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Show RATIONALE FOR PROPOSED. A\1E'ffivIENT TO ARTICLE VI I I, SECTION 3 OF NATIONAL BYLAWS The National Finance Committee is proposing an increase in annual National dues_ from $6.00 to $9.00, effective with the 1976-77 year. The $9.00 dues would in clude $7.70 for the National Federat i.on expenses, $ .75 for the Foundation, and $ .55 for the International Federation dues voted at the Congress in'August 1974. Obviously the biggest reason for a dues increase is TI1e last L The rate of in If the dues voted. in 1970 were \Vas 35.2%. annual dues would be 8.11¢ this year. in annual dues \Vas voted in flation from 1970 to November 1974 crease adjusted for inflation, . inflation. 1970, effective in 1971-72. 'The last increase for the Foundation was voted in 1966, effective in 1967-68. The rate of inflation since 1967 has been 53.2%. If the amount voted in 1966 for the FOUllclation were adjusted for inflation, the Foundation would be Teceiv mg $. 77 this year. At the time the last dues increase was proposed the proposal was for an es calation over a period of 4 years. This was voted down in favor of a flat $2.00 increase. Therefore, it seems impractical to propose a dues increase each year '. if needed. - If a conservative 8% annual, rate ·of inflation is projected, it would require $9.46 in 1976-77, when the dues increase could become effective, to provide the same real income that $6.00 provided in 1970. In 1977-78 it would require $10.22, -in 1978-79 it would be $11.04. In proposing only an increase to $9.00, 'it-is evident that it wi.l I be difficult to meet the budget requi.rement s unless the Tate of inflation decreases sharpiy. , The Federation and Foundation have the· same tyes of budget problems that L dividuals and industries have. Postage has increased from 6¢ to 10¢ for first class mail, and there is an additional increase proposed in the near future. Postage for the magazine has increased from a rate of 3.4¢ per pOlUlct in 1970 to S.4¢ per pound today, wh ich is up 59%. Utilities are projected in the 1975-76 budget at 117%'ahove the 1969-70 cost. Social Security taxes are 72.4% higher in 1974 than in 1970. Since 1970· Federation and Foundation services to the·membership have increased In many areas Two of the biggest items in the Federation budget are the magazine. and salaries, which provide the membership services. . In 1969-70 U\TIONAL USIhr:ESS WOMfu cost $1.04 of each member's dues, in 1974-75 .it will cost at least $1.40, next year the cost is projected at $1.71 per member. This is because printing has increased 38.5% since 1970; labor costs on printing have gone up about 10% each year. Postage and distribution has increased 43% since 1970-7]_ to the present. Even though we do have .income from advertising, the magazine costs require a larger amount from the budget each yeaL Although all membership services have been increased in many areas, such as mat.er ia'Ls t.hat have been provided, the Federation staff has not. |
