The Indian American Association

IAA FAQ's
Why do performers have to be members? Performers reap the benefits of having a show organized for them to perform in. The show is essentially put on for the performers, so we ask that participants realize that it is not free to showcase one's talents, especially considering that we are a student organization and not an industry. The situation is different because we are not a profit driven production company organizing commercial entertainment. Realistically we have to have resources to do what we want - showcase the talents of our members and basically this results in a need for money. In order for us to be able to pay for a hall, advertise, decorate and provide extras for participants, we need initial capital to get the ball rolling. It only makes sense to garner these funds by asking for a contribution from those who receive the primary benefits of our efforts. Don't you have enough funds for a show from the people who have already paid their dues? Why are you trying to raise more money from all of the participants? At the beginning of the year we have on average 50 official members. This totals to $250 and hall rental alone can amount anywhere from $1500-$3500. In addition, it is extremely unfair for some people to freeload while others shoulder the burden of IAA financial needs. Everyone should bear the costs equally. It seems like the executive committee is not very careful with their money. I have heard that you often eat out and pay from the IAA fund. The executive committee is constantly looking for ways to save IAA money. We keep careful track of receipts and constantly reconcile our bank account. The power of money is watched carefully through a system of checks and balances between the treasurer and president. The executive committee does eat out as a group, but only in rare cases where it does not abuse funds. For example, after a 5-7 hour retreat planning our course of action at the beginning of the year, we conclude by going to a restaurant. The social act of eating together in a non-work environment serves to bond the group and facilitate interaction so the group can effectively work as a team throughout the year. In addition, we might have an end of the year dinner to thank the group for their hard work, eat with a special guest that is valued to our club (advisor, speaker, director, comedian) or have dinner at a local sponsoring restaurant to thank them for their contributions to the club. Why do participants have to be a member if they don't want to be? If you are a participant, you must be a paid member. We greatly value your talents and representation of IAA, but we also need your financial support to show them in our events. You may pay the treasurer $5 and chose not to become an official member by way of forfeiting discounts and remaining off the listserve. Essentially, it is not a question of "member" status, but an issue of having the money from the individuals for which we are providing programming. Why do participants have to be members now if it wasn't required in the past? Change is required when circumstances and times change. The past is not the same as now, and it is unfair to compare two completely different situations. We have changed in terms of our outlook and financial philosophy. We have adopted the viewpoint that if an individual is benefiting from IAA programming as a direct participant, there should be a sense of social obligation to contribute. This year is ambitious in terms of raising as much money as we can to provide more for our members. We have new ideas, a new agenda, and a great new vision to further. Specifically, we are pushing collaboration with other Asians, whether it is formals, shows, or mixers. We also are trying new events, such as cast parties and freshman events. Expanding and diversifying our activity is essential to growth. In order to support this new vision of growth, we need greater financial support. IAA doesn't need the money, especially since IAA makes so much off the shows. "So much" is a very relative term. Our financial records show a pattern in which the Fall show is reasonably profitable, but it is one of the few events IAA does make money on. The Spring show and formal are inevitably situations where IAA breaks even, or even loses up to $1500, depending on unexpected costs such as damages or clean-up costs. This pattern shows itself repeatedly as turn-out decreases and subsequently less profit is made. Even the profit from the Diwali show can not be enjoyed in itself, as it is immediately reserved for the hall rental of the Holi show. Dues can be seen as an important contribution in light of our considerable spending. In addition, we need to have a reserve amount in our accounts to cover large liabilities in insurance for the protection of our members when we rent halls. Bascially, the more members invest in this club, the more IAA can provide and the more they can get out of IAA.

Why do performers have to be members?

Performers reap the benefits of having a show organized for them to perform in. The show is essentially put on for the performers, so we ask that participants realize that it is not free to showcase one's talents, especially considering that we are a student organization and not an industry. The situation is different because we are not a profit driven production company organizing commercial entertainment. Realistically we have to have resources to do what we want - showcase the talents of our members and basically this results in a need for money. In order for us to be able to pay for a hall, advertise, decorate and provide extras for participants, we need initial capital to get the ball rolling. It only makes sense to garner these funds by asking for a contribution from those who receive the primary benefits of our efforts.
Don't you have enough funds for a show from the people who have already paid their dues? Why are you trying to raise more money from all of the participants?

At the beginning of the year we have on average 50 official members. This totals to $250 and hall rental alone can amount anywhere from $1500-$3500. In addition, it is extremely unfair for some people to freeload while others shoulder the burden of IAA financial needs. Everyone should bear the costs equally.
It seems like the executive committee is not very careful with their money. I have heard that you often eat out and pay from the IAA fund.

The executive committee is constantly looking for ways to save IAA money. We keep careful track of receipts and constantly reconcile our bank account. The power of money is watched carefully through a system of checks and balances between the treasurer and president. The executive committee does eat out as a group, but only in rare cases where it does not abuse funds. For example, after a 5-7 hour retreat planning our course of action at the beginning of the year, we conclude by going to a restaurant. The social act of eating together in a non-work environment serves to bond the group and facilitate interaction so the group can effectively work as a team throughout the year. In addition, we might have an end of the year dinner to thank the group for their hard work, eat with a special guest that is valued to our club (advisor, speaker, director, comedian) or have dinner at a local sponsoring restaurant to thank them for their contributions to the club.
Why do participants have to be a member if they don't want to be?

If you are a participant, you must be a paid member. We greatly value your talents and representation of IAA, but we also need your financial support to show them in our events. You may pay the treasurer $5 and chose not to become an official member by way of forfeiting discounts and remaining off the listserve. Essentially, it is not a question of "member" status, but an issue of having the money from the individuals for which we are providing programming.
Why do participants have to be members now if it wasn't required in the past?

Change is required when circumstances and times change. The past is not the same as now, and it is unfair to compare two completely different situations. We have changed in terms of our outlook and financial philosophy. We have adopted the viewpoint that if an individual is benefiting from IAA programming as a direct participant, there should be a sense of social obligation to contribute. This year is ambitious in terms of raising as much money as we can to provide more for our members. We have new ideas, a new agenda, and a great new vision to further. Specifically, we are pushing collaboration with other Asians, whether it is formals, shows, or mixers. We also are trying new events, such as cast parties and freshman events. Expanding and diversifying our activity is essential to growth. In order to support this new vision of growth, we need greater financial support.
IAA doesn't need the money, especially since IAA makes so much off the shows.

"So much" is a very relative term. Our financial records show a pattern in which the Fall show is reasonably profitable, but it is one of the few events IAA does make money on. The Spring show and formal are inevitably situations where IAA breaks even, or even loses up to $1500, depending on unexpected costs such as damages or clean-up costs. This pattern shows itself repeatedly as turn-out decreases and subsequently less profit is made. Even the profit from the Diwali show can not be enjoyed in itself, as it is immediately reserved for the hall rental of the Holi show. Dues can be seen as an important contribution in light of our considerable spending. In addition, we need to have a reserve amount in our accounts to cover large liabilities in insurance for the protection of our members when we rent halls. Bascially, the more members invest in this club, the more IAA can provide and the more they can get out of IAA.