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From: AlwaysHiking [Amy] <[address removed]>
To: [address removed]
Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 10:40:14 AM
Subject: [activedogs-237] Event fees/dues FAQs

Here's some more info on what the money collected goes towards - what you 'get' for your money.

What do I get for paying $2 an event?

• A well planned hike that has all the details covered.
  
• Exposure to new and exciting places that you and your dog have probably never been to before. Our orgs do a lot of research to find the path less traveled.
  
• You'll know what to expect before getting there and know what your responsibilities are as a dog owner in relation to local pet laws.
  
• A group of friends for you and your dog(s) to get to know. Many friendships have formed in our group and people get together outside of NOVATD events for drinks, traveling, other outdoor activities, private play dates, a little romance, etc...
  
• Well exercised, well socialized and tired doggies! Not to mention the health benefits you yourself will receive by taking a hike!

What do I get for paying $10 a year as opposed to $2 an event?

• All of the above, plus...
  
• We have members who come to 10 or more events a year. Members who are very active will benefit from paying $10 once vs. $2 for each event. We want people to hike with us and to hike often, that's why we started this group and those are the people we keep the group going for. We don't want to 'punish' members for being active so $10 is a good way for you to help but still not cost you too much.
  
• If you become a Supporting Member, I'll add you to a private mailing list and give you a heads up on future events I add to the calendar. You'll have the first chance at RSVP'ing before it's opened to the rest of the group. I can't guarantee you advanced notice for EVERY hike, but you will definitely know about most of them before everyone else does.

What does NOVATD get from these fees?

• A $2 event fee tells us you're serious about attending and are less likely to No Show or Drop Out last minute. People who show a pattern of No Showing or Dropping Out are usually asked to leave the group so other members who really are serious about attending are not prevented from joining us for an event that is full and then ends up having No Shows.
  
• After all Meetup fees are covered for the year, $180 total, then organizers and assistant organizers will be reimbursed for costs incurred with planning events (maps, guide books, subscriptions, gas for scouting, etc...). We're not saying to our orgs, "Go out and buy all the books on hiking you ever wanted to own and we'll pay you for it," but we are saying to them, "We understand the money you put into planning these events adds up and we want to help defray those costs."

What happens with any extra money?

• If we get to the point where there is extra money...
  
• It will be used to buy treats and snacks and fun stuff for the group. We surprise you all with treats from time to time and we can do it more often if we have some funds saved up.
  
• We can start a bereavement fund for our members who lose a pet and send them something special from the group to help them through their hardship.
  
• We have a lot of parties throughout the year that involve food (and beer!) and we'll put money towards supplies for those parties whenever we have extra.

What you're not paying for is our time.
We're not looking to make any money, this is a labor of love for those who take the time to put together hikes and invite you all to join. We're not trying to compensate for the effort that goes into these events, just the costs associated with planning the events.

What if I need a refund?
Just ask... be honest with us about why you're canceling an event or why you'd like your annual contribution back and chances are we're going to be very understanding. I've had to No Show my own event in the past because 'life happens' - or should I say 'poop happens' when Ripley gets sick ;o) - so we understand that things come up, but if things constantly come up and you have No Showed or Dropped Out from more hikes than you have attended, chances are you're just not that interested in our group and maybe you should think about looking somewhere else that does meet your needs.

What are examples of costs?

• Examples of direct costs are Meetup fees, reservation fees, costs of maps, guidebooks, trail subscriptions, etc...
  
• Examples of indirect costs are office supplies, photocopying, promotional fees, etc...

Why did you go more than a year without asking for money and all of a sudden you've put these fees in place?

• To be brutally honest... I've recently had to shell out a lot of money for car problems and looked around at my finances to see where I could 're-budget' so next time this happens it's not such a huge 'hit' to my wallet and realized that the amount of money I've spent on Meetup is outrageous for one person to take on.
  
• I do absolutely love this group and all of the friendships I've formed but seriously thought about quitting just to put a little back into my bank account. But I can't quit, this is too much fun to give up. Rip and I love it too much to just see it die, so I figured I'd spread the costs around. I'm just trying not to be so far out of pocket as an organizer.
  
• In the past I've always refused money when people have offered because I look at it as something I love to do, but I feel it's time to put a little back on our members to keep this group going. So far anything I've received as an RSVP fee has gone to charity. Only one event has gone towards reimbursing me for my expenses.

If you don't see a value in the group, chances are you'll not participate, but if you do value it, hopefully, you'll be glad to pitch in.




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