elsie item issue 65 - USS Landing Craft Infantry National Association

FINANCES AND MEMBERSHIP:HOW ARE WE DOING?There’s good news – and there’s a need for help.The good news is that the “New Beachheads” program adopted by the Board of Directors at ourMobile reunion has had a most positive effect on our finances and on new affiliate memberships.That special mail out mail-out urging life members to make donations equal to the dues paid byregular members and for all members to sponsor children, grand children and others as affiliatemembers has resulted in a growth of $5,660 in our assets and a growth in our membership from1,907 to 2,240.Almost all of those new members are affiliates, boding well for the continuation of our Associationas they move into leadership positions.The financial picture is equally encouraging. As of September, 2008, we have $54.604 in assets,$42,530 of which is earning interest in certificates of deposit with the remainder in our activechecking accounts.This response was especially welcome because, as Treasurer Hal Bleyhl reports, it reverses, atleast for the present, the decline in assets during the past few years as our membership dwindled.But there is a continuing concern that we want to pass on to you, along with this encouragingnews.As we go to press with this issue we are sending out over 300 letters to members who, accordingto our records, have not yet paid dues for the current year. That’s quite a bit more than usual, sowe did a little checking to find out what might be the cause. It looks as though there are two primaryreasons:Some of you paid for others to become affiliate members - but forgot to pay for your ownmembership!Some of you paid your dues at the end of our fiscal year (June 1) but had not paid for lastyear’s membership, so your payment was credited for the last fiscal year 2007-2008 - andnow you owe for the current fiscal year 2008-2009!Whether it was for one of those reasons or if it’s just something you overlooked, we would reallyappreciate receiving your dues. Our ability to continue serving you and producing the newsletterwill be greatly enhanced with your cooperation in this matter.All of your shipmates will thank you for carrying your part of the load!12