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I thought I'd said all I need to say on this issue, but I feel compelled to
respond to some of Mr. Porello's comments regarding the commute time/cost to
meetings, since this is frequently my situation. I don't live in the city,
but I would be more likely to commute to an STC meeting than I would be to
attend a "free" dinner or a show in the city. I only go into the city when
absolutely necessary. In my area, there are many excellent restaurants and
theatres outside of the city and closer to home.
The $25 amount is neither here nor there. If I perceived more value, I would
willingly spend it.
I am keeping an eye on the various topics offered at my chapter's meetings,
and if I find one that I think will benefit me, then I will make the effort
to get to the meetings.
As someone else (sorry I forget who) previously stated, the publications
provided by my membership is my prime reason for joining/belonging.
Suzette Leeming
Ontario, Canada
On Tue, Apr 29, 2008 at 10:59 AM, Leonard C. Porrello <
Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- soleratec -dot- com> wrote:
> Possible interpretations of John's comments:
>
> "Conflict with work" = "There isn't enough value to convince my employer
> to give me the time away from the office." If an employee could argue
> cogently that going to the meetings will result in significantly
> improved tech docs, I doubt many employers would object.
>
> "Commute time to get to meeting from work or from meeting to home" =
> "There isn't enough value to warrant the commute from my home." In other
> words, the cost is greater than the value. I bet the same people would
> have little or no problem with the commute time to a free dinner in a
> fine restaurant and Broadway show once a month.
>
> "Cannot get a mass transit connection" = "There isn't enough value to
> make the trouble of getting there worth while." I bet the same people
> would be able to find a way to get into the city for a free dinner in a
> fine restaurant and Broadway show once a month.
>
> "Takes away from family time" = "Because this is of little or no
> professional benefit, it will in no way enable me to compensate my
> family for the time it will take away from them."
>
> "Subject doesn't interest me" = stet.
>
> Regarding the financial side of things, it's arguable that people never
> say "money" because they never think, "this is too expensive." Instead,
> they think, "Hmmm, do I really want to spend $25 on an STC dinner? Maybe
> I'll go to a movie with my spouse instead or take my kids for ice
> cream."
>
> Leonard C. Porrello
>
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