offdutyfireman
Active member
Kory, business budgets are based upon percentage. The regions automatically get 20%. Advertising might get another 15% and so on. The more money that comes in, the more contractor members benefit. Let's say you didn't have the budget for a good commercial but you knew one would do well in your area. If your region voted on it, the org could pay for a TV commercial that you could all share. If the org had 2500 members it could negotiate with Comcast for bulk rates as a member benefit. The ED I believe is also paid as a percentage. So from a motivation standpoint, the more good he/she does for the org and the more members brought in, the salary is compensatory.
Don't quote me on the ED pay. We were discussing it just before I left and I am unsure how that turned out. It should and will be a matter of public record soon.
When you are factoring numbers also remember that the org accepts monthly payments so that somebody that joined in October may only have paid the $40 or whatever it is.
I would put half a million into your business if you had a good business idea with a solid plan. For that money I would want a return. I would not want to be a working partner nor have a say in how operations are run. That's a different scenario. There are guys utilizing the Paychex discount and are saving more than their entire membership fee. One of the things the org has to do is make the benefits clearer and easier to use.
We all pay money to lawyers and accountants to protect our interests. We all pay insurance premiums and never see a return until we need it. Wearing logo shirts doesn't mean we get jobs but there is a hope that it helps to promote our professionalism. The UAMCC or any association is similar to all the above. If a person expects to send a check and have money rolling in, they will be disappointed.
When the corporation was formed, in terms of donations is not relevant. Donations to a 501c6 are never tax deductible. You will be able to expense your UAMCC membership in 2009 (even if it was a non profit) You would 1099 the UAMCC corporation.
Ken, what you just mentioned is the scary stuff all washers should be leery of. How would you like to be a business owner and see a commercial for a Union comprised of of your competition advertising in your backyard? You could pay a fee to be a part of it, or do like me and try to stop it before it gets to that point. I don't care at all about who is non-profit or who said what to whom. All this jabbering takes away from the true issue. If this thing is allowed to grow, it will destroy the washing trade just like the automakers union destoyed their trade. Please don't be lured into thinking that their goal is to help the industry. Many unknowing and naive members may believe they are helping, but rest assured that those that know what is going on realize the potential gain for themselves at the cost of business owners nationwide.