desires.
	The dues rebate to local groups for a full dues paying member was increased by
$1.00 in keeping with the 1/6th formula.  This will hopefully improve the
financial state of many of our local groups that are experiencing the same cost
increases that are being seen by national.  Even with the increase, the dues
for American Mensa are substantially below that of other nations that do not
rebate anything to local chapters.  The AMC believes that the local chapter is
the heart of Mensa and must continue to be supported.
	The dues waiver program will ensure that any of our membership that cannot
afford the dues will still be able to retain membership.  Also the one time 3
year special rate of $110.00 will allow members with an expiration date of
3/31/93 to purchase membership until 3/31/96 at a $25.00 saving.  This is even
a saving over the former $39.00 dues rate.  Those members who have already
prepaid for future years, while not eligible for the special plan, have saved
also.  Credit cards continue to be accepted for payment of any dues, and of
course boutique items.
	The dues for second (and additional) family members remains unchanged as does
the dues rebate to local groups for these members.  I urge that those members
who can qualify for this status do so.
	The life dues went to $900.00 as per the formula that sets life dues at 20
times the next year's dues.  Those who have started an installment plan already
are protected at the lower rate formerly in place.  The AMC also did away with
the installment plan for life dues.  With payment for life dues by credit card
members save considerably over an installment plan.
	Once again, it was only with much soul searching debate that this increase was
passed.  The AMC is elected to serve the membership by governing the society
and I believe that, in this matter, it served the members well.  It would have
been much easier for some of us politically if we had opposed the increase in
spite of irrefutable evidence that such an increase was desperately needed at
this time.  I was proud that my colleagues had the intestinal fortitude to make
the right decision for Mensa, hard as it may have been personally.  It was
especially heart warming to me to see three of my colleagues, who I know to be
currently unemployed, to vote for an increase that they can ill afford at this
time.  
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa