Answers to Questions Asked on Listserves, Emails, and the Blog

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Why has STC raised the dues?

The $215 dues is more in line with what it costs to deliver the support and services to members.

Why do international members pay less dues?

Most international members pay the same as US; however, developing economies in countries, such as: Bolivia, Ghana, Kosovo, and Thailand, are eligible for a lower rate. This was a decision made several years ago by the Board to acknowledge the difference in pay scales outside the U.S. and to encourage greater numbers of international members. The list of countries with developing economies eligible for the lower rate is taken from a list developed by the World Bank.

Could you please clarify what are the basic membership benefits that are included in the 2010 dues?

There is a complete list on the website titled The ‘New STC’ Membership Includes All of These Benefits, such as:

Why is STC not printing its publications anymore?

STC will save about $200,000 annually by going green and shifting to online versions of the publications. Our earlier surveys found that a substantial percentage of members would prefer to receive the publications electronically. For the smaller number of members who still prefer hard copy, print versions will be available at an added cost.

Why has STC dropped the “pass thru” of monies to chapters?

Chapters are not separate entities. They are an integral part of STC and, as such, receive a number of services from the parent organization (see 22 Ways STC Supports Communities). The “pass thru” was suspended temporarily for 2010 because of the significant surpluses held in some chapter bank accounts. Chapters were asked to create zero-based budgets for 2010, utilize the surplus funds for 2010 activities, and return the remainder to STC to help resolve the cash flow deficit anticipated for the fourth quarter of 2009. A portion of the returned funds will be set aside to fund chapters that lack sufficient resources for 2010 budgeted activities. The Board is very grateful to the chapters for returning their surplus funds and the collegial support given the leadership during this difficult and stressful period.

How are the funds collected for chapters and SIGs being used?

Chapters and SIGs are an integral part of STC. The money collected is used for their support. STC provides communities with a variety of services, such as legal IRS compliance, liability insurance, payment processing, marketing, sales, advertising, online publications, education (some is free to members), conference planning, negotiation, and management. See 22 Ways STC Supports Communities.

The funding model for chapters has permanently changed in 2010 to a zero-based budgeting model similar to the SIGs.

Where can I see the compensation amounts for executive staff and a breakdown of how dues are spent?

Viewing of Form 990 is available to all on the website. The breakdown on dues is also on the website as What It Costs to Serve a Member.

I have been unemployed for 6 months and I love STC. Is there any way you could let me renew at the current amount? Or give me some kind of discount?

Knowing that a significant number of members are already unemployed or may become unemployed before the economy rebounds, STC is offering laid off TCs a lifeline to their profession in the form of Recovery Packages. This will be funded by the Marion Norby Scholarship Fund so no monies will be taken out of the general operating expenses and thus not impact service to other members. STC will offer up to 400 Recovery Packages that would include:

Why should the paying members of STC subsidize those who get the Recovery Package?

Members are not subsidizing the effort as the money is from the scholarship fund and not the general operating accounts.

How can it cost so much ($250) to support a member? That seems awfully high.

The cost of providing services has been rising for years. Activities and benefits have been added without thought to how to sustain them. Activities that do not have a revenue source to sustain them are absorbed into staff time and overhead. The Finance and Investment Committee, the Board, and the staff have spent the last several months examining every aspect of costs and revenue sources.

What have you done to reduce expenses?

Since 2008, STC has cut almost $1M from the budget. Some of those areas are:

Raising dues will lose members. How will you achieve enough revenue to offset the loss of members?

The retention rate is not a direct function of the dues amount. Nor does it determine the total membership size. Members choose to renew or not, some change professions, some retire, etc. STC has a historic retention rate of 71% because it reaches out to a broad spectrum of individuals involved in technical communication. Some will try the association for a while and drop off. Others try it, like it, and stay members for many years. We anticipate (for budgeting purposes) that an additional 10% will not renew for 2010.

What other sources of revenue does STC have besides dues?

STC has relied on dues for about 60% of its revenue. The other 40% comes from a variety of sources: