To Our Affiliated Clubs:
We think it is important for you to be informed now of the dues increase instituted by the NAMA Trustees to be effective January, 2000. Although we have been reluctant to make this move in the last few years, it has become imperative that we realistically address our increasing costs. Our committees all work virtually below their budgets, and our internal expenses are mostly those of the MSA Scholarship, the Voucher program, the Education Committee programs and the Knighton Award, in which we encourage you to participate. Our other programs and forays generally must balance their own expenses.
Some of the details follow. Please note that the discounts available to your members will continue, except the discount will be off the higher rate. The dues you pay as a club to retain affiliation status has not been raised.
The existing rates as well as the approved year 2000 rates are as follows (year 2000 dues may be paid in advance prior to January 1, 2000 at the existing rates):
Existing Rates Approved Year 2000 Rates
Family Membership $ 20.00 $ 35.00
Members of Affiliated Clubs $ 17.00 $ 32.00
Members of Fully Affiliated Clubs $ 15.00 $ 30.00
Members outside North America $ 25.00 $ 40.00
Sustaining Members $ 30.00 $ 60.00
Student Memberships $ 12.50 $ 15.00
Life Memberships $250.00 $500.00
The trustees have discussed dues increases at length at nearly every
meeting since the last increase in 1994. At the 1994 meeting, the
trustees approved a $5.00 across the board increase effective with dues
paid after December 31, 1994. Very few truste es and officers at that
1994 meeting can recall when the last dues increase had gone into effect
prior to this. On June 30, 1994, NAMA's revenues were at $27,553. After the 1994 increase became effective, revenue went up to $29,051 (June 30,1995). The year ending June 30, 1996 saw a leveling out of revenue from membership dues at $33,748. This amount ha s remained fairly constant since then. For example, revenues for the year ended June 30, 1999 were $33,696. When earnings on investments, educational program revenues, donations, etc. are included with membership revenues, total revenue still remains relatively constant. It was at $39,543 in 1996 and $39,414 for the year ending June 30, 1999.
While revenue has remained constant over the last four years, expenses have risen. Over this time, not only operating costs escalated but NAMA initiated additional activities and programs which required funding such as printing and distribution of the toxic mushroom poster, institution of the vouchering program with the Chicago Field Museum, stipends for teachers workshops, etc. Total program services and related expenses rose from $28,841 to $34,919 between 1996 and the year ending June 30, 1999. During that period, administrative costs rose from $8,601 to $10,611. Total expenses rose 21.6% during the period. Obviously, when expenses go up and revenues remain the same, something must give. In our case, the balance in NAMA's cash and investment accounts decreased by $9,650 during the four year period, excluding the funds earmarked for the Mexico fund.
If the current level of services and materials NAMA provides is to remain constant, or better yet improve, this trend of higher expenditures must be addressed. In particular are the costs related to the printing and distribution of NAMA's publications: The Mycophile, McIlvainea, and the annual NAMA Directory. From June 30, 1996 to June 30, 1999, the costs of these publications have risen as follows: McIlvainea 32.4% from $8,898 to $11,781; The Mycophile (six issues) 50.4% from $10,178 to $15,313; and the NAMA Directory 44.8% from $2,866 to $4,150. This represents a 42.4% increase in the costs of printing and distributing these publications in the last four years. These costs can only be expected to continue to rise.
Another example of rising expenses can be found in the budget for expenses for the year ending June 30, 2000 as approved at the 1999 trustees meeting held in Missouri. The trustees approved an expenditure budget of $58,210. This compares to the approved budget of expenditures for the year ended June 30,1996 of only $39,115, a projected 48.8% increase in expenditures during the four year period.
In recent years, NAMA's officers, trustees and committee members have aggressively sought to expand member programs and services as well as to expose more of the general public to mycology through numerous educational programs, video and slide presentations, the vouchering program, regional forays, teachers workshops, etc. Expanded membership benefits and expanded educational efforts and forays require funding.
The bottom line is this. If NAMA is to continue to provide its members with the quality of publications and services it now offers, additional revenue must be found. Only through your continued support and commitment can NAMA maintain its quality of benefits and continue to be an active and progressive organization in the furtherance of our enjoyment of mycology.
Our best to all,
Allein Stanley, NAMA President
Ike Forester, NAMA Treasurer