Happy Monday morning everyone!

Something's been on my mind a lot lately. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to become a spectator?

Someone else will volunteer. Someone else will write the letter. Someone else will attend the township meeting. Someone else will fight the battle.

Until one day... there isn't a "someone else."

Across Pennsylvania, proposals are being discussed that have the potential to fundamentally change the way short-term rentals operate. Some are happening at the township level. Others are being considered statewide. Some are reasonable. Others could seriously threaten the future of our industry.

These aren't hypothetical conversations anymore.

They're happening.

The good news is that the Poconos VRO is in the room.

We're reading draft ordinances before they're adopted. We're filing Right-to-Know requests. We're working with attorneys. We're building relationships with elected officials. We're coordinating with other advocacy organizations across the state. We're showing up at public meetings, often so you don't have to.

That work takes time.

It takes expertise.

It takes resources.

And it only happens because people (Members) choose to support us.

Which brings me to something I honestly struggle to understand.

Every Monday, hundreds of you open this email. Many have been reading these Monday Musings for months—some for the whole year I’ve been writing them . You follow our work, celebrate our victories, and appreciate the updates.

Yet many of those same people still haven't joined the Poconos VRO.

Can I ask you a sincere question?

What are you waiting for?

Membership is $150 a year.  That's about $12.50 a month.

If our advocacy helps preserve your ability to continue operating your vacation rental, isn't that one of the best investments you could make?

Here's the reality...

The members who pay their dues are helping protect the businesses of people who don't.

They're helping fund the research, the legal guidance, the travel, the meetings, the public testimony, the coalition building, and the countless hours it takes to advocate effectively.

In other words, they're carrying the load for everyone else.

I don't say that to make anyone feel guilty.

I say it because I don't think most people have ever looked at it that way.

Yes, membership also comes with owner discounts, guest discounts, educational opportunities, networking events, and resources that can more than pay for the cost of joining.

But let's be honest...

Advocacy is why we exist.  Everything else is a bonus.

So today, I'm asking you to make a decision.

If you've been standing on the sidelines, I'd love for you to step onto the field.

Join the Poconos VRO.

And while you're at it, register for our STR Advocacy Summit on September 17.

Because if the last year has taught me anything, it's this:

The future of short-term rentals won't be decided by the people complaining on Facebook.

It will be decided by the people who showed up.

I hope you'll be one of them.

 Join the Poconos VRO today.

One final thought...

If there's a reason you haven't joined yet, I'd genuinely like to hear it.

Is there something we're missing? A benefit you'd like to see? A question we haven't answered? A concern we haven't addressed?

We're committed to becoming an even stronger organization, and honest feedback helps us get there.

But if your only reason is that you've been meaning to get around to it...  Today's a great day to stop watching from the sidelines and become part of the team.

Have a great week!

~Rebecca