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Re: Fw: Membership
I think it's great that Erik sent a soothing letter to this guy, and I think
we all need to be aware of letters like this, if only so that the name is
familiar to us in the future. But I agree with Jack that I wouldn't get my
knickers in a twist over the few people out there with nasty attitudes.
I had a similar conversation with a whiner at NEC, who asked me if the
quality of articles had gone up in TAG, since he hadn't been a member for
many years because there was nothing "new" "for him" in TAG. I looked him
straight in the face, and politely told him that AGA was an organization OF
the members. You get out of an organization what you put in. I suggested
that he write a few articles for TAG so that he could share his greater
experience with others. I don't think he has written anything yet.<g>
Karen
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jack O'Leary" <joleary@merrillinc.com>
To: "'Neil Frank'" <nfrank@mindspring.com>; <aga-sc@thekrib.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 8:36 AM
Subject: RE: Fw: Membership
> Neil, Eric (and everyone):
>
> I am behind in responding to email (I am in the process of transferring
> everything to a new computer) but I don't recall seeing this message from
> Mr. Wright. While I can see his point I don't appreciate the general
tenor
> of his note. I have had only a very few people get an attitude like this.
> Most of our membership is very polite and understands that we are a
> volunteer
> organization. For $15.00 a year, people shouldn't expect too much.
> Frankly, I am
> neither willing nor able to provide the level of service, as one
volunteer,
> that this very tiny minority demands. If someone else is, then let's
talk.
>
> I had started to send out confirmatory emails to each new/renewal in
March.
> I have
> made an "executive decision" not to send out snail mail, since almost
every
> single member now provides an email address. Is this OK with everyone?
The
> email makes no specific promises as far as when
>
> I would also like to someday work with Eric to put a membership listing on
> the web page. This listing would let people check on their status, when
> they should renew, etc. Renewals are a lot of work and often get lost in
> the mail; this would help.
>
> As far as getting another volunteer involved, well, sure. I did get a lot
> of help from ? (name's at home) in writing the confirmatory email. If we
> decide to send out a members kit, or the last issue, then the volunteer
can
> handle that for me.
>
> - Jack
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Neil Frank [mailto:nfrank@mindspring.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 6:24 AM
> To: aga-sc@thekrib.com
> Cc: JOLeary@merrillinc.com
> Subject: Re: Fw: Membership
>
>
> At one time we talked about sending new members a "member kit," or at
least
> a post card acknowledging receipt of membership, telling them
approximately
> when to expect their first issue (it could be months because of bulk mail
> and if one just went out). If we still dont have such an animal, maybe
some
> of the new volunteers can work with Jack to make it happen. As a good
> start, the letter like the nice one Erik drafted below could be sent out
to
> all new members.
> Neil
> At 10:11 PM 04/17/2001 -0700, Erik Olson wrote:
> >Hello Mike,
> >
> >I'm sure you can understand that as a *volunteer* organization, things
are
> >not always speedy or optimal. The main benefit you receive directly from
> >the AGA at the moment is the magazine, The Aquatic Gardener,
> >published quarterly. There are many societies whose sole benefit is
their
> >publication.
> >
> >However, in addition to printing TAG, the AGA is currently planning a
> >convention for this November, as well as our second aquascaping contest.
> >Your membership helps provide the funding for these events. It also
> >allows us to keep some information, such as the lush website of
aquascapes
> >from last year's contest, at http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org,
> >completely free to all.
> >
> >As you can see from our main website, the last new issue was mailed
around
> >January 12th; the last we have heard from our editor was that the next
> >issue was being finalized about a week or two ago. So I would guess you
> >will get your copy along with everyone else any week now.
> >
> >Regards,
> >Erik Olson
> >chair, Steering Committee
> >
> >
> >On Tue, 17 Apr 2001, Mike Wright wrote:
> >
> >> Mr. Erik Olson,
> >> Please note the attached letter written to Mr. Jack O'Leary on
> >> March 26. I have not received any response from him or any one else
> >> in this organization. Please inform me as to the disposition of my
> >> membership. As noted below, I've seen no benefit to joining the club,
> >> nothing! I've received no publications, emails, or any other
> >> indication that this "club" truly exists. I sent my check in good
> >> faith, please show me that I was not wrong.
> >>
> >> Sincerely,
> >>
> >> Mike Wright (mail)
> >> hmikew@home.com
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: Mike Wright
> >> To: jdo@world.std.com
> >> Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 10:26 PM
> >> Subject: Membership
> >>
> >>
> >> Mr. Jack O'Leary,
> >> Sir, I submitted my application and check several months ago. I
> >> emailed you concerning the same and you stated that you were just
> >> sending my check forward to the treasurer. That was January 28. I
> >> did finally see that the check was cashed, but now what? What
> >> "benefits" does this "membership" give me? I've seen none. Was this
> >> just a contribution to some imaginary club to benefit a few or does it
> >> provide me with some real and tangible benefits? I must say, at this
> >> point in time, I'm quite skeptical. The club homepage gives no clue,
> >> nor does it update or change on any timely basis...If I've been taken
> >> in, just say so, and I'll look else where for information. If not,
> >> please provide some evidence of organization and benefits.
> >>
> >> Sincerely,
> >> Mike Wright
> >> hmikew@home.com
> >>
> >
> >--
> >Erik Olson
> >erik at thekrib dot com
> >
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> >
>
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