Considering regional chapter membership dues

[Wakeling_S]

Around four years ago the North East England chapter was relaunched. With an initial membership of less than ten, the chapter officer team have since promoted quarterly free events (including a full day event last year) with chapter membership now standing at 140. Last year we submitted over 300 CPE on behalf of our members. We have continued positive feedback about our events and have enjoyed support from our local businesses with sponsorship of their event facilities and refreshments - that have allowed us to operate on a no cost model (we do not have a treasurer).

The chapter management team are now considering future membership models and would be interested to hear from any chapters who may have faced a similar maturity point of their chapter. E.g. continue as a free membership model and rely solely on local sponsorship or consider a membership cost model (with implications of reduced membership, treasurer role, bank account, legalities etc.)

Any chapter management team's experiences of introducing and operating a costed membership would be welcomed.

Thanks!

Scott Wakeling

(Membership chair – North East England chapter)

[rslade]

> Wakeling_S (Newcomer II) posted a new topic in Chapters on 02-11-2019 08:37 AM

>   Any chapter management team's experiences of
> introducing and operating a costed membership would be welcomed.

Hmmmm. Can't give you much in the way of experience except in the negative.  The Vancouver Chapter operates on the no cost model, and has done since forming. We also meet in conjunction with the Vancouver Security SIG (Special Interest Group) which has operated under the no cost model for over 35 years.  (We also meet in conjunction with the Vancouver Chapter of ISSA who *do* charge for membership. At our last meeting there were three ISSA members.)

Over the (35!) years a number of people, at a number of times, have suggested moving to a model of charging for membership and/or meetings. So far the no cost model has survived, and so have we.