Re: Non-Member Fees, also paying more to be single

["Thomas, Barb" <thomas@amgen.com>]

Thank you, Glenda!!  You've said what's been on my mind for a long time!!
In the first place, my original post said nothing about membership fees,
although there is a big problem there, too.  I agree with Glenda, give kids
a membership break (then encourage them to pay their membership themselves!)
but all adults should pay the same fee.  I, too, am sick of subsidizing some
other adult's hobby.  Hobby's are not welfare subsidies!!  And don't cry
wolf with "if we all (adults) had to pay the same, we couldn't participate
crap".  As an adult, with financial means, why should you expect a discount
just because you're part of a couple?  And if you don't have the financial
means, you should be rethinking you priorities as I also have to do each
year when I decide which memberships to re-up on.  That doesn't change
whether you're single or married.  If you want to do it bad enough, you'll
find a way.   

BTW, as far as kids are concerned, my taxes go to support kids' education in
my state and in this country.  I have no problem with that, education is so
important.  But don't ask me to subsidize the hobby education of your kids,
too!!  If kids want to attend the seminars, they'll have the opportunity to
hear and learn the same thing I am.  Let them pay the same, too.  Oh yeah,
look at the facts, too, please!!  From my experience of growing up in a
non-horse family where I had to work to pay for all my horse expenses, many
kids whose families rode together and showed together quit riding after
childhood.  If families are really the future of endurance (and they should
be in part), how come there's so few juniors competing??  How many rides do
you know of that have ten or more juniors participating?  I'd love to know
how many junior members are in AERC and how many actually compete.  Compare
that number to the number of adults who come into the sport and stay around
and you'll see where the real future of this sport lies!!

Now, how about some opinions from AERC board members out there?

Barb