(Notice: These are our personal views and are in no way endorsed or underwritten by NSSL, ERL, NOAA, or DoC.)
Funny ... we don't recall being asked by AMS management if we wanted a copy of this self-congratulatory issue of Weatherwise. Nor were we consulted about the use of AMS funds to support the creation of the issue in the first place. This sort of approach reminds us of the recent AMS meeting at Dallas. Again without asking any of us if it was what we wanted at the annual meeting, we were given "gifts" that included an AMS tote bag and a plastic paperweight. Presumably, the cost for these items was included in the registration fees. Not long ago, most of us received an AMS membership directory; a considerable convenience to be sure (in spite of containing the inevitable errors), but again a "gift" that must have been supported by our contributions. To our knowledge, the membership was not given the chance to ask for this convenience; it was simply a fait accompli. If the project to "celebrate" the 75th Anniversary required a publication, would it not be more reasonable to have those interested in having a copy pay for it, and not use Society funds to provide every member with this "gift," whether or not we actually wanted it?
In our previous discussions about AMS finances, we have focused on other issues than the precise disposition of our society's resources. Receiving this "free" magazine has driven us to consider the process by which our resources (Whose Society is it?) are being spent. The decision-making process is clearly going on behind the closed doors of the Executive Committee and, to a much lesser extent, the compliant Council. We members are not presented with the chance to consider the options; rather, we are presented with the results. Is this how you want your Society to operate? Is this how you want decisions to be made concerning Society resources? Are you pleased with the way the Society is dispensing your personal contributions in dues and subscriptions? Is your place of employment supporting your attendance at conferences and do you think your registration fees are being spent wisely on tote bags and paperweights? How might this affect the budget where you work and could you spend those resources in ways more beneficial to you and your work?
We recognize that the Society staff needs to be able to do things without going to the membership every time! Much of the day-to-day business of the society seems to be quite obviously serving the interests of the members. Perhaps all that is needed is to send the message to the Society staff that restraint needs to be exercised in spending AMS resources for "gift" items of the sort we have described. We are trying to be reasonable in this process ... but ... how many student scholarships could this gratuitous issue of Weatherwise have financed? How far could the costs of attending conferences be reduced if we eliminated the sort of trifling "gifts" the AMS gave out? How do you feel about having the Society asking you to send the AMS additional support in the form of the 75th Anniversary Campaign Fund, when it is spending tens of thousands of dollars to send you a "free" copy of Weatherwise?
We continue to believe that the time has come to re-assert member control over the policies of the Executive Committee. We have already sought your opinions concerning AMS policies elsewhere. Is it not in your best interests to respond? Do you think we need an amendment to the AMS constitution to curb this frivolous spending? If you choose not respond to us, at least let the AMS management hear from you! Are you willing to be "bought off" with such "benefits" and not take firm control over the resouces of your Society? Now is as good a time as any to take back control of the AMS!