We agree to pay semiannual dues (Members) to show our commitment to each other in forming this community and to provide financial support for community agreed upon projects. We acknowledge a person's commitment to the community when their dues are paid in full, on time, and following the agreed-upon process. The treasurer/s will provide a receipt to the member when their dues have been received. In the event of issues that may arise in the dues payment process we have outlined the following guidelines.

Past Due Membership Payments

Membership Payments that are not received by the last day of June or December will be considered past due. The treasurer/s or a representative (aka. Deadline Fairy) of the community will notify any member who is not on record as paid in full or entered into an extended or work trade agreement. If the member believes the past due notice to have been issued in error, the member will provide proof of payment via receipt or bank record within 15 days. If payment has indeed not been made, the member has 15 days to pay in full. The representative (aka. Deadline Fairy) is responsible for following up with the person and the treasurer/s to ensure the dues are paid. If dues are paid in full as described above, there would be no adverse membership consequences. However, this does require extra work by the treasurer/s and representative (aka. Deadline Fairy), therefore members who are past due more than two times in a row or more than twice in a two year period must enter into the restorative justice process* with the community.

Reduced Amount of Dues Request

In a case where a member has extreme hardship or low income, a member can request to trade skills or service for a reduced amount of dues. In this case, the person would need to request the reduced dues BEFORE the dues are late to be eligible. This type of request will need to be made to the community as a whole. The contribution of trade a skill, work trade and/or services made by the member would be expected to be equal to or more than the monetary value of the dues expected of every member. Each case will be viewed on its own merits and on a case-by-case basis. There are many creative ways to create alternative payment processes, however, the community will need to consent to each agreement. In the event that this agreement is not upheld by the member, they must enter the restorative justice process* with the community.

Payment Plan Request

If the member requires an alternate payment arrangement, such as paying dues at a later date or paying dues in monthly installments, the request must be made BEFORE the dues are late in order to be eligible. By putting forth the effort to maintain an alternate agreement, the member shows commitment to the community, so there shall be no adverse membership consequences. There are a limited number and type of acceptable alternate agreements; therefore, the treasurer/s are empowered to make these arrangements with an individual at their discretion. The treasurer/s will keep hard copy records of these agreements on file; however, the identity of members who have made alternate agreements shall be kept confidential during the community meetings and in public reports. If the alternate agreements are not upheld by the member, the treasurer/s or community representative (aka. Deadline Fairy) will contact the member and attempt to resolve the issue. If no resolution can be made the member shall enter into the restorative justice process* with the community.

NOTE: Late payment of dues without a Reduced Amount or Payment Plan agreement already in place will lower the likelihood of acceptance of the person into an alternate agreement.

Inactive Membership

When the member's dues are three months outstanding, the treasurer/s or community representative (aka. Deadline Fairy) has attempted contact three times over this three month period, and the member has not responded or does not wish to enter into an alternative payment arrangement, they will be classified as an Inactive Member (InactiveMember). This will result in membership consequences. During these three months where resolution is being sought, the overdue member will not be able to block any proposal in the decision making process of the group.

NOTE: Any member who wishes to become an Inactive Member is encouraged to declare this intention before they're delinquent.

Loose end: Defining our "restorative justice process".

Loose end: Defining the role of treasurer/s. (This loose end was completed at the Summer meeting in 2008.)