£5 extra is hardly going to turn people away from joining as the other clubs are more money anyhow.
Yes we probably have the worse sites in the UK so dont expect much flying! But hey is not just about the flying, were a darn good bunch in this part of the world, we can go to other areas and fly for free if thats what you want from time to time. Its about being part of something bigger than a bank balance, its about being proud of where your from. So come on you Geordies, you Northumbrians, and we'll also share our land and good humor with the Makums and the Cumbians, but we DON'T WANT THE IRISH............. Oh Praire shit .........Everybody.
Club membership fees?
Moderator: Club Moderators
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flywhiteglider
- Newbie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2007 9:01 pm
- Location: Cumbria
As Membership Secretary for the Cumbria Soaring Club, I watch this debate with interest. Our membership fees were increased similarly a few years ago and rather than post an opinion as such, I give you some details of how we operate, and why. There are obvious similarities which you may find useful in your discussions.
Our joining fee is £25 for the year and then £20 for subsequent years. The reason for the difference is that we issue a Sites Guide when you join, and £5 is very roughly the cost to the Club. Although we have members renewing by standing order, this doesn't come any cheaper, simply because there is no real cost saving for the Club. It is more hassle to chase membership money, but it doesn't cost us £5 per member to do so. Our simple rule is that members are allowed one month additional to pay up, otherwise their membership lapses and renewal would then be at the £25 rate, or alternatively a payment of back-dated amount, whichever is cheaper.
Like you we have a cash surplus that could very roughly be described as one year's membership money. When the Committee wanted to increase the membership fees, our reason was primarily to invest in a much bigger Lakes Charity Classic (LCC) event. We have been fortunate that the LCC generally breaks even or makes a little profit, but with a bigger event we needed it under-writing by the CSC Club funds, which we needed to boost just in case. Other reasons for the increased fees were to allow a different location for club meetings and events, and to try and attract slightly more expensive speakers if necessary.
I think that your Club need to be more explicit in why you want the increased fees, maybe with a very simple business plan which the membership can accept. It's not enough just to say you think you need more money, the membership expect to know where it is likely to be spent. Why not state that you want to invite Mr. X in October and he might cost £XX, then Mr. Y in December and he might cost £YY, and that you want to fund a BBQ at a cost of £ZZ to the Club, and that you want to do all this and maintain a Club funding surplus of £AA. Even if you don't have anything definite you can at least makes plans and ensure you have enough funds to pay for it. Looking back to some of the debate so far, you already have the basics in there. Our membership went from £15 to £20 a few years ago.
Anyway, that's enough from me! Good luck. £15 is a bargain, but so is £20 and likewise £25.
Paul Gannon
Our joining fee is £25 for the year and then £20 for subsequent years. The reason for the difference is that we issue a Sites Guide when you join, and £5 is very roughly the cost to the Club. Although we have members renewing by standing order, this doesn't come any cheaper, simply because there is no real cost saving for the Club. It is more hassle to chase membership money, but it doesn't cost us £5 per member to do so. Our simple rule is that members are allowed one month additional to pay up, otherwise their membership lapses and renewal would then be at the £25 rate, or alternatively a payment of back-dated amount, whichever is cheaper.
Like you we have a cash surplus that could very roughly be described as one year's membership money. When the Committee wanted to increase the membership fees, our reason was primarily to invest in a much bigger Lakes Charity Classic (LCC) event. We have been fortunate that the LCC generally breaks even or makes a little profit, but with a bigger event we needed it under-writing by the CSC Club funds, which we needed to boost just in case. Other reasons for the increased fees were to allow a different location for club meetings and events, and to try and attract slightly more expensive speakers if necessary.
I think that your Club need to be more explicit in why you want the increased fees, maybe with a very simple business plan which the membership can accept. It's not enough just to say you think you need more money, the membership expect to know where it is likely to be spent. Why not state that you want to invite Mr. X in October and he might cost £XX, then Mr. Y in December and he might cost £YY, and that you want to fund a BBQ at a cost of £ZZ to the Club, and that you want to do all this and maintain a Club funding surplus of £AA. Even if you don't have anything definite you can at least makes plans and ensure you have enough funds to pay for it. Looking back to some of the debate so far, you already have the basics in there. Our membership went from £15 to £20 a few years ago.
Anyway, that's enough from me! Good luck. £15 is a bargain, but so is £20 and likewise £25.
Paul Gannon