[photo-3d] SSA Yearbook signing discrimination

["Dr. George A. Themelis" <drt-3d@xxxxxxx>]

Bill Walton wrote in photo-3d:

>Several SSA members brought their SSA Yearbook to the Convention and
>sometimes the autograph sessions resembled a high school class.  I
>concentrated on getting the autographs of the SSA members who donated
>money for this project which allowed it to be accomplished without
>costing SSA anything. 

I urge Bill to reconsider this discrimination policy which
is insulting to myself and possibly other SSA members who
did not remember or did not think it was important to donate
money.

Every member in the Yearbook contributed to the project
by sending their images and biographical information and
by buying a copy.

It is not really an issue of money because, as we learned from
the Treasurer's report in NSA, SSA has a lot of money in the
treasury.  There was a talk about returning some money back
to members.  Or, give a yearbook copy for free to new members.
If it were important for the Yearbook to break even, the price
could be easily raised from $9 to $10 with no harm done.

I was personally hurt and disappointed when I approached Bill
Walton during the convention and offered to sign his yearbook
(I had forgotten to bring mine so all I could offer was to
sign other people's books).  Bill gave me his usual stern
look and said that he did not want my signature because I
did not donate any money to the project.  The smile froze
in my face and it took me a while to understand what he
was saying, prompting him to ask if I was deaf.  This is
especially disappointing for me considering that I alone
contributed to the sale of about 30 yearbook copies through
my postings in the Internet and sales in the Cleveland and
Detroit Stereo Clubs.  Also, as a Secretary of the Gamma
folio for two years, I contributed countless hours to SSA
and did not ask a penny back to cover my administrative
expenses (back when email was not as common, expenses
were higher).

So Bill, please give us a break.

Thank you,

George Themelis