Re: AISMEMBERSHIP

Marilyn recently replied to my response concerning AIS Membership.  First, let
me clarify something!  I did not mean this as a personal attack on Marilyn.  It
was my intention to bring attention to something that I feel is very wrong with
our AIS Membership in hopes of correcting it.  I don't know of any other person
who works as hard and is as dedicated to AIS as Marilyn.  
    
>Bill Smoot writes that he thought I should have posted an answer to Jim
>Schroetter's question about whether or not there was a pro-ration of dues
>allowed for prospective AIS members who join late in the year.  Because the
>answer to Jim's question was lengthy, I DID REPLY in a private email message.  

I feel that any iris related  question publically asked on Iris-L should be
publically answered on Iris-L.  I, as well as others, kept waiting for a reply
of guidance and clarification. This is supposed to be a learning forum for all
of us.  While Jim's question was privately answered, it left the rest of us
without an answer or direction.  As strong promoters of AIS and recruiters of
new members, we also need answers to important questions such as Jim had.  It is
far easier to provide an answer to all concerned than to just an individual.  At
the time Jim's question was posed I did not have a copy of my AIS Bulletin
available and did not remember the policy.

>While it is one thing to join late and pay the full amount, please be aware,
>Bill Smoot, that in no way do I think a new member is getting the SHAFT as you
>so ungently put it. They IMMEDIATELY get all bulletins which have been
published
>to date for the year 1996, a welcome letter explaining our calendar year
policy,
>(and I also tell them they can expect a dues notice in November), and a new
>member packet.  Any new member will have received all four quarterly bulletins
>well before they get a dues notice.  Not ONE new member has written a letter of
>complaint after receiving the welcome letter.  

I stand by my original statement...    If I join an organization and am told
that by paying my dues I will receive everything mentioned on the AIS brochure
then that is what I should get!  Nothing more - Nothing less!  To do otherwise
amounts to fraud and misrepresentation.  The membership application is a
contractual agreement.  While the member does get all bulletins, new member
packet, and etc. he/she has not been informed of the circumstances of joining,
and has no opportunity to delay membership to receive FUTURE bulletins.  You
also do NOT expect to have to renew your membership within three or four months!
If this is not being shafted, then I don't know what you'd call it.  It is NOT
right - or fair...This is NOT Marilyn's fault - she does asthe AIS BOD directs.
It would seem to me that her work would be easier if she didn't have to send the
type of letter explaining the circumstances.  Again, I just feel that we should
have a more "kindler & gentler" attitude with new member by being forthright and
honest.  They join with the impression that they will be a member for a year in
the future - not backdated.    It also puts AIS in a potential legal problem
without the exceptions printed on the membership application.  Most people don't
write letters of complaint - they just don't renew their membership!!!!!!!!!

BillSmoot
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