I agree with the semi-volunteer donation system (i.e. the suggested donation rate of $2).
I also don't agree with having to buy advance tickets. This is just the same as membership paying system. The main problem is that once people think about tickets in advance, they will automatically associate that with membership. While would most people like to buy things in installments? Paying $20 at one time is still very different from paying $2 each time. I am aware that $2 or $20 is nothing these days, however, for those who are new to the organization or don't use the club resources that much, any official money paying system (fee, ticket) will discourage them from coming to the club. This is all based on priority. Is the meeting meant to bring in more people or is it there to bring more income to our club? Of course, we need both but as of this moment, I think we need the people.
We want people to come to learn, to chat, to know each others freely by allowing them to feel that there is NO string attached. Based on this foundation, people will then be more appreciative to our club and will then be willing to contribute more when they get more involved with our organization. For example, we didn't have much trouble raising fund buying the new TV costing few thousand dollars.
Also, I don't agree having to track the attendees' $2 payments either. After all, we have said "suggested $2 donation". It's reasonable to observe a 10% to 20% non-payment rate which could include people who forget to bring money, new guests, or simply people who don't feel like doing it. In a realistic world, it is easy to get a good score (and so it's easy to collect 80%) than trying to get the perfect score. Trying to achieve the last 20% of the score could take twice the amount of effort. What I am saying is that whatever the method we use to collect the remaining 20% (by selling advance tickets, by forcing or insulting those who didn't pay) will end up hurting the heart and the feelings of the attendees. By attendees, I mean not only those who have come but also those who haven't come and will not come because of possible bad mouthing or dispute.
The question we should ask is: "Will 80% of the expected amount from $2-dollar collection be enough?" If not, then we should collect $3. On the other hand, the club would not be proud to say "WELCOME TO OUR ORGANIZATION" but please make sure you buy a ticket or pay our fee (or else you will be singled out).
Let's keep this place as open as possible. Look at the new comers, they've expressed that they would want to pay the membership fees, they are willing to pay this pay that... Why would they want to do that? Once they get to understand our club, most of them (again, there is always some portion or percentage number and my sense would say it's 70% in this case) will be more than willing to pay and pay more than their responsible shares.
I agree with YuHong's view, we should adopt the church operation. People can come freely and once they attach themselves to the organization, they will be more valuable than the "real" money. As suggested by YuHong, if we have to ensure a higher collection rate, then passing the collection box during the meeting (just like in a church) is a good way to achieve that. So long that we don't place a big sign somewhere that says "you must pay $2 if you are here". That will do more harm than help.
Just my 2cents now and $2 each meeting night
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