Dear colleagues,
Thank you for all the
comments about the upcoming vote on membership dues. We thought it would be helpful
to provide some background on what has been a carefully considered decision to
increase ARLIS/NA’s membership dues.
As you may recall, in
early 2007, the Membership Committee conducted a survey to gather feedback on
various options for changing the membership structure, including tiered scales
and a la carte options for individual benefits. These proposed changes were
based on research conducted by committee members to compare fee structures
among similar associations. We also took into account the results of the
Assessment Task Force Survey. Survey respondents expressed a clear preference
against introducing tiered membership levels and keeping the structure as
simple as possible. Based on this feedback, the committee developed a proposal
for a revised fee structure, which was reviewed and approved by the Board.
Members responding to the
survey also expressed a desire for improved programming, while also maintaining
existing services. As you know, costs for current programs and services have
risen over time. New initiatives, such as the ARLIS/NA archives and
MemberClicks, require additional resources. Thus, the current proposal to
increase dues reflects the need to provide more financial support to both
sustain and improve our Society.
As Rachel Resnick, former chair of the Membership Committee, explained
in an earlier email, dues have not been raised for Individual members since
1998 and have not reflected the rate of inflation over the last decade. By
contrast, Institutional/Business Affiliate dues were raised 38-45% in 2004. If
you compare 1998 membership dues to the current 2008 proposed dues, Individual
memberships will increase by 41%, while Institutional/Business Affiliate dues
increased by 81-90% over the same period.
We realize that the additional
$35 will be a burden for individuals. The Membership Committee has struggled
with the concerns expressed by members. We also want to keep the Society
accessible to new members, which is reflected in the retention of the Student
membership level and the introduction of an Introductory category. In the end,
membership revenue is extremely important for the health of the Society and the
proposed increases are necessary for its sustainability. We hope that the
membership will consider these issues as you deliberate your vote on the dues
increase.
Sincerely,
ARLIS/NA Membership
Committee
Laurel Bliss
Margaret Boylan
Bryan Loar
Jill Luedke
Ian McDermott
Alyssa Resnick
Eva Revitt
Shalimar Fojas White, chair
From: ART LIBRARIES
SOCIETY DISCUSSION LIST [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of rachel resnik
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008
3:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] ARLIS/NA
membership vote on membership dues increase
Hi Moira et al.
Here's a little more history on dues.
Dues History: |
2004 |
1998 |
Individual ($50K+) |
$85 |
$90 |
Retired/Unemployed |
$45 |
$50 |
Student |
$45 |
$40 |
Business |
$145 |
$105 |
Institutional |
$145 |
$100 |
Subscriber |
$65 |
$60 |
Dues haven't been raised for Individual members since 1998 (in fact they've
gone down). Institutional/Business Affiliate dues on the other hand were raised
fairly significantly in 2004. So the percentage increases in the proposal
seem unfair when you compare them to the current dues. When you look at it over
a ten year period, it makes a lot more sense.
It's definitely not an easy increase to swallow, but I do believe it's fair.
And necessary, from what I understand.
Rachel Resnik
[log in to unmask]
> Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:21:59 -0400
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] ARLIS/NA membership vote on membership dues
increase
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Thank you, Ken, for the update. I do have a few questions:
>
> Why is the personal membership being increased by nearly 42% while the
> institutional fee is being increased by only 31%? This increase places a
> disproportionate burden on the individual member, many of whom would find
> this onerous.
>
> Was a straight, across-the-board percentage increase considered? If so,
> why was it rejected? If not, why not?
>
> Is there opportunity to discuss this issue now that the board has made its
> recommendation?
>
> Thank you for addressing these issues.
>
> Moira
> _______________________________________
> Moira Steven
> Library Director
> Joanne Waxman Library
>
>
>
> 207-775-5153 / [log in to unmask]
>
> "All art is about saying yes, and all art is about its own
making" - John
> Currin
>
> __________________________________________________________________
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