The 411 Seniors Centre Society Membership

Fee Increase (Aug – Sept 2005)

Proposal: To increase the annual 411 Seniors Centre Society’s membership fee from $8.00 to $10.00.

The cost of a 411 membership has remained constant for several years. The last membership increase took place on January 1, 1994 when it was raised from $6.00 to $8.00. The current fee of $8.00 entitles members to the following benefits:

§ Discount prices in the cafeteria

§ Access to education, art and fitness classes

§ Discount prices on bus trips and social events

§ Borrowing privileges in the video library

§ Drop-in activities including the following free activities: Walking Club, Blood Pressure, Fun & Fitness, Snooker, Internet Club, Mahjong, Bridge, Scrabble, Carpet Bowling, Table Tennis

§ Voting privileges at the committee level and at the Annual General Meetings

§ Eligibility for election to the Board of Directors

§ Other services also available to non-members such as I&R, Income Tax, etc.

In 2000, a membership survey was distributed to over 300 members who were asked to give their opinions on all services offered by the centre. At that time, members were asked if they would support a $2.00 membership fee increase. The results showed that 75.8% of our members would support such an increase.

A membership fee of $10.00 would keep the 411 Seniors Centre on par with other seniors’ centres both in the Vancouver and Lower Mainland. The following is a sample of annual membership fees charged by other seniors’ centres.

§ Kerrisdale Seniors Centre $8.00 for seniors 65+ and $13.00 for seniors 55-64

§ West End Seniors Network $10.00

§ South Granville Seniors Centre $15.00

§ Minoru Place (Richmond) $15.00

§ Dogwood Pavilion (Coquitlam) $18.75

§ Confederation Seniors Centre (Burnaby) $20.00

The membership database currently shows 1117 members (both active and non-active within the last six months). Based on this number, here is the anticipated revenue total an increase would generate:

As stated in the Constitution, the annual membership fees must be set at the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting. Please be advised that the Board of Directors is calling an Extraordinary Meeting of the 411 Seniors Centre. All members, 55 years and older are invited to attend to vote on this important matter. For any further information please contact Margaret Coates, Executive Director.