Summary of Chapter Governance Survey
This is a casual breakdown of responses to the Chapter Governance Survey. It is not a detailed statistical analysis.
- Twenty chapters participated (I responded for Cleveland, although one or two answers are unknown.)
- Five chapters have over 100 members (New York is high at 143)
- Most chapters have mailing lists (either electronic or snail-mail) that are double, triple or larger than paid memberships. The largest mailing list is Seattle’s, at 400. The greatest in proportion to membership may be Rio Grande (300 to 36).
- One chapter relies only on meeting fees and doesn’t charge dues. One chapter doesn’t’ charge meeting fees but folds them into their $230 annual dues. The rest range from $15 to $75, with a cluster around $25 a year and another cluster around $50.
- A majority charge a corporate/institutional dues fee that is higher and allows multiple members.
- Two chapters (Richmond and Arkansas) charge less than $10 for a luncheon. Eleven charge between $15 and $25. LA charges $35, New York $50. All but two charge a higher price for non-members. Three offer student discounts
- Eight chapters have budgets. New York has the highest revenues at $27, 889. Their expenses were almost the same. Most chapters broke even or ran small surpluses (10 to 20 percent of revenues.
- Eight chapters report financial reserves greater than $5000.
- Nine chapters report that they are 501(c)3 organizations. That seems to be a high number – it may be that some are 501(c)6, which is a less stringent setting.
- Thirteen hold their meetings at a business (restaurant, club, hotel), three at Fed banks, two at schools and one at a government facility
- Most follow a Pres/VP/Sec/Treas officer list; there are some variations. Five have boards of directors. Two have two-year terms, the rest have one year. Fourteen have a succession plan where officers move up in rank the next year.
- Six have administrators that take care of business. Three of those are paid positions
- The meetings are normally luncheons for all chapters. About half have some other functions as well
- Nine regularly cosponsor events. Seven others have done at least one. Most frequent co-sponsor is some sort of Financial or Security Analysts group.
Bruce Kratofil
Sept. 13, 2004
