Masonry Magazine October 1993 Page. 7
FROM THE PRESIDENT
The committee has recommended a $25 increase effective October 1993 to $375 per chapter member, which was approved by the Executive Board at our summer meeting. This falls within our dues structure as approved at our convention in 1987 of $410 per chapter member; rolled back in 1988 by the Executive Board to the current $350. Accordingly, we haven't had an increase for five years.
No organization wants to cut programs and no organization wants to raise dues, but spiraling expenses make it imperative that we do one or the other.
We could probably get by with a lesser increase this year, but another hike would be necessary in a couple of years, and there are few things more damaging to membership stability and growth than frequent dues increases. The strength of our association is directly dependent on the size of our membership when it comes to wielding clout on Capitol Hill and dealing with the Union.
Many of you may recall that the 1987 dues increase was projected to meet our needs for five years. And this was rolled back, due to prudent management, investments and new revenue-producing programs that reduced that immediate need. But you balanced, but so did a membership base that grew over the last several years.
But the growth in income has failed to keep pace with the growth of expenses in certain key areas. We have doubled our staff in the last four years, moved to a larger office because of space requirements. Postage has gone up and is expected to increase again. Printing expenses for letterheads, membership cards, even invoices cost much more today.
The cost of paper, printing and postage for producing Masonry Magazine has risen sharply in the last five years, raising the actual cost of production to $15.50 per member, while we pay only $5.00 per year. I might add that our magazine has improved ten-fold over this past year.
Other examples of increased expenses include: Membership Services, new Safety Program, legislative involvement, the Professors Workshop for Architects, Education Seminars and the Council of Masonry Research. And we intend to add one more to our staff later this fall to enable us to work toward a better MCAA, to keep you our members more informed, and move forward on revising and improving our programs currently underway. Increase can only stretch a fixed income so far. MCAA to administer and improve. More than six years of compounded inflation and spiraling costs have taken its toll on cash flow.
So how did we make ends meet in this period.
It's the opinion of the Finance Committee that unless a dues increase is forthcoming next year, the Association's financial structure will be placed in jeopardy; MCAA will be forced to curtail some of its programs, as well as cut back on new programs being instituted.
First, the reason is based on attitude: we are but stewards entrusted with managing your organization. Our agenda is your agenda. We administer no program nor pursue any policy that is contrary to what is directed, and not in the best interest of the Mason Contractor. For our size I think we have one of the best association staffs in the industry, and we do not pay excessive salaries.
Our financial operations can bear the scrutiny of any critic, and I'd match our officer's business decisions with those of any association. Yet, management integrity and staff dedication only tell half the story. Good management and good business decisions helped keep the ledgers current programs, innovate new ones as needed, and continue to be the masonry industry's only voice for the Mason Contractor.
To quote from our Preamble! "In order to promote and encourage greater cooperation between employers and employees, to promote the general welfare of all, to protect and advance our industry, to promote and encourage a better understanding, friendship and closer relationship among ourselves and our employees, to encourage and aid in the education of apprentices in our industry, to the end that conditions in our industry become stabilized and made more uniform in practice, thereby creating greater effectiveness in the industry."
That is our continuing challenge- our aim to improve our industry. That is our return on the small investment each of us makes.-Richard Matthews, President.