Here is Erin's comment on the issue - taken from an email that she sent to myself and a couple of others on the board before she left on her trip...
"I think we should give the users a choice in
what type of membership year they would like to have. I know the board voted on the calendar year,
but I really think we give people a choice.
I agreed with a year from when you purchase your membership. I have asked a few people, nonboard members
what they think about it, and so far everyone I have polled thinks it should be
365 days from when you purchase your membership. I'm not asking for a reverse of what the
board has decided rather a choice to our membership, because if they vote no,
we are back at square one with a membership time problem."