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----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Roger, thank you for your thoughtful reply. However, my chart of dues increases does not show the business affiliates at $135.00 as you cite below. Business Affiliates on the paper I received in the mail lists the business affiliate at $105, leaving 4 categories of librarians paying more money than the business affiliate. Please clarify the correct proposed dues rate for business affiliates, whether $105 or $135. If it is the latter, please post the entire proposed dues increase, because some or all of the mailings may have been incorrect. Thank you, Maryly Snow > > ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- > Dear Colleagues, > > Although most of the Executive Board (including Treasurer Ross Day) is > on holiday vacation, I would like to respond to the recent inquiries on > ARLIS-L about the proposed dues increase, part of the bylaws > amendments that are currently under consideration for vote by the > membership. > > The rationale for a dues increase is clearly set forth in the explanation > accompanying the ballot. Last summer the Executive Board examined the > dues structures of other comparable non-profit professional > organizations. Although none of the organizations matched our Society's > profile exactly, we decided that a progressive, income-based structure > was the best -- and fairest -- way to strengthen ARLIS/NA's financial > base so that the Society can take a more active role in the art information > field as set forth in the 1996-1999 Strategic Plan. > > The increases proposed are gradual and broadly based so as not to > place an undue burden on any single segment of the Society's present > and potential membership. The proposed structure expands the individual > categories to more precise breakdowns by income level (with voluntary > compliance). The rates for institutional and business affliate categories > would also increase at an identical rate, though without a breakdown by > budget or revenue. > > Yet there is a concern that the business affiliate category is not > sufficiently distinguished from the individual categories. A close > examination of the chart reveals that the proposed rate of $135 (a 35% > increase) for business affiliate membership would, if approved, be higher > than all but one of the individual membership levels (the one over $75,000 > annually) in 1999. The fifteen other individual membership levels range > from $120 ($70,000-$75,000 annually) to $40 (student). It is worth noting > that although business affiliates receive the Society's publications as part > of their membership, they are charged additional fees for mailing lists and > for exhibiting products at our annual conferences. Many of our business > affiliates also sponsor activities and awards that the Society might not > otherwise be able to provide. > > The Executive Board feels that the proposed dues structure and > increases strike a careful balance between the Society's need to improve > its finances through a fair distribution of membership fees and, at the > same time, fortify membership in all categories (specifically with regard to > business affiliates, see Strategic Plan Action Item #113). As providers of > the resources essential to the art information field, our business affiliates > play a key role in the Society's efforts to achieve its goals. > > ARLIS-L provides an excellent forum for discussion of Society issues. > The Executive Board welcomes your views on this or any relevant topic > via this medium. > > Roger C. Lawson > President > ARLIS/NA >