[udubdawg]

I agree that it probably won't change the minds of these people... Many of them are seemingly irrationally angry about changes the AHA has gone through.  But I think it could benefit potential new members who hear all the negative things but maybe not as much positive things about the AHA... Just food for thought it all.  I really just figured it already existed and I could just brush up on it... But then I couldn't find much info.

I actually agree with what you seem to be suggesting.  I'm just not as optimistic as others that such effort will bear much fruit in terms of swaying the irrationally angry you mention.  But some more details can't hurt.

I recall reading a HBT thread last month re: the 6-entry limit and limiting entries to AHA members.  There are clearly some non-AHA members who think they make up a sizeable portion of the entries, when people like Tom have stated repeatedly that they are a very small number.  Perhaps giving the actual number of non-AHA member entries would show that the change some have made a big deal about isn't much of a change at all - details.

[dbeechum]

Perhaps giving the actual number of non-AHA member entries would show that the change some have made a big deal about isn't much of a change at all - details.

If i remember from Janis last year - non-AHA member entries made up less than 1% of all the entries in the competition. (Somewhere around 70)

[Joe Sr.]

It sounds like what Dan is looking for is a limited form of an annual report.

I get these from my investments, but not from the charities I donate to (I recognize that the AHA is neither a charity nor a corporation).  I don't belong to any other professional-type organizations so I don't know what sort of annual reporting they provide to members.

I doubt that someone who has their shorts in a twist about NHC or whatever will get un-twisted by looking at an annual report anyway.  They're likely to find some line-item they object to and get further twisted up.

This is not the first time the "what does the AHA do with my membership dollars" issue has come up.  Maybe it makes sense to provide some sort of limited annual report to membership?  It can't hurt, right?

[dkfick]

It sounds like what Dan is looking for is a limited form of an annual report.

I get these from my investments, but not from the charities I donate to (I recognize that the AHA is neither a charity nor a corporation).  I don't belong to any other professional-type organizations so I don't know what sort of annual reporting they provide to members.

I doubt that someone who has their shorts in a twist about NHC or whatever will get un-twisted by looking at an annual report anyway.  They're likely to find some line-item they object to and get further twisted up.

This is not the first time the "what does the AHA do with my membership dollars" issue has come up.  Maybe it makes sense to provide some sort of limited annual report to membership?  It can't hurt, right?

Well I mentioned the NHC because at the moment that's what everyone has their panties in a bunch about.  I was also speaking with people that are not current AHA members and they were wondering the same sort of things before they joined... I think I probably BSed them about with the things I 'thought' the AHA did good enough.. but it would be nice to have some place to direct them for their answers... or maybe it would even prevent the question in the first place?

[HoosierBrew]

I doubt that someone who has their shorts in a twist about NHC or whatever will get un-twisted by looking at an annual report anyway.  They're likely to find some line-item they object to and get further twisted up.

+1. 

[klickitat jim]

Political alert?

Anyway...

Right here's how I feel about this. I joined the AHA last year. Renewed last year too. Cheap cheap compared to the value of education I've received. I consider the magazine a super bonus freebie, AND I made the main article just about 14 months into my brewing career. So I must say, they recognize sheer genius. I'm kind of a big deal now. Most famous homebrewer on the block. But I rabbit trail...

Maybe the AHA ought to be run like an MC. Let the right people hang around a while, if they really fit in let the Prospect for a year or five, then if their lucky and sell their soul, they can be members. Lol

Bottom line, free country. Join, don't join, I don't care. To those who run this joint, thanks for all you do.

[Jeff M]

Political alert?

Anyway...

Right here's how I feel about this. I joined the AHA last year. Renewed last year too. Cheap cheap compared to the value of education I've received. I consider the magazine a super bonus freebie, AND I made the main article just about 14 months into my brewing career. So I must say, they recognize sheer genius. I'm kind of a big deal now. Most famous homebrewer on the block. But I rabbit trail...

Maybe the AHA ought to be run like an MC. Let the right people hang around a while, if they really fit in let the Prospect for a year or five, then if their lucky and sell their soul, they can be members. Lol

Bottom line, free country. Join, don't join, I don't care. To those who run this joint, thanks for all you do.

OMG its Klickitat Jim, Can i have your autograph mister?!?!   

[klickitat jim]

Just like the Beatles

[yso191]

*Derail alert*

Jim, I missed entirely any mention of you in Zymurgy.  What issue and where?  Also, who's AHA Governing Committee campaign did you donate to?

[theDarkSide]

*Derail alert*

Jim, I missed entirely any mention of you in Zymurgy.  What issue and where?  Also, who's AHA Governing Committee campaign did you donate to?

The last one...Gadgets with the Yoga Mat Thermowrap.

And I'd say all of the GC campaigns. 

[reverseapachemaster]

It's fairly common for interest groups/organizations to send out info about where the money goes, especially when they are raising dues and/or changing the rules to some of the member benefits. Sometimes you have to sell those changes to your membership. If members are grumpy because they don't feel like they are getting good value for their dues then that is good feedback that it's time for that sales pitch.

[Joe Sr.]

[mod edit]

If you like a product buy it.  If you don't like a product don't buy it.  The choice is yours.  You can help determine the success or failure of an enterprise.  Vote with your dollars.

No one is forcing you to participate.

There you go getting your shorts in a bunch about people getting their shorts in a bunch.  It's a vicious circle.

But seriously, I understood the OP to be requesting more information about the product, not bashing it in anyway.  I don't think any of us on the forum (well most of us at least) feel that we're not getting our money's worth out of being members, but I also don't think a request for basic financials is out of line.  If it answers peoples questions, that's great and we have less b****ing.  If it makes people raise questions, that's their right as members isn't it?  I assume that there are reasonable answers to reasonable questions.

FWIW, if I received an AHA annual report I'd probably toss it into the recycling along with all the others.  But someone must read that stuff or they wouldn't print it, would they?

[dkfick]

[mod edit]

If you like a product buy it.  If you don't like a product don't buy it.  The choice is yours.  You can help determine the success or failure of an enterprise.  Vote with your dollars.

No one is forcing you to participate.

There you go getting your shorts in a bunch about people getting their shorts in a bunch.  It's a vicious circle.

But seriously, I understood the OP to be requesting more information about the product, not bashing it in anyway.  I don't think any of us on the forum (well most of us at least) feel that we're not getting our money's worth out of being members, but I also don't think a request for basic financials is out of line.  If it answers peoples questions, that's great and we have less b****ing.  If it makes people raise questions, that's their right as members isn't it?  I assume that there are reasonable answers to reasonable questions.

FWIW, if I received an AHA annual report I'd probably toss it into the recycling along with all the others.  But someone must read that stuff or they wouldn't print it, would they?

Yes.  This.

[Jimmy K]

[mod edit]

If you like a product buy it.  If you don't like a product don't buy it.  The choice is yours.  You can help determine the success or failure of an enterprise.  Vote with your dollars.

No one is forcing you to participate.

There you go getting your shorts in a bunch about people getting their shorts in a bunch.  It's a vicious circle.

But seriously, I understood the OP to be requesting more information about the product, not bashing it in anyway.  I don't think any of us on the forum (well most of us at least) feel that we're not getting our money's worth out of being members, but I also don't think a request for basic financials is out of line.  If it answers peoples questions, that's great and we have less b****ing.  If it makes people raise questions, that's their right as members isn't it?  I assume that there are reasonable answers to reasonable questions.

FWIW, if I received an AHA annual report I'd probably toss it into the recycling along with all the others.  But someone must read that stuff or they wouldn't print it, would they?

Yes.  This.

I agree. There's nothing wrong with members or potential members asking what goes on.

[ynotbrusum]

Posting information online costs almost nothing to do.  I just don't care to know, even if it was posted online.

AHA - keep up the good work and realize that discussion is just that - not an indictment in any way.  I have few memberships that give me so much for so little.