Supporting Membership

Thank you to all that participated in the member survey by e-mail or phone. It was apparent from the information gathered in the survey and member comments, that half of MMA members didn’t see much benefit in their Muskies, Inc. membership. It was also apparent that MMA members joined MMA to support Michigan projects. MMA will remain a chapter of Muskies, Inc. which allows the chapter to maintain the legal, insurance and tax status afforded a Muskies, Inc. chapter. MMA has established a “supporting member” status that is detailed below. Within the next few weeks you can expect a letter outlining this and an application.

Purpose: To provide a membership class for those who do not wish to be members of Muskies, Inc. that want to support the projects of Michigan Muskie Alliance.

Benefits of supporting membership:
– All membership money stays in Michigan to support MMA projects.
– Figure Eight (MMA newsletter)
– Access to members area of the Michigan Muskie Alliance website

Membership:
All current members of Michigan Muskie Alliance will be sent a Donor member application with a letter explaining the purpose of the donor membership. Members that wish to remain Muskies, Inc. members will renew their Muskies, Inc. membership. The donor membership application will also include a donation form for those members that will continue their Muskies, Inc. membership but wish to make a donation to MMA.

To avoid alienating the supporting members, MMA will drop Muskies, Inc. Chapter 47 from its logo and will replace it with Preservation – Restoration – Education. PRE truly says what MMA is about, a Muskellunge conservation organization. MMA will also dissolve the Members Only Fish Contest after 2006. Instead, MMA recognize angling achievements in the newsletter in a recognition column. Personal best, First 50”, First Michigan Legal and First Muskie will be recognized in the newsletter. These people will also be recognized at the banquet and presented with a certificate of achievement.