After reviewing the results of a knowledge-based governance survey sent to all Society members, the STC Board of Directors voted to approve a new community-funding model described as a "Partial Pass-Through." Under this model, STC communities will receive funding based strictly on the number of members in a chapter or SIG. During the budgeting process, all communities will receive a fixed amount of funding per member—$15 per chapter member and $4 per SIG member—regardless of projected expenses and income, or estimated reserves at year end. All funding under the newly adopted model will be contingent upon a budget submission by the 31 October deadline and will take effect for the 2013 membership year.
Society Treasurer Aiessa Moyna presented the results of the survey to the board members and senior staff assembled for the monthly Board of Directors teleconference. Moyna indicated that the survey results were consistent with what Society leadership has been hearing from community leaders and members in recent months. While more than 200 members based in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia responded, the overwhelming majority of responses (about 77%) were U.S.–based. Some individuals outside the United States had expressed a strong preference for one model and had asked the board to consider instituting separate models for United States vs. international chapters, if the survey results supported it. An analysis of the data shows that a majority of respondents from all regions prefer the Partial Pass-Through model.
Other highlights of the survey include:
- Results for international respondents were directionally consistent with results for all respondents—there were no significant disparities.
- Overall, there was a strong preference for Option 2, the Partial Pass-Through model. More than 50% of all respondents said they agree or strongly agree that this is an appropriate model for communities.
- The next-most-popular alternative was Option 3, the Flat Funding model. About 45% of all respondents said they agree or strongly agree that this is an appropriate model.
- Overall, there was strong opposition to Option 4, the Community Managed model. Nearly 80% of all respondents said they disagree or strongly disagree that this is an appropriate model; more than 64% of non-U.S. respondents said they disagree or strongly disagree that this is an appropriate model.
- There also was strong opposition to Option 1, the (current) Reserves Target model. About 57% of all respondents said they disagree or strongly disagree that this is an appropriate model; more than 64% of non-U.S. respondents said they disagree or strongly disagree.
The knowledge-based governance survey used to inform the Board decision was the latest in a series of efforts by Society leaders to engage and collaborate with STC members in identifying the best funding model for communities. Other outreach efforts included a community webinar, sessions at the 2012 STC Summit, one-on-one conversations with community leaders, LinkedIn and MySTC discussions, and review of the proposed models with the Community Affairs Committee.
