In an endeavour to future-proof the club and make it more attractive to new members, two important changes have been addressed by the Board and members this past week.
 
Firstly, last Tuesday's Open Forum discussed the changes in Meeting Formats being introduced from 1 July. 
 
Secondly, a new approach to members' annual dues is being introduced as President Peter has described in his separate email.
 
We encourage you to read on for the reasons for change and the details.
  
Last Tuesday's Open Forum addressed the changes in Meeting Formats being introduced from 1 July. 
Incorporating the consensus in the Open Forum, the changes are best shown below:
All meetings will continue to be held at Oaks for the time being but, as at present, the Board may change the venue and nature of the meeting.  The frequency of weekly meetings will be considered again in the drafting of the club's new Constitution and Bylaws as Rotary International now permits a club to meet only twice a month if it wants.
 
An important change is to make all meals/drinks optional with members charged the cost of the item only.  There will be no charge if a member chooses not to eat or drink.
 
This last change is important as President Peter outlines in his separate email (see the email below).

2018-19 Member Dues

Our current dues do not cover the charges levied upon the club by Rotary International, Rotary District 9600, and Rotary Down Under.  The costs of running the club have to date been met from other sources, including a portion of the weekly meeting charge.  The total amounts to $346 per member per year - considerably higher than our 2017-18 dues of $260.
 
For most of us, the annual fee is however not the greatest cost of being a member of the club.  Taking into account weekly meal charges and the proposed change to a 'cost' basis for the optional meals, the total cost will in fact be lower by over $100 in 2018-19.  For those who choose not to eat/drink, the saving will be slightly more as the total cost will be limited to the annual membership dues of $346.  For those who choose to have a meal, the cost is estimated at $1,114.
 
To assist members, annual membership dues will be payable half-yearly.
 
Of course, to complete the picture, these are not the only costs that our members may choose to incur.  The additional costs may include:
 
Donations to:
  • The Rotary Foundation
  • Australian Rotary Health
  • ROMAC, etc
Function Costs:
  • Hat Day
  • Melbourne Cup
  • Trivia Night
  • RUSCCF Dinner
  • District Conference
  • International Convention
  • Volunteering

President Peter's Email 14 June

Part of my commitment to the Club when inducted as President, was to ensure our Club remains a vibrant and thriving Rotary Club. In order for this to happen, we have to make our Club appealing to potential Members and interesting and exciting enough to maintain our current Membership.
 
The way I see it, the primary constraint with regard to maintaining a vibrant Club, is the financial obligations imposed on Members and that of potential Members.
 
Members of the Board have been looking at ways to ease the financial burden on Members. Here is an explanation of what we have come up with. 
 
Financial Considerations
 
We have decided to look at the Fees paid by Members from a different perspective. Rather than beginning with the fixed costs and not taking into account the ongoing cost of attendance at Breakfast, we are looking at the total annual cost, including fixed costs and all ancillary charges ie meals.
 
Let's look at how the proposal works
 
Total Fixed Costs per Member per Year (Budgeted)
 
Rotary International        $85
District Dues                   $140 (Nett)   Project Fund to pay Insurance
Rotary Down Under        $40
Expenses                          $81    Speaker, guests meals, Chamber of Commerce, EftPos, C/Runner etc
 
​Total Fixed Costs            $346               ​Can pay $173 twice yearly
 
Let's now factor in the proposed changes to meal options
 
Currently                                                               
Member Dues                                  $260                         
Full Meal Option     48@$20          $960                            
 
Total Annual Cost                           $1220 
 
Proposed Method
Member Dues                                 $346
Full Meal Option     48@$16         $768  *
 
Total Annual Cost                           $1114
 
*Please note; Meals will now cost $16 as opposed to $20. Previously, the $4 difference was put towards the payment of Membership Dues, meaning, those who attended Breakfast subsidised the fees of those who didn't.
 
There are extra Meal Options planned
 
Full Buffet Breakfast $16
Continental Breakfast $10
Coffee $4
No Breakfast/Coffee N/C                                                         
 
Having these additional options enables Members to have a wider choice and better control of their spending. For example, if you opted not to eat, but attend all Meetings, your total annual cost would be just the fixed costs of being a Rotarian ie $346.
 
We don't believe there will be a sudden increase of Members not electing to eat at Breakfast. Instead with the extra choices available, the total expenses of being a Member can be more readily tailored to individual budgets, not to mention the "healthy choice options".
 
The Board is of the belief that the increased flexibility associated with the new proposal makes being a Member of our Club far more attractive from a financial point of view, and we would increase our chances of appealing to a wider cross section of potential members, as a result.
 
We Members of your Board, are aware that there a number of proposed changes happening with the way our Club operates. The belief is that we are making our Club more attractive and vibrant and as such would welcome your input.