Really?? AOPA *NEEDS* a brand new Caravan?

Itchy said:
However, it disturbs me when money given for the collective is perhaps spent with a little too much flair. Ever see how much of a dollar goes to the various charities from paid fundraisers? Often less than 10 cents.
Click to expand...

The AOPA is not a charity. This is an organization that represents the interest of and protects GA. By not supporting the AOPA, what message are you sending? That you could care less about protecting GA freedoms? And if you say no to that question, then what specifically are you doing to assure that GA freedoms are protected?

Granted the $40/year that we are spending on supporting the AOPA (thats right...I said supporting them, not taking into consideration any of the side benefits I might get from being a member such as the magazine, discounts, etc) hardly qualifies as a major effort to protect GA, but it is something, and collectively its making a difference.

Without the AOPA, I would doubt most of us could have afforded to get our pilots licenses at all, and forget about the freedom to fly when and where we want, whenever we want to.

Its so easy to be an armchair quarterback and say how an organization should be run this way or that way...you know...because we are all WAY smarter than those dopes running the organization, right? I seriously doubt that. I think they are doing a pretty great job. Perfect? No way. Use you voice to tell them about the things you disagree with...but continue supporting them.

I suggest you focus on the positive things the AOPA does for us, not only the silly little negative things mentioned in this thread. How about starting with this one; they are always there to immediately fight the fight whenever GA is threatened or challenged in any way. Who else is doing this? Dont loose sight of the big picture of what they are doing by focusing on silly things like junk mail and magazine content.

I think its worth every bit of the $40/year...and so should you since you have the privilege of enjoying the freedoms that they protect.

We better wake up soon and realize that if we dont support organizations like this, these freedoms we enjoy will quickly cease to exist. Just read the USA today article from last week if you dont think so.

:soapbox:
 
No organization is perfect, but you can't argue AOPA sits around on their ass and does nothing every year. They do put your money to work, and they do make a big difference in the GA world, they need to be commended for that.
 
Myself, I find the way they spend their money as a little ridiculous concerning the junk mail. I do not have a problem with them using and airplance for business purposes. Anybody that does really has their head in the sand. On top of that, I agree with paying the little amount to keep me flying. That is a no brain'er. But, what I am not happy with is the $20-30 worth of junk mail they send every year when I only gave them $40-50 anyways. If they are hurting for money so bad, then why spend all that extra postage on stuff that's going to go right in the garbage anyways? If they only have about 420,000 members with about half of them (just guessing) giving just enough to be a member, it seems like all that postage would add up to a lot worth of savings if it never got sent in the first place. Believe me, I am glad they are around to fight the good fight, but I don't need a tree killed in my name every year to send me renewal notices. The money could be spent in better ways.
 
I have been a member for almost 10 years now, and I think I might get 8 pieces of mail each year, including my renewal notice and Christmas card order form. Hardly seems like a tree is being killed in my name, and I bet they might spend $4 between printing cost and postage. The magazine is something to skim in the library every once in a while, but I admit I don't have much interest in the articles.
 
darrenf said:
I have been a member for almost 10 years now, and I think I might get 8 pieces of mail each year, including my renewal notice and Christmas card order form. Hardly seems like a tree is being killed in my name, and I bet they might spend $4 between printing cost and postage. The magazine is something to skim in the library every once in a while, but I admit I don't have much interest in the articles.
Click to expand...


I don't understand why some people get so much and others get close to none. :dunno:
 
I don't get any renewal notices from AOPA. Here's how:

Automatic Annual Renewal. When you enroll in our Automatic Annual Renewal program, you’ll save $4 off your initial year’s dues and receive two extra entries into our annual sweepstakes. We'll automatically renew your membership and services each year using the credit card you provide, unless you notify us otherwise. You’ll enjoy the convenience of uninterrupted service, and you’ll no longer receive renewal notices.
Click to expand...
 
One has to wonder how much better off the country would
be if people would exhibit a proportional amount of energy
about the billions wasted by the government as they do
about the pittance given to AOPA.
 
SteveC said:
I don't get any renewal notices from AOPA. Here's how:Automatic Annual Renewal.
Click to expand...

I agree with SteveC. I think the auto renewal reduces the paper chase trying to get you to renew. I never get excess junk from them (and I am on the auto renew also). I get a few things a year from them and thats it.

Also remember that not everything you are getting that has the AOPA logo on it is directly coming out of your dues. The insurance solicitations are being paid from the AOPAIA (I would bet they have their own advertising budget that is coming from the profits they make on our insurance premiums). The Christmas card thing is profitable for them. They send out the solicitation to the membership, and some percentage of these convert to sales. Its simple business economics. If they weren't making money off of these things, they wouldn't be doing it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top