[Artemisia] Increased Membership Fees

[yumitori]

Recently, I have read the posts concerning plans to increase membership fees.

When I joined the SCA the cost was less than it is today. But time has
passed, and everything has become more expensive. And in the last
couple of years folks have had a harder time making ends meet. So
together, it's understandable if there is some concern over plans to
raise the cost of membership again.

It may come as a surprise to some, but this is not a new discussion.
This is not the first time that increases in membership fees were an
issue for active members. I do understand that concern. I have been
there. And yet, I have held titles and awards in the Laurel Kingdoms
for some decades. In that time, the cost of participation has not gone
up all that much compared to increases elsewhere. The SCA has always
been an organization that is open to all, including those struggling
to get by.

With that in mind, I propose the following - Each group in the Kingdom
of Artemisia should send me a candidate they feel is worthy of our
support. Decide amongst yourselves who it should be. They may be a
struggling family. Or a long-time member who is having a hard time in
current conditions. I will see what I can do to help them with their
SCA expenses.

And for my fellow peers who are weathering this recent economic
downturn as I am and are able to help, contact me as well and we will
see if together we can help our brethren. (And sisteren. Don't make me
do the PC thing....) Together we can see to it that times improve.

-- 
Ron/yumitori

On the 150th anniversary of the succession of several states from the
Union, let us quote from the 'Declaration of the Immediate Causes
Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the
Federal Union'

"Those States have assume the right of deciding upon the propriety of
our domestic institutions; and have denied the rights of property
established in fifteen of the States and recognized by the
Constitution; they have denounced as sinful the institution of
slavery; they have permitted open establishment among them of
societies, whose avowed object is to disturb the peace and to eloign
the property of the citizens of other States. They have encouraged and
assisted thousands of our slaves to leave their homes; and those who
remain, have been incited by emissaries, books and pictures to servile
insurrection."

http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/csa_scarsec.asp