interesting idea
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Topic created by Sandy on Wed Sep 29, 2010 at 12:17 pmI was just reading through a thread on Attackpoint.org, the website where many orienteers post their training, and one club indicated that they had higher than normal membership rates and no event fees at local events for members. Other clubs have very low membership rates or rates structured so that your first event includes a minimal amount that counts as a membership.
I was just wondering what people thought of these ideas. I'm particularly intrigued by the first option. I was thinking not to replace our regular membership fee structure, but maybe have a Premium membership level that would allow to you run at local events for free, so pay a substantial amount up front but then not have to worry about paying at each event. Does this sound like a reasonable approach that we should consider? -
Reply by Vadim on Wed Sep 29, 2010 at 1:42 pmI would call it annual pass (or something similar), available for purchase at any time for entire calendar year regardless membership.
When I first started orienteering back in 1983, that was one of the options - pay upfront for entire year, receive a unique identification, and use it for registration at the following events. This way you could save some money if you plan to attend most of the events. For example, if there are 35 events a year (scheduled) for the price of $6 for a total of $210, then pay $150-180 upfront and save money. That was done long time ago and it's still done these days as well. -
Reply by j-man on Wed Sep 29, 2010 at 3:46 pmI also like the idea. Since there is little marginal cost for every additional meet someone attends, it wouldn't be a disaster, if, for example, it was priced at the median number of meets, and someone showed up to all of them. In fact, that would be a good thing, in my mind.
When we have online registration, this sounds like it has the potential to really speed things up. -
Reply by Steve on Thu Sep 30, 2010 at 9:19 amIt should be noted that an annual membership would not include A meets, since they would be O-USA events. No matter how many times you post that fact, there will always be complaints.
I personally like the idea, in fact, a life time membership would have been nice in my younger days.
Clem, What would be the median price for a family? -
Reply by j-man on Thu Sep 30, 2010 at 3:57 pmSteve--
The A-meet issue is a good point.
As for pricing--that is probably something for the BOD to discuss if they think this is a good idea. It seems like it is something that would logically go along with the online membership database, as that would streamline the record-keeping for it (and it would also allow the secretary and treasurer to figure out a fair price.)
But, even before that, I think we have enough statistics that a little number crunching could give a pretty good idea.
It is rare (unless you're name is Brian) to go to anywhere close to 20 events, so that might not be a valid starting point for most people.
Still, I don't really have any strong opinions yet, but I hope maybe the BOD discusses this at some point.
Clem
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Reply by Sswede on Thu Sep 30, 2010 at 4:08 pmI like it!
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Reply by FredR on Thu Sep 30, 2010 at 11:59 pmFaster and easier registration is worthwhile by itself, but also Clem raised the good point of increasing participation by removing the economic disincentive to attend more events. This second effect could be coordinated with larger goals such as encouraging juniors and newcomers to become "regulars"--e.g., a one-time-only discount to convert occasional "dabblers" into fully engaged club members.
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Reply by DSevon on Fri Oct 1, 2010 at 6:53 amI think that it would be useful not to restrict this (the pass idea) to the calendar year. Then if an injury, business travel, or something else prevents the person from finishing the pass in the calendar year, the person can still get the full value of their money by finishing the pass in the next year.
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Reply by Sandy on Fri Oct 1, 2010 at 8:55 amI think there are two different ideas here.
One is for a pass where you pay up front for a certain number of events and somehow someone keeps track of how many events you attend - punches a hole in a card or something like that. This would be a nice convenience. The pass would be independent of membership.
But I was thinking more along the lines of a membership category that lets you go to events free of charge for the year without keeping track of how many. If you don't go to that many then it's a donation to the club and if you go to a lot then maybe you get your money's worth. -
Reply by Steve on Fri Oct 1, 2010 at 1:06 pmClem, I wasn't looking for a number per se, but the idea that you and Dasha should pay less then say the Thatchers or Cornishes. The membership fee the way it is now, means one BP for the family, but bigger families pay for more maps. The Pass idea would allow a large family to get their monies worth at one meet. That said, I have bought year long memberships to The Baltimore Aquarium and The Mystic Seaport, knowing that I would only visit once, because it was cheaper than paying full fare ( I had 4 kids plus girlfriends with kids at the time).
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Reply by BevH on Fri Oct 1, 2010 at 9:12 pmI like the idea too. Without number crunching, I would think that a price on the order of 50% to 60% of the local meets (not A meets) would be attractive and revenue (and participation) generating. Having a lot of revenue at the start of the year would be an advantage to the club, too. If you really want to incentivize families, pricing could be in the range of 160% for family of two (tending to run separately), 50% additional for each extra family member (=map). The price also would not include compass, whistle, e-punch rentals--just the map fee.
Perhaps if it were attached to map fees, rather than meet registration, there could be less confusion about A meets, and if it resulted in a $6 discount on A-meet registration, that could be almost affordable for the club.
Also, I have seen clubs where you can join after any meet, and your full meet fee applies to your year's registration.
Also, some places have standard calendar year memberships, while others have rolling memberships, that expire and need to be renewed a year after the date of joining.
Bev -
Reply by kathyu on Mon Oct 4, 2010 at 7:26 amThe families who have the most incentive to save money may not have the up-front cash.
