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Archiver > SOG-UK > 2002-04 > 1018137419


From: Peter Amsden <>
Subject: Re: [SoG] Society Resources/Subscriptions
Date: Sun, 07 Apr 2002 00:56:59 +0100
References: <wf+PgDAxbVr8EwmD@tdrake.demon.co.uk> <6fbaa3224b.tim@southfrm.demon.co.uk> <001f01c1dd42$17190420$33ff1e3e@ronan> <c076e5224b.tim@southfrm.demon.co.uk>


Many thanks to those who forwarded the missing information.

Like others, I find these proposed increases pretty scandalous. I have
been a member of the SOG for many years, and always regarded my
subscription as a way in which to support an important facility which
represents the interests of genealogists at all levels of interest.
I am now beginning to have doubts.

When the issue of VAT on subscriptions reared its head with the threat
that there would need to be redundancies I felt that this was the wrong
way forward. In order to safeguard these peoples' jobs, I (and I think
many others), was prepared to pay increased subscriptions. Much to my
chagrin I discovered that these people had already been dismissed prior
to the issue of VAT having been resolved. It was my impression,
therefore, that the members had been hoodwinked. Was the VAT issue
simply being used as an excuse to remove certain members of staff?

To compound matters I now find some fairly draconian increases in
subscriptions are forthcoming. Presumable to pay for the imposed VAT,
which need not have happened anyway. And if we are now paying the VAT
why was it necessary to fire these people?
To my mind there is something wrong here, and the something wrong can
only be due to mismanagement and misapplication of resources. Something
for which we, as only partially informed members, are being asked to
pay.

The benefits that distant members receive are minimal. Certainly it is
impossible for most of us visit the library or to take advantage of the
lectures. The Magazine does not usually contain very riveting
information, and although it has been smartened up it is still very much
the journal of a learned society. Of course, many people will want to
retain this image, but it is going to do nothing for future membership.
Left as it is I would predict that membership will slowly drift away,
until we are left with few members, each paying a small fortune for the
privilege of belonging.

The subscriptions are already starting to look more like the fees I pay
as a member of professional bodies. These I need. The SOG, on the other
hand, is a non essential. I will reserve my final judgement on the issue
for a further year, but if there is no significant attempt to find some
tangible benefits for distant members then, like others have also
signified, I may feel that resignation is the only sensible option..


Peter Amsden,
Argyll, Scotland

Researching Amsden World Wide
Outline History: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~amsden
Amsden Forum: http://www.genforum.com/amsden
Books I have written: http://www.btinternet.com/~amsden
AllExperts: http://www.allexperts.com/displayExpert.asp?Expert=38044

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