[MR] NonMember Charges

[thorgrimm at aol.com]

   I've been following a lot of the traffic on the Rialto regarding the latest version of the BoD's overwhelming desire to institute "pay to play". A few years back this was met with the idea that the kingdoms should leave the SCA and form a new entity. I'm still not certain that isn't the way to go, but we never got the chance to find out since the BoD backed down.
   Looking over the budget figures for the BoD, the fact that there is a financial shortage is based in large part on the location of the offices. Operating expenses could be greatly reduced by shifting to a more cost effective area. 
   Looking at the value received from BoD services now, I see no benefit beyond the publications which I receive only through paying a higher enrollment fee. The insurance that everyone likes to talk about is relatively worthless. Having read the policy from a few years back I can say that it has more loopholes than a truck load of swiss cheese. What then, exactly, are we paying for beyond the keeping of the data base?
   I question the logic of paying more for something that is of little use. I am also strongly against supporting the BoD in this or any action until the way in which they do business is addressed. The fact that they have "the right" to institute changes at will with no appeals process is not only wrong but completely unacceptable. The fact that they can toss someone out of the SCA for disagreeing with them, again with no real chance of appeal, is unacceptable.
   People tend to vote with their money. If there is an increased percentage of people who do not feel a need to become members, then perhaps the subject of member services should be addressed by the BoD rather than the knee jerk reflex of upping event costs.

Hrothgar