Membership Options

[Carolyn in TX]

Is there such a thing as a "lifetime" member? i.e. pay a larger sum and you are done paying membership fees for the rest of your lifetime? It would give WSA a bigger amount up front (but it would be a one-time thing).

[adelle]

This is a good idea!

[tundra lodger]

I agree!

I'd rather WSA get it before I travel down the dark road to spousal impoverishment....

[Richard]

I will pass this idea on to the Board. At present, the only lifetime members are a few people who have donated a lot of volunteer time to the WSA in leadership roles.

[Bob Ross]

Richard, one issue with life time memberships is determing what it should cost. I've become a life member of over a dozen organization, a couple honoraries, but most paid for.

Usually a life membership is based on some multiple of the annual dues -- I'd be glad to furnish the formulas that have been used by a number of organizations.

The problem with WSA life memberships would be that there are no set dues as far as I know for WSA -- just suggestions. The Metropolitan Museum faced just this problem a number of years ago, and was forced to change from voluntary payment to a set annual membership. (They also created a fund to allow people who couldn't afford to pay to enjoy some, but not all, of the benefits of membership.)

It's a great idea in principle, but a couple of other concerns -- should the money be placed from a particular person be paid into a fund, and the disbursed for uses of WSA year by year based perhaps on the expected life of the donor? At least one of my memberships does that -- it's certainly a conservative approach.

Or should the funds be applied in their entirety to operating expenses?

If so, should the donor be able to dictate to which activities the funds should be applied?

There are other issues -- I don't have the wit to remember them tonight -- but I'd be glad to work with the board in a fact gathering mode, if that would be helpful.

Bob

[Noelle]

Bob, and everyone: the dues for WSA membership are $30. Period.

Yes, WSA does say that anyone who can't afford $30 may send whatever amount they can afford - I believe $5 is the minimum. I believe that's offered, only because so many of our members become strapped due to our caregiving situations.

I would appreciate knowing where you saw that the dues were no set amount; you can PM me.

I'm not a board member, just a member of 3-1/2 years. Because I would like to see the WSA stay around, and that takes plenty of cash, I periodically communicate with the powers that be to clearly communicate the need and the dues. Lots of those using our services do not even know there IS any organization, and that bothers me. I'm strapped, and I pay dues.

[Katt]

I can't speak to other organizations, but the American Legion has a PUFL (paid up for life) membership. It is based on the age of the member. My life expectancy is a heck of a lot shorter than the WS's who are raising young families right now.

As I am one who constantly doesn't remember when any dues are due, I would like this idea....but, of course, I am only one person.

Kat

[claudia]

As a Board member who is very concerned about WSA’s financial situation and future, I am really happy that this thread has been initiated by a member.

There is no secret about WSA’s financial challenges but I’m not certain that members are clearly aware of the situation. Like any organization or household, for that matter, WSA needs consistent, reliable year to year funding to meet its base expenses, which, even cut to the minimum, are far more than the monies received through yearly membership dues at the moment. Larry, our fantastic President, clearly out-lined the financial needs and future hopes and goals for WSA in a post some days ago, I hope everyone took the time to read it.

If you did, you will have noted that your Board is aggressively trying to get outside funding We know we can not exist solely with membership fees and extra membership donations (nor do we want to keep tapping members for our fund raising needs) , but opening the avenues of grants and sponsorships takes work and time, especially in this moment of general economic crisis.

Those who use this Forum should realize that only one third of the WSes who benefit from the support and outreach from the on-line WSA community actually pay the yearly dues. The Board sincerely wants every WS who needs our support to be able to access the Forum, therefore, we have been reluctant to impose required membership. HOWEVER, I am more than certain that many, many Forum users can afford the less than 60 cents a week need to financially support WSA through membership dues. So consider this an appeal to those to whom this message applies.

As for lifetime memberships through a one time donation, let's take a page from the book of those organizations who have tried this approach.. meaning, it is fraught with problems. Most especially in our case since we do not have, at this point, dependable yearly income beyond membership dues.

If it is not already an option, I will suggest to the Board that three or five year memberships can be issued with advance payment. That has advantages to both our administration and the WS. Not everyone is destined to be a WS forever and a FWS’s desire to remain in our fold is very individual. At the end of a pre-paid membership term, one can evaluate what kind of future commitment they want to make. And, to address Kat's comment, it is certainly necessary for the WSA office to advise members of their dues do date. Think I read that it is posted on the back of your Mainstay issue.

While I am on this soap box of appeal, I would like to suggest to those FWS who are getting on with their lives and find less and less need or desire for WSA support to honestly evaluate the help and benefits received from WSA during their time of real need and make an affordable donation so that others in the future will be supported and nurtured as you were.

As you can see, the future of WSA is very dear to my heart, and as someone once said, you make your investments, be it time, money, or commitment, where your heart is. Hope many of you feel the same way.

Thanks to all of you for being here for me.
Claudia

[LarryB]

Claudia said:

"While I am on this soap box of appeal, I would like to suggest to those FWS who are getting on with their lives and find less and less need or desire for WSA support to honestly evaluate the help and benefits received from WSA during their time of real need and make an affordable donation so that others in the future will be supported and nurtured as you were."

I am approaching that point - my reason for asking is that I learned on Sunday that I would be receiving 50% of what Rusty would have inherited from a relative that died 5 weeks after Rusty (if she had died first then Rusty would have received the entire portion addressed in the will and I would have ended up with all of his part). At any rate, his relatives are not required to give me anything so I feel blessed they 'did the right thing' and are giving me 50%.

At this time I do not know what that will be - the majority of the estate is in land, which must be sold - I am "guessing" (based on my conversation with the relative) my 50% might be something very substantial- thus I would want to make a donation/membership fee of a nice sum. It will take some time to "unload" the land - I suspect it will be 2 - 3 years before I get anything.

Carolyn

[claudia]

Speaking only for myself as a board member, I would find it very reasonable that member donors, WSA past or present, who give in the terms you are suggesting, Carolyn, would fall into a special category where yearly dues are not required. I am certain the board will discuss it.

It totally warms my heart that you are thinking along these lines. How many people have said, myself included, WSA is keeping me sane, saving or has saved my life? I only have the Forum as a resourse, but it is enough because the people I encounter here are so generous in their love, support, experience and wisdom.

WSA could and should reach many more and could and should offer more and more enriched resources to its members. If merit, work, and willingness were the only determinating factors we'd achieve our goals easily, regretably, it always comes down to money. Just your intentions deserve a big thank you,

I'm thrilled for you that your in-laws did the right thing by you.
Well, I guess they could have passed the entire inheritance..but, no need to be greedy.
Hugs,
Claudia

[LarryB]

Thank you Claudia for another excellent response.

e-c_spouse - your generosity is wonderful - and keep in mind that any donation is tax deductible (I also worry that your personal information might be misused and will edit amounts posted)

Bob: I could not rationalize any 'dues' that are earmarked by the payee for certain items. We would accept donations that are earmarked.

Noelle - your support and advocacy for WSA are greatly appreciated.

[Richard]

Is there such a thing as a "lifetime" member?

There is, but I should have said, the lifetime membership, as it is now, is strictly an award, in recognition of service to the WSA. Yes, we could certainly extend that to others who donate at a level to be determined by the Board, and Bob's help with that would be appreciated.

Noelle is correct, our dues are $30 a year, $35 outside the U.S. And we also have a 2-year membership, which is $45, or $50 outside the U.S. We could have 5-year memberships or more – but I doubt that would bring in more money. Not everyone stays with the WSA forever – although being a well spouse may feel like a life sentence!

Besides membership dues, there are many ways to raise money from members of an organization. A lifetime paid membership would be one. Holding appeals (usually two a year) is another. Participation in raffles, online auctions, 50-50 draws, white elephant draws – all have been tried, and will continue to be done.

Claudia made a very good, extensive post above, explaining how the Board is mounting a new project to apply for grants. We absolutely need to have a good grant-writing system, and for that you need the help of paid professionals, which we are now doing.

In my time as President I concentrated on outreach, and it was my only regret that the grants coming to the organization –never a lot, except for one $20,000 annual grant --dried up. Most were brought in by individuals – and after they left the Board, the well ran dry.

I am very glad to see that Larry is now leading the initiative to get some grants and set up an ongoing relationship with a paid grant-writer. We are being helped by a gift for that purpose from a Board member.

Membership in the WSA Online Forum is free. About 15% of the Forum members are also paid-up supporting WSA members. As a condition of joining the Forum, you can expect to receive an average of 4 mass E-mails a year, either encouraging people to join the WSA as supporting members, or relating to a new appeal for funds.

This weekend I will send a mass E-mail to Forum members regarding the current 20-20 campaign. For details, go to the Home Page, here http://wellspouse.org. You can donate, and also join the WSA at the same time if you're not already a supporting member!
Finally, I want to give special thanks in advance to Carolyn, e-c_spouse. Unrestricted gifts are usually the preferred way to do it, but when you’re ready to donate, and if you have a special project in mind, please contact the Office, to discuss!

[Guest]

As for lifetime memberships through a one time donation, let's take a page from the book of those organizations who have tried this approach.. meaning, it is fraught with problems. Most especially in our case since we do not have, at this point, dependable yearly income beyond membership dues.

If it is not already an option, I will suggest to the Board that three or five year memberships can be issued with advance payment. That has advantages to both our administration and the WS. Not everyone is destined to be a WS forever and a FWS’s desire to remain in our fold is very individual. At the end of a pre-paid membership term, one can evaluate what kind of future commitment they want to make. And, to address Kat's comment, it is certainly necessary for the WSA office to advise members of their dues do date. Think I read that it is posted on the back of your Mainstay issue.

While I am on this soap box of appeal, I would like to suggest to those FWS who are getting on with their lives and find less and less need or desire for WSA support to honestly evaluate the help and benefits received from WSA during their time of real need and make an affordable donation so that others in the future will be supported and nurtured as you were.

As a FWS I would be interested in a "long-term" membership.
I'm unusual in how much I've continued to post here.... but I find that I am less and less inclined to read/post. I think this drawing away from a WS identity is actually healthy for a FWS.
If you don't want to loose the income from FWS, then hit us soon after our spouse's have died and let us "buy in" some years of support.
Then, as said above, we can reevaluate when our membership ends.
Don't be surprised - or hurt - if few continue their membership for a real long time.
And don't try to "guilt" folks into a longer committment.
That approach almost always backfires ...

[claudia]

And don't try to "guilt" folks into a longer committment.
That approach almost always backfires ...

Yikes, putting a guilt trip on anyone, expecially a WS or FWS is the very last thing I would ever wish to do and I sincerely appologize if my suggestion seemed otherwise. Speaking for myself, I sometimes need to be reminded that as big or little my contribution can be, financial or otherwise, I am part of a mystical circle where I receive by giving.

Personally, I find FWSes a very valuable part of WSA, they have been there and have crossed that threshold to facing life without their spouse. Their insights and support are particularily helpful. I'm thankful for the many FWS that do stay on even when their own need for support is dwindling, but no one should feel obliged to do so.
Please know that anything I post on this forum is solely my feelings and perspective, I do not speak for anyone else, let alone our board. No one is pressuring anyone.

Hope I've explained myself better.
Claudia

[LarryB]

LisaV: Your suggestion has merit and we will discuss it. I do not believe you thought Claudia was pressuring anyone, but you were offering advice from your perspective on why we should NOT play a 'guilt card'. We would not - your point is well taken.

"evaluate the help and benefits received from WSA during their time of real need and make an affordable donation so that others in the future will be supported and nurtured as you were" is the type of statement any non-profit might make when addressing members, and is surely not meant as coercion. In fact about 30% of our members are FWS, and that is reflected in our Board of Directors also. I apologize if this was misconstrued.

Most FWS do stay on for years because they made close friends with others in this organization and have something to offer those of us in the trenches. Note that 'WS' is a major part of "FWS". Once you have been a WS, even after the need changes, you are still a WS. This life changes you - forever.

Many thanks for good suggestions.