Illinois League delegates, like other leagues, approve new dues structure

CHICAGO – Leaders of the Illinois Credit Union League are beginning the process to restructure the way the organization manages its dues. After struggling to right a system that is 20 years old, the ICUL is hoping to come up with a new dues structure that will keep the organization solvent in the years ahead. (See related dues stories on page 1.) At the recent ICUL convention, delegates voted to increase dues 3% annually, as part of a phased-in increase agreed upon five years ago. It's likely, too, that league members will be asked for a 3% dues increase again next year. In the meantime, the organization will spend the coming year devising a plan to present to members at next year's convention that will satisfy both large and small members. "We may look at restructuring the formula with a built-in increase," ICUL President Dan Plauda said after convention delegates had approved the most recent increase. The delegate vote, approved by voice vote without objection, raised dues to 1.97% of gross income up to $347,783 plus 26 cents per member. The dues schedule also includes minimum dues of $115 and a maximum of $21,118. A year ago, the convention raised dues to 1.91% of gross income up to $337,653 plus 25 cents per member with a minimum of $112 and a maximum of $20,503. The 3% increase in 2001 brought in $2.39 million in dues revenue, compared with $2.33 million in 2000, a 2.6% increase in revenue. ICUL Senior Vice President for Member Services Vicki Ponzo said that building in an increase will require a change in the league's bylaws and that the board and the staff will spend the next year figuring out an acceptable plan to put before the convention next year. Any vote taken at the 2003 convention will not go into effect until 2004, however. So, Ponzo said, next year's delegates may be asked to OK an interim increase. "I think we'll ask for a dues increase of 3%," she said. Any plan must satisfy the concerns of small credit unions. "Some of our small credit unions feel they pay more in dues than larger ones percentage wise," Ponzo said. In part because of lagging dues, the ICUL spent less last year on programs than the previous year. Program expenses in 2000 reached $3.44 million but dropped to $3.28 million in 2001. The league has other sources of income besides dues, most notably a surplus from the ICUL Service Corp. Ponzo said the ICUL kept up its programs despite the belt tightening. -