[sac-board] Re: Some Comments about SAC

Just thought I'd add my 2¢, as a card-carrying SAC member (er, scratch that bit 
about the card)...
As everyone knows, there are expenses associated with operating a club. Some 
expenses are necessary, some are optional; some are fixed, some are variable; 
some are a function of the number of members, some operate independently of 
membership headcount; some are within one's control, and some are not. Being 
able to recognize which expenses fit which category, and make decisions 
accordingly, is the responsibility of the club's governing body. SAC has great 
leadership, and does a very good job in this regard. I am proud to be a member.

Among the fixed expenses are things like meeting room rental fees, website 
hosting, insurance, and speaker's honorariums. Given the recent thread 
concerning insurance, one may view this as a variable expense. But, for this 
discussion I consider it fixed - it remains the same for some time period (say, 
a year), which allows for proper budgeting.

The newsletter expenses (which can be a club's single biggest expense) are 
variable, and are usually proportional to membership numbers. Making 
newsletters available electronically (as a PDF) is probably the single biggest 
step a club can take to reign in expenses. Participation should be encouraged 
wherever possible. Supplies are another variable expense. Items such as a slide 
projector bulb... even the projector itself, fit this category. You may not 
replace that bulb for 2 years, or you may buy 2 in a 12 month stretch.

Items such as name badges, membership cards, calendars and t-shirts are 
optional expenses. They are not necessary, nor should they be factored into 
membership dues. Name badges are nice, especially for members who like to 
participate in public outreach events. But their expense should be borne 
entirely by those who desire one. I'd apply the same logic to membership cards, 
if I thought they were necessary - or even useful. I get one with my ALPO 
membership, but I don't know what it's for - it's relegated to an existence in 
some forgotten drawer.

Every club has some type of vision or mission statement... it's there somewhere 
in the bylaws. This defines the purpose of the club, and membership dues are 
set to accommodate the necessary expenses while the club pursues its mission. 
At times it becomes a balancing act, trying to deliver on the mission with the 
dues collected. 

Most of the benefits of club membership are not individually tangible items. 
But for my $28 I get:
  a.. 12 meetings with fascinating speakers and wonderful company, held in a 
relatively comfortable, safe environment. 
  b.. A website about the club, loaded with information and available to me 
anytime and anywhere (almost).
  c.. A dozen newsletters, representing the hard work of several dedicated (and 
talented) volunteers. I can enjoy it onscreen or print it at my discretion.
  d.. An invitation to participate in many star parties; some public, some 
private.
  e.. An invitation to participate in special interest groups, like the Deep 
Sky or ATM groups. Further, there exists the ability to start such a group 
myself, if I'm so inclined.
  f.. The camaraderie of those who share a similar interest. For me, this 
fellowship is worth the cost of admission alone. I have met some fantastic 
people through club memberships; folks I might not have encountered otherwise.
If I wanted to assign some numerical value on my membership (which I don't), I 
could say that it costs me less than a buck for each meeting, newsletter and 
star party... what a deal!
I could pursue my astronomical interests without belonging to a club, but I 
think I'll always choose to support amateur astronomy in this manner. In fact, 
I think I'll send in my renewal check today!

Peter

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