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Photography club annual charge


9 years 3 months ago #418655 by Justin
Hi PT,

I'm thinking about joining a photography club that is local and they have yearly dues that are $300.  I was wondering is that pretty normal for a photography club?  I asked what that covers and was told admin fee's and a once per year BBQ.  This club meets once per month, but always in public places that are free.  So that $300 seems a little high to me.  Just checking to see what others have to say about it. 


How much does your club charge you?
Very nice to meet you!
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9 years 3 months ago #418660 by Joves
Are they even putting out a news letter every month for that? I agree that does sound quite steep for a club that does not even have its own building, or at least some place that they lease. One of the Astronomy Clubs I belonged to was like $50 a year, and we got a news letter, met at a university, and even had refreshments with doughnuts. There is one Meetup group here that seems to do the same thing, and I decided that they were on drugs. To me for a club that has no dedicated place to meet that is way over the value. Besides many photo clubs, and to some extent clubs in general are place where equipment whores meet. We had a couple of those at one astronomy club I was a short timer at, guys who had top of the line gear, but had no clue where anything was in the sky. The one I belonged to the longest had telescope builders, and real astronomers. I suggest you keep looking, or maybe try and start a Meetup Club of your own. 
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9 years 3 months ago - 9 years 3 months ago #418664 by hghlndr6
That's 5.5X higher than the Boston Camera Club which meets in the same place every week, runs 15 competitions ... both electronic and print ... per year, has an educational program every month, a photo critique meeting every month, a model studio every month, publishes a monthly newsletter, maintains a Web presence, and a bunch of meet-ups all year long.

Keep looking.
www.bobmitchellphoto.com
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9 years 3 months ago #418668 by effron
Agree with above comments, that's way too much. The local club in my area is I believe fifty a year and that's too much,  and I'm also a loner/snob, so I'm not a member.....:whistle:
Why so serious?
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9 years 3 months ago #418671 by garyrhook
Ouch!

The local PPA chapter charges $75 to belong to a professional association; it's not just a club. The monthly meetings include educational lectures and cost you $20 each (as a member). There are 10 of them, plus a Christmas Party (varies in $$). Meets at the local camera store which is air conditioned and has a classroom.

It is unclear if that club is good value. I would keep looking. You could also start your own. The organizer doesn't have to be the content deliverer.
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9 years 3 months ago #418673 by Ian Stone
Ouch!  No way.  
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9 years 3 months ago #418677 by Shadowfixer1
Local clubs in Atlanta area generally run about $25 per year.
www.betterphoto.com/?ramshots
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9 years 3 months ago #418724 by Randy Shaw
For $300, there should be a rolling bag that comes along with it.  
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9 years 3 months ago #418807 by Ian Stone

Randy Shaw wrote: For $300, there should be a rolling bag that comes along with it.  



LOL  that makes this membership better sounding
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9 years 3 months ago #418838 by Sandy Smith Photos
My club charges me $50 per year.  Also I belong to some Meetup groups that don't charge anything.  $300 is just way to much IMO.  
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9 years 3 months ago #418885 by icepics
There's one in a large city that's within an hour of where I live that has dues of I think a couple of hundred or so but they have their own building with wet and digital darkrooms, studios, hold a meeting/event every week, etc. so they have expenses in maintaining the building, bringing in speakers, etc. I think ASMP is more expensive than clubs but it's an organization geared to working photographers and they employ staff and provide professional resources to members, etc.

Most social clubs I know of in my area have dues from maybe $25-50 or so to attend meetings, receive a newsletter, or get benefits like being able to attend an event at a reduced cost as a member. 

Do you know if the club is a registered nonprofit? Depending on what your state requires they may have to turn in a financial report every year so they'd have to account for how they spend $300 per member. I'd find out more about what they offer that justifies their dues because just to attend monthly club meetings that seems awfully high.
Sharon
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9 years 3 months ago #419001 by Josh Jofoto

icepics wrote: There's one in a large city that's within an hour of where I live that has dues of I think a couple of hundred or so but they have their own building with wet and digital darkrooms, studios, hold a meeting/event every week, etc. so they have expenses in maintaining the building, bringing in speakers, etc. I think ASMP is more expensive than clubs but it's an organization geared to working photographers and they employ staff and provide professional resources to members, etc.

Most social clubs I know of in my area have dues from maybe $25-50 or so to attend meetings, receive a newsletter, or get benefits like being able to attend an event at a reduced cost as a member. 

Do you know if the club is a registered nonprofit? Depending on what your state requires they may have to turn in a financial report every year so they'd have to account for how they spend $300 per member. I'd find out more about what they offer that justifies their dues because just to attend monthly club meetings that seems awfully high.



That sounds like a great club with some nice amenities.  
Canon 7D | Canon EF-S 18-55 IS | Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 | Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 | Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro | CanonEF 17-40 f/4 L | 70-200 f/4 L | 580 EX II
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9 years 3 months ago #419025 by Screamin Scott
My local club charges around $25, but that is only to participate in competitions.... Attending meetings were at no cost...
Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/
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9 years 3 months ago #419048 by Glen Mosley
I'd pass, seems like a lot to be asking for just a year membership
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9 years 3 months ago #419291 by J Hemingway
Pass on that one.  Just to much for club fee's if you ask me
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