The ARRL will increase its annual dues to $49 at the beginning of next year. The change was approved at the League's July board meeting. According to the ARRL Letter, this will be the first dues increase since 2001. CEO Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, noted that the organization had managed to hold its cost increases to 19% over the past 14 years, while inflation overall in the U.S. has been 32% in the same period. He described the dues increase as "a necessity, not an option."