[Park] proposed dues cahnge

[Dave]

This is my response to the proposal to eliminate membership dues for the
year 2002. (It also apprears in the PocoNoise, but I am sending this in case
some of you don't get around to reading the newsletter before the January
10th meeting).

When I was a little kid, I was always compelled to spend whatever meager
funds I had. My dad always said, "That money is burning a hole in your
pocket." This proposal is a good example of that. So what if the treasury is
in very good shape? That means we have been living within our means. Just
because we are in good shape now does not mean that the future won't bring
unexpected pitfalls (like greater-than-expected membership declines or
expenses). If you think that can't happen, just remember the gigantic
surplus the US Treasury had not very long ago; now we have a deficit. Didn't
take long, did it?

For one, I have worked DAMN hard over the last nearly 10 years to make that
healthy treasury a reality. I sold "Friends of PARK" ads, I spend many hours
(as did some others) every summer creating a quality display for the West
End Fair so we could expose the public to a little bit of what amateur radio
is all about (and didn't that prize money come in handy, too?). I donated
and collected items for the annual auction all year long so the Klub could
add a little more to the treasury. I spend a whole day working the joint
hamfest to add more to our coffers. Now we have this proposal to just throw
this money away because "We have too much money?"  There is no such
thing---ever.

I feel like all my efforts have been for nothing, and I sure won't bother to
participate in any of these events in the future if this is how poorly we
utilize the proceeds.

Just because you have money, don't be lured into spending it foolishly.
especially in these unsettled times.

On January 10th, I urge all members to loudly vote "NO" for this wasteful
and dangerous idea.

Dave Haney
W3SJ