I keep hearing this contention, and I am fed up.

It requires a minimum amount of thought to realize that the Life Members built this organization. They also are getting nothing for free.

To be a lifer, they need to have completed three full years, and then paid the equivelant of 15 yrs in dues in advance. I may be mistaken, but I don't believe the organization is even 18 yrs old yet. Which means that none of the lifers are 'in the black' as it were.

Many who have paid for their life memberships have passed on, so the club is money ahead. The lifers prepayment allows us to have a surplus so the organization can do many things rather than spend all its energy trying to collect enough money to pay the past bills (a problem with many organizations.

I find it interesting that most of the lifers are very active supporters of the hobby, the club, and newbies (they certainly were-and continue to be-for me).

It now occurs to me that someone may raise the spectre about Hon Lifers. That would be a sinful attack. The first HLM is Archie Black. The person who is credited with founding the club. I wonder how much of his own-out of pocket- money subsidized the club in the early days. The most recent HLM is our president. I wonder how many hours he DONATES to the benfit of the club.

The lifers are the foundation of this club, and after 10 years, an increase is necessary. And I am one of the members who is immediately effected by the increase in Life Membership Dues, I become eligible in Dec. and I accept that.

I am tired of the constant whining. It is beginning to sound like my clients crying about being punished for committing a crime. Folks it is fair, as fair as it can be.

Thank you to all the life members for building a club that gives me so much pleasure.