Delegates: Be informed before you vote

I'm very disappointed by Amendment 6.  I am of the opinion that existing international dues are the contribution that individual members and clubs contribute to the business of KI.

This amendment allows those that have the means to attend the International Convention to assess those who cannot, and those who cannot are in no position to object.

Presumably the convention fee goes beyond the cost "to conduct the business of the organization" (presumably the business meeting) and will underwrite aspects of the convention that are not core to the business of the organization.

Those clubs and members that are disadvantaged geographically or economically would be further burned by others.

Also, I'm not sure what is meant by "the club convention fee would eliminate the need to charge registration fees for all club members."

What exactly is the convention fee that will be charged to each club and shouldn't that be disclosed?

Sincerely,

Christopher McSwain

Kiwanis Club of Natomas

Sacramento, CA

How much is the proposed "club convention fee"?

I agree with donald with the prposed club fee for convention and it should inculde meals such as the breakfast, lunchons, and the optional ticketed events as the meals/ticketed events can cost just as much or even more then the registration cost .  Also we need to reduce transportation costs and lodging costs-- seriously it should not cost a member $1000 or more to go to ICON when you consider registration, meals( inculding the ticketed meals, ticketed events like Jay Leno, meals not offered at ICON, lodging-- the hotels are a little pricey, transportation-- have you seen airfare lately?  When the TOTAL cost goes down to an affordable level in this economy, will more clubs and more members attend.  

In answer to the various questions above:

The Kiwanis International Board determined that, if Proposed Amendment #1 is adopted, the club convention fee will be US$200 for Tier A clubs, US$130 for Tier B clubs; and US$90 for Tier C clubs.  (“Tiers” refers to three categories of clubs defined in Article XXII of the K.I. Bylaws, based on per-capita income levels of the nation where a club is located.)

Payment of the convention fee by the club would provide funding for the international convention and thus would eliminate the need to charge registration fees for members, which is how conventions are currently funded.  A club may send one member, 10 members, or more by annual payment of the $200 fee (or $130 or $90, as applicable), with no additional cost for registration.  There would still be a registration fee for non-members.

The club convention fee is intended to cover registration only and would not include any meals or ticketed events. This allows the Board to keep the fee as low as possible.

Kiwanis International has no control over travel costs but tries to choose cities that are major transportation hubs. Hotels in a variety of price ranges are offered each year.