| Dues Increase |
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The annual membership dues for SPAH members have remained the same for about eight years. During that time a number of factors have combined to increase the cost of operating the organization. Our quarterly magazine, Harmonica Happenings, is the largest budget item paid for out of membership dues. The cost of printing and mailing the magazine has increased over the past eight years. In addition, we have added color printing to improve the quality and appeal of the magazine. This has increased the cost of the magazine by about 30%. Other cost increases include postage for communications with members, necessary travel for SPAH Board business, and the cost of website hosting and credit card processing. At the membership meeting at the Convention in St. Louis, President Tom Stryker made a proposal to increase the annual dues. That proposal was approved by a large majority of the voting members. As a result, the annual dues for SPAH members were set at $45 for regular members and $60 for family members. The dues increase is is effective for all new memberships and for renewals for 2009. The dues billing statements for 2009 will reflect the new dues structure. |
