Monthly Dues

Try joining a health club... you pay whether you take advantage of it or not. No one thinks this is unusual because that is the way clubs work. You pay or you quit.

I assume in a health club they're required by law to include the terms of payment and of membership on the form you initially sign to get a membership.

In some of the cases being discussed it sounds like the person wasn't even told _verbally_ that there was a rule until _after_ they had not payed (e.g. someone taking several months leave of absence). That's no good.

People talk about a contract as if it's something slimy or 'corporate' or 'lawyerish' or something. It's not -- it's good communication. It's being honest and straightforward and making sure that everyone is on the same page from the beginning. You don't have to call it a 'contract' if you don't like the word, you don't have to write up all formally and legalese, but for goodness sake include any info that important on your registration or info forms and make sure everyone understand how things work at the _beginning_.

I very much appreciate everyone's comments. I think they reflect a broad spectrum of opinion in the Aikido Community, including those of very senior instructors.

At the very least, we will need to create a written policy regarding payment of dues. The automatic payment suggestion of Ledyard Sensei is an excellent idea which we will want to seriously look into.

My only concern with automatic payments is that they might seem a little scary to someone just starting Aikido. On the other hand, I'm sure it is common practice at health clubs.

In Aiki,

Les Loschky

Les Loschky wrote: On the other hand, I'm sure it is common practice at health clubs.

As a different point of view... That's why I stay away from automatic payments.

This has been an interesting thread to read and I can understand, to some extent, both sides of the issue.

In my experience, starting in Tae Kwon Do, my dojo and my instructors dojo were pay as you go. If you didn't attend the month of August you didn't pay for the month of August. When I started teaching I ran my dojo in the same manner.

This is also the way our Aikido dojo runs and I am thankful for it as there have been circumstances in the past that have pulled me away from training for several months at a time.

Also, many health clubs run month to month. Urban Active fitness (a national chain like Gold's Gym) has a gym near my office. $40/month, no contracts, no obligations. I can pay $40 and work out in December, skip Jan-Feb and pay nothing, pay $40 and work out in March, etc.

Mike

Les Loschky wrote: My only concern with automatic payments is that they might seem a little scary to someone just starting Aikido. On the other hand, I'm sure it is common practice at health clubs.

I felt a little insulted when my old dojo switched to automatic payments - until one of the senior students told me how many people missed regularly paying their dues!

Its real simple - as someone else also said - no pay no practice.
Doesnt get much more simple...who dictates the rules there?

also if he acts like hes the only one that knows anything, perhaps he would do well in starting his own dojo...perhaps he will get a student similar to himself that doesnt feel like he needs to pay.

In a way it sounds like he thinks your teacher is depended upon him as he is one of the better ones at Uke, etc.

Not good to let it go this way without being clear. Good or not, he cant run the show...or if he does, he should start his own gig.

Watch out, he just might, and use this opportunity to take some people with him.

peace

dAlen