Upcoming Changes to Society Membership Renewal Grace Period
The Barbershop Harmony Society is adjusting the grace period length for renewing members, associates, and quartets to 30 days post-expiration.
This change will go into effect for all existing memberships and quartets on December 1, 2019.
Why now? What will change?
More than a year ago we introduced discounts to incentivize early and on-time renewals and we have seen our members embrace these new behaviors. Late renewals place a strain on resources at the Society, district, and chapter level as leaders and staff members must track down overdue members. In addition, during the period of lapsed membership, members are not eligible for their membership benefits, such as insurance coverage, shop discounts and subscription to the The Harmonizer.
We are making these changes to ensure that chapters receive the necessary financial resources to support their members in a timely manner. In addition, it’s a good business practice. According to the 2019 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report (Marketing General Incorporated), industry standards for a grace period are between one and three months, with only 14% of membership organizations adopting a grace period of 4 months or longer. These changes will not impact the 5% early/on-time discount nor the 5% discount you receive for renewing online. In addition, the Society still DOES NOT charge a late fee for renewing after your expiration date if done within the grace period.
Please read below for complete details on the changes, or reference our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for additional information.
CHANGES TO THE MEMBER, ASSOCIATE, AND QUARTET RENEWAL GRACE PERIOD
Effective December 1, 2019, the grace period for members, associates, and quartets to renew their subscription will be 30 days post-expiration. On this day (12/1/19), any individual or group that is 31+ days past their expiration date will move from “lapsed” status to “expired.” Any individual or quartet expired for more than 30 days will need to reinstate in order to reactivate member or quartet benefits.
All existing policies and procedures for renewing and reinstating memberships or quartets will still apply, now taking effect after 30 days. Individuals and quartets reinstating after the grace period ends will acquire a new expiration date one year past their reinstated date. As before, a fee of $10.00 will apply to applications for reinstatement after the grace period.
A quartet name will be available for anyone to use after the current quartet is no longer using it (unless it has been retired). Once a member has fallen off the roster after the end of the grace period, a chapter or chorus will need to approve the addition of a member to their singing community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between “lapsed” and “expired” membership status?
A “lapsed” status refers to someone currently in the grace period, meaning after the expiration date of their membership, but still within the 30-day grace period. An “expired” status refers to someone whose membership renewal date was 31 or more days ago. For an “expired” member to reactive their membership, a reinstatement fee of $10.00 will be required.
Will I lose my years of service if I renew late?
No, you will always retain your earned years of service.
Will I have to pay a reinstatement fee if I renew late?
If you apply for membership after your membership is expired more than 30 days, you will be subject to a reinstatement fee and you will receive a new expiration date one year past your reinstatement date.
Will I have to re-audition if I miss the grace period?
Each chapter or chorus has the right to uphold their own policies and procedures for qualifying for membership. It would be up to the leadership of each singing community to determine re-audition procedures.
Do I need chapter/chorus approval to get back on the roster if I miss the grace period?
Yes; once a member falls off the roster, chapter/chorus approval is necessary to be reinstated.
Will I still get the early/on time renewal and online renewal discounts?
Absolutely! This change does not affect the 5% discount on Society dues you may receive for renewing before or on your expiration date nor the additional 5% discount you can receive for renewing online.
How does this affect individuals on the EZDues Monthly Installment program?
This should not impact those on the EZDues program at all as members on this plan are always up to date in their subscription year and do not use the grace period.
When do I lose the exclusivity of my quartet name within my classification (men’s, women’s, mixed harmony)?
A quartet retains the exclusive rights to their name within their classification so long as they are current in their quartet dues. So, once the 30-day grace period has expired, the quartet name will be available for other singing communities to register.
What if I let my membership expire beyond the 30-day grace period, but I want to retain my former annual year/expiration date?
Contact customer service (customerservice@barbershop.org) and a representative will be able to work with you to give you an unbroken record of service.