Patrick, this question is asked often even by those of us who have been KCBS members a long time. Some folks decide they don't see the value and don't renew. In fact, to be honest, due to a couple of frustrations and incidents, I had been on the bubble about renewing until the last few days and my renewal is due August 31. The truth is, if you're looking for tangible benefits, you might be hard pressed to find a lot, depending on what's important to you. On the most basic level, many contests are now asking for KCBS member numbers and require them to enter. I've seen the request for my member number on more contest entry forms in the last two years than I did in four years prior. It could be the ones you want to cook might now or in the future ask for a membership number. The Bullsheet monthly newspaper is another benefit. It's improving a bit. There's getting to be more informative and entertaining things in there. I think they have a long way to go yet. I wish I could be the editor. I've got some good ideas but whatever... I fully expect print news to go by the wayside one day anyway. You now also have to be a member to access a lot of the areas on the KCBS Web site. There are discounts, some of which, such as hotels, you can get anywhere. Others are specially negotiated discounts exclusive to KCBS members. Again, they could do much better but Mike and MMA are making it better over time too. For me, it's a couple of things I'd say are more intangible. One is consistency. I know that I can go to Alabama, California or Minnesota and the ground rules under which we all play will be the same. I can also compete in any number of contests right around Kansas City and know the rules are the same. I know what to expect and I know pretty much what the judges are trained to look for. In addition, KCBS makes certain that contest organizers pay out in prize money what they say they will. Because we pay membership fees, KCBS is able to ensure all of this. That I like. The other thing is because of KCBS being in existence, I have many, many, many close friends that I would never have known had it not been for Gary and Carolyn's vision when they founded KCBS 25 years ago. That in itself is something I value very highly and as such will always pay to renew, regardless of my frustrations. You will hear people say they won't support an organization with the problems that KCBS has. Truth be told, any organization will eventually have some sort of problems. Personally, I'd rather stick around to see even better days and be a part of it.
That's my soapbox about the value of joining KCBS. Take it for what it's worth - which may not be much. LOL!