[pct-l] PCTA rating by CharityNavigator

Tue Nov 22 13:44:55 CST 2011

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I find this public discussion of the PCTA's
executive director's salary absolutely crass and in really poor taste. How
about all the people criticizing her salary declare their salary and what
they do to earn it and then let the rest of us comment on whether we think
you are overpaid or not.

Peanut Eater

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Jim Banks
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 10:18 AM
To: 'Charles Doersch'
Cc: 'pct-L backcountry.net'
Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCTA rating by CharityNavigator

So Charles you are going to hike the trail in 2012 and take advantage of all
the work done by volunteers and the dues and other contributions made by
others, but you are not going to pay even the minimal annual dues to the
PCTA.

Are you going to get your permit to hike the entire trail through the PCTA?
I suggest that since you are not willing to pay $35 for an annual
membership, then you take it upon yourself to get all the dozens of permits
you will need and pay all the fees for those permits out of your own pocket.
I mean you expect the PCTA to "watch every nickel," so why would you expect
them to provide you with that service if you are not a member?

I-Beam

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Charles Doersch
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 10:04 AM
To: chiefcowboy at verizon.net
Cc: pct-L backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCTA rating by CharityNavigator

Of course, comparing those on the list that might question proper pay for
proper work as "occupy wall street" types is a simple-minded double-fallacy
of straw man and false analogy. So we know we're not dealing with reason or
logic from that quarter. Back to sensible conversation.

And the question isn't whether Liz is doing a great job. One can be doing a
great job and still be either overpaid or underpaid. So that's a false
comparison.

It's also not a question of the list of stuff the director is responsible
for -- the list is irrelevant if we don't know the context of how that list
compares to the what others elsewhere in the same sort of position, in
relevant organizations (with relevant limited financial resources), with
relevant industry experience, etc. get paid. What does this type of job
with these tasks generally pay -- what is the range -- what is the bell
curve of compensation in a cash-strapped non-profit such as the PCTA for
such work?

We also operate in a larger context of the not-uncommon practice in the US
of disproportionate compensation for top managers. So the question and the
concern is fair -- and it may well turn out that the PCTA is AOK when it
comes to compensation. But the question can sensibly and
non-mean-spiritedly be asked. It isn't personal.

I guess until I get answers for those questions (and I'm a good researcher
and can work on this), we four will be holding off on re-newing our
membership. We're not rolling in dough here, and since we watch every
nickel in order to afford to hike on the PCT, I guess it's reasonable to
hope the PCTA watches the nickels we send their way with at least as much
diligence.

Cheers,

~Charles & the gang.

On Tue, Nov 22, 2011 at 10:43 AM, <chiefcowboy at verizon.net> wrote:

> NAY.
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Charles Doersch
> Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 8:55 AM
> To: Paul Bodnar
> Cc: pct-L backcountry.net
>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCTA rating by CharityNavigator
>
> All in favor of the directorship reducing its salary commensurate to
> organizations of similar size, similar limited funds, and similar
> membership say AYE.
>
> AYE.
>
> ~Charles Doersch
>
> And AYE from Sean McCollum
> Aye from Matt Holmes
> Aye from Chris Corl
>
> [And we're all members of the PCTA].
>
>
> On Tue, Nov 22, 2011 at 9:25 AM, Paul Bodnar <paulbodnar at hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>> Thank you for the link and information.  I also believe the compensation
>> for the Executive Director is excessive.  According to the PCTA website,
>> PCTA has a staff of eight and a compensation of $99,296 or 5.82% of
>> expenses for the executive director appears to work against the primary
>> mission of the PCTA.  There are only about 7800 members according to the
>> PCTA.  So effectively $12.73 comes out of each annual membership donation
>> to compensate a single employee.
>>
>> The PCTA states "The mission of the Pacific Crest Trail Association is to
>> protect, preserve and promote the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail as
>> an
>> internationally significant resource for the enjoyment of hikers and
>> equestrians, and for the value that wild and scenic lands provide to all
>> people."
>>
>> I hope the PCTA gets back to spending membership donations on the mission
>> of the PCTA and less on executive compensation.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Paul Bodnar
>>
>>
>>  > I was shocked to see Executive Director, Liz Bergeron's compensation
of
>> $100,000.
>> >
>> > http://www.charitynavigator.**org/index.cfm?bay=search.**
>>
summary&orgid=11449<http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.sum
mary&orgid=11449>
>>
>>
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