New Members and a New Year
by Rocky Kneten

Greetings to all in 2003. In this new year, we - both as members of the Houston chapter and the national organization - have some tasks to accomplish. The first task is to participate in the Membership Drive. We all know someone who should be a member, but that person always moans that "it's too expensive" or "I don't know any of the members." Well, application fees have been dropped, and new membership categories have been added, making it more affordable to be a member than in previous years. The second problem, the fear of not knowing the members, can be alleviated by taking a few simple steps: Send the name of your candidate(s) to National via Elena Goertz <goertz@asmp.org> and indicate what membership category you think they are qualified for (if you have questions, please call me or Thaine Manske). The candidate will receive a professionally designed and personal invitation to join. Invite them to the casual Pushpin Socials (the next one will be scheduled in March). They are free, full of good conversation, and there's been some fresh and interesting work to see. Invite them to a regular meeting, so they can see the value of our programs and seminars.

The second task is to carefully check and consider the upcoming election ballot for the Society. The ballot, which General Members should receive in early February, contains the referendum for a dues increase (additional $25) for General Members only. When I first learned of this, I thought, "Great. More money coming out of my pocket in a tight economy." It was going to be a hard sell for me. Upon closer reflection, however, I realized that the Society last had a dues increase 13 years ago. Costs for a staff and office operation at National have increased over that time. The national board members are all volunteers, live around the nation, and need to have their costs covered for conference calls, travel for Society business, revamping the website, etc... But this might be the most important thing: ASMP needs to be present where federal laws are made and interpreted. ASMP has always been a defender of copyright. Folks, whether you know it or not, your copyright, the very "lock on the vault" of your assets, will be under constant assault in Congress in the coming years. Big publishers, image consolidators, and "content providers" want your images, but also want to erode your ability to earn from them. It costs big money to be a player in Washington, and ASMP will need financial firepower for lobbying and legal representation. So, think about how far you would get in Washington by yourself with 25 bucks. That wouldn't buy lunch in a restaurant where the politicos hang out, much less an audience with a Senator! I'm not suggesting that ASMP spends your money foolishly over expensive meals. However, I believe our new executive director, Eugene Mopsik, will be very effective at building alliances with the DC powers if given the proper resources (an expanding membership base wouldn't hurt; see paragraph above). Also, the Society needs sufficient legal counsel to interpret court rulings and government policy. Our opponents will be less likely to go to the courts if they know we have the resources and resolve to stick up for what we stand for.

The referendum to increase dues last year actually had a majority of voters, but failed to make the two-thirds mandate by just over 50 votes. It's important that you give your most sincere attention to the referendum. You must vote with your own conscious, but I can't keep that old TV commercial out of my head that always ended with, "You can pay me now, or pay me later." Later just might be a whole lot more expensive (in the courts) and possibly too late completely.