This document is evolving.

Background
On May 1st we began the addition of an annual dues based system. The old system burdened those who just came to our once a month SouthSide meetings with a $5 cover to help pay for general amenities, meetup fees, etc. This however was a very small fraction of the group as a whole and it was unfair to have those people pay for everyone. As well we are expanding rapidly around the region and helping satellite groups form and be active is a part of who we want to be. We also wanted to offer more and to do that we need the power of having a predictable budget.

Structure
Everyone who joins our group gets one (1) free month to test us out, see who we are, what we are like, etc. We encourage a trial period to be participatory and get involved. We are a loose group run by many people who just love to see others develop.

Note that access or involvement is not stifled by membership options.

There are two options for participating in the Charlotte Photography Meetup Group after your trial period as expired.

Pro Members, Yearly Membership
Cost: $42/year

Benefits:

• Free Meetings
  
• Free Events / Photowalks / Socials
  
• 20% off CPMG Workshops
  
• Lending Library Access
  
• CPMG Lanyard
  
• Contests Participation
  
• Pro Member Only Events
  
• More to Come as We Can Offer It!

Basic Members, the a la carte Membership
Basic Members are allowed to come to any public event and may have a fee incurred depending on the effort the Facilitator or Leader deems effective from nothing to 5$.

Each event will be rated differently depending on who is leading it, the subject matter, the social nature. Many events will remain free, new events may have some form of fee associated with it.

Money Matters, Where Does Ours Go?

Money made by CPMG is kept in CPMG. From transaction fees to acquiring new group equipment, it all goes back into the group. The following is a partial breakdown of where some of those funds are allocated. Quarterly at the Main monthly meeting (South-Side) there will be a short presentation on the current allocation of funds.

• Meetup.com Fees
  
• Event Hosting Fees
  
• Drinks / Snacks
  
• Lending Library Acquisitions
  
• Speakers / Guest Lecturers
  
• Upcoming Contest Prizes
  
• CPMG Equipment Needs
  

If you have any questions we encourage you to ask.

Document revised on May 27th