Changing Census Payments - question

[Miss_Rainbow]

We have had so much bother getting in census money this year - its June and we still have 4 who haven't paid up! And some of those who have paid have only done so recently. We are still chasing those up who haven't paid but it's getting really awkward asking them for money so what we want to do next year is raise subs from £1 a week to £1.50 a week to include census and then maybe fundraise for the rest or just ask the parents for a smaller amount.

Obviously the ideal time to do this would be after the summer holidays but what is troubling me is that loads of the girls are going up to Brownies, not right away after summer, but over the autumn term. So they would be paying the £1.50 subs to include census payment but then when they move to Brownies they might be asked to pay census again, so they'd then be paying too much. If that makes sense? Or am I misunderstanding something? How do I stop this from happening? As I don't want them all moaning at me!

[Quack]

I don't think there is a right answer. One way or another someone will always lose out so just do what is right for you. So long as parents are given fair warning of the increase in subs and understand that part of the increase will be set against the census, it's like it or lump it. Maybe have a word with the Brownie unit to see they will do a similar thing and then it's a win win situation.

The other to remember is with higher subs, your gift aid refund will be larger too...

[catdrew]

i would simply raise subs, but not specify it was for census, just to cope with the costs of things rising. considering they would pay alot more for things like swimming 50p a week isnt a big raise anyway.

[guidingsteeler]

I would just raise it pointing out that the cost of activities and things has risen since you last raised subs. When it gets to Census if you have enough money in Unit then 'subisdise' the cost a bit.

To be honest I would think about putting subs up to more than that - where else can their children go for such little outlay? Certainly not dancing, horse riding, drama groups etc.

[laughingowl]

One of our parents misses weeks when money is due. But her daughter has her own horse and lessons 4 times a week. We feel guilty for asking our parents for money every month for different things but they all say how cheap Brownies is!!!!

[batty bird]

i would have put my foot down sooner and said that if they didnt pay Census , either in instalments or by a dead line i would be unable to offer them places on trips . this usually works if they still dont pay up then increase just that girls subs .

i would increase it in sept wouldn't worry about overpaying as i'm sure they won't realise . being as sept is the start of a new school year .
i would word a letter explaining you are putting it up because of the non or VERY late payment of Census . thoose that know they havent paid may realise and offer to pay it .

[hljbz]

Our unit is in a very deprived area. We made a decision a few years ago that we would subs up to cover census as parents could not find that sort of money. Our subs are £2.00per week. We regulary send a letter out explaining and reminding them that subs are payable even when absent as we still have census and rent to pay. This does seem to work.

[rainbowroo]

we are upping our subs from september they are a pound at present this covers activities and weekly meetings, we then fundraise for our rent along with Brownies and guides. Census this year we asked for £10 from parents (2 not paid) and the rest came from funds.
As we meet at the same time as brownies we will all be upping our subs at the same time.
I put on my letter that they were rising to £1.50 due to rising costs and building maintenence.

[jim]

why £1.50 make it £2 no change needed and census coverd in full no need to ask for small amount for census also go to paying termly saves a lot of work and if they miss you still have the subs, exceptions can be made in real hardship cases why under sell your selves £2 a week is not excessive for subs add to that your gift aid and you have funds to spend on other things like subsidised trips etc

[Miss_Rainbow]

Thanks for all the replies. I think we are a bit soft with the parents sometimes. It's not a well off area, but then lots of the girls do dancing, swimming, karate etc ... all of which probably cost a lot more than Rainbows. We have issued one last letter to parents telling them to pay and have agreed if we don't get it it's ultimatum time ... pay or leave. It's not fair to the ones that paid right away.

I never thought of putting it up to £2, simply because it was suggested to us by our DC that we might consider raising it 50p, but actually I bet it would be easier for parents to find an extra £1 than a 50p and would hopefully allow us to cover most or all of the census. And I'll try getting on to the Brownie unit to find out how they do census and subs, maybe we can co-ordinate. It's all a bit tricky at the moment because the Brownie unit we are linked with is full so the girls that are moving up are going to a unit along the road, so we haven't actually met the leaders or anything like that yet!