Longmont Amateur Radio Club - Colorado

Whereas: Since the commencement of the new administration in fiscal year 2005, interesting meetings have been regularly arranged to provide something of value to attract old and new potential members,

Whereas: Meeting attendance has indeed improved (consistently over 20 and approaching 25),

Whereas: This new interest and participation HAS NOT translated into new memberships,

Whereas: Students represent the youth who will be the next generation of HAMs. But, they are usually either young and don’t have jobs or in college and living on a tight budget,

Whereas: Retired people are often living on fixed incomes, the value of which diminishes year-to-year with inflation,

Whereas: Newly licensed HAMs are often not sure what to do next,

Whereas: Historically it has been difficult to fill the elected officer positions because these people often end up carrying loads that lead to “burn-out”,

Be it resolved:

· LARC offers half price membership to Students and Retired Seniors (starting in the year they turn 65).

· All HAMs who are newly licensed at a LARC VE Testing session will receive their first year of LARC membership FREE.

· The dues for elected LARC officers will be waived in the fiscal year that they are elected and actively serving.

This resolution will take effect immediately upon adoption, and become effective for fiscal year 2007 – 2008.

Arguments FOR this resolution: This resolution will cost LARC nothing (there’s everything to gain and nothing to lose). Specifying half price (as opposed to a dollar amount) for students and seniors, makes this resolution work no matter what LARC dues may become in the future. Offering FREE membership to newly licensed HAMs is an incentive for them and for LARC to hold regular VE Testing sessions. Waiving dues for the elected officers, can in no way compensate for the work that they do to make the club run smoothly. But, it is at least, a small gesture of thanks.

Arguments AGAINST this resolution: It will be difficult to track these various flavors of membership. It is not proven that these measures will do anything to grow LARC membership.