TO  ALL  PARA  MEMBERS:

Approximately a year ago your PARA board faced the realization that
membership numbers were dwindling, and with less dues coming into the
treasury, and operating expenses increasing (power and telephone costs
mostly, plus fixing aged equipment) something needed to be done to stave
off financial cutbacks. The board did not want to raise the membership
costs in a dues increase, so offered to increase the value of obtaining
new members to two extra months for the sponsoring members' membership,
instead of the one month credit then in effect.

As your Treasurer I have been very disappointed in the results. We
estimated that if 40 new members were recruited, with all current
members renewing, we would be able to maintain our current level of
operations and just stay in the black. It did not seem too extreme to
hope for that many recruited members from our current base of just under
200, but we have fallen far short.

In making out our budget projections for the coming year, without extra
dues arriving, I can only fear cutbacks in our operations.  This could
even curtail renewals or the allure of potential new members, or
operating in the red until we use up all our resources, and be forced to
go silent.

The general membership may not know, but we experienced severe equipment
damage in the June lightning hits that wiped out several pieces of gear.
Your board of directors has twice "passed the hat" around and
contributed over $300.00 towards needed repairs. A few non-board members
who heard of the damage also donated funds towards the repairs. With a
membership of near 200 hams, we need more than these dedicated few to
support the system and keep it running. Getting new members should have
been a viable challenge to support PARA.

Please make an honest effort at recruiting, and also come to the
upcoming membership meeting. We need your input on the direction to take
as the organization faces this current problem.               W3GSC