IRONROOSTER Adelie The other thing I think we can put to rest is if there were no standards there would be chaos because every manufacturer would be out there producing stuff that was incompatible with everybody else. Yes that is exactly what will happen. We know this because it happens again and again. Not only was it needed in the beginning, it's needed now. The only reason DCC is popular and available factory installed is because of the DCC standards. Before that there were several competing command control systems that did not work with each other. Whoever you went with, you had to use only their throttle, command station, decoders, etc. It's only with the standard that your decoder works with several systems, it's also the reason MTH's latest protosound 3 decoders work with DCC, it's also the reason that so many manufacturers offer their locomotives with decoders, etc. MTH's DCS and Lionel's Legacy/TMCC systems are not compatible. MTH now has decoders that work with DCC. So even though I don't have a DCS setup I can (and have) run MTH Protosound 3 locomotives with my NCE DCC ssytem. Lionel Legacy doesn't do that - I don't buy Lionel Legacy locomotives. BTW, have you tried running Marklin HO with your other HO stuff? Enjoy Paul
Adelie The other thing I think we can put to rest is if there were no standards there would be chaos because every manufacturer would be out there producing stuff that was incompatible with everybody else.
The other thing I think we can put to rest is if there were no standards there would be chaos because every manufacturer would be out there producing stuff that was incompatible with everybody else.
Yes that is exactly what will happen. We know this because it happens again and again. Not only was it needed in the beginning, it's needed now.
The only reason DCC is popular and available factory installed is because of the DCC standards. Before that there were several competing command control systems that did not work with each other. Whoever you went with, you had to use only their throttle, command station, decoders, etc. It's only with the standard that your decoder works with several systems, it's also the reason MTH's latest protosound 3 decoders work with DCC, it's also the reason that so many manufacturers offer their locomotives with decoders, etc.
MTH's DCS and Lionel's Legacy/TMCC systems are not compatible. MTH now has decoders that work with DCC. So even though I don't have a DCS setup I can (and have) run MTH Protosound 3 locomotives with my NCE DCC ssytem. Lionel Legacy doesn't do that - I don't buy Lionel Legacy locomotives.
BTW, have you tried running Marklin HO with your other HO stuff?
Enjoy
Paul
Not in Marklin or HO.
- Mark
howmus Ricky, you can attend any NMRA event anywhere in the world. An NMRA member is an NMRA member! What you can't do is join another Division or Region. You are put in the Division/Region based on where you live. You can only be a voting member or an officer in your own Division. There are some good reasons for that (that I won't go into here). Again some big changes are in the offing, so hang in there and perhaps this will all change for you guys.
Ricky, you can attend any NMRA event anywhere in the world. An NMRA member is an NMRA member! What you can't do is join another Division or Region. You are put in the Division/Region based on where you live. You can only be a voting member or an officer in your own Division. There are some good reasons for that (that I won't go into here). Again some big changes are in the offing, so hang in there and perhaps this will all change for you guys.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
howmus What you can't do is join another Division or Region. You are put in the Division/Region based on where you live. You can only be a voting member or an officer in your own Division. There are some good reasons for that (that I won't go into here). Again some big changes are in the offing, so hang in there and perhaps this will all change for you guys. 73
What you can't do is join another Division or Region. You are put in the Division/Region based on where you live. You can only be a voting member or an officer in your own Division. There are some good reasons for that (that I won't go into here). Again some big changes are in the offing, so hang in there and perhaps this will all change for you guys.
73
Well you had better go into them, I can throw a rock from my house to Division 4 in Cuyahoga County, but since I live in Northern Summit County I would have to belong to Division 1. All my friends and fellow club members are in Division 4 but I can't join or vote with them.
I was a member back when it was about $20.00 plus $3.00 for Region and $2.00 for Division and you joined each separtely. Then you could join the Division without joining the Region or National. This was a Better Way to grow the organization rather than from the top down.
The next biggest joke was that when I lived in Alaska we were part of the Pacific Northwest Division, a 4 hour flight by jet from Anchorage.
I am a bowler and we are having the same problem with the USBC, dues keep going up and bowler awards and services are going down. The money is needed for a bloated national organization with the local members being left to blow with the wind.
Rick J
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
I recently received my NMRA renewal letter and was going to renew, but after wading through all of these posts, I am now giving it serious pause.
Nah, just kidding--I am going to renew. As a relative newbie, I appreciate how easy it is to enjoy the shared technology made possible by the DCC standards.
Richard
Chris and Ricky....
Yes, you are both in the same inactive division (two west of mine). Since I am a voting member of the Region I know a lot of the circumstances that happened way back many years ago to your division. And, I have a long series of email still saved on my computer from about 5 years ago...... I don't think this is a proper venue to air the dirty laundry, so to speak....
I will tell you that I was trying to help get you folks back up and running through an interest in forming a 100% club several years ago. (My ear got bent for some time every time I had a Modelers Corner at the Batavia Show) so I communicated with all the people involved at both the club and the Region. Unfortunately the critical mass never happened. Chris we have met on at least one occassion. It was in Victor, NY IIRC. [Edit - just looked it up.. It was in Auburn, NY at a combined LSD and CNY Winter meet in 2013.] I applaud your wanting to get the Division back running. Nuff said!
I would suggest that both of you hold on for a bit longer as there is a move afoot that may change some things that should be a help. Can't discuss them here.
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Yes sir. Same region. And, I believe, same division. (I am in southern Erie county Pa. IIRC, Bradford is in same division as Cattaragus, and Chataqua counties NY, Erie, Craford, and Warren counties, along with your county, Mckean county, Pa, all under the same division in the NF region of the NMRA.)
I had no idea someone had volunteered to help deactivate the area.... And I had spoken with an officer of a neighboring division (In Ohio) about joining a few years back. (Was informed by him, that I would have to stay in Pa divisions, and that over the "fight" the division I lived in wasno longer active. Best option, according to him, was the division that covered Clarion Pa.)
BRAKIE Look at both sides of the coin.. At the same price of a fast food meal( at $5.50 month) you get to attend your local division's mothly meetings and take in layout tours or you can buy that fast food meal gain weight and clog your arteries.
Look at both sides of the coin..
At the same price of a fast food meal( at $5.50 month) you get to attend your local division's mothly meetings and take in layout tours or you can buy that fast food meal gain weight and clog your arteries.
Local division? Wish I had one. I assume I live in the same region as ricktrains4824. I approached Niagara Frontier Region management and VOLUNTEERED to try and reactivate our local division. The answer....You're not a officer, therefore you don't have a right to the membership list. This was over 5 years ago and since then I am still waiting for a decision from NMRA leadership! That's why my membership expires today.
"remember the time when the majority of the modelers was in the NMRA"
Yes, and dues were $5.00 a year! Using 1969 dollars, the same $5.00 would be $33.00 in 2015. Source: http://www.dollartimes.com/inflation/inflation.php?amount=100&year=1969
Bob Bochenek
Dave
I ahve long been a member of the NMRA. I completely disagree with you whole statement. Lets start of with this _
WHY BUY THE COW IF YOU CAN GET THE MILK FOR FREE ????
I think the management has taken a responsible step and letting everyone know hey their is a limit to the freeloading. I resent people who come and TAKE ADVANTAGE of the serives I pay for. You wanna play ? PAY UP !
Next the whole idea that their isnt any benefit of being a memeber HOG WASH !!!
Here are some reasons :
1) Membership compared to other organizations is INCREDIBLY CHEAP. Try buying country club membership !!!
2) The yearly calender sent out in my opinion is worth the price of entering alone.
3) The NMRA Magazine has much improved and for the member ship alone this is worth the price of admittance
4) Fellowship with awsome like minded hobbist is another great reason for the memebrship.
5) LHS - Offer some NMRA members discounts !
6) Providing standards that WE ALL benefit from.
I think it is beyond fair. No more milk for free !
I have been reading this topic over the past two evenings. I was a Regional Board Officer for 5 years. I remember the original 'fight' about membership/insurance quite well. It all comes down to Liability Insurance - The NMRA was told by the insurance carrier that everyone attending a National/Region/Division meeting must be a paid up, card carrying NMRA member. And every other carrier basically said the same.
National Conventions, Regional Conventions, and Divisional Conventions are 'member only' functions. That said, if your local Divisions has a train show(mine has a spring/fall train show), that is open to the public. The contest and actual 'meeting' are for paid up members only. One of our Divisions has a monthly meeting, with clinics - They are for members only(as are the layout tours). The NMRA insurace covers liability issues. If you think liability insurance is cheap, get a quote from a provider for a weekend event(many venues now require documentation that you have liability insurance, or will provide it on a one time event for a rather hefty price). This is not the old days! In the state where I live, even though the local Division/Region are incorperated as a non-profit entity - The 'officers' can be sued for medical costs from an injury at an event. Insurance is madatory. I would have resigned from my position as a Region Officer if My family and home were left exposed due to someone else's neglect.
AMA membership($58/year) is required at most club flying fields, as the AMA has insurance built into the membership cost(just like the NMRA). So, this is not just an NMRA 'thing'.
Our local gun club provides insurance through the NRA for the indoor/outdoor ranges. There is 'value' to membership.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Mykhalin I've been a model railroader for 30 years (40+ if you count playing with the Lionel I got for Christmas when I was 3-years-old). In that 30 years I've considered joining the NMRA on several occasions, both before and after the birth of the internet, but the biggest thing that has stopped me was the lack of "local" events. I live in a small town called New York City and travelling out to Long Island or New Jersey events means 2 or 3 hours (in each direction) via mass transit - and let's not speculate about how to get from the nearest train station to and from the venue. That also assumes you can make a one-day round trip. I was a member of the O&WRHS for several years, but couldn't make any of their meetings as the last train to Hoboken left Middletown in the middle of their evening meetings. If these events / meetings / etc. were closer -- and by "closer" I am going to define it for myself as round-trip travel time being less than time actually spent at the event -- then I would have / would be willing to join the NMRA / rejoin the NRHS / etc. in a heartbeat. While the internet has placed information at my fingertips and allowed me to communicate with fellow enthuasts around the world, that isn't really a substitute for face-to-face human interaction. That said, I think the big national organizations are following the same path as the brick-n-motar hobby shops. People are going to go where they can get what they want. If the local hobby shop doesn't stock paint, or styrene, or detail parts, and those are what they want, then they'll go to the one place that has all of what they want rather than going to 3 or 4 different stores. If the nationals are giving ultimatiums about membership to people on the fence, they are probably going to go where they feel welcomed and not pressured. Life is stressful enough with things we begrudgingly have to pay for (rent, electric, food, etc.). ~AJK
I've been a model railroader for 30 years (40+ if you count playing with the Lionel I got for Christmas when I was 3-years-old). In that 30 years I've considered joining the NMRA on several occasions, both before and after the birth of the internet, but the biggest thing that has stopped me was the lack of "local" events.
I live in a small town called New York City and travelling out to Long Island or New Jersey events means 2 or 3 hours (in each direction) via mass transit - and let's not speculate about how to get from the nearest train station to and from the venue. That also assumes you can make a one-day round trip. I was a member of the O&WRHS for several years, but couldn't make any of their meetings as the last train to Hoboken left Middletown in the middle of their evening meetings.
If these events / meetings / etc. were closer -- and by "closer" I am going to define it for myself as round-trip travel time being less than time actually spent at the event -- then I would have / would be willing to join the NMRA / rejoin the NRHS / etc. in a heartbeat. While the internet has placed information at my fingertips and allowed me to communicate with fellow enthuasts around the world, that isn't really a substitute for face-to-face human interaction.
That said, I think the big national organizations are following the same path as the brick-n-motar hobby shops. People are going to go where they can get what they want. If the local hobby shop doesn't stock paint, or styrene, or detail parts, and those are what they want, then they'll go to the one place that has all of what they want rather than going to 3 or 4 different stores. If the nationals are giving ultimatiums about membership to people on the fence, they are probably going to go where they feel welcomed and not pressured. Life is stressful enough with things we begrudgingly have to pay for (rent, electric, food, etc.).
~AJK
I agree with Mykhalin. The model of “your either wit us or agin us” has been tried by other organizations and even companies with products. It does not sell well.
I don't expect to get much for nothing, and never have. I think I have been to one NMRA event in my lifetime, and that was the National Show when it was in Atlanta a few years ago. If I remember right, I gladly paid to get into that. So, based on my attendance patterns (been around the hobby some 45 of my 54 years, with about a 10 year hiatus), that will not justify the yearly expense nor will I feel the effects of this change.
The other thing I think we can put to rest is if there were no standards there would be chaos because every manufacturer would be out there producing stuff that was incompatible with everybody else. Does anyone think that if Shifting Sands of Omaha announced their new Gevo, that would only run on their track and only lash up to their freight cars that enough people would (knowingly) buy it to keep them in business? To one degree or another MTH thought that was going to fly with DCS and the sales of that have not exactly been a compelling model for being proprietary or incompatible with the rest of the world.
I came close to joining the NMRA a couple of times, “just because.” In the end, I never saw the value to me. I don't approach the hobby as a social thing (it is an outlet for me), I'm not a meeting person (I attend enough in my job), and very rarely attend events. Telling me “join, or you can't ever attend more than three….ever” is not going to move me. But, perhaps I am far from typical and may be the toughest case to sell. Then again, I am also not likely to be a stowaway at monthly meetings, so it all may be a moot point down there at Green Acres.
andrechapelon $5.50/month is a lot of money (it's $66/year if you get the magazine, $44 if you don't)? That's about 18 cents/ day. Without the magazine, it 's about 12 cents/day. I probably spend more money than that each year waiting for the water to get hot at the shower head. EDIT: Apparently I'm a "victim" of premature posting as I decided to run the numbers and discovered that the above sentence is a bit hyperbolic. Actually, the cost is less than a tenth of that. Nonetheless 18 cents/day isn't going break the bank. Andre
$5.50/month is a lot of money (it's $66/year if you get the magazine, $44 if you don't)? That's about 18 cents/ day. Without the magazine, it 's about 12 cents/day.
I probably spend more money than that each year waiting for the water to get hot at the shower head.
EDIT: Apparently I'm a "victim" of premature posting as I decided to run the numbers and discovered that the above sentence is a bit hyperbolic. Actually, the cost is less than a tenth of that. Nonetheless 18 cents/day isn't going break the bank.
Andre
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
Actually, I felt worse hearing about the C&NW Historical Society than the NMRA when the OP first posted this thread. I devote a portion of my layout to the C&NW, a grand old road name here in Chicago, but now a fallen flag. Sad to hear that the historical society is feeling some old age pains.
Rich
Alton Junction
FRRYKidMy town has a local art center that offers classes for both adults and children as outreach. When those classes are offered, they have reduced rates for members of the organization. But they DO allow non-members to participate for the additional cost.
I think some of you are confusing Membership Meets/Meetings, with public events. The NMRA Divisions and Regions still can and do put on public events such as Train Shows. etc. Difference is those activities have to be billed as "Public" events and are a bit different from the Meets for the membership. We also can be part of other groups events with no problem. My Division has a couple tables at 3 train shows every year where we do a "Modeler's Corner". Several of our members will be at the table working on projects, answering questions, and encouraging the hobby to the general public. We have also put on "Public" events (Meets) where the general public can see what we do at our Meets and ask questions about the hobby and/or the NMRA.
The 3 visit rule is about the member meetings that many divisions do monthly. It is to disinvite those who are trying to milk the system and get the benefits of membership for free. Again, very few organizations can have "Members" who are not actually members. This becomes an insurance problem as the first thing they will want to see is a list of who attended the event to check it out should there be a claim.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL In this case, return on investment is strickly subjective. If you don't feel the NMRA offers any value fine, but $60 in this economy is pocket change, especially compared to the general costs in this hobby - $600 locomotives, $100 passenger cars, $60 RTR freight cars, $100 sound decoders for DCC, etc. So would you re-join if it was $30? $10? From the sound of your post in the other thread on this topic, no you would not. So it's not really the money is it? Sheldon
In this case, return on investment is strickly subjective. If you don't feel the NMRA offers any value fine, but $60 in this economy is pocket change, especially compared to the general costs in this hobby - $600 locomotives, $100 passenger cars, $60 RTR freight cars, $100 sound decoders for DCC, etc.
So would you re-join if it was $30? $10? From the sound of your post in the other thread on this topic, no you would not. So it's not really the money is it?
Sheldon
Sheldon, to answer your question, no I wouldn't join if the cost was $5. $60? THAT is just ridiculous.
No, it's not really the money. I don't think I ever said it was. I, like everyone else, looks at the value and what you get for your money. To me, the NMRA ain't worth the money.
The day that I spend that kind of money that you mentioned on model trains, I'll have my head examined. Unless, of course, it's Sn3...
I will preface this by saying that I am not an NRMA member myself. Reason being goes along with what many people have said: small town, lack of area events, etc. I have one additional one: I don't drive by choice. (Not comfortable behind the wheel.)
Reason I decided to chime in is this: My town has a local art center that offers classes for both adults and children as outreach. When those classes are offered, they have reduced rates for members of the organization. But they DO allow non-members to participate for the additional cost.
While I don't know whether this increases their membership or not (I am usually too busy to attend the classes), they have kept going for many years with this idea. The art shows that they host are even open to the general public. (They do have a jar for donations as well.)
Our Community College even has Community Outreach events where they use their bus to transport community members to various events around the region. The cost is equal for anyone attending. They do not require the people to have gone to the college to participate in those events. (I participated in one of these events many years ago and was able to take a very enjoyable dinner train trip on an ex-Milwaukee line as a result.)
I have been a member since 1975. I have found that it has been a great help. I visited 3 nationals and a handful of BR conventions. I think I got my money's worth and more than that. Just think DCC, LCC and the older Standards and RP's. And they're all volunteers. Any dollar spend on NMRA is well spend. Oh, and I do live in the Netherlands!
I'm a 22-year member of a model railroad club, and while we certainly welcome visitors almost any time we're in the club, we would not appreciate people who come to our club week after week or month after month without joining.
We're friendly and open to strangers off the street. A member will give anyone the nickel tour, give a history of the club, what our plans are, etc., and we will do this for anyone. It doesn't matter if they live 3000 miles away (and thus would never join our club) or if they live down the street. We want to make our visitors happy.
But to have them show up repeatedly, hanging out, talking trains with the members, perhaps running trains (under supervision), using our club library, etc.? Now that's something else.
And if you think $44 or $66 per year is too expensive, you won't be joining our club where our monthly dues are $30 (or $360 per year).
Now I am not a member of the NMRA, never have been. But at one time, every member of our club was required to be an NMRA member because we had an insurance policy through them (we now have our own insurance policy).
Paul A. Cutler III
Aa a NMRA Division VP and DAL for a Region, I was going to do my Pro-NMRA dialogue, but Brunton, Howmus and others have said iall that needs to be said.
I joined because I want to associate with the organization that is recognized as the Model Railroading organization that started it all, and I've met a ton of great folks as a result. The people alone are worth the price of admission. Going to a NMRA function and having time to chat with the likes of Tony Koester and Jim Hediger is invaluable regarding how I approach the hobby afterward.So all of you guys that say it "ain't worth it", you should dig a bit deeper. To put it in terms of hard cold cash, I always ask for the NMRA Discount at a hobby shop. Even if they don't have one, they will usually offer up something such was the case this past weekend in Ft. Wayne IN. I saved $7 by just asking and showing my card. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that those savings can add up to the price of memebership.Have fun!Dan
I've been a member for a while (10-15yrs). Admittedly I don't take much advantage of any of the listed "benefits". It's been a while (yrs) since I've been to a local NMRA monthly meeting.
But I have no complaints over the annual dues. It seems to be a good conduit for promotion and expansion of the hobby. The "3-strikes" rule does seem to be a little self-defeating (though I wouldn't begin to second guess the liability insurance arcana that is said to make this a requirement).
Seems to me the NMRA could do a better job of more closely looking at/defining which events *are* intended as strictly NMRA members-only benefits and which are open/public and are, at their heart, promotional.
Monthly meetings would seem (to me) an ideal "promotional" event you wouln't want to put under a 3-strikes rule. On the other hand, workshops, Masters clinics, contests, etc. would definitely be a members-only happening. I've always thought that if you can't get someone excited enough about the activity at an open meeting/meetup that they don't want to join for the increased benefits/fun/excitement....you're doing something wrong.
Mark B. and Ray, it's an impressive list, and I thank you for persisiting, Ray, in showing a comprehensive list of what the society offers its membership, and in many ways, the entire hobby by default.
Mark, I hadn't considered the cost of the venue which might be a university campus lecture hall, as it was in the case of the RASC Winnipeg Centre. In some cases, the venue is available free of charge, but that is not normally how it goes. For insurance purposes, if nothing else, there must be a nominal charge to establish a client/patron relationship. But some places charge $200 a night, and the membership should not be expected to continually subsidize the freeloading walk-ins who maintain that status perpetually.
In that case, charge them a nominal attendance fee, regardless of how many times they attend. I think it's too hard to maintain an accurate record of how often a non-member attends. All members will be able to show a certificate or membership indicator at the door, while those without should pay $5.
richhotrainAll of that may be true, but what's the point? Good for the NMRA, but that doesn't translate to me writing a check each year to support it. Rich
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
tedtedderson When I started reading this thread I though there was no way I'd join. But now I may. I like the idea of maintaining standards. This may be a tough sell though as i just lectured my wife about her shoe and makeup subscriptions. T e d
When I started reading this thread I though there was no way I'd join.
But now I may. I like the idea of maintaining standards.
This may be a tough sell though as i just lectured my wife about her shoe and makeup subscriptions.
T e d
Dude, why would you do such a thing? The principle of self-interest (enlightened or otherwise) dictates that one never, ever engages in such self-defeating activities.
BRAKIE richhotrain As I see it, the ones who really benefit from the NMRA and its standards are the manufacturers. So, IMHO, the manufacturers have the obligation and responsibility to support the NMRA, not me. Rich Rich,Everything we take for granted today is because of the NMRA standards and RPs including RP25 wheels-remember the stiff rolling out of round wheels and having to buy replacement trucks from Central Valley? Even the DCC systems is compatible because of NMRA standards covering DCC. I can remember the time when the majority of the modelers was in the NMRA and proud of it..Also many manufacturers fought the idea od having production standards since it would raise the prices of their models.
richhotrain As I see it, the ones who really benefit from the NMRA and its standards are the manufacturers. So, IMHO, the manufacturers have the obligation and responsibility to support the NMRA, not me. Rich
Rich,Everything we take for granted today is because of the NMRA standards and RPs including RP25 wheels-remember the stiff rolling out of round wheels and having to buy replacement trucks from Central Valley?
Even the DCC systems is compatible because of NMRA standards covering DCC.
I can remember the time when the majority of the modelers was in the NMRA and proud of it..Also many manufacturers fought the idea od having production standards since it would raise the prices of their models.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL richhotrain The more that I think about this, the more I wonder why, as a model railroad hobbyist, I should feel any obligation or responsibility to financially support the NMRA. This reminds me of my other passion - - - golf. As a member of a private country club, all members are somewhat pressured to support the USGA as well as various other organizations including caddy scholarships, local golf organizations, etc. I have to spend more in that regard for "dues" than the NMRA requires. As I see it, the ones who really benefit from the NMRA and its standards are the manufacturers. So, IMHO, the manufacturers have the obligation and responsibility to support the NMRA, not me. Rich And many of them do, with sustaining memberships and donations. Sheldon
richhotrain The more that I think about this, the more I wonder why, as a model railroad hobbyist, I should feel any obligation or responsibility to financially support the NMRA. This reminds me of my other passion - - - golf. As a member of a private country club, all members are somewhat pressured to support the USGA as well as various other organizations including caddy scholarships, local golf organizations, etc. I have to spend more in that regard for "dues" than the NMRA requires. As I see it, the ones who really benefit from the NMRA and its standards are the manufacturers. So, IMHO, the manufacturers have the obligation and responsibility to support the NMRA, not me. Rich
The more that I think about this, the more I wonder why, as a model railroad hobbyist, I should feel any obligation or responsibility to financially support the NMRA.
This reminds me of my other passion - - - golf. As a member of a private country club, all members are somewhat pressured to support the USGA as well as various other organizations including caddy scholarships, local golf organizations, etc. I have to spend more in that regard for "dues" than the NMRA requires.
As I see it, the ones who really benefit from the NMRA and its standards are the manufacturers. So, IMHO, the manufacturers have the obligation and responsibility to support the NMRA, not me.
And many of them do, with sustaining memberships and donations.
richhotrainAs I see it, the ones who really benefit from the NMRA and its standards are the manufacturers. So, IMHO, the manufacturers have the obligation and responsibility to support the NMRA, not me. Rich