What do you think?

[Seth Hegert]

well i wanted to get some opinions on what happened tonight. i live in Ellijay ga approximately 140 miles round trip at $3.29 a gallon. that's a half tank in my truck, 8 gallons and a 3 hours round trip to the atlanta chapter, quarterly meeting in marrietta ga. i checked the web site prior to my departure http://www.nachiatlanta.org/default....ive_page_id=65 for the meeting schedule.(the site has been updated to include the $25.00 fee in red letters) It used to say:
"Our Meetings Free of Charge and Open To All"
with the meeting place and months listed, nowhere $25.00 per attendee. so when i arrived and shook hands with the 6 in attendance(down from a constant 30+/- every month) and settled in and then was ask for my $25.00 i was a little shocked. I explained that i did not have the $25.00. Earl Beahm-chapter president said "well you need to leave." I was shocked again, i said "i need to leave; i'm spending $30.00 in gas just to come". as i make the drive to help support the chapter and maybe learn something new. at one time i was driving 180 miles round trip and up to three hours in atlanta rush hour and an hour and forty-five to come back. to be at the meetings in tucker ga at 6:30. i would say have made an extraordinary effort. i proceeded to explain that i had no idea that there was a fee. Earl replied you should have checked the web site, well i did and again later and it said “free.” Earl said "what do you expect me to do?" i explained that i would have sent an e-mail to all the chapter members explaining the charge. Earl said "i do not need to baby sit." i was shocked again. so instead of making a big seen i said " i do not agree and i will not be back because of this" with a shrug and his back sitting down to eat from Earl. i said goodbye to all 5 of the other members and walked out.

well got home and checked the site again and what did i find nothing about that $25.00 charge on the meeting schedule page but "free". it is mentioned under announcements. i do not check the page frequently as it is update very rarely. when i do it is to make sure the meeting has not changed locations. although earl sends an email out about any changes and nachi info.

i am a little stunned at the reaction from Earl. Before the meeting, months ago that the vote for the changes was take place i spoke with earl ( I was unable to attend). we talked over some ideas and one was a charge, i even suggested the later start time for the meetings. that with a later start time and less atlanta traffic more may come. there was even the mention of disbanding the chapter all together. i believe there was an email after the meeting sent to all chapter members explaining the changes in time and frequency, no mention of the $25.00. i cannot locate it now but will try and locate it and update this info.

i would like to know anyone’s opinion on what has happened tonight. if you want to stay anonymous do not log in.

thank you seth hegert

ps i apologize in advance for the grammar

[Emmanuel J. Scanlan]

Seth,

The North Texas INACHI Chapter has open meetings, free to anyone that wants to attend, regardless of their affiliations. We have fantastic vendors who support the chapter and even buy the dinner for that evening, nothing fancy but it is good food. The meeting place is provided free by Kaplan Schools. We have vendors attend often and even provide door prizes for the night. North Texas INACHI treats our vendor partners, and any who attend, just as if they are part of North Texas INACHI.

Have Earl call the North Texas INACHI President and discuss ways their chapter can prevent the attendance fee charge.

[Peter Doane]

Pretty shameful to treat a fellow NACHI Bro. like that. Sorry you were treated like that Seth. ESPECIALLY WHEN HERE:
http://www.nachiatlanta.org/default....tive_page_id=1

At NACHI, We Help Each Other

We are the oldest Georgia Chapter in the NACHI family and encourage all Home Inspectors in the Southeast to attend our monthly meetings. There are no dues required to be a member of this local Chapter. We believe in the value of sharing ideas and information without imposing costs on the members. This sets us apart.
So, make time to come and see what NACHI is all about and the benefits of becoming a NACHI Certified Home Inspector. You'll grow your business and enhance your career knowledge at the same time. We look forward to meeting you personally at our next meeting!

[Joseph Burkeson, CMI]

It is a shame this miscommunication played out the way it did and that you were offended, but the connection that NACHI & free are synonymous should be broken.

In the beginning to gain members Nick would fund meetings around the country... Those days are over. Anyone who is part of the leadership of any association realizes that the free model is not conducive to long term growth & commitment. Again I feel bad that you suffered from this but chapters will need resources in which to build a foundation and grow. Besides it is only when you have something at stake that you are truly willing to commit and work to build something.

The best ASHI chapters in the country have dues structures that exceed their national chapter dues because they provide all of the continuing education and create a platform to market together on the web and through print media. This type of success only comes about by pooling resources and directing them to benefit the whole group.

[Michael R. Boyett]

I can see where you would be confused. Direct from the chapter website:

Our meetings free of charge and open to all

we meet on the third thursday of january, april, july and october at the piccadilly cafeteria in marietta, georgia. You'll find details below. Our meetings are casual and informal. The agenda for each meeting will be posted here as it becomes finalized each month. So check back often.
also, please email me in advance to let me know you're planning to attend the meeting. Just use the contact form here on the website.

attend our next meeting on....

thursday, october 16, 2008

7:30pm -9:00pm. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 and ends no later than 9:00. Come early if you plan to eat. Please see the announcements page for details.

[Earl E. Beahm, Jr]

To set the record straight in response to Seth Hegert's post:

First of all I totally over reacted and wholeheartedly apologize to Seth.

Our "Meeting Schedule" page does in fact say "Free of Charge". This should have been changed. I wish I had paid the dog darned $25.00 for him myself, but, it is what it is and here's what it is...

How hard can it be to understand (what I have copied from the Chapter web site under this post? Please see below) Could it be any clearer?

This is the "ANNOUNCEMENTS" page from the Chapter web site! This is where everyone goes for information about the upcoming meetings. Every other person attending the meeting new full well about the changes that were made and the monetary charges posted!

Our meetings were FREE as of our July meeting when the motion was made denoting that, "What is free many times seems to have no value!". So it was voted on, and passed to have a $25.00 charge for the meetings. This included dinner, with any monies left over to be accrued for future Chatper functions, banners, flyers, etc. This was set to begin with the Chapter meeting set for 10/16/08. This was posted on the web site as indicated below. Maybe if our members would attend more meetings, they would not only be more involved in the process, but would also be more informed about the Chapter business.

By the way, just for the record, Seth attended the Jan and Feb meetings, missed the March, April, May, June and July meetings. July was when we decided to go to quarterly meetings. I have no problem with people not attending the meetings, I just wanted this on the record. Again, if you do not want to be involved or don't want to attend the meetings, you should at least go to the web site for information about the meetings. By the way, speaking of involvement, if you noticed, Seth only has 11 posts on this site since 6/30/06.

We are all very busy and are all professional business people. I don't think anyone in this chapter should have to be sent an email on every change that's made in the Chapter business. They have every opportunity to show up at our meetings or to go to the Chapter web site to learn about what's going on.

Here is the actual Chapter "Announcement" page! Go to www.nachiatlanta.org and click on the announcements page to view this for yourself. All fonts and print sizes are as listed on the site.

Any and all comments are welcome and appreciated.

Earl Beahm
InterNachi Atlanta Chapter President


Members,


WE HAVE A NEW VENUE AND NEW DAY FOR OUR NEXT MEETING!!!





MEETINGS WILL NOW BE HELD ON A QUARTERLY BASIS!



The meetings will be held on the 3rd Thursday of:

January, April, July, October


There is a MANDATORY $25.00 charge to attend the meetings which includes dinner and a beverage and will be collected prior to all meetings.




MEETINGS WILL BEGIN AT 7:30 PM SHARP !! They will be held at the Piccadilly Cafeteria in Marietta.



Your attendance will be greatly appreciated.


Our next meeting will be held on THURSDAY , THAT'S RIGHT - THURSDAY NOT TUESDAY. It will be on Thursday October 16, 2008 at:







Piccadilly Cafeteria

536 Cobb Parkway SE

Marietta, GA 30062

770-422-7121

Just South of the Big Chicken




For detailed driving directions, go to Mapquest.com and enter the address above for your destination.

[Nick Gromicko]

Dump your site and use www.nachi.org/chaptersites.htm which automate everything for you.

[Nick Gromicko]

Earl is a good man.

Earl I covered this one for ya.

Seth, we renewed your membershp for next year ($289)...No charge.

And you have a free pass (for you and anyone you attend with) to our www.nachi.org/atlanta2008.htm meeting coming up.

And we are shipping you something you'll enjoy.

We cool?

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Sounds like the excuse and blame game to me. There is a link specified for "meeting schedule". The man is driving 70 miles and checking the schedule before he leaves. And you expect him to, what? Go over every link on your web page looking for information contrary to what is already posted?

Then you bring up the number of posts he has to, "have it on the record". For what purpose? To blame him? To pass the buck? Because he doesn't post very often? How weak.

And he missed some meetings. He drives 70 miles one way. It was at the time with the highest gas prices and shortages. You drive what? 15 miles to the venue? Another attempt at blame.

And you don't think the members should be sent an email with something of this importance? And you call yourself a professional businessman? A true professional that is President of an organization should be making sure the membership receives important information. It would take maybe 5 minutes to send out a group email.

Shame on you.

[Nick Gromicko]

Stephen, who are you referring to?

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Nick, I was referring to Earl's post. I started to post and then had to lock the horses in. It took a while to finish and you posted in the meantime.

Steve

[Nick Gromicko]

OK. I'm going to take care of Seth in a couple big ways to make it up to him.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Originally Posted by gromicko

OK. I'm going to take care of Seth in a couple big ways to make it up to him.

I saw that. Nice job Nick. Will see you on Monday or Tuesday at ITA. Just flying in for the day.

[Earl E. Beahm, Jr]

Nick, Thanks for your help.
Stephen, I read you loud and clear.
Seth, again, I apologize.
Earl

[Peter Doane]

Now this is the NACHI I love. Good Job Earl! Nick,...as always going above and beyond to fix a problem!