Time Flies

I went to a meeting last night for the CT Lighter than Air Society (CLAS). I go maybe 1-2 times a year; it conflicts with the Creative Cocktail Hour, for one, and it's mostly pilot-stuff, for another. I am an adjunct member, at best.

While there, it came to my attention that my dues were in arrears for several years: 2006 and 2007. I was shocked (shocked, I say!) and I wrote a check right there for $60 to catch me up through 2008. It's not like it's all that expensive.

Later on, while discussing an upcoming safety seminar, the topic of dues and members in arrears came up. Pilots need to attend the seminar to stay current, and members get a discount on the safety seminar, so whether one is or is not current on due is at least on the table. After listening to them kvetch about the state of the membership, I spoke up. Hey guys (mostly). It's me, a member up until recently in arrears.

* Did I get reminders (mail or email) that my dues were past due? (no, maybe once in two years)
* Did I remain on the CLAS email list? (yes)
* Was I able to download the monthly CLAS newsletter? (yes)
* Did anyone remind me I was in arrears at the meeting (no, I actually asked "Am I up to date?")

In short (a) how was I to know I was in arrears, and (b) what incentive was there for me to pony up (czarina)? For the 15 or so "regulars" who go to meetings and are local, remembering to pay their dues is no big issue. But for the rest (the group has members form across the state and some outliers in other Northeast states), I think it behooves the group to be a bit more focused on notifying members about dues, making it easier to pay dues (how about a PayPal button on the website?), and shutting down access to group resources if dues remain unpaid.

Having run groups like this in the past, I know that keeping members up to date can be a pain in the ass - it's a lot of work to track members, collect dues, send out reminders. You have to give members something of value in return. Real Art Ways (of Creative Cocktail Hour) is a good example: they get my annul dues because $5 movies (instead of $9 for non-members) is worth it to me. Getting into the CCH for free (or discounted, I am not sure how the membership thing works) is worth it too. And oh yeah, if I forget to renew, they send out a letter to remind me, and my renewal date is on my laminated membership card. So every year I write a check. Last year I even gave them a bit extra.