Purpose and Desired Results:  Periodic review of ASABE dues should: 1) maintain the financial viability of the society; 2) maximize the desirability of ASABE membership; and 3) maintain fairness among the various membership categories.

Review Interval or Frequency:  The dues shall be reviewed at regular 5-year intervals, unless the Board of Trustees requests a more frequent review.

Dues Review Committee Composition:  To initiate each periodic dues review, the ASABE president shall appoint a committee of eight people to review the dues amounts (structure) and recommend changes, if any, in the dues. The committee shall include a representative from each of the councils (Membership Development, Publications, Standards and Meetings); the Finance Committee; and a representative from each of the communities that represent Preprofessionals, Young Professionals and Senior Actives.  The representative from the Membership Development Council shall chair the committee.

Review Schedule:  Before any dues adjustment goes into effect, lead time is required to plan the increase, have it approved by a 75% vote of the Trustees and notify the membership at least 3 months before it becomes effective. Dues adjustments become effective on January 1.  Therefore, the following timetable is suggested:

1. Prior to the annual meeting in any year whose last digit is 3 or 8, the ASABE president shall appoint the dues review committee.
2. The committee has until the following March 15 to study the dues structure, prepare their recommendation and transmit it to the President.
3. Before June 1, the ASABE Trustees vote on the dues recommendation and inform ASABE headquarters staff of the results of the vote.
4. The September edition of Inside ASABE or letter of notification is used to notify the ASABE membership of any dues adjustment.
5. On January 1, the new dues structure becomes effective.

Factors to Consider in Deciding Whether to Adjust the ASABE Dues Amounts:  Evaluate the accumulated Consumer Price Index since the last dues adjustment. Calculate proposed dues rates that would maintain an equivalent income.

1. Consider whether there have been any changes in member services provided by ASABE since the last dues adjustment that would justify a dues change.
2. For each of the past 5 years, calculate the percentage of society expenses covered by dues and project what that percentage would be 5 years ahead if past trends continued. Historically, the percentage of society expenses covered by dues has averaged about 23%. It seems reasonable to keep the dues contribution in the range from 20% to 30% of total society revenues.
3. For each of the last five years, in consultation with the Finance Committee, calculate the Restricted Reserve balance as a percentage of the previous year's society expenses, then project what that percentage would be 5 years ahead if past trends continued.  If the percentage is projected to be below the desired 50% level, a dues increase may be needed to rebuild the restricted reserve.
4. Review the size of the society budget surplus or deficit for each of the last 5 years, then project the trend ahead 5 years to estimate future surpluses or deficits.  Estimate the dues increase needed to cover the projected future deficits, if any.

Factors to Consider in Deciding Whether to Change the ASABE Dues Structure: Solicit recommendations from the Membership Development Council concerning the appropriateness of the various dues categories. In consultation with the Membership Development Council, review the appropriateness of the dues differentials among the various ASABE membership dues categories and determine if changes need to be made.

After considering all of the above factors, the Dues Review Committee formulates their recommendation regarding needed dues adjustments, if any, and transmits it to the ASABE President by March 15 in years ending in 4 and 9.