DISCLAIMER: If this seems somewhat gloomy, it was written in February while I was snowed in and suffering from cabin fever!

With the United States and the world still in the depths of economic struggle, so does the board of AERC struggle with economic affairs. While the demographics of our organization point toward mature and more economically secure members, that is not the case for all.

Many in this country are out of work or have taken pay cuts, and discretionary income does not exist, or at least in the form that it did in past years. Some AERC riders who once enjoyed the travel and competition of endurance can no longer afford that luxury.

At the risk of sounding like Chicken Little (those of you who know me, know better) the board of directors has some hard work ahead of them. Our numbers are down. Membership and ride fees are a large source of the revenue that keeps AERC afloat and both areas have decreased in the last year.

The organization will continue to serve its members in its usual fine form, but some areas have been cut and more are on the chopping block. For example, Trail Master classes were cut in half for 2010 and the bevy of national and regional awards are getting a long hard look. The yearbook was scaled back and incorporated into Endurance News to save $15,000 in postage and printing.

The 10% decrease in membership is disconcerting.

With limited distance riders accounting for 40% of ride fees in 2009, it is evident that the shorter distances are appealing to more and more members. This concept is hard for us diehard old-timers who still like to think of endurance as 100 miles in one day, but "the times they are a changin'" and it is becoming evident that we must change with them.

The focus on new membership that is stirring on the board level will zero in on recreational riders who would like to join AERC members in rides that feature beautiful, marked trails and companionship with the safety net of management and veterinary controls. Hopefully those riders will stay with us, become members and move up in distance. Plans are afoot to attract and keep more members who will attend rides and the convention, and maybe become ride managers and advocates.

I reported in this column a year ago that board members faced challenging times ahead. They continue, and we continue to work hard to bring you the sport we all love. Mentor a new rider this year, foster good relations with recreational riders, put on a ride, and help us help AERC to stay strong and solvent.