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National Dues Update: A Hard but Necessary Step
Message
from LMPS Commander John Klein, AP
April 17, 2026
As we steer through the changing tides of membership trends, I want to share
some important updates regarding our national dues structure. Like many
organizations today, ABC National has been facing the reality of declining
membership numbers, inflation, and the financial pressure that follows.
To ensure we stay afloat and continue providing the education and community
impact we value, the national ABC organization recently engaged in rigorous
discussions at the national meeting. The result is a three-pronged
approach designed
to stabilize our financial future:
-
Increase Membership: We are doubling down on growth. Our primary
engine for this is the "Power of One" initiative. The concept is
simple: if every current member brings in just one new person, we can
transform our organization overnight.
-
Decrease Costs: National has already taken difficult steps to lean out
operations, including the reduction of one full-time position and a decrease
in part-time staff hours.
-
Dues Adjustment: After a split and difficult vote, it was decided that
a dues increase is necessary to maintain our standards of service.
The New Dues Structure
Effective April
17, 2026,
for new members and for renewals with a "paid through" date after April
30, 2026,
the rates will adjust as follows:
-
Individual Members: $10 increase
-
Family Units: $20 increase
-
Life Family: $10 increase
This was not a decision made lightly; the split vote reflects just how much we
value the affordability of our squadron. However, to keep our mission
moving forward, we must invest in our collective future.
I encourage each of you to take the Power
of One to
heart. By sharing your passion for the water and the LMPS mission with a friend
or neighbor, you aren't just helping the club—you’re ensuring that ABC and the
Lake Murray Power Squadron remain a vibrant home for boaters for years to come.
See you on the water.
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