Ever wondered where your hard-earned membership dues go when you join the Officer Spouses Club? It’s a common question, and we want to shed some light on how your contributions are put to good use. Here’s a peek behind the curtain at the costs involved in keeping our club running smoothly.

The Basics: Keeping the Lights On

Our club operates with an annual budget of around $4,800 just to cover the essentials. This might sound like a lot, but let's break it down:

1. Insurance: We have to maintain insurance as part of our agreement with the installation. This is non-negotiable and helps protect our club and its members.

2. Website and Marketing Fees: In today’s digital age, having a functional website and marketing our events are crucial. These services help us stay connected with you and keep everyone in the loop.

3. Taxes and Accounting: We’re committed to managing our finances properly, which means filing taxes and paying an accountant to keep our books in order. This ensures we stay compliant with our tax status.

4. Payment Processing Fees: When you pay your membership fee online, we’re charged a fee. For instance, on a $40 membership fee, we only see $38 after the payment processor takes its cut. Every payment method we use has associated fees, which adds up over time.

Sub-Clubs and Event Costs

Our sub-clubs don’t make a profit. The fees you pay for these groups are strictly to cover their operating expenses. This keeps everything transparent and ensures that funds are used directly for the activities and events you enjoy.

When it comes to our larger community events, the ticket prices are carefully calculated. We base these prices on projected sales to cover costs like:

• Food and Beverages: Providing meals and drinks is a big part of our events.
• Entertainment: We often bring in entertainers or activities to enhance your experience.
• Room Fees: Renting venues or spaces incurs costs.

If we sell more tickets than expected and end up with a surplus, we use that extra money to offset future ticket prices. We also apply any excess funds to support free events like our Welcome Aboard and End-of-Year celebrations.

In short, your membership dues and event tickets go directly towards creating enjoyable, well-managed events and maintaining the club’s operational needs. We aim to be transparent about how every dollar is spent and appreciate your support in keeping the club vibrant and active.

Thank you for being a part of our Officer Spouses Club. Your participation helps us continue providing fantastic experiences and support for everyone involved!