Northern Virginia Fools News

Brothers & Sisters,

Here we are on the back half of the year and what a year it’s been. Many events have occurred and in 2009 the direction of the FOOLS is going to be moving like a freight train. This cannot be done without the support of each and every chapter. Your involvement in the many different areas is crucial to our organization going to the next level.

The foundation of the FOOLS has been set and now is the time to build on that. During the 2007 FOOLS Convention in Seaside Heights New Jersey, the general membership voted on an annual chapter dues, paid to FOOLS International and that a committee was formed to put together a dollar amount that each chapter would be responsible to pay every year. The committee (comprised of Richie Stack- Southside FOOLS, Eric Hankins- NorCal FOOLS, Bill Hopson- Jersey FOOLS, Jeremy Brown- Indy Metro FOOLS and Dana Potter- Southern New England FOOLS) drew up an amount based off of an individual chapter’s membership. They brought forth the plan; it was approved by the FOOLS International Executive Board and put into the International’s Articles of Association. The breakdown is as follows:

1-50 members = $50 per year
51-100 members = $100 per year
101-200 members = $200 per year
201 members + = $300 per year max

The annual chapter dues will be due starting January 1, 2009. This being the first year, we are allowing chapters a grace period till April 1, 2009 to be paid in full, but we strongly urge everyone to have their chapter dues paid in full as early as possible in 2009. It is in your best interest to have an accurate roster of your chapter so dues paid to FOOLS International will be accurate and match the roster that FOOLS International has on each chapter. Chapter rosters that FOOLS International has can be obtained upon request either from Ellen Brown – Secretary or Ben Sheppard – Membership. I would encourage every chapter to obtain a copy of the roster we have of your chapter and compare it to the roster each chapter has on itself. This money will help support FOOLS International as well as chapters for certain events (i.e., conventions and training). Again proper planning for this is very important and we know that every chapter is on board. If you have any questions feel free to get a hold of Ellen Brown via email or phone (ellenb@foolsinternational.com or admin@foolsinternational.com, 423-479-3111).

Thank you for everyone’s participation and involvement.

The FOOLS International Executive Board:

Eric C. DePoto, President
Eric Hankins, Vice-President
Ellen Brown, Secretary/Treasurer
Ben Sheppard, 1^st Trustee, Membership
Lee Hudson, 2^nd Trustee, Merchandise
Andy Biron, 3^rd Trustee, Internet Operations
Mike Dugan, 4^th Trustee, Education