This month marks a few things of interest to many:

• 1^st: End of the Old Year
  and the Alamo PC Learning Center at Crossroads Mall having ceased operation. (Officially December 31st was the day. It has been great, and many have been helped, but high rent declining membership, waning interest in the organization and shrinking finances forced the business decision by board members.) Also, first day of the New Year, for those who use the same calendar as the US. It should also mark the end of the Holidays, the end of Parties, the end of left over food, the end of decorations, the end of sales (but maybe not since there was less than the expected participation by consumers in December), the end of feeling like you have been awake since just before Thanksgiving, the end of slow work weeks, and the end of all the other things that come with the last 35-40 days of any year;
• 15^th: Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday;
• 19^th: Martin Luther King, Jr Day observed.

In December, after looking at a number of locations (from north west thru north east, both inside and outside of Loop 410) which had rent pricing considerably more than was suitable for our current financial condition, we finally settled on space in late December. We secured a reasonably priced ($175 per month) single office for our operations (phone lines, computers, etc.) and storage for the things we kept. It is unfortunately an upstairs office that is located at 4888 Whirlwind (78217), in northeast San Antonio (entering the business park, it is the first building on the corner with Wilson Development on the front and the address on the side).

The December BOD meeting had all six members present. A presenter for the monthly General Meeting was addressed, but the primary focus of the discussions was again on Alamo PC and the closing of the Learning Center in Crossroads Mall: the financial status of the organization, the ever declining membership, declining class participation, major expenses, etc., plus the future of the Alamo PC Organization. At the conclusion of the discussions, it was once again painfully reaffirmed that the Learning Center, and its associated expenses, was the largest drain on the organization’s finances and the planned closing should continue. With that in mind, board members again agreed the Learning Center should continue to be staffed until mid December with work continuing to focus on terminating operations in the current location, by December 31^st. (A location with donated, or very low rent, should be sought to house the office area, and the associated requirements and equipment. If sufficient donated space can be obtained, a down scaled Learning Center may be something to anticipate.) Monthly General Meetings should continue, if possible, but depending on how things develop in the coming months, a requirement for bi-monthly or quarterly meetings may be required. The PC Alamode magazine would continue in its present form, if possible, as options are discussed with the current editor. After that, depending on what can be worked out with the current editor (or a volunteer who may desire to take over that role), the PC Alamode magazine may very possibly continue in a scaled down mode, and perhaps different format. Membership fees are being addressed as well, and how best to be fair to current members who have extended past the end of this year. (If there is a clamoring for refunds from current members, then the organization may no longer be able to financially function and could suffer its demise very quickly.) These are only some of the more pressing issues the board is attempting to address, along with numerous other smaller things that must also be considered and perhaps added to the growing “To Do” list for the current BOD.

The approximate 35 who were present at the December General Meeting seemed to enjoy the presentation David Steward provided on Microsoft “gadgets,” but it again affirmed that overall interest in the organization has waned severely. As I have pointed out in previous messages, this fact is confirmed by the ever declining membership and the fact we have not had a full compliment of board members (one or more vacancies) for the past three years.

An announcement regarding sales of equipment, furniture, etc. was posted in several location and sales ceased on December 19^th. All Classes and Study Groups held at the Learning Center ceased meeting after November 15^th, and it is hoped the individual Class or Group leaders will try to make arrangements to continue elsewhere. The Dr Is In Computer Diagnostic Clinic held it's last session on Friday November 14^th and is currently not available as there is no place identified where it can meet..

Anyone having questions regarding the closure or other matters pertaining to the organization and future plans may refer them to membership

The six individuals currently serving on the board committed to continue through the end of December. After that, there are no guarantees, and any continuation may only be on a month-by-month basis. But, with only six individuals who may be willing to continue serving, and one vacant position for the past few years, the future of OUR organization appears to be in serious jeopardy.

It is now very late in December, and I am hoping that we will have a corporate presenter for the January General Meeting (have not been so informed). Since things can change, even at the last minute, check HERE for the latest information about the General Meeting. On the day of the meeting (1/12), call 736-0700 for the most current information on location and presenter (if the phone has been connected at the new location by then). I can only hope that David Seward will have made the latest information available.

Since almost all of our new members have been obtained from walk-in traffic at the Learning Center, that has been severely degraded by our move. Unless we have members helping to obtain new members, at some point in time funds will no longer be available to allow the Alamo PC Organization to continue.

Once things have settled down, we will ask for volunteers who would be willing to handle phone calls coming to Alamo PC and answer any questions posed.

We are still trying to improve member retention, but it has not been successful - the member number total continues to slowly decline. If you do not choose to renew, send a comment briefly explaining as to "Why?" to membership, with a copy to me (president@alamopc.org, or privately). I appreciate all communications, especially those on how we can improve the Alamo PC Organization and increase member interest!

As, I have said before,

the future of OUR organization will always rest in the hands of its members. Whether WE continue (or not) depends on OUR interest and involvement. But, it primarily depends on membership renewals and/or financial support. Without those, we will not be able to meet our financial obligations and additional business decisions will have to be made that will affect everyone.