In the column that appeared in C&E News on ______, entitled “The Big Society with the Little Societies Inside”, we along with

YOUR TIME TO VOTE:

The Petition to Increase Funding for Local Sections and Divisions

Ruth Hathaway, Chair

Divisional Activities Committee

Yorke E. Rhodes, Chair

Local Section Activities Committee

In the column that appeared in C&E News on February 10, 2003, entitled “The Big Society with the Little Societies Inside”, we along with Frank Blum (2002 Chair, Divisional Activities Committee) discussed the funding needs for both Local Sections and Divisions within the ACS. At the recent meeting in New Orleans, Council approved the Petition to Increase Funding for Divisions and Local Sections. Now it is your turn, as members of the Society, to ratify the changes in the Constitution required to change the way we fund these two entities. Shortly, you will receive a ballot to vote on these changes. Below you will find some information that you may find helpful in deciding how to vote.

Local Sections and Divisions have their own Articles in the Constitution (Articles XII and XIII). These member units are constitutionally different from other Society units. The allotments to Local Sections and Divisions are also governed by the ACS Bylaws, so changes to the allotment and structure should be incorporated in the Bylaws. The Board of Directors is required to approve Bylaw changes. The membership must ratify changes to the Constitution.

These changes eliminate dollar amounts for local section and division allotments from the Bylaws and distribute 20 percent of the ACS member dues collected to Local Sections and Divisions, in an effort to support Local Section and Division memberships at a similar level. The dues allotment amounts to be distributed to Local Sections and Divisions are based on the relative number of memberships using the year 2000 as a base, which had 55 percent Local Sections and 45 percent Division memberships. The percentage for funding will stay fixed at 55/45. (Total ACS members belonging to a division number ca. 85,000, with total Division memberships numbering ca. 116,000, due to members with multiple Division memberships; Division dues are required. All ACS members are assigned a Local Section membership, numbering 143,000 in 2000; Local Section dues are optional.)

The petition provides a modest increase in funds to Local Sections and a significant increase in support to Divisions. The funds so allocated will be distributed to individual Divisions (34) and to individual Local Sections (189) by DAC and LSAC, respectively. Council must approve these distribution formulas at least every three years, with prior review of the Board Committee on Budget and Finance.

The Divisional Activities Committee (DAC) plans to distribute the money based on a significant increase in the base allotment; a modest increase in per member allotment; an increase in National Meeting Programming funds; and a fraction for innovative projects, especially those promoting Local Section and Division cooperation and collaboration such as programming at regional and local meetings.

The Local Section Activities Committee (LSAC) will distribute a base amount to each Local Section and a per capita amount, ensuring that each Local Section’s current yearly allotment will remain stable. Although there is a normal fluctuation in Local Section allotments due to changes in membership, existing funds will remain effectively the same for each Local Section. Additionally an innovative projects fund will be established to fund Sections with special financial needs that can improve their programming and fund innovative projects that could normally not be funded. Favored new activities will be those that involve joint interaction of Local Sections with Divisions or with other Local Sections.

Local Sections will receive their additional funds in the first year and thereafter. The Divisions’ additional funds will be stepped up over four years from 2004 to 2007, when fully funded.

The total increase needed to fund this petition is approximately $9 per member. This funding will come from a combination of a progressive temporary assessment (to a total of $8 in 2007) and cost savings/increased revenues in Society operations ($1 initially). The temporary assessment of $2 per each year ($2 in 2004, $4 in 2005, $6 in 2006 and $8 in 2008) is just that, temporary. It will allow the Board to find alternative funding mechanisms within the next 4 years. This assessment will be reviewed at least annually, and if funding is found, the assessment may be lowered or cancelled before 2007.

One of the issues that have lead to deficit spending for Divisions is that much of the program money raised in the past from companies, foundations, etc. has become significantly more difficult to acquire. Both Divisions and Local Sections have not been able to fund innovative projects because of additional costs. The new, modest Innovative Projects fund will allow both DAC and LSAC to select and help fund those projects that will have the greatest impact. The revised petition, with the temporary assessment and allocations implemented over time is supported by the Board of Directors and the Society Committee on Budget and Finance, and has been overwhelmingly approved by Council via voice vote in New Orleans. Council has approved the distribution formulas for both LSAC and DAC. All the Officers in the Presidential succession at the time the petition was drafted are signatories on the petition.

The petition supports the two major membership components of ACS. These programs that Divisions and Local Sections conduct are of importance to the entire membership. Firming up our volunteer base will strengthen the Society as a whole, and will benefit us all. Look for your ballot in the mail, and please vote!