[pct-l] PCTA Membership

[Bob Sartini]

I belong to the ATC, GMC, RHC all with dues. I only do trail work in 
Vermont. But when I hike the PCT trail this spring after joining I won't 
likely keep up the dues after that. I've met  armies of Californians on the 
Long Trail in Vermont and don't expect them to be GMC members for long if at 
all.

I think the deal is I walk on your trail and you walk on mine in a sort of 
reciprocal way. Plus all those dues mount up and I think all of our taxes 
help the trails in some vague way or other as well.  Plus there are WAY more 
Californians than people in Vermont or the rest of New England I'm sure.



"EVERYTHING is in walking distance,"
    ......Bamboo Bob
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill" <BillBatch at cox.net>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Cc: <info at pcta.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 9:20 AM
Subject: [pct-l] PCTA Membership


> 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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