We need to change the way our $3 swim fee is collected and we've decided to move to using our 10-swim cards with online payment.
Why?
Currently, one person has the job of bringing the cash box, cards and attendance book to every session, then afterwards they bank the money. It's an inconvenient lot of work that nobody really wants to do.
How will it work?
- Members will carry their own 10-swim card, in the same way we carry coffee concession cards.
- When your card is used up, you make an online payment of $30 to the club bank account. We'll have bank details on the backs of the cards for easy reference.
- Next time you swim, you ask one of the committee members for a new card. They will give you a new card and later we'll match the online payment received.
- Every time you swim, you mark one of the swims on your card.
There's a lot of honesty involved in this (as there is now). We're hoping that people will be diligent with it and not forget too many times.
We did consider an annual fee. However, there are many swimmers who don't swim three sessions a week, but they would end up paying as much as those who did. We feel one of the benefits that helps maintain our membership numbers is the flexibility we offer with our fees.
The committee will review how it's going a couple of months into the new year, so give them your feedback when you've had a chance to try it.
Tony Shacklock