Ridecamp: Re: [RC] [RC] non-member fees (was Director at Large)

On Wed, 2 Oct 2002 12:34:46 -0700, "Alison Farrin"
<alison@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Because non members are paying for the nationwide cohesion, oversight
>and level playing field that a national organization provides.  The get
>a ride where they know what the base rules are.  They get a ride that
>WILL HAVE VETS.  They get ride management that knowingly conforms to a
>set of standards that keeps our horses safe.
>
>There's a whole list of benefits that non-members get by attending an
>AERC ride and yes, they D**n well should pay for it.

<sigh>

Why do people cling to this idea that without the non-member fee,
non-members are getting a free ride?  Ride management pays a fee up
front to have AERC sanction a ride, that comes out of all riders'
entry fees.  Every rider (member and non-member) pays the per-rider
sanction fee.  So the non-members are paying for all of those
intangible benefits you talk about.  The non-member fee is over and
above that, and it all goes to paying for member services.

If the per-rider fee isn't enough, then increase it to what is enough
and make it the same, fair amount for everyone.

No matter how you slice it and dice it non-member fees are a way to
bring more money in so that members don't have to pay as much.  It is
making somebody else pay for your fun.  I know people don't like to
admit that, but it's the pain, unvarnished truth.



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