The following are serious questions, and are not meant as anything else. This is not a setup, entrapment, or any kind of sting. I would appreciate getting serious, straightforward, non-emotional answers.
In light of the recent threads concerning TRA, since I'm not a member, I decided to take a look to see if it would be worthwhile to join. So, I went to the Tripoli website to review the costs, etc. relating to becoming a member. This is the first time that I have ever looked at the Tripoli site.
First, when I looked at the 'joining' page, it said that I must sign that I accepted to follow the by-laws of the association. Now, as a general rule (having been burned in the past), I don't sign things without reading them. I have also heard tales on rmr from folks complaining that rules had been put forth with no proof, etc. So, I looked all over the website, and can't find out where the bylaws are. Where is the URL for them? If they are not available, can anyone comment on how legally binding an agreement is if the agreement itself is not disclosed?
Next, I looked at the 'insurance' page, in order to see what the coverage and such is, I'm disturbed by a couple of things. The question "why is insurance so expensive" says that because insurance is global, and TRA is international, that the cost is inordinately high. I'd frankly like to know how many (percentage) of members are international, and what the price difference would be if the insurance covered US only. I'm somewhat at a loss as to how one insurance company would cover insurance in, for example, China. I also note that the insurance page indicates it was last updated in February of 2002, but under the question "Who can I or a landowner contact for more information", the answer is "This is still being addressed", and under the question "What do I do in the event of a potential loss" it says "Click on the Link below for the document" (referring to the accident report form), but where it says "Accident Report Form" it also says "should be available in a few days".
None of the above gives me a very good feeling about how the organization is operating. I'm further concerned because there are apparently ongoing concerns about the delivery of issues of the magazine, and frankly, if I'm going to pay such an exorbitant price for a magazine (though it's claimed to be discounted), I'd like to know who is actually responsible for it. Since the check is made out to TRA, I would have to assume that TRA is responsible, especially since it is part of the application form.
Last, I looked at the 'Documents/Miscellaneous' page, and it shows the results for the 2002 election. Now, if there is not an election every year, this makes sense, but if there is an annual election of any sort, I would be a bit disturbed if there is still no results (I won't go into the disturbing nomenclature I found WITHIN the election results--such as the 'assumption' that since they received a few phone calls about late delivery of the voting ballots, they would accept phone calls only from those who complained, and that since no phone calls were received, there must not have been any problems/discrepancies). So, since I can find no bylaws, can anyone tell me how often elections are held, how many directors there are, and how long their terms are for?
Thanks in advance, I would appreciate 'thoughtful' answers only, please. Anyone wanting to 'rant', please take it to the next door down the hall...
David Erbas-White