Okay, scenario # 2 but related. The same organization, different venue, 
is sponsoring a professional conference in which patient/patient 
advocates are not invited.
Sandi

Chrystal Ocean wrote:

>Well I see both sides of it to some extent. 
>
>If it's a matter of recovering the unavoidable costs for running a seminar
>or session - rent, print materials, other supplies -, then I can understand
>a fee being applied if there's no money in the kitty otherwise. But I'm with
>you with respect to fancy lunches (and for conferences: entertainment, gala
>receptions, etc.), although some food, especially fresh fruit and veggies,
>is always welcome. It's almost comical the eyes that will enlarge and light
>up in our crowd at the mere mention of REAL FOOD.
>
>>From the perspective of people on very low income, it can be a barrier even
>when fees are offered to be waived. While the offer is appreciated, it can
>often be that you just haven't the stamina or emotional energy to go through
>the application process or to present yourself, one more time, to someone or
>a committee that will assess whether or not your need warrants a pass. I've
>had to fight for full subsidy to conferences and this has been exhausting
>and such situations make me wonder about the (un)intended message.
>
>I think it's a tough call for people who do work like yours, Sandi. It's
>great that  you charge no fee: instant acceptance, no financial barrier. Wow. 
>
>--Ocean.
>
>On Wed, 19 Apr 2006 12:08:22 -0400, Sandi Pniauskas <[log in to unmask]>
>wrote:
>
>Having conducted many seminars for patients, I am totally against charging
>patients fees for what I consider educational/informational sessions. I have
>never charged fees and the seminars have always been well attended because
>the people, most often women in my case, come for the information and not
>for the $35.00 (or higher) lunches. Often times, however, organizations will
>say something similar to: 'fees to attend will be waived for those who need
>assistance' or similar verbiage. I also object to this. The latter to me is
>a definite barrier - an emotional barrier. Who wants to personally admit
>that a particular fee is just beyond one's financial ability? this message
>is not getting out.
>Do you have some sense or words of wisdom on how to make people understand this?
>Sandi
>
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