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Hognose
06-04-2004, 11:01 PM
Gentlemen (& Ladies)

I did hear from Pam this week that she got my Life membership request and (as far as I know) it's going swimmingly. My credit card still isn't showing the charge yet.

She asked me to do what I could to get the word on this life membership deal out:

"So, anything you could do to help us get the word out there, about the $400. Life Membership offer through July, would be greatly appreciated."

Peoples, if you are planning to live more than about ten years or so it's a good deal. If you think the PRA could be doing a better job the best thing you can do is get into the organisation and help. (As LBJ used to say, better to be in the tent p***ing out than outside the tent p***ing in). Many of the problems we have, both as gyronauts and in the organization, come from our small numbers and concomitant scant resources.

We've got too few people (especially young people -- not that I can help there) to get many more people interested. But if we raise the profile a little (and gyro covers on Popular Mechanics, for instance, don't hurt) maybe we can get the ball rolling. To quote another President (and a good one this time) "a house divided cannot stand; a house united cannot fall." (For the non-USians, that is from Abraham Lincoln, 16th President).

If you cannot lay hands on four hunge, or justify the whack on your charge card, consider an annual membership.

One thing we have to do, since it isn't very practical for our friends down under to join our org and vice versa, is to come up with some reciprocity for members who travel. And maybe we can swap newsletters among chapters, etc.

cheers

-=K=-

Hognose, the incipient PRA member.

PW_Plack
06-05-2004, 03:47 PM
I'll stay annual for now. I can't decide whether the lifetime membership is a good deal. I'd bet I'll live another 15 years, but I'm not sure whether the organization will. Perhaps we'll see some a new board willing to look forward and reach out a little more.

Hognose
06-05-2004, 07:14 PM
The organization has survived some ups and downs before. It is the only thing we have that's specific to rotorcraft, and it's done some good (think gyroplanes into the Light Sport Aircraft reg). Perhaps in the long run the best thing will be to quasi-merge it with EAA the way the warbirds have done. But sport rotorcraft pilots and builders need a voice, need an organization; better to work to enhance the one we've got that traces its roots to Dr Bensen.

Of course, that's what you do as an annual member, Paul. My other, secret, reason for becoming a life member is that I'm terrible about doing paperwork -- If I have to renew something it never happens on time.

cheers

-=K=-

GyroRon
06-06-2004, 03:57 AM
Joining the PRA right now as a life member is a loser for the pra. 400$ is too little especially for the younger guys.