DUES BALLOT & SURVEY: MEMBERS' COMMENTS & BOD RESPONSE

In mid-April the result of the Dues Ballot & Survey was posted on the website. At that time we noted, “ Several members also added notes and comments. The Board will address these comments in a general letter after the National Specialty is concluded.”

We actually did address this shortly after the National, so that it could be included in the 2nd Qtr. ARK, but we realized that we had never sent to be posted on the website. So . . .

Several members also added notes and comments, which are synopsized below:

  • Send all notices and ballots via e-mail since we spend so much on mailing.
  • I'm out of work/on a fixed income/ have too many bills/just barely holding on – i.e. can't afford a dues increase.
  • Don't increase dues and add a $5 surcharge for ARK - one or the other.
  • I don't have access to a computer - mail copies only.
  • Why not e-mail ARK instead of mail? (Survey only asked about viewing it on the web)
  • Is the $5 surcharge per issue or per year? (There was a bit of confusion about this)
  • Should offer to continue membership, but option of declining ARK.
  • The only reason I'm an ARC member is because of the ARK - don't do away with mailed copies.
  • Recent ARK spent much time on financial issues which were less than clear and should be explained more clearly - ie where is the money going and what are we doing to attempt to balance the ARC budget.

The Board’s intent was to get a feel from the membership about the ARK being available on the www.amrottclub.org as an alternative to it being mailed. We do understand that this could never completely replace the mail version as many of our members do not have a computer and/or have internet access. We also wanted to get an idea if the membership would be willing to pay a little extra ($5 per year) to receive it via the mail.

By now you will have received your Membership Renewal Notices indicating the increase in dues. Also on the bottom there is a section to check indicating “PLEASE NO LONGER SEND ME THE ARK VIA U.S. MAIL. INSTEAD, I OPT TO VIEW A PDF ON www.amrottclub.org”. We have chosen to have it available on the website rather than emailing directly to the membership since emails are constantly changing and many never notify ARC Database Chair, some email accounts are unable to receive a large file, some members are able to access the website thru their work computers, but do not want to receive emails there, etc.

Once the “Members Only” section is up and running, members who have chosen this option will be notified by email that they will no longer be receiving the ARK by mail.

The ARC Bylaws require that certain ballots & notices be mailed to the membership. And this is something that will not be able to be changed, at least for the foreseeable future as AKC, who must approve any changes to our Bylaws, would not allow it. Currently they only allow National clubs Boards to conduct business via email; local licensed clubs are not even allowed to do that.

The ARC Board will continue to take try to find ways in which we can try to increase revenue and cut expenses.