In our effort to discus the Budget process we have to think about our AVENUES OF SERVICE: This is the cost of our service projects in the areas of Community Service, International Service, Vocational Service, Youth (soon to be called Next Generation) and Environmental Activities.

The INCOME budget includes the amounts you pay on your quarterly bill for fundraising activities that aren’t specifically restricted for another purpose (such as our Polio Plus activities).  Our fundraising activity has primarily been the “Pot of Gold,” a Raffle, Auction and Dinner which has produced significant amounts of money for the club over the years.

When we had 130 members, we still had a handsome profit to help provide free tickets for you and your spouse for the Installation Banquet and for the two of you to attend the Pot of Gold dinner.

 Our Accounts Receivable has grown substantially.  Members are taking longer to pay, or, in a few cases, not paying at all. Traditionally, all of your expenses of membership have been added to your quarterly bill. This creates a problem in certain circumstances. A large percentage of our current Accounts Receivable at present are items purchased by members during the Pot of Gold Auction. In many cases the Club paid for items at the time they were sold, and we don’t collect until sometime in the future. I’m going to recommend that any purchase from the club including Auction Items be charged to the member’s credit card or he/she can write a check at the time of purchase.  This is common at Charity Auctions.

Currently each member is billed $235 per quarter for 48 meals. That amounts to a little less than $20 per week. That’s barely enough to pay for your weekly meal and provides nothing at all to pay for the Installation Banquet and Pot of Gold.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Here are some things being explored by your Board

  1.  Require Auction Items and, perhaps, Pot of Gold raffle tickets to be paid by check or charged to credit cards. (1/2 of the total Pot of Gold Revenue is paid out in cash at the event)
  2.  Charge a 1% service fee for each month dues are unpaid after 30 days. Require members who are more than 90 Days past due to go onto a “Cash” basis.
  3.  Give a 50% meal credit only to those Rotarians who had to pay for a meal when they made up.
  4.  Increase the Quarterly Dues or Meal Charge only after all other avenues have been explored.

 Your Comments and suggestions are welcome

Thanks

Your soon to be Treasurer, Frank Hall

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