Kevin,
I must disagree to some extent.
For some of us, raising our dues will eliminate the possibility of maintaining our membership. It's not simply a matter of commitment, etc. It is a matter of having the funds available. Right now, for example, my membership is lapsed but I will renew it as soon as possible. I am sure my situation is not entirely unique.
I am sure there are other ways we can raise money.
It occured to me as I was reading this, can we do 'fundraisers' of some sort for the guild?
For example, could we hold some kind of workshop -build a shed, for example- direct the proceeds of this (minus minimal expenses)
to the guild, and sell the frame and give that to the guild? Just one example. This would entail volunteer work -find people who would be willing to do the work for the guild, not themselves.
To me, this sort of thing shows a higher level of commitment than paying your dues. For some, those with money to spare, it's easy to pay dues and say you are committed to the guild without ever actually doing anything for the guild. Dues help, yes, and are important. But others can't help in the financial areas -we need other opportunities.
