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~ema~ ~emher ~u~±es We are all a family. Some members of the family bave caused us prob%ems that threatened to destroy us. But as a family we must -- and with your support, we will -- pull together to solve the problem and to continue our strong voice in Washington, on the Hill, and in the federal agencies. Because underneath the exterior structure, there still lives a healthy, strong, and vibrant association. And let me assure you, as I did the Board of Directors, that this ocganization will return to the priorities on which it was founded -- lobbying and the im- provement of county governments throughout the nation. The decisions made by .the board in its extensive day-long session were unques- tionably difficult. And they were not something that any of us took lightly. But it was something we did to ensure NACo can continue to meet our goals. To assist in solving NACo~s problems we have had long meetings with a local bank. That bank in turn has required NACo to show immediate financial support from the membership in the form of a dues increase and a special service fee. The board responded overwhelmingly by passing the following resolutions: o Counties will pay increased dues beginning in 1983, amounting to either 15 percent increase of their 1982 dues or a shift to 1980 census, whichever is greater. It is important to remember that, unlike most all membership organizations, NACo has not raised its membership dues since the early 1970's. o Each county will also be asked to immediately support a one- time service fee of 50 percent of the county's 1982 dues to be Paid to NACo by December 31, 19~2. In return, the board will arrange that this fee offset future dues. o NACo will also issue promissory notes at 10 percent interest per annum, due November 1~ 1987, to state associations and other state associations willing no advance funds to the organization. Now, you the membership must make the decision that this organization is what you want. And I am confident that you will. We have important lobbying work to do in 1983. General Revenue Sharing is up for reauthorization in the com-. lng months. As difficult as a dues increase and special service fee are for each of us to bear given current economic realities, that money pales in com- parison to the benefits each of our counties reaps from revenue sharing funds. Without a concerted effort by all of us, revenue sharing could have taken a much different form when it was created in 1972, and again in 1976 and 1980, when it was reauthorized. Without our united e~forts would this program have continued? I seriously doubt it.