Membership, Fee, & Resolution

One possible source of fund for our association is the annual fee paid by members.

At one time I proposed a mandatory annual membership fee of Php100 for all residing locally and at least $50 for members working/living abroad. I have not heard much opposition or approval of it.

Because of the reactions to the proposal or the lack thereof, making the annual membership fee voluntary is the only other option we have.

However, may I remind all that monies supposedly to be collected from this annual membership fee will be used exclusively to fund meeting necessities, special events for our group, possibly contributions to deceased or sick members or relatives, operating expenses related to administrative maintenance of our association’s good standing with the registering board, and any other expenses we agreed upon.

In cases where we need money to fund special community projects such as the proposed scholarship project, or donations to charities, or contribution to special events such as the annual alumni homecoming, town fiestas, etc., an appeal for voluntary donations will be made separately.

Our plan is NOT to mix all of our monies into one basket. We will have separate accounting for all types of monies collected. We want to make this as clear as possible because we all know when it comes to money it can get tricky.

Currently, we do not have a mandated resolution addressing this membership fee issue. May I suggest that in our next meeting, this issue be part of the agenda to be discussed and bring to a final resolution? One way or the other, making it MANDATORY or VOLUNTARY, we have to decide and operate with clarity.

Thankfully, there are some members now who are making efforts to contribute monthly or whenever there is an opportunity, even without resolution about it. It helps sustain our financial needs to operate as an organization with a purpose.

Let’s put this membership fee into motion. If majority don’t want it mandatory, let’s make it voluntary, if that’s what it will take to have it resolved.

Another suggestion made by one member is that the Php50 monthly contributions some of you are currently making now become the voluntary pledge for the proposed scholarship project. Now, that’s not a bad idea! If majority agrees, let’s put that into another final resolution and start filling out Voluntary Contribution Pledge form and submit as soon as possible.

These are suggested topics we can all discuss in our next meeting and have a final resolution.

Agree or Disagree? Please let your voice be heard.