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	VOTF, Membership Dues, and Voting Voice from the Desert November 20, 2009 http://reform-network.net/?p=2389 Here is an email from my friend Paul Kendrick about Voice of the Faithful's (VOTF) new dues policy and its role in VOTF's February, 2010, election of officers. Following Paul's remarks, you'll find a copy of a letter from the Chair of VOTF's Board of Trustees about their new dues policy. * * * > Subject: VOTF announces amendment — new rules that will humiliate its less fortunate members TO: VOTF LEADERSHIP On October 20, 2009, Voice of the Faithful announced that its members will have to pay $50 ($85 per couple) if they want to vote in VOTF's national elections. These members will be called "Voting Members". All others will be called "Members," but they will not be able to vote. As such, VOTF has created two different classes of members, the "haves" and the "have-nots." In response to criticism about the creation of this caste system, VOTF leadership has now issued an amendment to the $50 rule. In a statement issued on November 16, 2009 (see below), VOTF leaders now say that if a member cannot afford the $50 voting fee, he or she can file for a "hardship exemption." It's humiliating. Is it even possible for VOTF's elite leadership to put themselves in the shoes of a VOTF member whose family is struggling financially because of a job loss? Is it even possible for VOTF's elite leadership to put themselves in the shoes of a retiree living from one Social Security payment to the next? Fifty dollars may be the difference between purchasing prescribed medication or doing without. Is it even possible for VOTF's elite leadership to put themselves in the shoes of a single mom with two kids whose worried sick about not being able to pay all the household bills this month? And now, VOTF leaders want retirees and the working poor (or unemployed) to apply for a "hardship exemption" so that members who cannot afford the annual fee are able to vote in the VOTF national elections in February. It's humiliating. Bishop Kenneth Untener asked that at every meeting in his diocese, no matter what the subject matter, the meeting begin with the following question: "How will what we are about to do here affect or enable the poor?" Planning for the Future: Message on Dues After the Board of Trustees announced its financial crisis in July, VOTF's members responded with overwhelming generosity. Through mid-October, you have contributed $250,000 in response to an initial emergency appeal and to a call for sustaining financial commitments. Words cannot express the depths of our gratitude and the faith that you have renewed in the vision of VOTF. To remain financially viable in the future, the Board has decided to modify its business plan to raise annual revenue. Instead of relying exclusively on regular electronic and postal solicitations for contributions, the Board is adopting a dues structure supplemented by targeted solicitations. We hope that all members will make annual dues payments and that those who can afford to do so will make additional contributions through solicitations issued during the year. For 2009, however, contributions made by members between January 1 and December 31 equal to or greater than the amounts listed below will satisfy dues payments for this year. During the past two years, the costs of printing and mailing solicitations have risen, and, as with most for-profit and non-profit organizations, financial contributions have decreased significantly during the national economic crisis of the past few years. Despite substantial cost reductions during this same period, including a 35% cut in expenses in April 2009, VOTF's cash reserves fell perilously low in July. After assessing the crisis, the Board concluded that VOTF could no longer sustain viable national operations with an unpredictable stream of income from periodic (or emergency) appeals. At its meeting on September 22, the Board decided to implement an annual dues structure, much like most non-profit organizations that provide member services. The Board projects that annual dues will provide a predictable source of about half of VOTF's current total operating expenses (currently around $420,000). It will seek the rest through targeted mail solicitations, along with appeals to major donors and with applications to grant or foundation funding sources. The bottom-line is that VOTF will size its national operations budget consistent with the income from these combined sources. The Board has set annual dues at $50 per individual or $85 per couple. Payment will entitle members to vote in the national election of Officers as well as in any other national election which might be held. These members will be called "Voting Members". All others will be called "Members", but they will not be able to vote. On an annual basis, VOTF will notify its members of the costs and payment date for dues. VOTF's database records all contributions by members and will be the official reference for these payments. The Board will modify the By-Laws to implement this change. As noted above, members' contributions of at least $50 per individual or $85 per couple made between January 1 and December 31, 2009 will satisfy 2009 dues payments. Counted will be any contributions made through monthly automatic payments as well as online donations or contributions by cash or check, in response to general solicitations, the emergency appeal or the current solicitation of financial pledges. These members will receive a ballot to vote for national officers in February 2010. If you want to make a dues payment for 2009 (see paragraph above for amounts counted toward 2009 dues), you can do so by clicking here to pay online or by mailing in your payment to P.O. Box 423, Newton, MA 02464. In the meantime, VOTF will send this message by postal mail to any members that have not provided an email address so that they will receive notice of this significant change. If you have any questions about this change, please contact the VOTF office at office@votf.org or 781.559.3360. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Sincerely, Bill Casey, Chair
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