I responded to Matt privately....but I'll add here....
It was actually $15 to get in..we try to make the admission of our 2 big swaps a year to total more than the annual dues so you get a benefit from just showing up, but if you only come in at the end of the year your benefit of paying the extra $9 is only to get into the members only raffle and knowing you're chipping in extra to pay for the event and the club bills. I'll admit that at the second swap the benefit of paying the membership dwindles which is why we initially looked at pro-rating dues, but then people would just wait until the first swap (which in this case is May) to save themselves the $8 ($2 a month) and affect our income substantially.
If you don't care to be in the members raffle or get any of the other stuff offered to members (we had some people offering member discounts at the last swap) then you're better off paying the $15. Me personally..even if I only make one swap a year I would paid the full dues just to keep the club going, but that's because I know all of the propaganda, accusations and rumors are false...but I could see why others would have a problem with it.
Anyway..in case you're wondering...this event is only $10 because Mo set the bar (we agreed on it). This is why we're giving away an RO and some other good items in the member's raffle to help make it worth signing up for membership. The fall swap should be free to you too...I say should because I won't be involved.
I don't know what else to tell you folks. Your right to vote for the US president is given to you because you are a US citizen...and when I look at my paycheck every 2 weeks I see what my "dues" are.
Every other club I've even been a part of I needed to be a member to vote if I even GOT to vote...either a member just because I "signed up" and attended regular meetings, or paid dues, or required somebody else to get me in.... Like I said before...the line needs to be drawn somewhere.
I see your concern because you came in at the END of the year last year Matt...but I paid my dues EARLY last year..which is why I really don't flinch at paying $24 again..it's been a year for me.
Those that pay 2006 dues will vote in this election and if it's done properly they WON'T vote in the 2007 election unless they pay their 2007 dues. It seems fair to me...Sorry.
--Fizz
