The ICMA Executive Board is convening a task force of members to evaluate ICMA’s revenue sources and specifically the membership dues structure in the overall context of how ICMA is financed and funded. The last task force on financing ICMA met in 2003-2004 and issued their final report in 2004.

The board’s financial policies establish long term and interim net asset targets to ensure the financial stability of ICMA. To achieve these targets, ICMA operates with a diverse revenue stream including dues, professional development offerings, grants and contracts, private sector contributions and sponsorships, publications, subscriptions, advertising, royalty payments and investment income. From time to time, members voice concerns about a source of revenue.  Most often concerns are focused on the dues structure. Additionally, in an ever changing economy, it is important for organizations to periodically assess their revenue strategies. To address these concerns and to position ICMA as a vital organization for the future, it is time to create a member task force to evaluate ICMA’s financial structure. The board will appoint the current task force of about 20 members by the end of February 2012.

The 2012-2013 Task Force on Financing ICMA will become knowledgeable about the current mix of revenue sources, assess the role that each plays, and address the following in addition to other issues identified by the Task Force:

1.      Revenue Mix: Does ICMA have the right revenue mix? Are there additional revenue sources that need to be considered? Are there existing revenue sources that should not be relied upon?

2.      Dues Structure: What is the dues structure that would be attractive to the members we are trying to attract and retain while still meeting the association's financial targets?

The task force will conduct its organizing meeting in April/May 2012 and will be asked to present a final report to the board at the 2013 Annual Conference in Boston, approximately eighteen months later.  An interim meeting will take place at the 2012 Annual Conference in Phoenix, and perhaps one other time in 2013.  Communications between meetings will take place via e-mail or teleconferences.

Members who want to serve on the task force must be willing to serve for the full eighteen-month period. As with other ICMA task forces and committees, members are asked to commit their own time and pay their own airfare to participate. ICMA will cover lodging, food, and meeting expenses. 

Expressions of interest should be in writing and include a brief statement describing why the member wants to serve and what they could contribute.  Also indicate if paying for airfare will cause a hardship to participation. Submissions are due Wednesday, January 11, 2012, via e-mail to uramesh@icma.org.