What do you think???

[ThatWoman]

At the request of my superiors I attended our local chapter of Rotary. I was invited to become a member and have been attending meetings since March. One day each week I am gone approximately half hour longer than normal and our business has become more visible within the community, it seems that each week I spend a fair amount of time answering questions about our business.

 

This week the bill arrived for my yearly dues, it is just over $600. My superiors are now questioning whether they should foot the bill for this or whether I should. One of them is suggesting that this is broadening my network and therefore benefitting my career (which I know is true) so I should be responsible for the bill. On the other hand, I'm thinking that I attended at their request and their business has become more visible because of the things I'm doing as part of Rotary.

 

So what is your opinion, who should foot the bill?

[norajane]

I attended at their request and their business has become more visible because of the things I'm doing as part of Rotary

Your company should pay. Tell them you're doing this on their behalf, and would not be doing it otherwise. If they don't want to pay, you will drop out, right?

 

Most companies pay professional association dues. If they can't afford it, they shouldn't have sent you or they should have made it clear before you went that you would be responsible for the dues.

[jerbear]

My opinion is your employer should pay 100%.

 

yeah it improves your network but it also was at their request.

[Star Gazer]

Personally, I believe you should bear the cost. Rotary is not a professional association where dues are required to maintain a license or whatnot to do your job - such as Bar/Board dues, permit dues, etc. Rotary is a volunteer humanitarian service organization that...as cheesy as it sounds...benefits your soul while providing tangential benefits (networking, leadership development, friendships, etc.).

 

I belong to a very similar organization, and while my employer might ultimately benefit from my membership, it's certainly not a requirement of my job and does benefit me in the grander sense because it is my network, self-esteem, people skills, etc. that is enhanced.

[dropdeadlegs]

Without the benefit of knowing many particulars such as your industry, and longevity within that industry, it is hard to answer who should pay for membership in this particular club. I have never attended a Rotary meeting, but at $600 a pop, I would believe that anyone who does would be asked to join.

 

I have never been expected to pay annual dues for any membership suggested by my employer and I will leave it at that. I have paid for luncheons for certain groups, but was able to expense those costs as a representative for my company.

[Trialbyfire]

This is a write off item for your employers, so it can't be the cost. Perhaps they're concerned that if you network too much, you might find another employer.

 

I would suggest to your employers that since it was their suggestion in the first place, they should be willing to continue footing the bill. The offset to this is that you will no longer advertise for the business, if you are responsible for paying the invoice. $600 is peanuts for advertising.