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

[Maggie Mieske <mmieske@netonecom.net>]

I still don't see how YOUR money pays for MY family's hobby.... and I regularly
see a dozen or better juniors on some of the rides I have attended here in
Michigan.  I just don't get where some of this reasoning comes from... would you
all feel better is I sent the full amount per person?  What sense would it make
for AERC to send us 3 EN and 3 mailings and 3 of whatever they send out?  I am
sure there is a built in formula that AERC feels is sensible and reasonable in
allowing a family discount and I am sure that discrimination has nothing to do
with it.  As far as perpetuating the sport, families or not, we all perpetuate
it when we join, don't we?  I know ALOT of adults who have been doing endurance
a great many years so I think the loyal people will stick with it, whatever age
they are, kids or no kids!  Just my humble thoughts on the subject!  BTW, if you
have kids, do YOU pay the full adult price for each of them???
Maggie

"Thomas, Barb" wrote:

> 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