Originally Posted by
beepee
My last club added an initiation fee to try and stem the tide of members dropping in and out. Harder to manage the operation that way. You drop out, you have to pay the initiation to re-join. It was there to help stabilize the membership count. I wasn't there long enough to find out whether it accomplished it's intent.
Bedford
That is exactly what we do. For a while we had members drop out at the end of the year, then they would join in the spring when the weather was getting good and received a prorated membership. Now everyone joins for the full amount ($150. of which $50 is the initiation fee) and the second year you are prorated. You drop out it's $150 again.
This has helped our club financially, and stops all the horse play.
I never understood why people complain over membership fees anyway... most are extremely reasonable. Try joining a golf club, hunt club, etc.
Steve