At the June Regional Management Team meeting, the outgoing Financial Coordinator, Pattie Hitch, provided an analysis of the costs of our regional educational events on a year-by-year basis.
The chart below reflects the gradually increasing losses in dollars, by year. Each bar represents the total accumulated expenses from Winter AIM, Summer AIM, Fall AIM, Young Women in Harmony Mountain Harmony Camp, Quartet Workshops, and LAW School (when they were separate events).
In the past, the RMT has relied on profits from the Regional Convention each May to cover these losses. In this way we keep the cost of attending an education event very low, to encourage everyone to attend, and share the education costs among the entire region.
However, it is becoming more and more difficult to cover the losses using convention income. Attendance numbers at convention have been dropping, and convention expenses have been rising.
Region 12 has not had a dues increase in more than 10 years, and our last increase in convention prices was in 2014. While we are always reluctant to raise dues or fees, in order to continue our wonderful educational programs in Region 12 and remain fiscally healthy, the RMT has made the decision to increase costs to all our members as follows:
- Effective May 2020, Regional dues will increase to $50 for all adult members.
- Effective with the May 2020 Convention, the price of an All Events Badge will increase to $90 for members and guests.
Please see the FAQ, attachment below, for more details about the specific increases, why we must increase these fees, and what you get for your money.
Regional Management Team members are planning visits to all choruses soon, to be able to answer questions face to face. We also plan to have open discussions at the birds-of-a-feather luncheon forums at AIM weekends, and will be available on Sunday of Fall AIM to answer questions.
Please know that we have discussed many options to avoid this increase, and have come to the conclusion that it must happen, to keep the region financially healthy.
If you have questions or concerns after reading the FAQ, please don’t hesitate to contact any member of the Regional Management Team listed below.
FAQ Regional Dues & Fees Increase
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