You know, I can't help but think you guys have no idea how good you guys have it in terms of fees.
A breakdown of our year is
$70 Registration
$30 + in District Activity fees
$50 + Regional Activities
These events are necessary to getting a scholarship or bursary. And even with attending all these events, the scholarships are still extremely competetive and the odds of getting one are slim. So after all that money, sure, you have the experiences but scholarships aren't a guarantee. Not to mention covering the club fees themselves.
That is for the bare minimum, $150, and that is just for club, district and regional fees, per member, and that is without project fees (Including fairs, shows, building projects, etc).
That's around an extra $50 for the rabbit project to cover entrance fees, building, etc.
Let alone since I got into the horse project, where we pay around $30 entry fee for one horse and if you want to go to the big 4-H horse shows, you can expect a $50 stall fee, $30 class fee and of course, feedand other horse essentials aren't included in that.
The fair grounds probably do a lot more for you then you know. They have to cover the passes and if you guys have not been paying fees in the past, I'm assuming they don'thave 4-H Insurance covering you there, so they have to cover the insurance for your event as well.To be honest, I'm surprised you've been getting away with it for that little for that long. I would say they probably aren't even breaking even, let alone "having their own hidden agendas".
Perhaps that money will go towards county events? Getting insurance for the clubs? Starting a scholarship program? Who knows? But I doubt it is pocketed.
countryhorse wrote:
Scholarships are monies set aside by people or businesses to give to kids who meet their requirements and apply. 4h doesn't pay for those out of money made from the kids or their extention offices.
I don't know if the US is different, but the 4-H district pays for the scholarships here and that is made through fees and fundraisers done through district events.
I guess 4-H must work quite different there.