X-Message-Number: 8744
Date: Sat, 8 Nov 1997 19:31:22 -0700 (MST)
From:  (Dave & Trudy Pizer)
Subject: Re: CryoNet #8732 - #8740

Dave Pizer replies on Mr. Jackson's posting

Mr. Jackson asked how other Alcor directors feel, and I think that is a
reasonable request.  Here are my comments as limited time permits:

Mr. Jackson said:

snip

>I received a private communication from an Alcor member well acquainted
>with the Chamberlains, saying (to boil it down) "Be easy on Fred; he's
>always getting taken in by fast-talkers, it's cost him a lot of money over
>the years, and Michael is just the latest."
>
>I'm sorry if Fred is a perpetual and eager target, but it's not just his
>money he is playing with now. It's our organization, our reputation and our
>money. And our survival.

>>Perhaps this would be a good occasion to strongly
>>suggest a mailing list limited to Alcor suspension members....There would
>>still >be a Cryonet for issues of
>>interest to all, and to as a last resort take public issues that
>>cannot or will not be resolved internally.

I don't mind discussing these concerns in an open forum like Cryonet.  

>>BTW, Fred, you *are* planning on using the funds mostly for capital
>>rather than operating expenses, aren't you?

It is my understanding that Alcor is running about $100,000 per year
operating fund deficit considering our annual expenses above our annual
dues.  This is not new.  We have operated like this (only with smaller
numbers) for many years (perhaps since our beginning).  This deficit has
traditionaly been made up by donations and recently by the Dick Jones money
that was left to Alcor.

The Dick Jones money seems to be growing smaller each year.  Alcor is faced
with coming up with ways to raise money to cover operating expenses or
having to cut services.  It is not an easy choice.  

Before Dick Jones left us that money, we had other benefactors.  Jerry Leaf
donated countless time and benefits.  Mike Darwin worked for peanuts for
many years.  So did Hugh Hixon.  Many early Alcor workers worked for
nothing.  Saul Kent financed a lot of Alcor's early research.

There were many Alcor members I can remember who have made donation over the
years.  Some members give a certain amount every year and don't want their
names memtioned.  So even before the Dick Jones bequest, Alcor had a history
of using donations to underwrite the operating deficit.

I cannot speak for Fred but is my understanding that most of the initial
money from Life Memberships will be used to cover the operating deficit as I
have not seen any plans to cut Alcor expenses.  There are also remifications
to our tax status that doctate how the money can and cannot be used.

>That's a good question, and perhaps some of the other directors >will
>address it if Fred doesn't.

As requested above, my posting here is to give the view of at least one
other director, These are my own feelings on this and not an official Alcor
view. 

> And if Mr. Cloud is a paid consultant rather
>than a volunteer, I'd also like to know how much he is getting as >his
>"share."

I am sure Fred will disclose this as soon as he gets some figures worked up.
When I was doing fund raising work, Steve Bridge (who was president then)
posted this type of information.  "What the fundraising costs are" is a
question that I would ask if I  were considering donating or helping in a
financial way to a charity I was interested in.

snip

........> I'll now add to that: I want Alcor's
>leadership to return to the open, honest discussion of issues that we
>became accustomed to over the last few years. Talking all around a question
>and then saying "You weren't listening; you just want to fight" is NOT the
>kind of behavior that will encourage growth.

In response to above, I was the only director who voted against the Life
Membership program.  I opposed it not because of concerns about the way it
might be carried out as I did not have an understanding of how this was
going to be done.  But I was against the concept of Life Memberships since
it seems to me that is it "kinda" borrowing from future income, and my
business experience causes me to believe there be better alternatives to this.

However, I have since come to learn that some charities do offer Life
Memberships.  I must admit I don't have experience in this area.

I think we would all agree that Alcor needs to raise additional money above
the amount it takes in each year in dues if we are to continue to offer as
much service as we do.

I would suggest that members offer positive suggestions on how Alcor can
continue to try to raise money from them (our members) without Alcor
offending them.
 
----------------------------------------------------------

Tim Freeman posted


>Subject: Clouding Our Minds (was Re: CryoNet #8706 - #8707)
>
>From: Steve Jackson <>
>>the "round-table" was a pretext for a sales pitch, pushing
>>Alcor's lifetime memberships.
>
>I agree with Steve, with regard to the facts of the matter.  I dealt
>with the phone call too; after the questions about how Alcor is doing
>it was a sales pitch; I wouldn't want to do it again within a year
>or two; and I too am willing to give them an amount of money
>comparable to a lifetime membership.

snip


>.... (This doesn't lead to a conclusion
>about whether Cloud was doing a good job; one could only judge that by
>looking at the results, or by being certain that you're in the broad
>majority that should have found his approach appealing.)


This is a good point that need to be emphasized.  We need to wait 6 months and:

1.      See how much money this raises. And see what the initial expenses were.
2.      See if we can learn to tweek and present the program in a way that
does not offend members.  (this is Fred's first attempt at this, he may
learn and get better)
3.      Learn if there are long-term costs of offering Life Memberships
(besides the saleries of fundraisors and staff and other immediate expenses)
that offset these initial gains or if this is truely beneficial to Alcor.

Remember, this is still a small program and no long-term damage is done.
The odds are Alcor will continue to learn to do better in fundraising if we
keep trying to learn. IF we don't learn to fundraise, (since our dues cannot
be raised much) we will starve for funds to do the things our members need.

Dave Pizer, Director

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