<VV> HERE'S HOW TO FIX CORSA

[Bruce Schug]

On Dec 10, 2009, at 5:17 PM, Brent Fullard wrote:

> Re: “Adjust dues each year so that they cover operating expenses. It  
> is what
> it is.”
>
> I  respectfully suggest that you acquaint yourself with the economic  
> concept
> of “Price elasticity of demand”.  See:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_elasticity_of_demand
>
> CORSA is far from being an essential service that people are unable  
> to live
> without, for which such a pricing philosophy might be justified.
>
> CORSA needs to provide good value for service, rather than considering
> itself to be the equivalent of a monopoly phone company from the  
> sixties.

Brent,

You may remember reading this, which I wrote a week or so ago. It  
addresses the value of CORSA and puts it in a historical perspective  
regarding inflation. WHat do you think of my comments?


INTERESTING FACT:

In Preliminary Newsletter #3, no date, but references to 4-1-1970
CORSA dues had been set effective July 1, 1970 as follows:
Charter Members:	$6 annually
Regular Members:	$6 annually
Family Members:		$1 extra annually for all
Life Members:		$100 single fee
Honorary Membership: no charge

According to my favorite inflation calculator: http://www.westegg.com/inflation/
  the $6 that CORSA dues were in 1970 equals $32.92 in 2008 dollars.
The $1 extra for a family membership would bring this to $38.40.

And what did you not get in 1970 that you get now???

A glossy color Communique magazine instead of a black and white
newsletter.
A web site.
Insurance which not only covers you but allows you to have events that
you couldn't afford to have on your own.
Availability of the Tech Guide.
Availability of the membership roster.
Availability of CORSA merchandise.
Free e-mail lists - VV, FV, Stock, etc.

What am I missing?

You may argue that not all of these are free or done by CORSA but if
there was no CORSA do you think they'd exist?

PART of the problem is that, I believe, as we age, we get set in our
ways and can't handle change as well as we used to. This includes
prices we must pay for things. That's why we complain about the cost
of everything, "Why, I used to go to the movies for a quarter, not
they want seven dollars!". CORSA dues are no different. Because of our
demographics, many of us still think we should get all the benefits of
CORSA for $6.

Time to wake up folks. It's almost 2010.



Bruce

Bruce W. Schug
Treasurer, Membership Chairman
CORSA South Carolina
CORSA member since 1980
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