Perhaps I missed the information in the thread, or it was covered in the face to face...but what are the reasons for collecting they money? What will the collected dues be used for?
Dues go into the general fund, but the main reason for having dues is to establish member in good standing status, so that, simply put, a random person off the street wouldn't be able to come to the meeting just for the free donuts, as it were.
Not that we have free donuts. Or that people who pay dues wouldn't come to the meeting just for the free donuts, anyway. But if they're going to be there, they might as well have paid their dues.
And by donuts, I mean all membership benefits...Ahem...so, yes.
Sincerely,
N Michael Bashour