John, very nicely put, I was hoping someone that had been in the TSA longer than I had would speak up.
Thanks! Charles On 1/19/08, John P. Brooks <jpbrook...@sbcglobal.net> wrote: > > The TSA does a lot for Texas Caving...but we apparently do not do a good > job of bragging about all that we do... > Here is one very real benefit that the TSA provides to ALL Texas Cavers > whether they are members or not: The TSA is providing funding for > improvements to the tower at Honey Creek Cave. All Cavers benefit from this. > In addition; the TSA maintains a database of Texas Cavers for the TCR and > the TSA. And we publish on an annual basis a Texas Cavers directory that is > available to all Texas Cavers whether they are members or not. > The TSA is a sponsor of the ICS in Kerrville in 2009. > The TSA provides support for TCR registration. And the TSA is funding the > acquisition of new directional signs used to direct cavers to caving events. > The TSA maintains a website with a consolidated calendar of caving events > of all Texas caving organizations....that is available to all cavers. In > addition the TSA website has information useful to new and experienced > cavers...such as a liability release that can be used by anyone. > The TSA provides organizational support for projects. > I could go on as there are numerous other benefits that the TSA provides to > all Texas Cavers....whether they are members of the TSA or not. > What else does the TSA do? Well, we can do whatever it is that our members > decide to do and support. That is sometimes projects, it is publishing "The > Texas Caver" or an activities newsletter. We provide cave rescue wallet > cards that could be a resource should it ever be needed. The TSA has held > vertical training workshops that have been open to ALL Texas Cavers. > And the TSA hosts an annual Spring Convention; where interested cavers can > see presentations on what is happening with the various caving groups around > the state. These presentations range from recent explorations around Texas > and Mexico to other topics of concern to cavers such as efforts to protect > regional aquifers and cave systems. As with everything else; membership in > the TSA is not required to attend or participate in the convention. > So...if membership in the TSA is not required for anything we do...why > join? Because, by joining and participating, the TSA can do more to support > Texas Cavers and Texas Caving.....and by joining you get "The Texas > Caver"....but the real benefit is knowing that your support for the TSA > directly translates to supporting Texas Cavers. > > > On 1/17/08 1:12 PM, "Fritz Holt" <fh...@townandcountryins.com> wrote: > > > RD, > As an old timer and spelunker in years past, I can only speak for myself as > to the perceived benefits of TSA membership. I echo the thoughts of Charles > Goldsmith and Jerry Atkinson and I like your thoughts of wanting to belong > to a group of like-minded people with a common interest. Many of us march to > a different drummer which makes for some interesting commentary. This is > good. From kids to geezers, our common interests are somewhat out of the > norm but are a fun and satisfying pastime. > > For me, whatever the cost of TSA membership may be, it is worth it for the > enjoyment of camaraderie with others at TCR, the spring convention and at > various caving activities. In addition, TSA as well as TCMA allows me to > visit beautiful sites and caving areas that I would not otherwise know of or > be able to access. I certainly realize that many cavers, especially younger > ones, may be on a tight budget and therefore I will go along with what the > officers of the organizations deem is an appropriate amount for dues. > > I feel that the more income the associations generate, the more involved > they can become with education, acquisition and conservation of our caves > and their inhabitants. I justify membership costs by the degree of enjoyment > derived, including some of these dumb posts. My wife accused me of being a > Neanderthal and dumb as a post and this was before she knew that I liked > caves. > Fritz > > > > ________________________________ > > > From: RD Milhollin [mailto:rdmilhol...@charter.net] > Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 2:56 PM > To: Fritz Holt > Subject: RE: [ot_caving] RE: TexasCaver > > > Fritz, for the sake of good natured argument, please enumerate said > benefits and the value you place on those. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Fritz Holt [mailto:fh...@townandcountryins.com] > Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 2:29 PM > To: mark.al...@l-3com.com; Charles Goldsmith > Cc: Kara Savvas; Johnson, Russ (ATX); imoca...@comcast.net; Scott > Nicholson; o...@texascavers.com > Subject: RE: [ot_caving] RE: TexasCaver > Mark, > Most associations of this type rarely have the necessary funds to meet > obligations and to implement goals. I would resist the idea of any > reductions in the cost of membership and would endorse an increase. The > annual membership cost is too low for the benefits > enjoyed by the members. This is my opinion and I hope that of others. > Fritz > > > > ________________________________ > > > From: mark.al...@l-3com.com [mailto:mark.al...@l-3com.com] > Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 1:41 PM > To: Fritz Holt; Charles Goldsmith > Cc: Kara Savvas; Johnson, Russ (ATX); imoca...@comcast.net; Scott > Nicholson; o...@texascavers.com > Subject: RE: [ot_caving] RE: TexasCaver > > > It would still remain in a paper format, Fritz. > > > > You would just have the option of receiving it electronically, instead of > in paper, at a reduced price. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Mark > > > > P.S. - Good idea about the membership application. > > > > ________________________________ > > > > From: Fritz Holt [mailto:fh...@townandcountryins.com] > Sent: Wed 1/16/2008 12:22 PM > To: Alman, Mark @ IRP; Charles Goldsmith > Cc: Kara Savvas; Johnson, Russ (ATX); imoca...@comcast.net; Scott > Nicholson; o...@texascavers.com > Subject: RE: [ot_caving] RE: TexasCaver > > Mark, > As the discussion in question is relevant caving business, I will give my > opinion. I doubt whether few if any cavers are members of > TSA solely to receive The Caver. So, going electronically should not > diminish the membership rolls. Changing the format, making it available to > all with its beautiful pictures and most interesting and informative > information, may increase membership. It should have a membership > application in each issue. I assume that when sent electronically the cost > is the same regardless of the number of recipients. This sounds like a money > saving idea for the association but I will miss the hard copy in its book > configuration. > Fritz > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
