X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seds-l
Date:         Sat, 7 Nov 1992 00:58:26 PST
From:         "(Jeffrey Alan Foust)" <jafoust@CCO.CALTECH.EDU>
Subject:      IDMs: Why Undertake Them?

[Apologies in advance for the length of this.  I rarely feel the need to jump
up on a soapbox, but this is an exception...]

	Some people here on SEDS-L have been discussing recently whether or
not SEDS-USA should undertake a program of individual memberships for both
students and non-students.  Recently the discussion has turned from what
organization within SEDS-USA should administer the individual memberships
to whether or not there should even be an individual membership (hereafter
abbreviated IDM) program.  Considering that the idea has been 'on the table'
for several months, these recent doubts voiced now (compared to what little
dissent was voiced in previous months) I find to be a little disturbing.
However, just because these doubts have been voiced as such a late date doesn't
mean that they shouldn't be addressed.  Let me make an effort to address and
allay those concerns.


	First, think about some of the problems plaguing SEDS (here I am
speaking of SEDS-USA, but some of these problems also exist in other SEDS
organizations).  Here are three of the biggest that come to my mind:
	Communication:  We have big problems just communicating between
	chapters.  Chapters in the east don't know what chapters in the west
	are doing, and vice versa.
	Expansion: There are so many schools that are fertile ground for SEDS
	chapters, but currently don't have any.  How do we get the word out to
	individuals and motivate them to start chapters?
	Fundraising: Money has always been a big problem, and with the current
	state of the economy and the downsizing of the aerospace industry funds
	are harder to come by.

	How can we solve these problems in a manner that requires a minimum
of effort?  We have to find a project, a program, or something that can address
several of these concerns simultaneously.  IDMs are one way to do this.

	First of all, IDMs are a tool to improve communication.  SEDS chapters
have been and are strongly encouraged to submit short chapter activity
summaries for publication in the NOVA.  This helps spread the word about what
activities a SEDS chapter can do, important information for IDMs in other
SEDS chapters and for IDMs at schools without SEDS chapters (but that are
trying to start SEDS chapters).

	Second, IDMs are a tool for expansion.  We can use IDMs to encourage
students we have found that are interested in SEDS but currently unable to start
a chapter to stay informed and involved with SEDS.  Moreover, we encourage these
IDMs to work on starting a SEDS chapter at their school, and find more
interested, motivated people to join.

	Third, IDMs are a tool for fundraising.  The basic financial analysis
posted to SEDS-L shows that we can make money on every IDM, regardless of the
level.  This is especially true for non-student members, who pay more than
students to join.  These people will join because they wish to help support
student space efforts at a relatively low fee, and in turn get information
about what these students do.  Also, once our 501(c)3 status is re-established,
what they pay in dues can be considered tax-deductible.


	No, IDMs won't fully nor instantly solve all our problems.  Here are
some other things they won't do:

	They won't turn us into another NSS or TPS.  We have bee and will
continue to be a chapter-based organization.  IDMs won't have any voting rights
of any kind outside of their own SEDS chapters, if they are a members of one.
Individual members who are students at schools that do not have SEDS chapters
will be encouraged to create SEDS chapters at these schools.

	They won't overtax our resources.  We're not going to start off with
20,000 individual members.  Or 2,000.  Or 200.  We'll start small, and work our
way up.  We don't need to hire a permanent staff member just to handle IDMs
because the numbers will start off small, and there are SEDS members out there
willing to spend time on top of other activities to help with the administration
of IDMs.

	They won't work perfectly.  Heck, nothing created by human hands does
work perfectly.  Sure, we're taking a risk (albeit a small one), and things
may not work out smoothly, but it's a risk worth taking.  The advantages
of IDMs far outweigh any disadvantages.  We've got to be willing to take a few
risks now and then - if we didn't not only would there not be SEDS, but there
wouldn't be a space program.


	Have you ever used a Swiss Army knife?  They're wonderful instruments -
small, compact, versatile.  The various tools that one finds on a Swiss Army
knife, such as a knife, corkscrew, scissors, bottle opener, etc., are
immensely helpful in a wide variety of situations.  There have been many times
in the field when I've wished I had one on me.

	Individual memberships can serve as a Swiss Army knife for SEDS-USA.
They can help us in many areas - communication, expansion, and fundraising.
It's a simple program, and one that will start off small.  Are you willing to
make a small investment for a tool that could greatly enhance SEDS-USA?
It's up to the board to decide.

Ad astra,

Jeff
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