The members of the Society are not complainers. Most of you seem to realize that there are problems involved in running an organization and you accept minor inconveniences very well. As your Executive Secretary/Treasurer I receive both good and bad comments from the membership. I appreciate the good comments and thank you for taking the time to write. I also appreciate the few negative comments. After all, if no one complains I have no way of knowing whether everything is OK. I would like to address a few of the common negative comments which I have received. NONE of the negative comments have been numerous, but I feel they do need answering. And though some of these complaints have a bit of truth in them, I do not necessarily consider that to be a fault of the officers, the editors, or yours truly.
The Comments:
1. The Society is too heavily
weighted in favor of USA members.
2. It costs too much to be a member if you are from a country
other than the USA.
3. The publications are not written for us (insert from list).
Amateurs, Teachers, Professionals, Manufacturers, various geographic
areas.
4. The publications are not received on time.
In Reply: 1.
The Society was "born" in the USA and the USA members
make up some 4/5ths of the total membership with 39 other countries
representing 1/5th of the total membership. This does lead to
what at first glance seems to be an emphasis on USA "happenings,"
but which is really only a reflection of membership statistics
and materials received. Our editors are always looking for material.
They have indicated that publication can be in the original language
with (hopefully) an English translation. If you feel that YOUR
country, language, or area is NOT well represented, then I encourage
you to rectify the problem by sending in suitable material for
publication. The editors can NOT force you to send in material!
It is up to you.
Let us consider our annual meetings. I was honored to be the presiding officer at our very first meeting outside the North American Continent when we met in Edinburgh. I can NOT accept the argument that the Society is prejudiced toward the USA in matters of meetings. Out of the 17 annual conferences since our charter meeting in Chicago in 1971 and including the conferences scheduled through our first 20 annual conferences we have met or will meet outside the USA as follows:
In other words, out of the twenty annual meetings, we have met outside the USA one fourth of the time! I consider that to - be a very good indication of the Society's desire to be International . I believe you will also find excellent representation from other areas such as authors or Honorary Members.
2.
Considering the costs. It is a fact that in 1987 our publications
cost the Society an average of $18.93 to print and mail any individual's
four issues. It does NOT take a mathematical genius to see that
the bulk of your dues go to the cost of your issues. Indeed, it
clearly shows that student members have been subsidized while
USA regular members and contributors have carried the load for
the entire Society. With the new USA postal rates, costs WILL
rise further and the Society must address that question shortly.
I realize that there are countries where exchange rates or national
rules create a hardship for some members. In some of these cases,
the Society has tried to help keep communications open with a
particular country. We have also opened a Swiss Account at the
request of our European members. I feel that the Society has gone
the extra mile with its members. If the cost is too much in some
particular situation, there is no reason why a number of individuals
can not get together and share the cost of membership.
3.
The few complainers seem to complain about the issues being for someone else! I feel that the only legitimate argument would be a possible lesser amount of material for the student. Yet, it would seem that any good student would find a wealth of information on literature and performances not to mention reviews of recordings.
4.
As to the few impatient members who complain when an issue does
not arrive "on time," I call your attention to the phrase
which is found on the card carrying your membership card to you
each year: "However, because of
time considerations to the editors
of our publications who are engaged in full time performance
and teaching, we cannot guarantee exact mailing dates. "
I think our publications are outstanding in every way. I see material
for everyone involved in the double reeds and I would then
add my own opinion that the publications are well worth waiting
for even if they
are slightly late.
I think it's high time more members began to get involved with the working and publication efforts of the Society. Where are all those articles on teaching that students would like to see? Where are all those articles on professionals that professionals want to see? Where are all those reports of recitals, clinics, and lectures that the teachers want to see? Where are all the articles on manufacturing that manufacturers want to see? Where are the articles from all 40 countries that ALL of us want to see?
In closing, let me remind you that if
you have NOT paid your 1988 dues,
you should do so NOW. This will be your last issue unless I receive
your dues prior to our next issue.