RE: Memberships, expiry, cards, etc

[Erik Olson <erik@thekrib.com>]

I don't think we ever sent out cards to lifers, just news & renewals.  
That's probably why!

  - Erik

On Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Hess, Clay A wrote:

> Erik,
> 
> To be honest, I only remember getting one membership card in all the time I
> have been in the Club.  So, mailing them out has appeal to me, but, I shall
> defer to others on what they feel is best here.
> As I noted to you, I have the membership cards and can fill them out as long
> as someone gets me a list to do so.  I would appreciate someone else mailing
> them, however.
> 
> Clay
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Erik Olson [mailto:erik@thekrib.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 12:07 PM
> To: gsas-board@thekrib.com
> Subject: Memberships, expiry, cards, etc
> 
> 
> Hi folks,
> 
> I am printing the labels for the postcards right now.  Reminded me of yet 
> one more little annoyance we probably have to address.
> 
> History: 
> 
> GSAS has handled membership renewals in a variety of ways in the past.  
> During some dynasties, membership was always due at the same time of the
> year, i.e. at the general auction.  Cards were mailed out (or given out? 
> Clay or Dave, any input here?) at that time to the entire membership.
> 
> During my tenure as editor, memberships were renewed throughout the year.  
> Thus, they were also EXPIRED throughout the year.  The software handling 
> the database was set up to "flag" new and renewing members, so their 
> labels would be printed last and thus easily separated by the person 
> mailing the newsletter.  
> 
> The newsletter mailer, meanwhile, inserts a small blue membership card 
> into the magazine, either stapled or taped.  When I was prez, I just did 
> it all at once.  I think Heather  gave me a whole bunch of cards 
> pre-signed.  I think Clay did the same with Joe.
> 
> When I ported the database to be web-based, I kept this functionality --
> Bob sets a special "renew/new" field when he processes the checks, and
> when I print the labels, I have a script that resets the flags...
> 
> ...or so it used to be.  Since about mid-2000, I have stopped doing this, 
> because I didn't think we were being fair to the membership when I was 
> only publishing 6 newsletters a year.  As a result of this, we have about 
> 25 members who will be purged off the list next time I reset the flags.  
> Folks like Anne & Bob, David Walburger, Sam Beavin, and  Laurie Hughes.
> 
> THE PRESENT:
> 
> OK, so I propose that as of next month, i.e. Erika's first newsletter, we 
> purge the list and send new membership cards to everyone left, just to be 
> sure everyone is covered.  Perhaps we mail it out before the purge, so 
> that expuiring folks get a chance to renew.  I'm not positive, but I 
> suspect that it's been so long since the last reset-n-purge that some of 
> the "new" flagged people have already expired!
> 
> An alternative proposal might be that we switch to "once-a-year" mode,
> especially if it's easier for Erika to handle.  Should we want to, this is
> a unique opportunity to change modes because everything's already so
> messed up.
> 
> What to do until then:
> 
>   * Locate & sign membership cards (Clay)
>   * Modify label software to show expire date even on renewals (Erik)
> 
>   - Erik
> 
> 

-- 
Erik Olson
erik at thekrib dot com

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