[pct-l] PCTA Membership

[ed faubert]

What with the present econony looking so bleak, good luck........ For years when folks had much more money to spend and they still did not support the PCTA how can you think they would do so now.  A few years ago they tried to get hikers to become life time members by spreading the cost out over 4 years and that never worked well. Perhaps if the FAQ ever gets up and running it could be a question asked our members here why they don't join.  Meadow Ed

Bill wrote: 
> Dear members of PCT-L Mailing List:
>  
> L-Rod and I were talking last week about PCTA membership, the cost of the
> trail, and the value of the trail.    She noted that many thru hikers do not
> support the trail with membership to the PCTA once their hike is complete.
> I have been thinking about this and I could see how this happens.   A thru
> hiker pays for membership often to get the permit process done for them.
> After their hike, successful or not, they do not use the trail much.  They
> may not live along the west coast of the USA or don't hike much, or perhaps
> just don't "get around to joining" because the drive to do so is lessened
> (no pending big hike, no need for permit help, etc).    As a result, they
> simply drop their membership.   
>  
> Of course, some hikers continue to renew for years regardless, some never
> join to begin with, and some have other reasons.   I do not want this email
> string to get bogged down in exceptions or defensive comments (aka "not all
> hikers . . .)   or the flip side of making disparaging or attacking comments
> about those that do not participate.   The point here is to encourage
> participation in the PCTA beyond the current average, not to throw stones.
>  
> I want to start a campaign or at least a cultural norm (by that I mean
> something heard often, printed in guide books, or included in email groups
> like this).    I would call the campaign Thru Hike Plus Four.   The campaign
> is to encourage Thru Hikers to pay for PCTA membership for at least an
> additional four years after their hike.   If this could become the norm, by
> then end of four years we would have an overlap of four years of thru hikers
> actively supporting the trail.  Also, we would instill a wonderful habit of
> support that would be more likely to extend beyond four years.
>  
> Thru Hikers will get more value, use, miles, and return from their trail
> time in one season than most will achieve in a lifetime.    I think asking
> for a five year return is very reasonable and the vast majority of Thru
> Hikers would agree.
>  
> Now this is out of my head and out to the group.
>  
> Pink Gumby
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