Dues / Renewal

[Pat Kelly]

Its that time of the year again.

Thats right. Time to renew your CCA membership.

Due in January.
You can send to me:
1804 Petula Court
Forest Hill, MD 21050
or bring to the January meeting.

Individual $20.00
Family (under one roof) $30.00.

I have had a lot of people paid for 2009 already so if you are uncertain, email or PM me.

See you in 09

[Pat Kelly]

Don't forget.
A lot of people renewed at the meeting.
Thank you.

[F8LBITE]

YEP, took care of it at the meeting, Prez.

[Pat Kelly]

Cool.
Just trying to keep our membership up.
Even got 4 new members Saturday.
Good times. lol

[Pat Kelly]

Lets get er done.
So far we have a LOT of people that have to renew yet.

[Pat Kelly]

After the Feb meeting I am thinking about sending out a letter or postcard to a lot of the people we have not seen here for a year or two. Try to get them back into the fold. Tell them about our speakers and events.

I did it 2 years ago but did not get anybody.

[animicrazy]

After the Feb meeting I am thinking about sending out a letter or postcard to a lot of the people we have not seen here for a year or two. Try to get them back into the fold. Tell them about our speakers and events.

I did it 2 years ago but did not get anybody.

Did you ask them why they left? (an exit interview) (phone works great for this)

Do we have PayPal for dues? I pay all but one bill online and none by mail.

TMS

P.S. Just felt like being an *ss - but this stuff does work.

[Pat Kelly]

I pay all of mine electronically also.

I have wanted Paypal for a couple years.
I keep hitting a roadblock.

However right now I am not sure. I have a problem with Paypal right now. I started to renew on another club, It did not recognize my password. I tried to change it. It did not recognize any of my answers.
And I am having problems getting it straightend out.

I hope to work it out and have it here on the forum as an option soon.

[tash]

Did you ask them why they left? (an exit interview) (phone works great for this)

Do we have PayPal for dues? I pay all but one bill online and none by mail.

TMS

P.S. Just felt like being an *ss - but this stuff does work.

I just want to second this. I have a 'checking' account, but I haven't actually had a check in years and years. My husband pays most of the regular bills (cars, phone, etc) but he doens't use checks either. He actually got rid of his one credit card that wouldnt take online payments because of that. So to pay dues here I need to go to the bank and get cash out and then go to the meeting and not spend the cash in the auction :lol:

[RIFT_LAKES_RULE]

I'll join as soon as paypal is an option, otherwise I'll wait until Ad K. comes to town as i'm planning on coming to that. I'm lookin at nearly 4 hrs roundtrip drive time to come to a meeting (depending on where they're actually held), but I'd like to support the club. I guess I could get a M/O or write a check and mail it... just call me lazy :p

[George]

Doesn't it cost money to use PAYPAL?

George

[tash]

Doesn't it cost money to use PAYPAL?

George

not to send money. it costs a % of every payment you recive IF you have the upgraded account. Having an upgraded acccount lets you take payments made by credit card (rather then funded, which is money that is in the payees paypal account or direct from their bank account). Non upgraded (basic) accounts also can only accept so much money per month, and can only transfer so much to a bank account per mont ($500 I think?).

here is a calc: www.ppcalc.com (http://www.ppcalc.com)

[maddog10]

Doesn't it cost money to use PAYPAL?

George


Yes, it would cost us money to receive Paypal payments. It will cost you money to use Paypal, because we will charge a an extra dollar or two if you pay via Paypal. I think that was what we agreed to do anyway. Pat?

Using Paypal does create a little more work with the book keeping end of the things as well.

[phishphorphun]

How much does it cost to write a check and put a stamp on an envelope? Or...how about attending a meeting and hand over the cash. Hmmm, again, just as last year this time, I don't think I have paid my dues yet.:confused:

I hope you guys still accept cash at the meeting.;)

[Pat Kelly]

It will get set up at some point.
Yes the Board had voted to add a little to the price for using it.

I still believe that even if it costs the club some, in the long run we would have more people join because of it.

LOL
yes we still take cash. LOL.

[phishphorphun]

yes we still take cash.

Good. I don't use the PayPal thing much. :)

[tash]

How much does it cost to write a check and put a stamp on an envelope? Or...how about attending a meeting and hand over the cash. ......

it would be $20.91 to pay through paypal. (probably rounded to $21?)

to pay by mail you need to order checks (about $15?) or get a money order ($.50-$2), then buy stamps (another $4-$5). Then buy envelopes ($4). Plus all the gas running around to get this stuff... so that is a total (including membership dues) of $28.50-$46 plus gas. ;)

driving to a meeting for me costs a little less then a gallon of gas (maybe 3/4?). so at current prices that is about $1.30 or so just to get there. double it if I want to go home ;) so total cost to drive to the meeting just to pay dues is $22.60. This does not count the detour to go to the bank and get cash out.

cheapest so far-PayPal.

of course I try to make it to the meetings anyway if I can... :D

[phishphorphun]

Wow, I apologize for missing the the fact that some folks don't have a checking account. Julie, your right. For those who don't already have a checking account, it would be much more equitable to go with PayPal if they already have it set up.

But as far as paying in cash at a meeting. If you want to be an active member that lives in a close proximity of the meetings, attending a meeting should not be that difficult.

The bottom line is the cost of creating a PayPal account that is equitable for the club.

The debate goes on.:rolleyes:

[Charlutz]

It's against the paypal user agreement to charge a fee to a customer for using paypal. A switch to paypal wouldn't affect me as it's no trouble for me to hit an ATM before the January meeting. They usually have twenty-dollar bills in there. :) I just mention it as an fyi. The loophole around it is to raise the membership fee to $21 and offer a discount for anyone paying by check or cash. I didn't write the contract, I just report it. :eek:

[Pat Kelly]

LOL
Leave it to the Lawyer. lol

[phishphorphun]

Good report Charlie. Thanks;)

[tash]

Wow, I apologize for missing the the fact that some folks don't have a checking account. Julie, your right. For those who don't already have a checking account, it would be much more equitable to go with PayPal if they already have it set up.
...

yeah. I do have a "checking" account, but I haven't ordered checks in many years. I don't have to. Everyone takes online payments now. But I do know people who don't have a checking account. I used to cash paychecks for a friend of mine because she didn't have a checking account. They needed an ID from her and she didn't have a drivers licence because of medical issues. Eventually she got her temps which come with a state id so then she got a checking account, still can't drive though.....

The hassle for me to get cash is that I have to go to the bank, park the car, get my toddler (and soon to be newborn) out of the car in whatever weather we have that day, walk to the ATM on the other side of the building, get the cash, then walk back and get all of us back in the car. yeah, my bank is stupid like that. But so far the customer service has been good and the location is nice too. :D But of course if I want to buy anything at the auction then I have to go get cash anyway. :)

I like Charlie's report. Raise dues to $21. $1 discount to pay by cash, check, or MO. :D

Cost wise the club would be getting an extra nine cents that way. So then the only problem is the extra paperwork for whoever is in charge of the clubs paypal account. But hopefully it would encourage people to pay.

I would definatly pay the $1 for the convience. The last two times I paid (the only two here) I paid by cash at the meeting. But that meant I had a delay of sevral weeks before being a member, and this year I was kinda afraid I wouldn't have the money by Jan, and might not be able to make Feb and/or March so then if I couldn't have paid in Jan would I still have counted as a member by the time I could pay in April? (hopefully I will make both feb and march but you never know at that point)

[guarddog5]

Pat - I'll be at the meeting this month and will pay my dues then. And hopefully I'll be able to order fish from Frybabies!

James

[RIFT_LAKES_RULE]

I'll gladly add an extra dollar to my donation or I'll wait till the meeting when Mr. Konings is gonna be there and donate then. For me to get a baby sitter on saturday for 3 kids (wife works sat & sun), then drive 4 hrs roundtrip :eek:... lets just say I won't be able to make many meetings, not by choice but by circumstance. I guess paying all my bills on the internet for a few years has spoiled me. :D

[UNCLERUCKUS]

It's against the paypal user agreement to charge a fee to a customer for using paypal. A switch to paypal wouldn't affect me as it's no trouble for me to hit an ATM before the January meeting. They usually have twenty-dollar bills in there. :) I just mention it as an fyi. The loophole around it is to raise the membership fee to $21 and offer a discount for anyone paying by check or cash. I didn't write the contract, I just report it. :eek:
LOL! YEAH IM WONDERING WHY ITS SO HARD TO JUST DRIVE UP TO A ATM GET CASH GO TO THE MEETING AND PAY. :eek: IT NOT LIKE YOU ARE GETTING A PASSPORT AND DRIVING TO IOWA FOR PETES SAKE. YOUR DRIVING TO A MEETING. IF YOUR LIKE ME AND YOU HAVE KIDS ...PREPLAN. GET A BABYSITTER SET UP WAY IN ADVANCE OR BRING W/ YOU. I THINK I SAW A FAMILY PLAN FOR 30.00. BEATS A VIDEO GAME ANY DAY AND THE COST OF A BABY SITTER :p

[F8LBITE]

yeah im sure its not cool for Pat to have to beg for the dues to be paid. lets just get it done.

[mscichlid]

Personally I like the convienence of Paypal. It make paying for items and things so much easier. Besides with that button I might be tempted to donate a little extra, or pay my dues for 5 years, etc.

[kbeaudean]

Thank you for the last couple of replys. I work for a bank and was thinking the same thing about driving up to an ATM! I have to agree, Pat and the rest of the board members have enough on there plates! Plan ahead!!

[tash]

I can not drive up to the ATM. Then I would be driving on the sidewalk. yeah. stupid bank. but I like them otherwise. and walking at all right now is difficult at best, but that should be fixed by the march meeting ;)

as for a sitter I am lucky when my husband is home and can watch our daughter. When he is not home I do bring her but then I try to be late so she doesn't disrupt the presentation with "HI FISHY! HI FISHY! HI FISHY!" which is as annoying as it is cute. I don't have anyone else to watch her if my husband is gone. The newborn will have to come with me but shouldn't be a problem for a while :D

[animicrazy]

Gee, I really did not mean to start WWIII; thought "shrub" jr would do that - might have actually.

Today I actually had to mail a payment. I was appalled that the recipient did not have any other modern method. Cost me $1.62 for the money order and stamped envelope plus 45 minutes to get to the post office - not a good deal.

Raise dues by five dollars a category and let people pay however - pay pal being an option.

Just the ravings of a madman.

P.S. Yes, I realize now, too late, that I could have mailed dues at the same time - will pay at the Feb. meeting.

[Pat Kelly]

Okay, guys most of the people on here have renewed.

I am sending out some post card reminders to those that have not.

I will also change status on here after the March meeting for those that have yet to renew.

[iamzrad]

I paid my dues at the Feb. meeting :)
I was told that my "name tag" thing would be there next Sat.?

[Pat Kelly]

Name Tag?

[Pat Kelly]

Possibly you mean membership card. The only name tag we have are the ones we write our names on.

Yes, I hope to get a chance this weekend to make some more of them. Depends on time.

[crazyclowntang]

I have to pay to be on this website??

[Pat Kelly]

No, Anybody can be on the forum unless they have been banned.

The Capital Cichlid Association, Inc. is a local tropical fish club that happens to have a forum also. The club members have access to other areas. "members only" section. They also have some other bennys. You can tell the club members because the names appear in green or red. If they choose not to renew then you will see they are back in blue like everyone else. The access to the club members section will be turned off.
But they will still have access to the forum. I can only think of one person that has ever been banned from the forum and the club.

So that was the long answer. :)

Short answer. No you don't have to pay to be on the forum.

[maddog10]

I have to pay to be on this website??

If it makes you feel better, you can send me a check! :D

[Sonny Disposition]

So officers' names are in red, and members' in green?

No, Anybody can be on the forum unless they have been banned.

The Capital Cichlid Association, Inc. is a local tropical fish club that happens to have a forum also. The club members have access to other areas. "members only" section. They also have some other bennys. You can tell the club members because the names appear in green or red. If they choose not to renew then you will see they are back in blue like everyone else. The access to the club members section will be turned off.
But they will still have access to the forum. I can only think of one person that has ever been banned from the forum and the club.

So that was the long answer. :)

Short answer. No you don't have to pay to be on the forum.

[Pat Kelly]

Officers, Moderators, and Admin are red
I think.
Now I have to look. lol
I think thats the way I set it up.
CCA members green.

[F8LBITE]

if you dont renew all the cool kids will laugh at you.

[crazyclowntang]

Ok sounds good. I will be at the next CCA for the first time ever, and will be come a member.

[SubMariner]

Ok sounds good. I will be at the next CCA for the first time ever, and will be come a member.

CrazyClownTang, that's excellent. You make sure you come to my table, I'm in charge of Membership now so Welcome aboard!!!

Hey Guys and Gals, if you haven't joined or haven't renewed, the time is now. Especially at our next meeting. It only costs $20 dollars a YEAR for an individual and $30 dollars for family. It's like having a little miniature fish convention every month.

For that amount of money you get:

1.) A once a month Meeting and gathering of Cichlidholics or Fish Fanatics and friends.

2.) A speaker who shares his knowledge and experience in a presentation for the whole club. A new speaker every month.
For example, the famous Ad Konings will be at our May meeting and if you don't know him, Google him right now.

3.) A Raffle and give away of prizes like Filters, food, and lots of stuff.

4.) An Auction of fish for sale and Aquarium items. A place where you can sell your fish and Aquarium things too.

5.) Lots of food and sodas including Chicken Wings or Meatballs depending on what month.

6.) If you're a Member you'll receive a Biotope Magazine with articles from our members on our favorite subject...Cichlids and things.

7.) A gathering and fellowship of friends and new friends. And a Membership Card with your name on it.

8.) A place to get away from the wife, husband, roommate or even your Mom and talk Fish.

9.) And Finally a big Kiss from our past President Francine.:))))))))

Just kidding on the last one. You'll be caught up to date with the Cichlid world and it's conventions. Insights on new methods of breeding fish and treating for diseases. At these meetings you'll have the opportunity to pick the minds of experts in the business for over 20-30 years. And make friends that last a lifetime who share your passion for fish.

Finally, an open forum on the internet at our website to meet, greet and learn new things about the hobby or sport, which I call it.

So join today and renew tomorrow!

Thanx in advance,

Richard

Pat, if I may have left something out, please add to this post and If I may have mis spoken then correct me as well. Thank you.

[Pat Kelly]

You forgot
\
Hearing me mispronounce fish names.

Other than that, sounds good.:)

[F8LBITE]

only $20?!? I might sign up again!!!

[Pat Kelly]

Hey, just the entertainment value of watching me make a fool of myself up there is well worth the price.

[crazyclowntang]

Hey, just the entertainment value of watching me make a fool of myself up there is well worth the price.


hahaha, can't wait for the 14th:p