*Note: The following is from our archived collection of older documents, and may not reflect the most current information.
For the Cabinets
In June of 2003, the Chapter Cabinet referred the issue of the Association?s dues structure to the Board of Directors who, in turn, referred it to the Finance Committee for consideration. Since that time the Committee has spent a great deal of time on this topic.
The Committee has evaluated the structures of several other organizations both within and outside of the information profession. The Committee has run a myriad of scenarios related to different dues structures and has made several reports to the Board of Directors. At its Fall 2004 meeting, the Board voted to send the following two options forward to the Cabinet for comment and feedback.
It is important to note that no decision has been made to change the dues structure at this time. The Board is forwarding what it considers to be the two most viable options for changing our dues structure onto the Cabinets so that we can get your input and feedback on these two options before having any further deliberations on the issue. It should be noted that both of these proposals would require a bylaws change. Please review the following options prior to the Cabinet meeting in Tampa and come prepared to offer any comments or feedback that you have concerning these proposals.
Proposal #1
One of the key elements of the referral from the Chapter Cabinet was finding a way of providing relief for our members who are not in senior, high paying positions. This proposal seeks to make the dues structure more equitable by basing dues on the member?s ability to pay. It would be comprised of a tiered structure based on salary. This would be on the honor system and members would NOT be required to submit proof of salary. The Association?s by-laws limit dues increases to no more than 12% at any one time. Consequently, to implement this proposal would require a bylaws change to allow for a greater than 12% increase at the higher levels.
| Dues Category | Proposed Dues |
Current Dues |
| Student/Retired | $35 | $35 |
| Virtual Member | $65 | $65 |
| $0 - $35,000 | $99 | $125 |
| $35,001 - $55,000 | $135 | $125 |
| $55,001 - $75,000 | $150 | $125 |
| $75,000+ | $175 | $125 |
| Organizational Member | $500 | $500 |
The cost of an extra chapter or division would increase by 5% to $15.75 for Chapters & Divisions and $10.50 for Caucuses. Based on the projected increase in overall dues income, allotments to the chapters and divisions would also increase by 5% to $12.60/member and $10.50/member respectively and caucuses to $6.30/member.
Proposal #2
This proposal seeks to provide a steady revenue stream for the Association?s programs and services by providing for an annual dues increase. It would also add a dues category for those individuals making less than $35,000 annually at the same $99 rate as listed in Proposal #1. Historically the Association has had large dues increases on a periodic basis. Under this proposal, there would be an initial dues increase of 4%. Each year thereafter, the dues would increase by the same rate as the consumer price index (CPI) plus one half of one percent (.5%), allowing for very modest growth in programs and services. The Association?s by-laws limit dues increases to only once every three years and no more than 12% at any one time. Consequently, to implement this proposal would require a bylaws change to allow for annual dues increases. The 12% cap over each three year span would be retained. This safeguard will prevent huge increases should we experience a period of skyrocketing inflation.
The dues increases will be based on the CPI of two years prior. For example, dues for 2005 would be based on the increase in CPI during 2003. This allows the percentage increase to be published well in advance of the implementation date. In this way both our members and the Association could better plan and budget.
In the unlikely event that the cost of living would go down, dues would also be adjusted accordingly. These increases would also apply to the cost of extra unit affiliations. Under this proposal allotments to the chapters and divisions and caucuses would increase/decrease by the same percentage as dues each year.
Prepayment Option
Under both of these proposals we would offer a pre-payment discount to members. If you wanted to pay for 2 years dues at one time the discount would be 5%, if paying for 5 years, it would be 10%. This would allow members to lock in at the current year?s dues rate for a set period of time. This would shield them from future dues increases over the period selected as well as offer them a discount on the base dues that year.
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