Just wanted to let everyone in on a pretty poor experience I had with St. Joseph County Restoration Club in Osceola just outside South Bend (http://www.sjcrc.us). I joined this club as a normal member last year in July (July 2010). I paid the yearly fee of $65 and was told this was the normal fee for a year. This January I talked to the membership coordinator as they changed the lock in January about getting a new key. I was told I needed to pay $75 to get the key.
Apparently although I signed up in July memberships only run in calendar years. My full year payment of $65 only counted for the year of 2010. This was not explained to me when I signed up, nor anyone else who signed up that month, at least while I was within earshot, and I stayed for the full meeting.
I responded with a message stating that it seemed unfair to charge a yearly fee for only 6 months and then require another fully years payment (price went up between years). I made an offer to pay a pro-rated amount with some of my 2010 payment applying for the 2011 payment and from then on renewing in January for the full price.
This message was taken to the board meeting and I was quoted that one of the board members made the statement to "don't let the gate hit him in the ass on his way out."
Apparently, this not-for-profit club is willing to have a new member leave the club over what amounts to about $35 one time. I explained that I was new, didn't understand the policy and would fix it starting with the next year, but the only rebuttal I heard was "it's in the bylaws."
I'll protest by not rejoining the club, but it seems both silly and childish that they would treat a new member that way. I would simply say "buyer beware" when you join a club, and especially this one. Know where your money is going, and as was told to me "you should read the bylaws cover to cover before joining." I'll be joining Bend of the River Conservation Club I believe.
EDIT: I did want to say that the membership coordinator was a stand-up guy, took my concern seriously and never talked down, so this is certainly not a personal attack on him or anyone in the personally. It seems to be a bad way to run a supposedly "fun" shooting club and a good way to keep new shooters away.
Apparently although I signed up in July memberships only run in calendar years. My full year payment of $65 only counted for the year of 2010. This was not explained to me when I signed up, nor anyone else who signed up that month, at least while I was within earshot, and I stayed for the full meeting.
I responded with a message stating that it seemed unfair to charge a yearly fee for only 6 months and then require another fully years payment (price went up between years). I made an offer to pay a pro-rated amount with some of my 2010 payment applying for the 2011 payment and from then on renewing in January for the full price.
This message was taken to the board meeting and I was quoted that one of the board members made the statement to "don't let the gate hit him in the ass on his way out."
Apparently, this not-for-profit club is willing to have a new member leave the club over what amounts to about $35 one time. I explained that I was new, didn't understand the policy and would fix it starting with the next year, but the only rebuttal I heard was "it's in the bylaws."
I'll protest by not rejoining the club, but it seems both silly and childish that they would treat a new member that way. I would simply say "buyer beware" when you join a club, and especially this one. Know where your money is going, and as was told to me "you should read the bylaws cover to cover before joining." I'll be joining Bend of the River Conservation Club I believe.
EDIT: I did want to say that the membership coordinator was a stand-up guy, took my concern seriously and never talked down, so this is certainly not a personal attack on him or anyone in the personally. It seems to be a bad way to run a supposedly "fun" shooting club and a good way to keep new shooters away.
