Luchnia,
It's not often I can say I agree with you...
As I was reading your post I was already forming a response until you said....
Certainly membership costs would be much higher if there were no volunteers to mow and do all the other things needed to get done.
The is just the reality of it and does not mean it is good or bad, just the way it is.
YES it is a sad reality, but for a different reason I think. I attend every function my club has. There are a lot of members that don't come to work days, or other club functions, but to me they are the ones missing out, more so than I am being asked to do more than pay dues. I'm NOT knocking those that only pay dues and let the others do all the work. I AM saying that the friendship and brotherhood I get from working with my fellow club members is worth the time I volunteer. I have plenty of places to fly alone, and sometimes I want to do just that, enjoy this hobby alone. But humans/I am a social being. Sharing like experiences increases those experiences, and I wish more members could/would experience that. Just MHO.....