[JaneYoung]

Big Mike,
I don't think any financial planning is ever stupid, esp. when looking at the future.

When LASA Robotics formed the Parent Association several years ago, we set a few short term and long term goals. One of the goals we strove towards attaining as quickly as possible was to always have monies in the coffer to pay for the current year and to pay for the following year. We've achieved that goal and are able to stay one year ahead, planning conservatively and being frugal. It took a bit of time to do this but we stayed focused, even as the board members and students changed and graduated. If there were to be an increase, because of the established organization and planning involved, we would be able to adjust.

That you are thinking along these lines is a boon to your team, whether the fees were to be increased or not. We aren't a team with a big budget, we have to make every penny count, but I think any time you have increased fees/costs, you have to weigh the pros/cons, cans/can'ts - and be able to justify the increase to your sponsors and supporters. They have their own limits, budgets, and responsibilities.