So this email is about money. Money for the group to buy some of the limited things it needs. So far since I took over last year, such money has come from donations, or someone just paid it themselves without a word.

So what do we need right now that we need money for?

* Meetup.com costs $12 a month to keep the meetup alive.
* 1-3 Flags/Signs/etc that represent the group.

The first one is necessary because the site is awesome for what it does.

The second one is necessary as well. At least one is necessary. Why was depicted last weekend. A new member meant to show up at 288 lake. She made it on time more or less, but walked up to the wrong group. That group was rude, and she thought it was us. Luckily she found another group that welcomed her in for the day. You can go read her comment about 288 lake on last weeks meetup. If you ask how do I know it didn't happen? It is because I was there before she said she was, and I was effectively the last to leave around 3 or 4.

So we need a flag, sign or banner for our events. I'd prefer 2 or 3 of them, so the most active organizers can each have one. We also all live spread out, so hopefully one of us is reasonably convenient to loan the flag out for the events none of us with a flag our showing up at.

There are other reasons for a flag/banner/sign as well. Group recognition. Most of Houston's divers still don't know we exist. :(

Alright. Alright. I'll just say what I am wanting.
I'd like to set the yearly dues for the group at $10 initially. Next year it may go up or down depending. Perhaps it'll go up and include a shirt that Alex and Kim are designing. ;) Or down because in general we don't have that many costs. But we have to start somewhere, and $10 is not much for a year.

I'm done rambling, ;)
Kevin

PS. I blame several others for bugging me for months that we needed dues, but I did see the need myself finally.

My opinion is that if dues are required - I will drop my membership.

Let's do a little math. There are currently 133 members @ $10 each which equals $1,330 per year. Meetup costs $12/month which equates to $144 /year resulting in a >$1000 profit.

Now I do understand that there are additional costs involved for items such as flags/signs/banners. Perhaps a voluntary $1 donation per person at each meetup would cover these additional costs.

I am also an organizer for a different group and this discussion also came up. I'm not sure if the additional paperwork and member tracking is worth the effort.


-=Clark

My opinion is that if dues are required - I will drop my membership.

Let's do a little math. There are currently 133 members @ $10 each which equals $1,330 per year. Meetup costs $12/month which equates to $144 /year resulting in a >$1000 profit.

Now I do understand that there are additional costs involved for items such as flags/signs/banners. Perhaps a voluntary $1 donation per person at each meetup would cover these additional costs.

I am also an organizer for a different group and this discussion also came up. I'm not sure if the additional paperwork and member tracking is worth the effort.


-=Clark

Let's see. First your math is effectively right.

Here are some points though: (For IF we had excess money available.)
* Pay for a group t-shirt for each member.
* Pay for food and drink to be provided at most dives. (Right now it is bring your own and share if you want.)
* Actually rent a decent meeting room on occasion, instead of only using what is freely available. (Usually noisy environments. Though fun.)
* Be able to provide the holding deposit for some dives out of group funds vs. them coming out of the organizer(s) pocket.
* Pay for any miscellaneous group expense that crops up.

I think all those reasons are valid reasons for the group to have money in the wallet.

To address your concern that it will go straight to my wallet and never be seen again.
* There is a finance book section for the meetup group, that can be made public. So as long as all transactions are through paypal or are added properly, anyone in the group can audit us to some extent.
* And to be blunt about it. A thousand dollars would barely cover my hours I put into this group for a month, let alone a year. If I ever reach a point that this stops being a labor of love, so to speak, I'll let someone else take over.

Regards,
Kevin

Kevin,

I apologize if it seemed if I was alleging that the funds were going straight into your pocket. That was not my intent. I received many of the same arguments when I suggested dues in a different group.

Now to address your points....

* Shirts - I would have no problem paying for each shirt that I wanted. I would most likely want more than simply one as my son dives also but is not a member of meetup. My group sold patches for a little more than what we paid to have them made. This means that if people wanted them they were available and were not forced upon the people who did not want them.

* Bringing your own food and drink is definitely preferable. This would avoid numerous arguments on WHAT to bring. This is specifically noticable when you consider some folks special dietary needs. It will most certainly increase the drama associated with an event as people will gripe because 'their' special request/need/want was not met.

* A buck or 2 donation for each meeting should cover most meeting rooms. Now however, if we have the meeting at Rick's or Treasures - I might be more inclined to pony up a little more. hehe...

* I think divers should fund their own deposits. That would prevent you as the organizer from being financially penalized for no-shows.


On a final note - I do realize and emphathize with the number of hours required to keep a group going. I have been the organizer of one for over three years. I'm currently phasing myself out as the organizer because of the time committments. Plus - in addition to my fulltime job, I'm also going to be teaching at ITT this fall. Those two reasons plus my newly discovered passion - SCUBA, I don't have the time available. So in my case - my labor of love took 3 years to get birthed now I'm ready to take it down to 100' and drown the beyotch... lololol

Anyways... my son and I are new to diving and still obtaining equipment. Once we are fully equiped we will have more time and funds available to go diving on a more regular basis.

Also keep in mind that many people will join but only attend maybe one meetup a year whereas others attend EVERY event. Some folks join simply for the option of attending if their schedules permit. It is worth noting that dues will limit the participation of these casual members. Think of it this way - of every 10 casual members, at least one will show for a event.


-=Clark

Forgot to add one more point about the math.


$ 798 - at 6.00 per T-shirt - and that is surely a LOW figure.
$ 720 - $30 snacks per event at 2 events/month. Will that even be enough?
$ 600 - $50 meeting room at 1 per month. I don't know how much meeting rooms are.
=====
$2118 - gross costs
$1330 - dues income
=====
$(788) - LOSS

And this doesn't even include any deposit amounts......


-=Clark

I havent been to a group function yet due to conflicts. To me $10 is nothing. All the organized incorporated dive clubs in Houston charge $25/year. My wife is a member of a couple of meet-up groups and they charge $10 per year. I guess if you dont want to pay and join you can go to Texas Swamp Divers on Scubaboard. Thats free. But sometimes people dont show up. $10 to meet other divers and have dive buddies is dirt cheap in my opinion.

I dont have a problem paying.