GSIS 2004 Business Meeting
Proposed Dues Change

Proposed Dues: (~1.375)

Personal $55
New members, first year $45
Student and Retired $20
Institutional $100
Sustaining $135 or more

Current Dues:

Individual $40
Student and Retired $15
Institutional $75
Sustaining $100 or more

Comparisons:

2004 Members
Number
2003 Rates
2004 Actual
Proposed Rates
2004 Proposed
Personal
120
$40
$4,800
$55
$6,600
New members
10
$40
$400
$45
$450
Retired members
11
$15
$165
$20
$220
Students
3
$15
$45
$20
$60
Institutional
25
$75
$1,875
$100
$2,500
Sustaining
6
$100
$600
$135
$810
 
175
 
$7,885
 
$10,640

Increase: $2,775

Rationale:

• See Business Plan published in June 2004 Newsletter. Summary:

o Past 5 years, static to slightly declining membership.
o Past 5 years, expending more on member services than income from member dues.
o The healthy reserve of open funds, approximately $16,800 in 1997, had declined to approximately $11,500 by June, 2004.
o Increased annual meeting costs.
o Increased publication costs.
o No dues increase since 1994 (from $30.00 to $40.00). Previous increase in 1986 from $20.00 to $30.00.
o Compare to other society dues such as SLA ($125).

• A lower rate for new members might serve as an incentive to join and “try out” our society, and hopefully help to increase our membership.
• The same rationale for lower student rates; we need to increase these numbers.
• Retired members usually have decreased income and lack institutional support; we need to encourage and support their ongoing participation in the society.

lej
10/25/04