TOPS Rules state that a member owes no more than $5.00. Since your National Dues are coming up for renewal, you would owe $26.00 or $25.00. In the case of my chapter, it would be $25.00 because we give a member renewing his or her National Dues a week's free chapter dues.
Where did you find that a member only owes $5. If a member goes away for the summer they must keep their monthly dues paid up. That will be more than $5 if they are gone several months. Plus if they paticipate in another chapter while gone they also pay the monthly dues there. If they only weigh in while away they do not pay visited chapter.
That's strange that I didn't have to pay any chapter dues when I weighed in at a chapter near my sister's home last year. That will be worth checking into.
In answer to your questions, here are the answers.
When your national dues come due, [and you will have recieved a renewal form from TOPS, Inc.] you need to pay the $20 national dues.
In regards to any other fee, that depends on the individual chapter. Check their/your bylaws. In our chapter, absence does not absolve a member from paying fees. After all this is the money that is used for awards. If a member lets us know they are quitting, they no longer owe anything. If they just go away and come back a few months later, yes they owe because they have been kept on the books and they may have been counted in attendance for when rally or workshop fees have been due. Again, you will have to check with your chapter.
Ciecie, I'm curious, where do you see that $5 is due? And where is it that $25 or $26 is due for national dues? I want to see the correct info given to Waterbaby.
Just wanted to answer as to why you did not have to pay when you visited. It is as Summer said up to Chapter on some things. When I said you had to pay when visiting I meant if you attended "all month" and paticipated. And then again if it is for short time the chapter may take it upon themselves to not charge.
Wow, several answers here, and thanks so much for the posts!
I think it would be more cost-effective for me to let my membership lapse and re-join. I'm on an extremely tight budget and don't have the money to spend to "catch up."
Does TOPS ever check the bylaws of the local chapters? There was a thread in here some time back about paying extra when you gain.
The chapter I went to charges 25 cents for every half-pound you gain, and they "nickel and dime" you to death on other things.
Very nice bunch of people, but I think they lose and gain members partly because of excessive fees. Many people, like me, joined TOPS because it was the only program I could afford (besides OA, which is free).
I joined with the idea of just weighing in every week and skipping the meetings. Well, the meetings are what keep us on track and I discovered that.
Have a great day. Thanks so much for your responses!
Claire - In my state, the chapter by-laws are sent to the coordinator to be Ok'd every year after they are reviewed by your group. She keeps a copy for her files and sends a copy back with her signature on it. Our chapter makes a copy for every member and also hands them out when new folks join so they know the rules.
The 'fines' issue should be in those by-laws. Your chapters seems a bit excessive, but if that what was voted on by the whole chapter, then that is the way it is. You do have the right to bring up the fines issue for discussion in your chapter. Amendments to by-laws can be made anytime during the year if a change is voted on. Make sure good minutes and notes are kept of those meetings though. EVERYONE, not just the leader or co-leader, has a say in the chapter. Some get on 'power trips' and try to intimidate, but TOPS wants EVERYONE to know it is MAJORITY RULE. Our chapter charges a dime for every pound or portion thereof. So if someone gains 2 1/4# then they owe 30 cents.
You're right. The meetings do keep us on track. Their isn't one person I know that has been able to succeed, or even lose, without staying for the meetings. Those folks usually drop out.
When does your membership expire? Keep coming here to this board for support until you get back to chapter. I get virtually all my support here, but I need the personal accountability from the chapter.
Take care and here's to great success to you!! More questions, just ask.
Summer
Last edited by summer8386; 12-12-2001 at 12:36 PM.
summer, thanks so much for taking time to explain this all to me.
In the last little bit, a very sweet email came to me from my chapter leader. It had been forwarded by the Area Captain.
The most I have to pay is one month back dues plus whatever is current. Since we are only meeting three times in December, I would owe $4 for November and $3 for December, plus my renewal membership fee.
She also said she was delighted I was coming back and seemed very helpful. So -- I'll be going back on Monday evening, but still posting here! You all are wonderful!
Question about Fees
