For more information, see NWCA’s dues and donation page.

NWCA has changed its membership dues structure to make it easier for households to pay according to their means and to encourage higher rates of payment participation. The standard $30/year rate will remain, but we are adding two options for varying economic circumstances.

The NWCA Inclusion Committee proposed these changes in the wake of broader Board discussions about fees because we need to comply with an NWCA Bylaws mandate to create an additional annual dues tier low enough that no residents will be excluded from membership due to financial reasons. This feels especially important now given local economic impacts of federal job and contract losses.

At the same time, our citizens’ association has tended to run annual deficits, covered by a previously built cash reserve. This gap stems in part from increasing costs: upgrading to modernized accounting software, nonprofit filings, insurance, and—happily—an expansion of community programs.

The association needs to improve its paid membership participation to increase its income. The committee’s proposed structure tries to satisfy both its fiscal and equity concerns. At its January meeting, the Board signed off on the committee’s recommendation to try a three-tier structure, where neighbors will self-identify the levels at which they can contribute:

Community Supported $5/year

Community (standard rate) $30/year

Community Supporter $50/year

The standard rate is $30 per year. The new levels allow members to pay $5 per year (Community Supported) if their means are limited or $50 (Community Supporter) if they choose to provide extra support. Dues payment amounts are confidential.

We hope that if enough neighbors contribute at the Community Supporter level, and if more households pay dues at any level, annual revenue will grow enough to cover costs. Failing that, the Board may revisit increasing the standard rate in the future.

If your household has not yet paid dues, go to our Simpli Dues page to do so. If you’re not sure if you’ve paid in the last year, go to the same link. Renewal emails from our platform can end up in your promotions or spam folder or get lost amid other messages, so please do check online.

All residents of our community are eligible to participate in NWCA services, including our listserv. The main benefit of becoming a dues-paying member is the formal privilege of voting on neighborhood issues (as set out in the association’s bylaws). Contributing members vote on board and leadership appointments, bylaws changes, neighborhood issue positions, and other matters. Voting almost always takes place at the annual meeting.

Dues-paying members of any level can feel good about making possible the wide range of services our neighborhood association provides—from the discussion forum, to events, this newsletter, and much more. Your membership dues and donations are tax deductible as charitable contributions. Thank you!

The NWCA Inclusion Committee endeavors to make North Woodside a place for all people, as codified in NWCA’s bylaws. For more information: northwoodsideca.groups.io/g/inclusion. Contact: inclusion@northwoodsideca.groups.io