Dear fellow Ontario Barbershoppers,
We live in strange times and it would appear from our present state of scientific knowledge about this pandemic, that it is likely to be some time before we are safely able to come together to sing, to entertain others and ourselves.
This inevitably means that Ontario District has to temporarily curtail some of the activities so near and dear to all our hearts. Already, we have sadly cancelled the Spring and Fall District Conventions and postponed our Ontario Quartet Event until next year.
All this has lead me to reexamine our current cost base. We still have some outgoings for such things as riser storage, insurance, website and accounting software overheads, modest office costs and bank service charges. There are also still a few residual Riser Truck expenses although I am pleased to announce that we have now sold the truck to be replaced soon with a trailer. Ridding ourselves of the costs of engine maintenance, vehicles fees, tags, licenses and insurance cost reductions will help a lot.
I presented all this to the Executive Board with the recommendation that we reduce District Dues in all categories by 50% for the next 12 months so that every member in Ontario District will benefit equally from the savings. The Board approved the recommendation so it was presented to the Spring House Of Delegates who also approved. Because the Society invoices for Society and District dues two months ahead of the due date, this change will come into effect starting August 1st and continue for a year.
Should you elect voluntarily to donate that saving directly to either Harmonize for Speech, Sing Canada Harmony, or even directly to Ontario District, then that donation would of course earn an Income Tax Receipt.
As ever, if you have any questions or comments, my (virtual) door is always open!
Yours in Harmony,
David Smith
Treasurer – Ontario District of the Barbershop Harmony Society
Ontario District Dues
| Membership Type | Code | Regular Dues | Dues for Aug 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021 |
| Lifetime Membership with 50 Years | L5 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Lifetime Regular Membership | LF | $85.00 | $42.50 |
| Lifetime Senior Membership | LS | $42.50 | $21.25 |
| Lifetime Youth | LY | $42.50 | $21.25 |
| Regular Membership with 50 Years of Service | R5 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Regular Membership | RG | $85.00 | $42.50 |
| Senior with 50 Years of Service | S5 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Qualified Senior (as of 12/31/2009) | SL | $42.50 | $21.25 |
| Senior Membership | SN | $63.75 | $31.88 |
| Youth Membership | Y1 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Existing Members under 26 | Y2 | $42.50 | $21.25 |
All prices in CAD