Re: [gecko]Treasurer Report: Membership Prices, Bookstore Prices
I believe and imply in my previous motion that we have to accept the report before discussion. If it doesn't receive a motion and second its just dropped - no discussion even if someone asks for it. Best, Chuck On Apr 1, 2011, at 7:12 AM, Leann Christenson wrote: This is not an open discussion or debate. This is a report. When the President and VP call for a discussion, then there can be a discussion.
Re: [gecko]Treasurer Report: Membership Prices, Bookstore Prices
In addition, I make another motion that we increase our membership fee's as outlined by Leann below, beginning in Year 7 AND that we review our prices yearly (membership year) so we don't get into this problem again. Second? Best, Chuck On Apr 1, 2011, at 7:12 AM, Leann Christenson wrote: This is not an open discussion or debate. This is a report. When the President and VP call for a discussion, then there can be a discussion. Treasures Report: This last week I've made an exhaustive look at the costs of Memberships and bookstore items. Overall, the GGA does need to set new prices. In almost every category, prices do not reflect what the GGA pays for items and is loosing money. Understanding that Year 7 brings many changes to the GGA. The membership suggested changes are for the current Year 6. Bookstore Gekko current price $7.50 members, $10 non members, Bulk $5-$6 Actual costs, especially the last two issues with 64 pages, are costing the GGA $7.00+ each to print. This does not cover overhead costs which are always included in merchandise prices. Since the Bookstore defrays the cost of Gekko inventory (not yet sold items), the GGA is loosing money and loosing potential income. New Prices: Gekko, membership price $8.00 Gekko, non member price $12.00 Bulk price: $6.50 25 or more, $7.00 ea 10 or more Membership USA: $32, Canada/Mexico: $34, Overseas: $36 On April 11, USPS is increasing postal prices by approximately 11%. The membership fees have not reflected increased postage costs in over 8 years. I have investigated mailing from locations other than the US. Large mailing companies who specialize finding the best postal prices in the world all say the same thing: 1) The US has the lowest postage rates in the world. 2) The best way to mail to multiple locations in the world is to mail from each country (thus avoiding international postage rates and customs). This means mail to UK members from UK post office and not from the US. Since the GGA represents so many countries but not a large number of people in any one county except the US, printing and mailing from any other country does not save money. (German 13 and Denmark 11 have the most other than the US). I don't want to give up on this but at this time, it is still costing too much effort and money to print in France or another county. But I am continuing to look at this option. I am not giving up yet. Based on all this, I am recommending these new membership categories to better reflect the specific postage costs fairly and to better represent the overseas members (who don't consider themselves as overseas). New Membership Localities Price: North America $35 Southern Continent $45 Central Europe $40 Middle East and Asia $45 I don't think the debate should be cost (I think should be more), this reflects a fair and reasonable membership increase. What is important is paying attention to how the GGA (a global group) refers to it's members. Submitted by Leann Christenson
Re: [gecko]Treasurer Report: Membership Prices, Bookstore Prices
Second. Neil Sent from Neil's iPhone On 2011-04-01, at 12:28 PM, Charles Powell, II powe...@sbcglobal.net wrote: I believe and imply in my previous motion that we have to accept the report before discussion. If it doesn't receive a motion and second its just dropped - no discussion even if someone asks for it. Best, Chuck On Apr 1, 2011, at 7:12 AM, Leann Christenson wrote: This is not an open discussion or debate. This is a report. When the President and VP call for a discussion, then there can be a discussion.
Re: [gecko]Treasurer Report: Membership Prices, Bookstore Prices
Call for a discussion from the President! Julie Sent from my iPhone On Apr 1, 2011, at 7:12 AM, Leann Christenson le...@daygecko.com wrote: This is not an open discussion or debate. This is a report. When the President and VP call for a discussion, then there can be a discussion. Treasures Report: This last week I've made an exhaustive look at the costs of Memberships and bookstore items. Overall, the GGA does need to set new prices. In almost every category, prices do not reflect what the GGA pays for items and is loosing money. Understanding that Year 7 brings many changes to the GGA. The membership suggested changes are for the current Year 6. Bookstore Gekko current price $7.50 members, $10 non members, Bulk $5-$6 Actual costs, especially the last two issues with 64 pages, are costing the GGA $7.00+ each to print. This does not cover overhead costs which are always included in merchandise prices. Since the Bookstore defrays the cost of Gekko inventory (not yet sold items), the GGA is loosing money and loosing potential income. New Prices: Gekko, membership price $8.00 Gekko, non member price $12.00 Bulk price: $6.50 25 or more, $7.00 ea 10 or more Membership USA: $32, Canada/Mexico: $34, Overseas: $36 On April 11, USPS is increasing postal prices by approximately 11%. The membership fees have not reflected increased postage costs in over 8 years. I have investigated mailing from locations other than the US. Large mailing companies who specialize finding the best postal prices in the world all say the same thing: 1) The US has the lowest postage rates in the world. 2) The best way to mail to multiple locations in the world is to mail from each country (thus avoiding international postage rates and customs). This means mail to UK members from UK post office and not from the US. Since the GGA represents so many countries but not a large number of people in any one county except the US, printing and mailing from any other country does not save money. (German 13 and Denmark 11 have the most other than the US). I don't want to give up on this but at this time, it is still costing too much effort and money to print in France or another county. But I am continuing to look at this option. I am not giving up yet. Based on all this, I am recommending these new membership categories to better reflect the specific postage costs fairly and to better represent the overseas members (who don't consider themselves as overseas). New Membership Localities Price: North America $35 Southern Continent $45 Central Europe $40 Middle East and Asia $45 I don't think the debate should be cost (I think should be more), this reflects a fair and reasonable membership increase. What is important is paying attention to how the GGA (a global group) refers to it's members. Submitted by Leann Christenson
Re: [gecko]Treasurer Report: Membership Prices, Bookstore Prices
I think the US membership fee could go up more than $3 and no one would strongly object. I think we should raise it $5 at least (that would be $37) or even to $40. We need some wriggle room somewhere! On 4/1/2011 8:12 AM, Julie Bergman wrote: Call for a discussion from the President! Julie Sent from my iPhone On Apr 1, 2011, at 7:12 AM, Leann Christenson le...@daygecko.com mailto:le...@daygecko.com wrote: *This is not an open discussion or debate. This is a report. When the President and VP call for a discussion, then there can be a discussion. * Treasures Report: This last week I've made an exhaustive look at the costs of Memberships and bookstore items. Overall, the GGA does need to set new prices. In almost every category, prices do not reflect what the GGA pays for items and is loosing money. Understanding that Year 7 brings many changes to the GGA. The membership suggested changes are for the current *Year 6.* *Bookstore * Gekko current price $7.50 members, $10 non members, Bulk $5-$6 Actual costs, especially the last two issues with 64 pages, are costing the GGA $7.00+ each to print. This does not cover overhead costs which are always included in merchandise prices. Since the Bookstore defrays the cost of Gekko inventory (not yet sold items), the GGA is loosing money and loosing potential income. /New Prices/: Gekko, membership price $8.00 Gekko, non member price $12.00 Bulk price: $6.50 25 or more, $7.00 ea 10 or more *Membership * USA: $32, Canada/Mexico: $34, Overseas: $36 On April 11, USPS is increasing postal prices by approximately 11%. The membership fees have not reflected increased postage costs in over 8 years. I have investigated mailing from locations other than the US. Large mailing companies who specialize finding the best postal prices in the world all say the same thing: 1) The US has the lowest postage rates in the world. 2) The best way to mail to multiple locations in the world is to mail from each country (thus avoiding international postage rates and customs). This means mail to UK members from UK post office and not from the US. Since the GGA represents so many countries but not a large number of people in any one county except the US, printing and mailing from any other country does not save money. (German 13 and Denmark 11 have the most other than the US). I don't want to give up on this but at this time, it is still costing too much effort and money to print in France or another county. But I am continuing to look at this option. I am not giving up yet. Based on all this, I am recommending these new membership categories to better reflect the specific postage costs fairly and to better represent the overseas members (who don't consider themselves as overseas). // /New Membership Localities Price //:/ North America $35 Southern Continent $45 Central Europe $40 Middle East and Asia $45 I don't think the debate should be cost (I think should be more), this reflects a fair and reasonable membership increase. What is important is paying attention to how the GGA (a global group) refers to it's members. Submitted by Leann Christenson ___ Global Gecko Association Board of Directors http://www.gekkota.com
Re: [gecko]Treasurer Report: Membership Prices, Bookstore Prices
Melody and everyone, I know it can be confusing but we aren't discussing an increase in membership yet. I made two two motions on purpose. The first was to take effect immediately and concerned accepting the treasurers report and increasing prices in the bookstore. That motion was seconded and can be discussed. The second motion to increase membership fee's for year 7 does not have a second and should not be discussed until it does. Just a point of clarity (order). I know most of your are new to boards, but I purposely made two motions so they would be discussed separately. I think the first will pass with little discussion but the latter will engender lots of discussion. Best, Chuck On Apr 1, 2011, at 10:43 AM, Melody Hartley wrote: I think the US membership fee could go up more than $3 and no one would strongly object. I think we should raise it $5 at least (that would be $37) or even to $40. We need some wriggle room somewhere! On 4/1/2011 8:12 AM, Julie Bergman wrote: Call for a discussion from the President! Julie Sent from my iPhone On Apr 1, 2011, at 7:12 AM, Leann Christenson le...@daygecko.com mailto:le...@daygecko.com wrote: *This is not an open discussion or debate. This is a report. When the President and VP call for a discussion, then there can be a discussion. * Treasures Report: This last week I've made an exhaustive look at the costs of Memberships and bookstore items. Overall, the GGA does need to set new prices. In almost every category, prices do not reflect what the GGA pays for items and is loosing money. Understanding that Year 7 brings many changes to the GGA. The membership suggested changes are for the current *Year 6.* *Bookstore * Gekko current price $7.50 members, $10 non members, Bulk $5-$6 Actual costs, especially the last two issues with 64 pages, are costing the GGA $7.00+ each to print. This does not cover overhead costs which are always included in merchandise prices. Since the Bookstore defrays the cost of Gekko inventory (not yet sold items), the GGA is loosing money and loosing potential income. /New Prices/: Gekko, membership price $8.00 Gekko, non member price $12.00 Bulk price: $6.50 25 or more, $7.00 ea 10 or more *Membership * USA: $32, Canada/Mexico: $34, Overseas: $36 On April 11, USPS is increasing postal prices by approximately 11%. The membership fees have not reflected increased postage costs in over 8 years. I have investigated mailing from locations other than the US. Large mailing companies who specialize finding the best postal prices in the world all say the same thing: 1) The US has the lowest postage rates in the world. 2) The best way to mail to multiple locations in the world is to mail from each country (thus avoiding international postage rates and customs). This means mail to UK members from UK post office and not from the US. Since the GGA represents so many countries but not a large number of people in any one county except the US, printing and mailing from any other country does not save money. (German 13 and Denmark 11 have the most other than the US). I don't want to give up on this but at this time, it is still costing too much effort and money to print in France or another county. But I am continuing to look at this option. I am not giving up yet. Based on all this, I am recommending these new membership categories to better reflect the specific postage costs fairly and to better represent the overseas members (who don't consider themselves as overseas). // /New Membership Localities Price //:/ North America $35 Southern Continent $45 Central Europe $40 Middle East and Asia $45 I don't think the debate should be cost (I think should be more), this reflects a fair and reasonable membership increase. What is important is paying attention to how the GGA (a global group) refers to it's members. Submitted by Leann Christenson ___ Global Gecko Association Board of Directors http://www.gekkota.com ___ Global Gecko Association Board of Directors http://www.gekkota.com
