[pct-l] PCTA Membership

[Donna Saufley]

Unfortunately, it takes people to get things done, and even non-profits have
to hire and pay people.  

Hiring people is not necessarily evil in and of itself.  I remember not too
long ago when there were just two people running the PCTA.  Imagine trying
to interface with the USFS, BLM, NPS, state parks across three states,
county lands, and private landowners, along with issuing permits, and
coordinating volunteers.  And answer the phones and attempt to provide some
kind of resource for trail users. Thank you, Bob Ballou and Joe Sobinovsky
wherever you are right now.

Then there are the numerous direct threats to the PCT today:  residential
development and urban encroachment, logging, mining, and transmission line
projects.  There are the efforts to improve weak easements and protect lands
that are owned privately, to avoid some horrible situations that have
already occurred (like the trees being logged right up to the trail -- the
easement allowed it as long as the loggers didn't block the trail). 

All that doesn't include the ongoing maintenance of the trail -- repairing
damage from natural disasters, misuse destroying tread, and the relentless
brush work that must take place to keep the trail from getting swallowed.
The list of things that need to be done is long indeed.  You need people to
do that -- talented people with professional skills.  

It is my understanding that $.85 of every dollar given to the PCTA goes
directly toward trail protection and preservation. That's a remarkable
number compared to many other organizations who are, as you rightly warn
against, top heavy and missing the point of their mission.  I can attest
that this is not the case with the PCTA.

L-Rod

 
-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Bob Sartini
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 1:49 PM
To: Brian Lewis; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCTA Membership

I've found that I'm wary about donating because too many outfits seem to 
raise money to hire more staff to raise more money. All the executives have 
deputies and all the deputies have assistants. If you know the ATC & AMC you

know what I mean. Added staff also changes the mission. In fact Mission 
Creep is a real issue where maintaining the trail is no longer enough. Now 
they want to be the Sierra Club or Greenspeace. What that really means is a 
bigger mission equals more staff and more empire building. The ATC has had a

membership drop off because of it. The PCT should be aware.

The PCT will get at least one check from me.
"EVERYTHING is in walking distance,"
    ......Bamboo Bob
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brian Lewis" <brianle8 at gmail.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 3:59 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCTA Membership


> >
>> "Sounds like an idea the PCTA should possibly consider - the "Ultralight"
>> membership...
>> A 'minimal' option - no "Communicator" magazine, no PCTA store discounts,
>> etc. ..."
>>
>
> Seems to me that if a person doesn't want or need any of the benefits of
> membership but wants to essentially donate some money to the organization,
> they can make out a check for whatever amount they wish to give.  For me, 
> at
> least, it doesn't make sense for the receiving organization (charity) to 
> be
> able to define what a "valid" amount is for me to contribute --- I find 
> that
> whatever amount I give, even if not one of the suggested checkbox amounts,
> the charitable organization will still always cash my check ... :-)
>
>
> Brian Lewis
> http://postholer.com/brianle
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l 

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