Subscriptions

				Subscriptions

	Contents

The CPSO’s aim is to put on concerts of quality, playing music which is enjoyed by audiences and players alike. Maintaining and increasing its audiences, and maintaining the number and quality of its members are crucial to its ability to perform, and also to its survival. Having a conductor and leader of quality, (both paid offices), is also crucial to its development and maintaining its success.

The CPSO is dependent on its members paying an annual subscription, both as a commitment of membership and loyalty, and also as a significant contribution towards the costs of the orchestra.

Subscriptions are not optional, they are essential. The level is set by the orchestra at its AGM, or EGM.

It is an annual subscription and members are encouraged to pay the full amount at the start of the season. That simplifies administration and reflects the fact that costs accrue throughout the year. However, if a member insists, it may be paid in two equal instalments in Oct. at the start of the season and at the start of the rehearsals for the first concert after Christmas (usually February). In all cases it should be paid by cheque within two weeks of the start. It is unfair to expect the subscription secretary to continually have to chase up subscriptions.

Every effort will be made to include paid up members in all programmes wherever possible, although in certain circumstances, e.g. the Christmas concert, this is not always possible. We need the subscriptions to support the year’s programme and cannot give rebates for events that members cannot support except in exceptional circumstances..

The basic rule that full subscriptions must be paid remains, but as in any undertaking there will be a very limited number of cases where some form of exception is either necessary or cannot be avoided. For the reasons set out above, and in fairness to everyone concerned your Committee believe they should be kept to the absolute minimum, and that members should understand the basis for them. They are set out below :-

Exceptions	description	concession
Students	Someone in full-time education	Pay 1/2 of the full annual rate, (or the equivalent of £10 per concert played in.)
People on benefit, pension credit, etc		Pay half full fee
Exceptional personal situations preventing a member taking part in all concerts	e.g pregnancy, bereavement, and other exceptional personal situations to be agreed when they occur by chairman and secretary. (Simply not wanting to do a particular concert would not be an exceptional situation, nor would not being required to play in the Christmas or other concerts )	Normally, pay half full fee.
Guest players	Players who are not members of the orchestra, but who the CPSO requires for a particular work.	They will be asked to consider making a contribution, (equivalent to a fee per concert), particularly if they have played before, but this will not prevent them being made welcome for their vital playing contribution should they not be so persuaded.
Trialing with the orchestra	People thinking of joining while trialing with the orchestra, to see if they like it, and vice versa, or asked to play as a “bump” to support another part.	No subscription until membership is agreed.
Joining part way through the year	A new member joining the orchestra part way through the year	Pro rata subscription based on what remains of the year to be agreed by the chairman & secretary.
Players we have to pay	Players (including soloists) who are needed for a particular work where neither members, sufficient members, nor guest players of the required competence exist.	Get the best deal possible.

These notes were last updated : Monday April 16, 2007 23:07

The CPSO is a Registered Charity in England and Wales - ref 1049573

www.cpso.org.uk

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