[Artemisia] Grand Council discussions

[Richard Samul]

*sigh* And so it begins...

> We have our Board assigned Topic:
>
> The Board of Directors would like the Grand Council to consider the  
> topic
> of membership dues with respect to "pay to play",

No.

> "pay to participate",


Already required for activities, in the form of membership.

> "pay to fight"


Already not an issue, currently required. See above.

>  or "pay to...?"


Already required for a variety of things. Let's not add to the list.

> We would like the Council to study this issue, and to give us an  
> idea of
> the potential problems and pitfalls,


Reduced membership for one, as potential new members quickly add up  
the $ cost of doing the really cool stuff and are turned off, and  
reduced participation of those who can't afford to buy into the system  
but would otherwise be an asset to the Society for another.

This speaks directly to the "tiered membership" format mentioned  
below, wherein you pay a fee to join, pay another fee to fight, pay  
another fee to be a Chrurgeon, pay another fee to bring your horse to  
an equestrian event and participate, pay another fee for the privilege  
of wearing a hat (would that be a "brass tax"?), white belt, Laurel/ 
Pelican, bowing to the throne, using the porta-castle, etc.

> the positives


There are none.

> and what the council perceives as the general feeling of the Society
> toward such a model.

"Loathing! Unadulterated loathing!"
(This moment from "Wicked" brought to you free of charge.)

> The Directors would like the Council to consider to possibilities of a
> tiered membership format, providing potential notions of how a tiered
> format might work and how new members might be handled under such a
> system.
>
> Please feel free to ask for any clarifications you might need!
>
> Thank you,
> Marilee Lloyd
> Director, SCA Inc.

-- 

Earc