OCW Business

Sep 3, 2011 by Angella

by Sue Miholer, OCW Business Manager

’Tis the season to renew your OCW membership. Even if you can’t attend the conference October 15, you can use the registration form in this newsletter to renew and/or join for the first time. Please check the expiration date near your address on the back page of this newsletter. For many of you, the date will be October 1, 2011, or earlier, which means “Renew Now.” No date means “Join Now.”

“So what’s the big deal about being an OCW member?” I’m glad you asked. From a strictly financial viewpoint, you receive a discount on your conference fees—$25 less than nonmembers pay for one-day conferences and $50 less for the summer conference. That’s a savings of $125 if you attend all four conferences each year. Such a deal.

Another benefit is the monthly e-newsletter, which is packed with information about writing opportunities, details on upcoming events (both OCW and non-OCW), a Q&A column with Sally Stuart, and other news about OCW and our members.

Dues have remained low for several years. It’s possible that dues will increase during the coming fiscal year to keep up with expenses, so it would be wise to renew now at the current rates:

• $36 for those under 62
• $24 for those 62 and older
• $24 for full-time students
• $48 for a couple, which can be two family members, not necessarily husband and wife

We want to inform you about a couple of changes on the business front. Sound X Design is now recording our conferences. Brad and Judy Ediger (many of you met them at the summer conference) took over for Brad’s dad, Ernie Ediger, when Ernie’s health forced him to give up his longtime ministry. Because we now work with Sound X Design in a contract arrangement, some costs may increase, but the price of CDs will not be affected initially. CDs of conference sessions can be ordered from Sound X Design. Our website has a link to the summer conference order form and their contact information is on the schedule page.

As of October 1, our accounting needs will be met by Keizer Business and Tax Service. We thank Schreffler & Co. for its many years of service to our organization.

The challenges of representing OCW in the business arena continue to increase. We never want to lose our ministry mindset, but as a not-for-profit corporation—a 501(c)(6)—we also need to mind our p’s and q’s in the business world. Thank you for allowing me to “mind the store” for you.

Feel free to email me for more information about membership or answers to questions you have about OCW. Also, I need someone to start “looking over my shoulder”—someone who could eventually assume the business manager position..I’m not planning to retire anytime soon, but the reality is that I can’t do this forever.