by CAPT Tom Finley, USN(Ret)
There are
interesting and needed changes going on at Tailhook that I want
to bring to the attention of members. To begin with, the Board of
Directors has determined that in order to reverse a five-year
trend of annual financial losses, an increase in annual
membership dues is necessary. The new annual rate will be $40,
with a discount to $105 for a three-year membership. For our
foreign members, annual dues will be $50, which will now include
much faster airmail delivery of The Hook.
Your help is needed to make the Annual Symposium even better than it was last year. Tailhook has always depended on the volunteer efforts of dedicated and hard working members who have combined an amazing variety of skills in order to produce successful symposiums, meetings, golf tournaments, etc. As one who benefits from this quality support, I truly understand the stark fact that our continued success depends on members giving of their time and effort to support activities and special events. We need volunteers to help run the September convention in Reno. The primary areas where assistance is needed are registration, sales booths, silent auction and general support. If you are interested in helping, please contact any of us here at headquarters. We will do our best to make the experience one that is both pleasant and memorable for you. Both women and men are welcome to become involved!
Finally, we employees have been actively searching out new and better ways to do our work more efficiently and to reduce costs when possible. I've been pleased by the many suggestions and terrific ideas that people have come up with over the last four months. By putting our heads together, we've thought of a number of ways to save time, money and effort in the administration of the Association, The Hook magazine expenses and general costs of doing business. You have our combined pledge that these efforts will continue.