Randy,

I endorse the general view on this thread. It is good that they come on and good that you get them on the board to talk to members.

But it is really frustrating when it just becomes and exercise in spin and real question avoidance. Last year one of the big issues was the lower threshold for SE qualification. All of the reasons they gave for making the decision in November occurred six months earlier in April. The reasons were phony or the timing was manipulated to disadvantage those who were loyal to them to acquire SE status at the original levels. Either of those reasons questions the integrity of their communication with members.

When they refuse to acknowledge the issue and respond with avoidance doubts about the integrity of their communication are only heightened and members, who are their most loyal customers, are left even more frustrated.

The medium of a live internet chat is very poor for penetrating follow-ups when initial questions are spun or avoided. I encourage you to review the board before the date of their appearance and try to structrure and order the questions so they are pushed as much as possible to really answer the questions.

Thanks