As I navigated through the SHA Web site to renew my membership and pay out
an additional $20, the thought occurred to me to ask why SHA does not more
readily adapt to the electronic world to cut its costs and the costs passed
on to its members By paying my dues electronically, I have eliminated
another piece of paper arriving via the USPS. A payment system is possible
that eliminates most processing by the SHA. I also would elect to receive my
newsletters in Adobe PDF format if the option were available. Renewal
notices and election information: send them along electronically, too.

Is there any way for the SHA to explore a sliding dues structure to cut the
dues for folks who elect to conduct their business with the organization and
who are amenable to electronic publications (I like my Historical
Archaeology in its traditional paper format just fine!)? Membership in the
SHA is worth every penny, I just think that with the increasing options for
paper to electronic conversion, the costs do not need to keep increasing.

David Rotenstein.