Gerald
The AWS is not a Non-Profit organization. It is a "Not-For-Profit" organization, and as such is required to make a profit. However, the "Profit" goes back into the organization. Despite the detractors who really do not know, and probably cannot interpret the Financial Report that comes out in the Welding Journal each year, The Society is quite well run as a business. To better understand the financial report, ask your District Director for a copy of the full report.
As to New Tito's quip that the departments do not know what each other are doing, to a certain extent, that is correct and as it should be for good sound reasons.
Joe Kane