After attending the Southern and Northern fall Council meetings where the State Society relies on the “honor system” for registration, many of us involved in putting these meetings together noticed that several members attended either the Friday workshops, Friday evening event, Saturday morning workshops, or the main council meeting without paying the required $25 registration fee.

A code of honor can be described as the moral code that is expected by the community in which we live, the businesses where we are employed, and the organizations to which we belong. Humans put a high value on this code; it is important to our survival in society; and it shapes one’s character.  Our personal dignity and reputation depend on this code.

It is time for a review of why the State Society charges a registration fee for Council and State Conference. This fee is borne by all members who attend these State events by virtue of the fact that we are members and we are benefitting from these meetings. The registration fees cover the following items necessary to run our State meetings. This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives an idea of how the $25 fee is used:

• Audio/Visual, including microphones; sound mixers; power (yes, hotels charge for this); internet access for cashiers and for workshops; computer tables, wiring, set up service, tech support; projectors (if we need several for simultaneous workshops). Some hotels use outside audio/visual vendors or these vendors run under a union system. This can make the costs extreme. The average cost for a Council meeting with a couple of internet connections is over $4,500.  We have been able to negotiate this price down, but were advised at Northern Council that this would not be possible in the future.
• Coffee Service and/or refreshments, which everyone has become accustomed to.
• Meeting room fees – some hotels still charge for each room we use for workshops and meetings.
• Complimentary rooms for award winners or a guest speaker.
• Decorations – this term we have re-used decorations as often as possible to keep costs down; and party favors, snacks, candy, and other gifts given to attendees have been donated.

The State Society has worked diligently to negotiate affordable meal prices, hotel rooms, and parking fees. However, each year hotels raise their meal prices at least 5% and sleeping room rates have increased about 4% per year for the last couple of years. Hotel room tax rates have increased, too. Even with the annual increases, the State Society has managed to do some hard negotiating to keep prices as low as possible.

Another thing to note is that these events are not set up to be money-makers or fundraisers.  We set a budget and do our best to adhere to that budget.

In order for CSSDAR to provide what members seek and expect from State meetings, everyone must pay the registration fee. It’s the honorable thing to do.

Debbie Jamison
State Regent
regent@californiadar.org