View Full Version : What non-strictly-essential memberships do you hold?
gimmethesimplelife
6-4-18, 7:29pm
Just curious. To start off with, I am a member of the Phoenix Art Museum and recoup the annual membership fee back several times over every year as I go regularly.....they have a fascinating Asian Arts sections that I never tire of no matter how many times I see the collection. What memberships do you'all hold?
PS For anyone following my posts regularly, I have been away for awhile catching up on my life after Season and then there's also been a number of police brutality incidents that have taken place lately and I have of course been engaging in activism against that as I do live in the 85006. But I'll be here more often now. Rob
We hold library foundation memberships mostly so we can go to the early bird 6X a year library sales events. Our library system is amazing.
I am a quilt guild member for the monthly meetings, national teacher workshops and shows.
Other than that, we don't belong to groups.
iris lilies
6-4-18, 8:01pm
Our neighborhood association, the Park Conservancy organization for our local park, Missouri Botanical Gardens, St Louis Art Museum, Campbell House (historic house), American Iris Society, North American Lily Society, Garden Guild (dues go to National Garden Club,) Bulldog Club of America, St. Louis Bulldog Club.
I dont know what an “essential” membership would be.
I belong to most of these as an active member and in some cases a board member. I am not just a dues paying person.
Yearly state park pass so we can go hiking... a whopping $13! Guess that does not constitute a membership though but definitely nonessential. Also, AAA for travel and a groupon discounted Costco membership that, hopefully, will pay for itself??
American Statistical Association, American Planning Organization, NRA, ACLU, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Intersex Campaign for Equality, American Radio Relay League, ...
Local botanical garden, AAA, local trails group (money is used to buy tools to build more trails). Used to also belong to local hiking club but we never went.
And a professional group (Scrum Alliance).
Just curious. To start off with, I am a member of the Phoenix Art Museum and recoup the annual membership fee back several times over every year as I go regularly.....they have a fascinating Asian Arts sections that I never tire of no matter how many times I see the collection. What memberships do you'all hold?
PS For anyone following my posts regularly, I have been away for awhile catching up on my life after Season and then there's also been a number of police brutality incidents that have taken place lately and I have of course been engaging in activism against that as I do live in the 85006. But I'll be here more often now. Rob
Rob: Interesting thread idea! Much appreciated. Hope to see you around often again.
I donate to/am a member of:
-ACLU
-Planned Parenthood (I am proud to say I donated specifically to the $8 million Abortionplex; Linked here: https://www.theonion.com/planned-parenthood-opens-8-billion-abortionplex-1819572640)
-Humanist Community of Central Ohio
In the past I have donated to/been a member of:
-A local gun club (love blasting clay pigeons!)
-WOSU
-Simply Living of Central Ohio
I donate to/am a member of:
-Planned Parenthood (I am proud to say I donated specifically to the $8 million Abortionplex; Linked here: https://www.theonion.com/planned-parenthood-opens-8-billion-abortionplex-1819572640)
https://media.tenor.com/images/eb0f641be14327f20dc5ca5c219395d7/tenor.gif
Portland Japanese Garden. Even though I live 2500+ miles away, when I visited there on business I was blown away and compelled to support them.
Local watershed organization.
Master Gardeners group in my county
Qualitative Research Consultants Association
iris lilies
6-4-18, 9:06pm
I did donate to the ACLU within the past two years but did not want to be a “member” And dont remember if it was at a membership level donation.I did it because they co-filed a lawsuit about something that now escapes me, but I was in favor of the suit.
ApatheticNoMore
6-4-18, 9:07pm
AAA
a gym membership
AAA, EAA, AOPA, NRA, Kingsway Country Club, Twin Isles country club, Edison and Ford winter estate, and a few local gun clubs. Im sure there are a few more. There are memberships for quite a few things these days.
iris lilies
6-4-18, 10:29pm
AAA
a gym membership
I joined a gym recently, it was during the endless winter. Also am a Weight Watchers member.
iris lilies
6-4-18, 11:43pm
Well, now I remember that
I am a member of
ikebana International. Also, I belong to an Ikenobo study group wher we pay $5 per session that we attend. Ikenobo is one school of Ikebana.
we will likely join a thing or two in Hermann, MO. Likely the garden club there and perhaps the Brush snd Palette Club.
DAN - Divers Alert Network
NRA Life member
ISRA - Illinois State Rifle Association
Teacher Terry
6-5-18, 12:36am
Salvation Army, Planned Parent H and many other progressive organizations.
ToomuchStuff
6-5-18, 1:25am
None.
My memberships that I have, are essentials. They are provided as part of my job and for the benefit of my job, as well as me.
Right now, I don't have time for any benefit I would gain from non essential ones, as I am working 6 days a week and was asked if I could/would work 7 days a week, 12 hour days. (can't do that again)
Gardenarian
6-5-18, 3:16am
Oregon Shakespeare Festival (we live in town and attend frequently.)
OLLI (an adult education program. I have taken many courses. $175 per year for unlimited classes in everything from politics to yoga to watercolers.)
Friends of the Library
Community Emergency volunteers
Many others that don't require much active participation, i.e. national, and international environmental groups, PP, liberal stuff.
AAA-$112/yr, Quilt group called Stashbusters for $50/yr (we get 13 free patterns so it's a total win!) State Park Pass $10/yr and that's all folks;)
AARP - mainly for the discounts.
CORP of Engineers Pass - Pass holders receive free entrance to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-operated sites that charge day use fees. Great access for Kayaking.
That is it for now.
I also do not know what an "essential" membership is. I would hold all of mine/ours to be non-essential. But...
AAA (insured through AAA insurance so we get a discount by being AAA members that more than offsets the cost of membership)
AARP (actually DW's)
ACLU
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Iowa State University Alumni Association
Jazz88 FM (listener-supported radio station playing jazz and roots music)
Minnesota State Fair Foundation (I love the Fair. It gets no public funds through taxation so the Foundation funds capital improvements and larger maintenance projects)
our food co-op
Square Dance Minnesota (funds dancing clubs and also provides insurance in case of an injury at a dance)
Umm, that's it.
certification in psychiatric nursing. Optional but it makes me a better nurse. Lots of continuing education. Arizona doesn’t require that for nurses. Get your degree and you’re good until requirement. It’s kind of scary ...
iris lilies
6-5-18, 10:22am
I also do not know what an "essential" membership is. I would hold all of mine/ours to be non-essential. But...
AAA (insured through AAA insurance so we get a discount by being AAA members that more than offsets the cost of membership)
AARP (actually DW's)
ACLU
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Iowa State University Alumni Association
Jazz88 FM (listener-supported radio station playing jazz and roots music)
Minnesota State Fair Foundation (I love the Fair. It gets no public funds through taxation so the Foundation funds capital improvements and larger maintenance projects)
our food co-op
Square Dance Minnesota (funds dancing clubs and also provides insurance in case of an injury at a dance)
Umm, that's it.
Wait—dude! You went to ISU? dH has a lifetime alumnae membership there. He and I met in Ames.
How can your state fair not get any tax funds? That is a crime.State fAirs rock .
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Milwaukee Zoological Society
AAA
Government Finance Officers Association
Officer of the Local Habitat for Humanity Affiliate
Teacher Terry
6-5-18, 1:58pm
I forgot about AARP.
Wait—dude! You went to ISU? dH has a lifetime alumnae membership there. He and I met in Ames.
Yup. Cyclone here. :)
How can your state fair not get any tax funds? That is a crime.State fAirs rock .
State fair do rock!
From the State Fair Web site:
The fair is governed by the Minnesota State Agricultural Society. [...] The society finances the annual production of the fair and is responsible for all capital work and maintenance of the fairgrounds, classified as state property. The fair’s income comes from ticket sales, licensing of commercial exhibit space, the rental of fair facilities for non-fair events, and other areas. Expenses include extensive services for fair guests such as Park & Ride buses, sanitation, police protection, and free stage entertainment, as well as fairgrounds plant operations and administration.
In addition, in a typical year, the society will invest $6 million to $7 million in fairgrounds improvement and maintenance. The state invests nothing. <-- emphasis mine
Minnesota's fair is the second biggest in the country, not far behind the Texas fair, which runs about three times longer (ours is only 10 days). It's "a deal" here. I try to go 2-3 times a year myself.
The only one I belong to is the Denver Field Ornithologists. I dropped several professional affiliations that were part of my previous lifetime.
Some times I think it is unfortunate some of the traditional organizations have lost favor. Some were probably a guise to network with local business people, but also had altruistic intentions and fellowships. My dad was in the Elks, Lions Club, and Masons and my mother had some similar affiliations. I have a friend in the Optimist Club but no other people I know of in similar organizations. I'm not a joiner, but they do have some attraction.
Gardenarian
6-6-18, 4:10am
Oh yes, food co-op - forgot that one.
And Amazon Prime. Or is that mandatory now?
iris lilies
6-6-18, 8:47am
And Amazon Prime. Or is that mandatory now?
It is a stupid thing and I hate to confess that I am a Prime victim.
But it isnt a membership in the way that the OP considers, I think.Neither is gym membership, I suppose.
gimmethesimplelife
6-6-18, 8:20pm
Rob: Interesting thread idea! Much appreciated. Hope to see you around often again.Thank You, Ultralight. Rob
As a horse person I am a member of the ApHC -Appaloosa Horse Club ( lifetime) a new member of the APHA -American Paint Horse Association, PtHA - Pinto Horse Association ( just joined so I could get the lower rate to transfer my new horse into my name) AQHA - American Quarter Horse Association, NSBA- National Snaffle Bit Association ( a lot of the shows I go to are NSBA approved)
A gym membership that I should use more often. AAA and US Rider ( an equine version of AAA)
IshbelRobertson
6-9-18, 5:54am
National Trust for Scotland, which gives me free entry to many stately homes, castles etc in both Scotland and England. We use our memberships all the time and the annual fes pay for themselves many times over in a year.
I joined the local Elks Lodge this past year. I have a so-far unused gym membership. AARP, Good Sam (for fuel discounts mostly), Passport America (saved the membership fee in one night on a trip in my motor home). Costco if that counts. I am an on again, off again member of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum which is sort of but mostly not a State Park outside of Phoenix and is awesome. When I go I figure why pay $10 when I can pay $50 for a year's pass. Then I don't go for a couple of years...
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