Next LHBPA meeting - Monday 8.10.12 at 19:30pm (The Ship) SE1

Heh, I did, oops, Sorry John/Joni.

Also, I propose that we get rid of the £5 membership fee (and refund those that have paid for this year) as it is a barrier to getting involved. We can still run a membership process (to avoid the association being over-run and someone stealing all the funds) by simply using a referral system..? (Putting this out there now as many people won't want to pay £5 to get their voice/vote.)

We had a long, intensive discussion of this membership fee over many weeks during the incipient months of the Association. There are good reasons to keep a small fee, mainly because it demonstrates basic commitment to the organization. And it is standard practice.

I have a hard time believing that £5 per year is a barrier to getting involved. The real barrier we are facing is apathy, not inability to pony up five fucking quid per year. I'm sure someone can cover James Brown's yearly fee. Everyone else should just pay up already.

#notangry

I have a hard time believing that £5 per year is a barrier to getting involved.

+1

Not that I know of course.

anyway:

1. Jono
   
2. MAX
   
3. John H
   

Good points.

Positive things about the £5:
Shows commitment to the LHBPA.
Monetary investment may equal more active involvement.
Provides a small income for odds and ends.

Negative things about the £5:
Gives people something to moan about.
Market and not social norms (I would prefer social norms).
May seem exclusive/divisive to some.
Needs constant updating over time, meaning lost memberships.

I think that if someone wants to give some money to the LHBPA when they join then that's great, but I don't think there should be any barriers (even if they are small barriers) between the LHBPA and potential members.

*1. Gives people something to moan about.
*
Like any of these fools need a reason to bitch.
*

1. Market and not social norms (I would prefer social norms).
   
   

*Fair point.
*

1. May seem exclusive/divisive to some.
   
   

*It's an Association ffs. It is by definition exclusive.
*

1. Needs constant updating over time, meaning lost memberships.
   *
   It's an Association ffs. It has members. It has a secretary.
   

I'll be there.

I dont think a fiver is a problem.

So... Free booze? If so, I'll bring Mrax...

*
If you do not want to attend but want to join, you can join the LHBPA for £5.
*

I'm assuming youve considered the high percentage of existing members whose annual membership has already expired, which makes them ineligible to stand for office, or even vote, and that youll be making sure they resubscribe before the AGM :)

(FWIW, I' m actually in favour of the £5, if we're going to have a proper association...)

I have a hard time believing that £5 per year is a barrier to getting involved. The real barrier we are facing is apathy, not inability to pony up five fucking quid per year. I'm sure someone can cover James Brown's yearly fee. Everyone else should just pay up already.

#notangry

This.

Also, unfortunately i cannot make Monday, apologies.

I'll take his fiver.

I'm assuming youve considered the high percentage of existing members whose annual membership has already expired, which makes them ineligible to stand for office, or even vote, and that youll be making sure they resubscribe before the AGM :)

Yes. I've sent an email to all expired members. They can pay at the meeting or via paypal (as can anyone who wants to become a member) to andy@lhbpa.org.

Incidentally, not a single person has re-joined via paypal. I hope they are all planning on coming to the AGM and paying in cash.

I just got a PM from John H saying he'd paid via paypal, so I let him in to the LHBPA forum, is this correct?

Yes.

He is a new member. As far as I know, no expired members have re-joined via paypal.

ah, cool, ta

i'll be down.

I just called the Horseshoe and they are booked upstairs. So we need a new location. Any ideas?

I guess we are going to have this at the Orwell.

382 Essex Road | Islington | London | N1 3PF

is it a fancy dress meeting?

ha!

I'm going as a non-racist Mr Miyagi

I'm going as a racist My Miyagi

I bet I'm better at ka-ra-te.

I'm going early to get drink.

note: I love how the new Karate Kid movie is about a kid who learns Kung-Fu. Different fucking country, stupid cunts.