Club Membership

One successful way to help raise funds for your group is to have a tiered membership program. Keep in mind, some universities don't allow you to charge "membership fees" or any fees at all so be sure to check your university club rules. Here is a suggested membership program inspired by what we heard the University of Michigan club did years ago:

Non-members:

Anyone can attend the weekly meetings and special events

"Member" (any registered student is eligible):

$20 per year makes them an official member. Their fee goes to covering flyers and copying costs for readings. The perk is that when you bring in a speaker to give a talk and organize a private dinner with the speaker beforehand, they get an invitation to this speaker dinner.

Most students who are active in the club and enjoying the discussions will have no problem helping support you with a yearly fee of this size.

"Sponsor" (any non-registered student or anyone in the community is eligible):

$75 per year gets you an invitation to the speaker dinners and a sponsor perk at the end of the academic year. The sponsor perk is something that you buy (usually a book) for a nominal fee. You can pick a new Objectivist-related book that got published that year and buy a copy for each sponsor. Picking a new book reduces the chances they already own it, but even if they do, that's okay, it's the thought that counts. Or, even better is to buy a book by one of the speakers you bring in that year and get the speaker to autograph each copy of the book.

You may think that no one in your community would be willing to be a sponsor, but you'd be surprised. Also, keep in mind, that often students who were active members of your club that graduate and enter the "working world" will be happy to pay $75 per year just to support the club that they derived so much value from during their time at the university.

Miscellaneous Donations

While we're on the subject of fundraising, it's worth reminding people that you should always solicit donations at every speaker event you hold. Make sure a club member is standing by each entrance of the lecture hall holding a basket with a clear sign asking for donations. List a "suggested donation" on the sign of $5.