November is the month the club kicks off a couple events.  First, there is the membership renewal effort.  Second, are ticket sales for the annual dinner.  From a macro view, membership renewals fund the club’s operations.  The proceeds from the annual dinner provides the cash for donations to conservation groups and the Bill Carnazzo Fellowship at Cal Poly Humboldt.  Last year the club donated $10,000 for conservation and another $3,500 to the fellowship.

The membership renewal and annual dinner events have one thing in common: the monies generated by them are based on fixed amounts.  This is important because the costs of running those events are increasing.  For example, higher insurance premiums increase operational costs and higher food costs reduce the net proceeds from the annual dinner.  These increases mean there could be a gap between the club’s planned expenditures and what it can actually afford.

The Board does not care to raise membership fees or annual dinner ticket prices at this time.  Hence, membership renewal rates will remain at $35 for individuals and $40 for families.  It also means the cost of an annual dinner ticket remains at $50.

But the club would like to build a “rainy-day fund” into the budget to avoid a cash-crunch.  Let me explain how this would work.  Members will be asked during the renewal process to “round-up” their membership purchase to $50.  This choice is completely voluntary.  These contributions can then be used to make sure the club can maintain operations and keep donations at their current levels.

The “rounding up” option may not be a perfect solution but there is no desire to unnecessarily raise membership dues or increase annual dinner ticket prices.  This option allows members to make the decision that best suits their individual needs and still support the club.

Hope to see ya on the water.

Kim Lloyd, GBF President