I understand that the bills were a sudden surprise and expense. I would look to your local MEC for not getting at you during initial. I've been at 2 airlines and each airline had a member of the MEC come down and take us out for dinner and explain all the things ALPA does for us.
It is very important that if your airline doesn't have something like that set up, maybe you can be the guy to do such a thing or at least get on your MEC about it. Pilot education is one of the many things I'm pushing for in my union. People that don't know anything about the union often times are the ones complaining.
To all of us lets remember that ALPA is only as strong as YOU make it. If you don't like what is going on, get involved!