As discussed back in our July Club Assembly meeting; our club needs to balance our operating budget. Operating revenues have declined in the past few years as during COVID we gave the option of having a membership type of 'no meals'. We currently have 63 total members, of which 28 are 'Full Members' who pay for meals, 19 members chose to go to 'no meals' when the option was available and 14 are under the 'Rule of 85' membership (Age+Year of Membership > 85 so they have the option of no meals). The meal fee is what pays for our meeting space, but the burden for that is falling on too few members. At Le Meridian, for example, the cost to rent the space and only serve coffee was roughly the same as what it cost to serve 25 people breakfast.
To balance our operating budget the Board of Directors voted to raise dues $50 per quarter ($200 per year) across all membership types. To raise dues in this manner our club will need to vote on this at our next meeting, January 5, 2022. Our dues structure is set in the Club's bylaws, and accordingly, a vote of the Club membership is required to amend the bylaws to increase the quarterly dues.
If you are unable to attend the January 5th meeting you can vote by proxy. To vote by proxy please email Dave Burr at dave@mailcenteretc.com and he will send you a proxy form.