Re: [RC] Attention all ride managers- fee hike - Paddi
I agree with Steph. I have been trying to promote AERC
rides in Alberta. Currently rides are sanctioned by ERA within the province.
Cost has been an issue and they just made it a much harder sell.
Subject: FW: [RC] Attention all ride
managers- fee hike
Subject: RE: [RC] Attention all ride managers- fee
hike
When was this decision made? And
why was there no discussion with the membership prior to the
decision? I don't recall seeing any notice in the EN that the BoD was
considering raising AERC's rider fees. Which directors voted for this, and
why? I hope this was a roll call vote, as I truly want to know. AERC does not
exist without rides, without ride managers. I can think of many better places
to raise the extra funds that are apparently needed to keep the organization
afloat, once again. Just a few years ago AERC was rolling in extra funds, and
half the Board was proposing new ways to spend all this extra money. What
happened? The rides, the riders, the ride managers are the heart of this
sport. I would much rather see less money spent on the zillions of awards
given out at year's end, or the thousands spent on research and trails grants,
than ask more money from the people that define the sport - the riders and
ride managers. This is foolish.
I have recommended in the past, and
recommend again that the Board consider a professional to assist in the area
of spending and budgeting. The AERC is a corporation with a sizeable yearly
budget, and to place the responsibility for managing the financial affairs of
the corporation in the hands of a non-professional elected volunteer
(treasurer) and expect a large Board comprised of volunteers to
understand the nuances of corporate finances well enough to make sound
decisions regarding the spending and budgeting of these funds is ridiculous.
Plus I once again ask this Board to stop
conducting your business in a vacuum. 90% of BoD discussion of important
issues occurs on the private BoD email list. During my time as a
director I watched this list (which seemed like a good idea when the 'net
was new and exciting) evolve into a powerful persuasive tool for some
individuals, and on several occasions was personally harrassed for trying
to keep the membership informed of some of the issues that were being
discussed and settled on this list. I have often questioned the ethics and
legalities of the BoD list, where even though votes are not cast, many
decisions are made. The general membership has no idea what it's elected
corporate directors are discussing on a daily basis! This is OUR organization,
you guys are supposed to be managing it responsibly, and for the sake of the
entire organization (including the rest of us - the 5000+ people that support
and fund the organization). Also the monthly private telephone conference
calls are marginally acceptable, where discussions are made and votes are cast
in private.
Steph (mad)
-----Original Message----- From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
Enduroride@xxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 7:23
AM To: AERCMembersForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx;
ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] Attention all ride managers-
fee hike
Please take note when making your flyers for this coming year:
Starting in December 2005, all day members (non AERC members) will be
charged $15.00 extra per ride(was $10.00) and rider fees will be up
$1.00 per rider for a total of $5.00 plus the $1.00 drug testing fee in
all states except CA. For rides already with flyers online, just notify Mike
Maul of the fee changes in your ride entries and they will be changed. Also
unless another sponsor comes through, we will no longer be offering first
time member discounts.
