E-mail from SFG John Underwood Jr.: Bill, Do we (HMGS-MS) have Lifetime memberships???? Thanks SFG John L. Underwood Jr. John: I'd like to use your question in the letters to editor section and possibly to start a discussion of the subject, if that is acceptable to you. As far as the subject of Life Memberships are concemed, yes we have them and they are currently awaided to 3 members for special achievements, etc. To date they are not for sale, but could be if enough of the membership would like that option available. This would require a vote to change the bylaws which currently require annual memberships expiring on 31 December of each year. My personal position is not positive on this issue for the following reasons: 1. Lifetime memberships are valid for the lifetime of the organization or yours, whichever is less. I've had 3 LT memberships (You would think I'd learn) and all 3 organizations met their demise before I did. 2. There are two reasons I know of to offer such memberships: a. For the convenience of the membership. Usually only about 10% take advantage of such offerings. b. To raise capital when in a financially stressed situation. Even that 10%'s funding might be sufficient to stave off problems. At the moment MidSouth is financially stable and is in no great need of the added funds. There are probably more but I can't think of them off hand. Continuing the Discussion Hey Bill, By all means, use the letter (email) it you would like I understand the advantages and disadvantages. I am just trying to tie up loose ends before I PCS to Kuwait for a year and would have to see my membership lapse... Maybe a compromise would be 5 year memberships at 50.00, no advantage except that it is taken care of for that period.... All The Best, John Underwood John: I was thinking you were more interested in a very LONG term memberships. Things such as multi year memberships ARE currently done by several members, mostly like you want as a matter of convenience. Also, for members with APO/FPO addresses we're very liberal about extending memberships, realizing the distances and time lags for the last class mail that the Dispatch uses. The MOST important thing is that when you are reassigned you let us know your new address (this holds for ALL members who move). CMR's and the USPS in general are not always up to it when it comes to forwarding mail and letting us know about the move (Look at the case of Maj (Chaplain) Grant Johnson. When he moved from Korea to Ft. Bliss TX the Central Mail Room returned one Dispatch as undeliverable because he had PCS'd and they didn't know where he went. Fortunately we did. Back to Dispatch March 2001 Table of Contents Back to Dispatch List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2001 by HMGS Mid-South This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com