H.10. Sliding Fee Scales

Sliding scales may be used (but are not required to be used) to determine fees for classes and workshops. The scale should range roughly from not less than seventy (70) percent of the amount needed to cover all costs (the "break-even amount") to at least five times this break-even amount. (For example, if a fee of $100 per person is needed to cover all costs, the bottom end of the sliding scale cannot be set below $70 and may be set higher. The upper end of the sliding scale must be at least $500.) The break-even amount must be stated along with the sliding scale on any workshop announcements where a sliding scale is used. When Outreach Funds are used to pay the workshop fee, payment should be at the break-even level.

Careful thought should be put into determining the scale for each workshop. Sliding scales need to be based on the number of expected participants and expected costs of the workshop to make sure that the workshop income covers costs and that adequate funds are raised for the Outreach and Publications Funds under Guidelines H.3 and H.4. The RRP is to approve any sliding scale used for RC workshops in his or her Region. To work as intended, sliding scales should be used in conjunction with ongoing discharge about money, integrity, and economic inequality.

Reason

Sliding scales give workshop organizers additional flexibility and make our workshops more accessible. Outreach Funds will still be used for workshop fees and transportation expenses.