[QCWA] ASSOCIATE Membership

[Stephen A. Licht]

It is a sad state of affairs when an individual’s great dream in amateur radio is to join ANY particular organization.

It may upset the thought of some, but QCWA is NOT a growing and thriving organization.  The facts , and I mean the cold, hard truth that is only reflected in the NUMBERS ( both membership and financial) will support my position. Request the financial report for the last 10 years and the membership statistics and invest the time to become better acquainted with FACTS !

I have been licensed and active on the air since 1971. I have visited other chapters and have listened to what the members are talking about, especially the concept of associate memberships. Attendance is dwindling, finances are growing tighter and more and more members are asking questions.

    Just what do You or I get for our membership ?? A quarterly magazine and the right to call ourselves QCWA members. Sure there are awards and a convention ( but for how much longer will that be ?)

    The arguably most successful amateur radio organization, ARRL, has long had Associate AND ASSOCIATE LIFE MEMBERSHIPS ! Has it harmed the League or denigrated a Full Member’s status?? No  one has ever said or demonstrated this to my knowledge.

Just what do you think will be the ‘benefits’ afforded an associate membership ?? The Journal cost = membership. If an OM and XYL are members, do they both want their own copy?? Associates would not be qualified to vote or hold a National Office, but what about serve as a secretary or treasurer of a chapter??  Perhaps the role of a non voting associate member is not appealing to those that COULD participate at tis level! What do your guests say, after all it is that group we are talking about...

    Now that I have a great number of fellow gray haired hams agitated against my thoughts, today is my chapter meeting and monthly luncheon attended by a lot of GUESTS and QCWA members. Also please give some thought to what was on everyone’s lips yesterday , ‘Veteran’s Day’ where we honor those of US ( including myself)  that swore to defend the Constitutional  Right’s of every American..among which is that of the Freedom of Speech ..

    Steve WF2S