Need Suggestions for Freeloader

[The Annoyed Man]

Well I said 2 bucks a week when I should have said 2 bucks a month which works out to about 25 bucks a year. What we did this year was add a column to the meeting sign in sheet where everyone has to check off if they are a member. That hasn't bothered him at all. Two years ago we pitched in and paid his dues as some have suggested. He didn't say thank you or kiss my rear, so that isn't happening again. He seems to have befriended one retired physician who drives him around but he admits it is getting old. This month the club prez announced the names of the guests at the meeting. His name was called and again he just raised his hand like a rose bowl float queen. Piece of work.

Do they count his vote whenever the club votes on anything? Maybe if someone pointedly tells him he can't vote because he's not a member, he'll get the message.

[Pacifist]

I participate in a local club with a common mission of interest. One gentleman, who has health issues, is 67 yo, and participates in virtually all club activities, conveniently overlooks paying his dues of $25 a year. He can afford to go to a club dinner once a week and spend $10-15, doesn't drive so is always bumming rides with compassionate guys, and bemoans how his retirement check doesn't go far enough, as if any of them do. The only benefits he misses by not paying his share is the newsletter and access to the internet news discussions. He laughs at those new computer things. Sorry, 67 isn't too old anymore. I'm beginning to let this bother me perhaps more than it should, but anyone who can go out and eat restaurant meals every week can come up with 2 bucks a week to pay his share. Nobody wants to confront him about it. I'm included there, but it isn't fair to the group which has expenses. He's just one of those people who feels entitled and that's it.

People like this exist everywhere, so I'd live to hear from anyone who has already had to deal with a leach and what you did to either bring him into the group or chase him away.

Let's see, based only upon what you have posted:

1. 67 years old?
2. Active and participative member?
2. Acknowledged and obvious health issues?
3. Can "afford (you're making assumptions here)" to spend a whopping $10.00-$15.00 per week on what may very well be what he considers his only worthwhile outing of each week (and which you seem to be quite resentful)?
4. Apparently either can't afford to or isn't able to drive (or both)?
5. Some in the "club" are resentful because he's needy and/or infirm?

Personally, if you are typical of the "club" members, I would probably attempt to find another one with which to associate, but, for whatever reason, your object of ire seems to want to remain, so as have others in this thread, I'll offer to chip in a few bucks in perpetuity in order to pay whatever dues he may have due. One way or the other, he probably won't be around that much longer.

Let me know where to send the money.

[tbrown]

He sounds like the kind of guy who has an Obama phone.

[bdickens]

Perhaps the most important word in the English language is the word "no."

Learn it.

Use it.

[RoyGBiv]

It's difficult to give you a specific opinion in this situation since the facts and nuances are still unclear.

Lots of ifs'...

If the guy is truly impoverished,
... would the club consider a policy of waiving dues for all people below a specific income threshold?
... perhaps you could offer him a service opportunity to the club or the community in lieu of dues?


IMO, if the guy can afford $10/week for a meal he can afford $0.50/week for dues. If there's any question about that, or if you have other members you think might be struggling with dues, have a donation box every week where people can put their coins/change from their meals and have the collections go towards offsetting dues for less affluent members. If you had 3 members that needed help with dues, we're only talking about $1.50/week.

If you still feel that the guy can afford it, make sure you're on the same page with the club officers and have a talk with him about it. If the guy is spoiling your good will towards club participation, it's likely you're not the only one that feels that way. What's the expression...? "One bad apple spoils the bunch", or something. Whatever you do, don't take it personally...

[bayouhazard]

Get a bunch of dues paying friends together and form another club instead of renewing at club socialism.