Diamond Terrace
 

I don't mind the idea that someone will be walking on bricks engraved
with the call of a silent key. I mind the idea that the League will
take a 35 cent brick, engrave it and charge someone a couple of hundred
bucks to place it someplace where the donor will likely never have a
chance to enjoy his pricey purchase. Since Mary Hobart (K1 More Money
Honey) came aboard, the ARRL has been all about raising money through a
number of elitist schemes.

I have some bricks and I just put up another tower. I think I'll buy a
little sand, use my Dremel tool and engrave the callsigns of silent keys
whom I remember fondly. I can place the bricks around the concrete
tower base and look at 'em any time I choose.

Dave K8MN

Diamond Terrace
 

Dave Heil wrote:
I don't mind the idea that someone will be walking on bricks engraved
with the call of a silent key. I mind the idea that the League will
take a 35 cent brick, engrave it and charge someone a couple of hundred
bucks to place it someplace where the donor will likely never have a
chance to enjoy his pricey purchase. Since Mary Hobart (K1 More Money
Honey) came aboard, the ARRL has been all about raising money through a
number of elitist schemes.

I have some bricks and I just put up another tower. I think I'll buy a
little sand, use my Dremel tool and engrave the callsigns of silent keys
whom I remember fondly. I can place the bricks around the concrete
tower base and look at 'em any time I choose.

Dave K8MN

Hmm... if you add a brick for every memorable station you worked (DX,
ragchew, etc), you'll eventually have a large patio! ;^)
Bryan WA7PRC

Diamond Terrace
 

On Sat, 18 Aug 2007 16:37:27 EDT, Dave Heil
wrote:

I mind the idea that the League will
take a 35 cent brick, engrave it and charge someone a couple of hundred
bucks to place it someplace where the donor will likely never have a
chance to enjoy his pricey purchase.

What's the difference between that and the "John Smith Memorial
Chapel" or the "Bessie Jones Dining Room" at any other institution?
Personally, I don't want to be remembered by the "Phil Kane Toilet
Seat" but doing those brick things are a legit fundraising technique
nowadays, no different from selling dedications and memorial plaques
in the name of donors at many schools and congregations.
--

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon

e-mail: k2asp [at] arrl [dot] net

Diamond Terrace
 

Bryan wrote:
Dave Heil wrote:
I don't mind the idea that someone will be walking on bricks engraved
with the call of a silent key. I mind the idea that the League will
take a 35 cent brick, engrave it and charge someone a couple of hundred
bucks to place it someplace where the donor will likely never have a
chance to enjoy his pricey purchase. Since Mary Hobart (K1 More Money
Honey) came aboard, the ARRL has been all about raising money through a
number of elitist schemes.

I have some bricks and I just put up another tower. I think I'll buy a
little sand, use my Dremel tool and engrave the callsigns of silent keys
whom I remember fondly. I can place the bricks around the concrete
tower base and look at 'em any time I choose.

Dave K8MN

Hmm... if you add a brick for every memorable station you worked (DX,
ragchew, etc), you'll eventually have a large patio! ;^)
Bryan WA7PRC

You're on to something. If I put the call of each station I worked
during the years I operated from Africa, I could brick the whole acre
and never have to mow again!

Dave K8MN

Diamond Terrace
 

"Dave Heil" wrote in message
...
I don't mind the idea that someone will be walking on bricks engraved with
the call of a silent key. I mind the idea that the League will take a 35
cent brick, engrave it and charge someone a couple of hundred bucks to
place it someplace where the donor will likely never have a chance to enjoy
his pricey purchase. Since Mary Hobart (K1 More Money Honey) came aboard,
the ARRL has been all about raising money through a number of elitist
schemes.

I have some bricks and I just put up another tower. I think I'll buy a
little sand, use my Dremel tool and engrave the callsigns of silent keys
whom I remember fondly. I can place the bricks around the concrete tower
base and look at 'em any time I choose.

Dave K8MN


Dave:

I am not a fan of many things the ARRL does, but I really don't see the
objection to this scheme. It is not like the ARRL is fooling anyone.

Paul AB0SI

Diamond Terrace
 

Phil Kane wrote:
On Sat, 18 Aug 2007 16:37:27 EDT, Dave Heil
wrote:

I mind the idea that the League will
take a 35 cent brick, engrave it and charge someone a couple of hundred
bucks to place it someplace where the donor will likely never have a
chance to enjoy his pricey purchase.

What's the difference between that and the "John Smith Memorial
Chapel" or the "Bessie Jones Dining Room" at any other institution?

Very little, though I can pray at John's and eat at Bessie's. The best
I can do with the Diamond Terrace is hike to Newington and walk on the
bricks--or have someone send me a photo.

Personally, I don't want to be remembered by the "Phil Kane Toilet
Seat" but doing those brick things are a legit fundraising technique
nowadays...

Sure, Phil. "Legit" it is. There's a historic railway baggage building
here and the local historical society is selling the same bricks you get
for the Diamond Terrace, only they're fifty bucks each and I can see 'em
anytime I want.

...no different from selling dedications and memorial plaques
in the name of donors at many schools and congregations.

I'm holding out for my name on the Men's Room at the Madonna Inn between
San Francisco and L.A. on the 101.

Dave K8MN

Diamond Terrace
 

On Aug 18, 4:37 pm, Dave Heil wrote:
I don't mind the idea that someone will be walking on bricks engraved
with the call of a silent key. I mind the idea that the League will
take a 35 cent brick, engrave it and charge someone a couple of hundred
bucks to place it someplace where the donor will likely never have a
chance to enjoy his pricey purchase. Since Mary Hobart (K1 More Money
Honey) came aboard, the ARRL has been all about raising money through a
number of elitist schemes.

I have some bricks and I just put up another tower. I think I'll buy a
little sand, use my Dremel tool and engrave the callsigns of silent keys
whom I remember fondly. I can place the bricks around the concrete
tower base and look at 'em any time I choose.

"The Wilmington & Western Railroad, owned and operated by Historic Red
Clay Valley, Incorporated (HRCV), has recently installed a "brick
paver" platform at Greenbank Station. This platform provides our
passengers with solid footing when boarding and alighting from trains,
and it connects Greenbank Station with the Red Clay Valley Visitor's
Center, located in the former Yorklyn Station.

You can purchase an engraved paver to publicly show your support for
the Wilmington & Western. 100 percent of the purchase price goes to
the Railroad, and every cent is tax-deductible. Each engraved paver is
limited to three, 15-space lines, at a cost of $100."

http://www.wwrr.com/home.htm


Dave K8MN

w3rv

Diamond Terrace
 

Dave Heil wrote:
I don't mind the idea that someone will be walking on bricks engraved
with the call of a silent key. I mind the idea that the League will
take a 35 cent brick, engrave it and charge someone a couple of hundred
bucks to place it someplace where the donor will likely never have a
chance to enjoy his pricey purchase. Since Mary Hobart (K1 More Money
Honey) came aboard, the ARRL has been all about raising money through a
number of elitist schemes.


In the money raising game, it becomes difficult to come up with good
ideas to raise that cash. Membership fees are one way. But when extra is
needed, new ideas are needed. Sometimes a group will offer "lifetime"
memberships. These can generate a bit more spending money. Those are a
good deal for someone who became a lifetime member a long time ago,
(what did a lifetime membership cost in 1970?) but that money is long gone.

So the engraved brick thing is one of the ways that ARRL and others use
to keep things interesting. I've seen it on other places such as fishing
piers like the one in Flagler beach Florida, where the pier gets knocked
down by a hurricane every ten years or so. So they have a "buy a plank"
effort. You "buy" one, and your name gets routed into the plank for all
to see. The pier is rebuilt, and everyone is happy. You can even buy a
bench or pier shelter.

The nice thing is that even those who do not buy a plank or other item
are welcome to use the pier.

- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -

Diamond Terrace
 

Phil Kane wrote:
On Sat, 18 Aug 2007 16:37:27 EDT, Dave Heil
wrote:

I mind the idea that the League will
take a 35 cent brick, engrave it and charge someone a couple of hundred
bucks to place it someplace where the donor will likely never have a
chance to enjoy his pricey purchase.

What's the difference between that and the "John Smith Memorial
Chapel" or the "Bessie Jones Dining Room" at any other institution?
Personally, I don't want to be remembered by the "Phil Kane Toilet
Seat" but doing those brick things are a legit fundraising technique
nowadays, no different from selling dedications and memorial plaques
in the name of donors at many schools and congregations.


It is a revenue generating technique that is becoming increasingly
popular. We have a restored theater in town that raised funds this way.
There are some sports venues in the area that have donors plaques posted
in their facility - including bronze, silver, and gold donor plaques
obviously based on how much money was donated.

While I can understand that some might consider it a vanity thing, I
also know that without those donors, there probably wouldn't be a
facility or theater for people to use.

- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -

Diamond Terrace
 

"Michael Coslo" wrote in message


[snip]

: : It is a revenue generating technique that is becoming
: : increasingly popular. We have a restored theater in
: : town that raised funds this way. There are some sports
: : venues in the area that have donors plaques posted in
: : their facility - including bronze, silver, and gold
: : donor plaques obviously based on how much money was
: : donated.
: :
: : While I can understand that some might consider it a
: : vanity thing, I also know that without those donors,
: : there probably wouldn't be a facility or theater for
: : people to use.
: :
: : - 73 de Mike KB3EIA -

I can see where they're going with it, but I agree with Dave - if I were
to donate money in this way, I'd rather like to be able to see it from
time to time.

Here in the UK I live very close to the National Motorcycle Museum where
they have all manner of old British bikes going right back to around 1902.
They invite funding in exactly this way, with the names of people who
donate going up on a wall. I live close enough to visit and see it
whenever I want, but others don't.

73 Ivor G6URP

Diamond Terrace
 

"Dave Heil" wrote in message


[snip]

: : I'm holding out for my name on the Men's Room at the
: : Madonna Inn between San Francisco and L.A. on the 101.
: :
: : Dave K8MN

Hey, I might well be passing there in a couple of months, shall I look out
for it..?!

73 Ivor G6URP

Diamond Terrace
 

Ivor Jones wrote:
"Dave Heil" wrote in message


[snip]

: : I'm holding out for my name on the Men's Room at the
: : Madonna Inn between San Francisco and L.A. on the 101.
: :
: : Dave K8MN

Hey, I might well be passing there in a couple of months, shall I look
out for it..?!

The motel is easy to spot. It is pink and stone and looks like
something designed by a demented Playboy Bunny. Go down the stairs at
the right side of the main lobby. One of the Men's room fixtures must
be seen to be believed!

Dave K8MN

Diamond Terrace
 

"Dave Heil" wrote in message
...
I don't mind the idea that someone will be walking on bricks engraved with the
call of a silent key. I mind the idea that the League will take a 35 cent
brick, engrave it and charge someone a couple of hundred bucks to place it
someplace where the donor will likely never have a chance to enjoy his pricey
purchase.

Give a 5-dollar bill to a Legionaire, and they'll present you with a 3-cent
paper poppy. It's a "token" of your donation, just like the 35-cent brick.

The Man in the Maze
QRL at Baboquivari Peak, AZ

--
Iitoi

Diamond Terrace
 

Iitoi wrote:
"Dave Heil" wrote in message
...
I don't mind the idea that someone will be walking on bricks engraved with the
call of a silent key. I mind the idea that the League will take a 35 cent
brick, engrave it and charge someone a couple of hundred bucks to place it
someplace where the donor will likely never have a chance to enjoy his pricey
purchase.

Give a 5-dollar bill to a Legionaire, and they'll present you with a 3-cent
paper poppy. It's a "token" of your donation, just like the 35-cent brick.

Actually, the Legionaire will just say thanks. A VFW member will give
you a poppy--even for a dime or a quarter.

Dave K8MN

Diamond Terrace
 

Michael Coslo writes:



In the money raising game, it becomes difficult to come up with good
ideas to raise that cash. Membership fees are one way. But when extra is
needed, new ideas are needed. Sometimes a group will offer "lifetime"
memberships. These can generate a bit more spending money. Those are a
good deal for someone who became a lifetime member a long time ago,
(what did a lifetime membership cost in 1970?) but that money is long gone.

I think it was $170.00 that I paid in 1971...
--
A host is a host from coast to
& no one will talk to a host that's close........[v].(301) 56-LINUX
Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433
is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433

Diamond Terrace
 

"Michael Coslo" wrote in message
...
Those are a good deal for someone who became a lifetime member a long time
ago, (what did a lifetime membership cost in 1970?) but that money is long
gone.

The money isn't "long gone". Conventional practice for nonprofits is to invest
'life member' funds in a trust and withdraw based on an actuarial model.

The Man in the Maze
QRU on Baboquivari Peak, AZ

--
Iitoi

Diamond Terrace
 

David Lesher wrote:
Michael Coslo writes:



In the money raising game, it becomes difficult to come up with good
ideas to raise that cash. Membership fees are one way. But when extra is
needed, new ideas are needed. Sometimes a group will offer "lifetime"
memberships. These can generate a bit more spending money. Those are a
good deal for someone who became a lifetime member a long time ago,
(what did a lifetime membership cost in 1970?) but that money is long gone.

I think it was $170.00 that I paid in 1971...


There ya go! Assuming that you joined at this time that year, your
membership has cost $4.72 per year, and can only get smaller! Not a bad
deal at all. My thoughts are that while that money was probably pretty
handy for them in 1971, it was just one time money, and then a sort of
deficit thereafter.


- 73 de mike KB3EIA -

Diamond Terrace
 

On Aug 22, 1:44 pm, Michael Coslo wrote:
David Lesher wrote:
Michael Coslo writes:

In the money raising game, it becomes difficult to come up with good
ideas to raise that cash. Membership fees are one way. But when extra is
needed, new ideas are needed. Sometimes a group will offer "lifetime"
memberships. These can generate a bit more spending money. Those are a
good deal for someone who became a lifetime member a long time ago,
(what did a lifetime membership cost in 1970?) but that money is long gone.

I think it was $170.00 that I paid in 1971...

There ya go! Assuming that you joined at this time that year, your
membership has cost $4.72 per year, and can only get smaller! Not a bad
deal at all. My thoughts are that while that money was probably pretty
handy for them in 1971, it was just one time money, and then a sort of
deficit thereafter.

Those monies have been invested over the years and have become a
helluva wad.

- 73 de mike KB3EIA -

w3rv

Diamond Terrace
 

Diamond Terrace
 

On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:42:00 EDT, Michael Coslo wrote:

Around $815 at 5 percent annual interest. In itself not too bad, but
they didn't just invest all that money. Some percentage had to go toward
operating expenses.


My impression was that they invested the money and lived off the
interest without touching the principal.
--

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon

e-mail: k2asp [at] arrl [dot] net

Diamond Terrace
 

Phil Kane wrote:
On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:42:00 EDT, Michael Coslo wrote:

Around $815 at 5 percent annual interest. In itself not too bad, but
they didn't just invest all that money. Some percentage had to go toward
operating expenses.


My impression was that they invested the money and lived off the
interest without touching the principal.



Hey Phil, I think you are correct, but you could maybe clarify this for me.

On the audit from a couple years ago, I read the following:

Quote:

"The by-laws of the league provide for life membership in the league for
25 times the term membership annual dues rate. Dues are deferred and
recognized as income over the estimated life expectancy of the
respective life members (approximately 34 years). Investment earnings on
allocated life member investments are deferred and are recognized as
dues at an amount representative of the estimated cost to the league for
providing services to the life members."

End quote

If I read this correctly (and you would know an awful lot better than
me, so correct at will)

The life member pays their money (25X current dues)

The interest from the investment is considered the members dues.

The principle money is recognized as earnings over a period of 34 years.

Or does that mean that the principle is released after 34 years?

Where I might have a little confusion is that if the principle of the
lifetime memberships is always off limit is that they should be in the
"permanantly restricted" category.


A link to the pdf is he

http://www.arrl.org/announce/annualr...s%20123104.pdf

- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -

Diamond Terrace
 

Michael Coslo wrote:
Phil Kane wrote:
On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:42:00 EDT, Michael Coslo wrote:

Around $815 at 5 percent annual interest. In itself not too bad,
but they didn't just invest all that money. Some percentage had to go
toward operating expenses.


My impression was that they invested the money and lived off the
interest without touching the principal.



Hey Phil, I think you are correct, but you could maybe clarify this for me.

On the audit from a couple years ago, I read the following:

Quote:

"The by-laws of the league provide for life membership in the league for
25 times the term membership annual dues rate. Dues are deferred and
recognized as income over the estimated life expectancy of the
respective life members (approximately 34 years). Investment earnings on
allocated life member investments are deferred and are recognized as
dues at an amount representative of the estimated cost to the league for
providing services to the life members."

End quote

If I read this correctly (and you would know an awful lot better
than me, so correct at will)

The life member pays their money (25X current dues)

The interest from the investment is considered the members dues.

The principle money is recognized as earnings over a period of 34
years.

Or does that mean that the principle is released after 34 years?

Where I might have a little confusion is that if the principle of
the lifetime memberships is always off limit is that they should be in
the "permanantly restricted" category.

Life Membership works out well for the League and can be a great bargain
for the member. I'm 58 and I became a Life Member almost thirty years
ago. I paid 25 times the 1978 dues. Dues have risen a number of times
over the decades and are currently more than four times what I paid for
Life Membership.

The downside is that my QST doesn't come in either a paper wrapper or a
plastic envelope any more. QST content has been stripped away over the
years. I need to pay extra for QEX for the good technical articles,
station activities and the bulk of contest results are only on the web.
I can always pay extra and become a member of the Diamond Circle and
[tongue-in-cheek mode on] have a League Official drive to my home and
deliver my QST on the day of printing.

Dave K8MN

Diamond Terrace
 

On Aug 23, 7:43 pm, Dave Heil wrote:
Michael Coslo wrote:
Phil Kane wrote:
On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:42:00 EDT, Michael Coslo wrote:

Everybody wrote

. . . I can always pay extra and become a member of the Diamond Circle and
[tongue-in-cheek mode on] have a League Official drive to my home and
deliver my QST on the day of printing.

Mary . . ?

Dave K8MN

w3rv