"However, lets suppose that you or I (for whatever reason) were faced with the same unfortunate expulsion notification that Mel received. Aside from the primary purpose of the notification would it really be appropriate for the Board to then solicit your Associate Member's continued membership, even though you are being kicked-out? Sure seems inappropriate to me."

Jim, I think that under the circumstances ... if Brenda paid for her own table with her own check to sell ashtrays at the convention, that it would have been appropriate for the Board or the Convention Chairman to explain to Brenda how my expulsion rendering me as NOT being "a member in good standing" would cause her Associate status to become null and void (through no fault of her own)... and in order to keep her table, that a regular membership of the table holder is required. Brenda surely would not be a happy camper at the time, but she would have had a choice to make before her table was pulled.