While we all understand that costs do increase, it does seem hard to justify a 67% increase in the membership fee without some detailed explanation from someone at the MAA. This is especially true for those with high medical bills and/or on a fixed income. Where are the costs increasing? What is being done to contain those costs? Is there anything preventing the MAA from voluntarily posting an up-to-date financial statement on its web site?

Without such an explanation, it seems hard to justify the increase given that the level of service provided by the MAA has not increased, and has arguably decreased. The Outlook (and its sister publication for JDMS, JM Messenger) is a great resource, even if some of the information in it is dated by the time it gets to the membership. However, the KIT ("Keep In Touch") program does not have the momentum it once had - some non-MAA local support groups (such as Jim's group) are doing better than corresponding KIT groups. Also, the MAA web site is in serious need of a refreshening and updating - information about the 2001 annual conference is still not listed there (see http://www.myositis.org/conference2.html). In the business world, less than 7 months is often simply not enough lead time to plan such a trip, and that is no less true outside the business world.

Just wanted everyone to be aware of this.