X-Message-Number: 17775 Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2001 19:32:22 -0400 From: fair4us <> Subject: Answer on Alcor Membership Statistics Several days ago, I questioned the "new member" statistics posted in "This Week at Alcor" by Jennifer Chapman, Alcor Membership Administrator. I questioned them because it appeared to me that they might be unduly inflated by a number of former Alcor members returning to Alcor. In an email to me, Ms. Chapman stated there were "a few" such persons in the numbers cited, and she said "In my opinion these would still be considered new memberships." When I asked for a more precise answer, I received "In general, 2 - 4 of the total finalizations were returning members." I am not sure if I agree with the idea that those are "new" members. Long ago, no doubt, some Membership Administrator took credit for these folks already, as "new members." That they left and came back only muddies the waters. In the latest "This Week at Alcor," Ms. Chapman states that there are presently "approximately 90 individuals applying for membership." We are left to wonder how many of these are also returning members. I am not trying to say this is a good or bad thing that Alcor is getting members back, but to try to get a handle on how many are really "new." Perhaps someone else at Alcor can provide some data that is less approximate? My original post follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- In the recent "This Week at Alcor," Jennifer Chapman reported the following: "... membership growth statistics for the third quarter. Of particular interest, it was noted that sixteen new memberships were approved, although a loss of seven members also occurred. Overall, there was a net gain between July 1 and September 30 of nine new members, which maintains the current net average of three new memberships per month. A comparison was also made between the average monthly statistics reported in 2000 as compared to this year. For example, the number of membership finalizations has increased by 25%, cancellations have increased 53%, and the net gain of new members has grown by 6.5% thus far in 2001." She further explained that most of the losses were from international members who quit. Not explained is the source of the 16 new members. How many of these are former Alcor members who quit to form CryoCare (or for other reasons), and have now returned to the fold? And since these are not really exactly "new" members, how would the exclusion of those from the above figures change the percent increase in membership finalizations, and net gain of new members percentage, mentioned above? Also, how would it change the statistics reported in the following statement? ... "To emphasize the significant impact this has had on the organization, it is astonishing to realize that the net membership growth rate would be approximately + 40 % for 2001 as compared to 2000 (rather than + 6.5 %) if this unfortunate occurrence had not taken place." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Nothing below this line: ---------------------------------------------------- Sign Up for NetZero Platinum Today Only $9.95 per month! http://my.netzero.net/s/signup?r=platinum&refcd=PT97 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=17775