Team Activities for Special Kids
Why the
increase in fees?
Our goal is to have a TASK
facility where our kids and adults with special needs can participate in
athletic and social activities. The
current fees and fundraising do not generate enough income to begin the
steps need to reach this goal. The
entire $30 program fee goes towards tee shirts, trophies, insurance and
facility rental. TASK
currently pays over $2,500/month for facilities and office space. The
expense for the TASK activities exceeds the fees paid by participants.
TASK actually loses money on most activities.
In 1996 the original registration fee was $25.
In 1997 it increased to $30 and has remained that way ever since.
We are asking you to invest in the future of TASK and our
children.
What if I
join after January 1, 2007?
That is not a problem.
You may join as a gold, silver or bronze member throughout the
year. However, the yearly
rate will not be prorated. Families
will pay the same fee to become a silver level member in January that
they will in October. There are no refunds and memberships are
non-transferable.
Is my member fee tax deductible?
No.
It is not a donation.
My son/daughter only participates in one or two
activities a year. Do I have
to sign up for a level? If you do
not register as a gold or silver member, then you are, by default, a
bronze level member and pay $75 per sport/activity.
Where
does the fundraising income go?
The income from our annual fundraisers
has been used for facility expenses, insurance, equipment, vehicles,
office and administrative expenses.
TASK has been saving some of this income when possible for the
future of your children and future children
However, the amount saved over the last 10 years is not nearly
enough to move forward toward our goal.
Will this money
be used to pay TASK staff?
TASK remains a volunteer
organization. The increase
in fees is not to pay staff but to collect enough money to build and
maintain a TASK facility. Sometime
in the future we hope to have a paid director and some support staff,
but at this time we are focusing on a land and a facility.
Are there changes
in programs?
Yes. As you have seen TASK has
added additional opportunities for athletes to participate.
Additional bowling, dance and fitness club sessions have been
added. We are also adding premium
sports. These
include swimming, floor hockey, kickball and karate. Premium sports are
available to gold and silver level members only.
Additional premium sports may be added to the calendar as the
year goes on.
However, the basics of the program remain the same.
Athletes will continue receive tee shirts and trophies.
All sports meet one hour a week for six weeks, with the exception
of camp and fitness club, and all athletes will receive the level of
assistance they need to participate.
Where will the
facility be located?
At this time we have not
secured property. We want to
be centrally located to allow as many athletes as possible to enjoy the
facility. We are focusing
our search between Gravois and Manchester, near 270.
When will the
building be built?
We plan to purchase land by June
2007. Since the ability to
move forward is, in large part, based upon program participation, it is
really too early to say when building may begin.
We are hoping to begin as early as 2008.
What will the
facility offer?
We envision a facility with 2 indoor
basketball courts, a recreational room, fitness room, storage, office
space, locker rooms and outdoor softball and soccer fields.
Our goal is to be able to offer almost all activities under one
roof.
Will TASK lose
some participants due to the fee increase?
We sincerely hope this doesn’t
happen. The Board discussed
this change for a long time and carefully considered TASK’s options.
We believe this change is required for TASK to remain viable for
the long-term future.
Why do you want
the total yearly fee by January 1?
This was done for bookkeeping
simplicity and to minimize the time and expense associated with periodic
fee collection. We do not have the means for automatic bank withdrawal
at this time.
If you have any questions that were
not answered here, please feel free to contact any of the board members
via phone (314) 845-3641 or email task.board@sbcglobal.net.
It is important to us that your questions are answered and your
concerns are addressed. We
are grateful for your support and commitment as we move into this new
project.
