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It sometimes seems like, just as things seem to be going pretty well, something happens to make things more complicated again.
The good news is that we'll be testing in a week. Richard and I will be going for 2nd kyu. Overall, I feel pretty secure in the techniques I need to know. I still need to do a little research on the oral exam part of the test, but things should go well.
The unrest is about dues. Our dues will be going up from 55 to 65 or 70/month in the next month or so. To me, this isn't a big deal (for a number of reasons, but not because I'm rich), but a couple of students are worried about it. Our instructor has been pretty candid about the necessity of raising dues, an attititude I find admirable. The conflict is that some feel we should do more to raise enrollment rather than raise dues. Those who feel that way are in favor of some gimmicks for bringing people in the door. This is an approach that our instructor is not willing to try, and that upsets those who are in favor of it.
I tend to agree with our instructor. I especially dislike the practice of having people pay for three months of training up front, and then counting on them to not come back after a month of two.
In any event, I'm sure things will work out in the end. The strange thing last night was that everyone bent my ear after our instructor left last night. I suggested that those who really want to rais attendance should offer to administrate the discount programs so that our instructor doesn't have to. I also suggested that we approach the two problems of raising dues and raising attendance separately.
I think my advice had some good effect. I hope so, anyway.
07-23-2004 02:38 PM 