Rotary club cost structures have changed necessarily during the past two years as the pandemic has driven many clubs into online meetings and operations. The Rotary Club of Kirkland is no exception, and has taken steps to prepare for both uncertainty in the meeting environment, and the introduction of new generations of tech-oriented members as the club grows again. New organizational supports include implementing ClubRunner's online Dues & Billing system, an online Donation page (both supported by ClubRunner partner Paya Bankcard), the online Event Management module, and the club's own Zoom account to facilitate regular meetings, board meetings, committee meetings, and student interviews.Club treasurer Jim Meniketti has been analyzing and comparing current cost patterns to those of prior years. Jim estimates the annual cost of the significant increase in use of online bankcard services is $63 per member. The ClubRunner online options cost about $40 per member. The cost per member of using Square for dinner meetings is at about $20. And the cost of using Square for Duck Dash ticket sales is about $3 per member. Overall, Jim estimates transaction costs to run about five percent of revenue. Percentages vary based on the bank card used by the member or other purchaser of Rotary items (e.g., dinner, Dinner Cards, Duck adoption tickets, Happy Bucks). The more services offered by the bank card issuer (e.g., travel miles, cash back), the higher the card fee paid by the club.
Eventually, the club's board must consider these costs when analyzing the competitiveness of dues and the value of adding transaction charges to purchases. The ClubRunner system does not currently have the capability of adding percentage or flat rate service charges to purchases or donations, but staff are considering adding such an option for clubs.