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FAQs on the VHTRC Dues

General | Spouses | Renewal | Volunteer Option

General

What are the dues?

Dues are $15 per year

How long will my membership last?

The actual length of your membership depends on when you join. Memberships are for one calendar year and all expire on December 31. If you join before September 1, your membership will expire in December of that year. If you join after August 31, your membership will expire in December of the next year.

May I join for longer than one year?

No. We previously had an "undocumented" two year membership. That is no longer available. We will not shorten any current expiration dates, however.

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Spouses

Is there a special rate for spouses or significant others?

Yes. Two people who live at the same address in any kind of "relationship" may join for a total of $20. Each will have a separate membership record. To use this rate, the two people must join at the same time and write one check.

Does my spouse have to join?

No, most spouses don't. If your spouse does not run with the club regularly, just list him or her as your "significant other" on your membership application. She or he will be welcome at all events and can run with us. She or he will not, however, be a "member" for purposes of awards or teams at events, will not appear on the VHTRC birthday list, and will not have a separate membership record.

What about other family members?

There is no "family membership" category. You can, however, add as many people in your family as you want for $5 each if they live at your address. Again, you only have to do this if they want separate records or want to be considered "VHTRC members" for such purposes as awards or team membership. To use this option, all persons must join at one time and pay with one check. If you "add" people later, it is at the $15 rate.

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Renewal

What does renewal cost?

$15 per person. "Significant others" may pay $5 on renewal if they renew at the same time and write one check.

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The Volunteer Options

Can renewal be free?

Yes. A one year renewal is free for any person who, during the year, has volunteered at any of our three main events -- BRR, MMT, or the Women's Half Marathon, (2) participated in the trail work party, or (3) managed an official VHTRC "fat ass" run that was listed on the VHTRC calendar with the Furbutt image.

Is there a lot of paperwork to get the free renewal? Does someone have to sign my form?

No on both counts. On the on-line renewal form merely indicate that you volunteered and where.

Will you check up on people who claim that they have volunteered?

Probably not. We trust you. It's only $15. But we don't promise we won't check up.

What if I volunteer elsewhere? Can I work on another event or for a charity?

Yes, but it does not get you free renewal. The point of this option is to recognize your contribution to the events that fund the club. It is silly for you to work your butt off at one of our events, have us make money at the event, and then ask you to pay $10. This is not about being a "do gooder." It is a simple acknowledgement of how the club funds its operations and your contribution to those funds as a volunteer.

Will there be a distinction between members who volunteer and those who don't?

No. There will be no public designation on the club roster of who qualified for the free membership. We don't expect or even want everyone to volunteer. If you can, great. If you can't, that is ok too. It is not a big deal.

What about spouses/significant others?

Each person must qualify separately to obtain the free renewal. If two or more people joined under the $5 spouse rate and not all qualify for free renewal, then there must be at least one $15 renewal in the household.

How much work do I have to do to qualify for free renewal? What if I came out to work but the people in charge had little for me to do?

There is no minimum amount of work you have to do. If you went to the event because you arranged ahead of time to volunteer, then that qualifies even if you didn't do much work. If you were at the event anyway, and said on the spur of the moment, "Can I help?" and the answer was "No" that does not qualify.

I worked at a "fat ass" event. Do I qualify for the exception?

Probably not. The point of the dues exception is a recognition of a contribution to money that the club raised in place of your dues. Fat ass events don't raise money. They are important and raise the visibility of the club. So you can get the dues exception for putting on an official VHTRC "fat ass" event (one with the Furbutt logo on the event calendar) or you had a major high-level role in such an event.

Can I join the club in the first place for free if I am a volunteer?

No. The volunteer exception only works on renewal. Historically, the club has rarely granted free membership to anyone. In the beginning, the founders of the club each chipped in $50 to get things started and pledged to pay dues themselves. So everyone still has to pay dues one time.

Are current members grand fathered in?

Yes. If you were a member when the free renewal policy was instituted (April 2005), then you can get a free renewal for your 2006 dues if you perform qualifying volunteer labor during 2005.

Won't the club lose a lot of money this way?

No. Member dues are not a major source of income for the club. Most of our money comes from profits at the events we put on. We have always tried to have reasonable entry fees, supply good stuff for the runners, give refunds, and award scholarships, but we have still made money. The only reason we can make money is the free labor we get from volunteers. There should be plenty of money to fund the small drop in income from this policy.

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