It seems to me that AERC has limited influence on USEF and FEI rules,
regulations, and goals. They are separate organizations with separate
memberships. The sandbox mentality of saying I don't like their game so I
won't play is very ineffective. USEF & FEI won't care. They will simply go
on playing their game the way they like to. We have 6000 plus members. If we all
joined USEF we would only represent 6-7% of their total membership but if we
continue to grow at the rate we have over the last few years that percentage may
increase. We would then have a voice in what USEF and FEI do, at least here in
the US. Maybe instead of having a $10 add on for FEI-I, it would be beneficial
for all of us if AERC were to negotiate with USEF for a discounted membership in
USEF that would be included in our AERC dues. This would give all of us an
individual voice in USEF & FEI doings as well as a voice for our total
organization. I haven't been able to find AERC listed as an affiliated
organization on the USEF website. We can sit here and grouse all we want about
how bad things may be but if we aren't members of USEF it is pointless. Surely,
based on our average ages, we must have learned something in the sixties about
organization. An organized voice is louder than individual voices and can even
beat money.
