In response to your input, KCRAR has made some significant changes to its annual dues billing schedule. The changes are designed to give you more flexibility when making payments and the option of paying your dues ahead of the holiday season.

A special thanks to chair Lee McClelland and the members of the Annual Dues Billing Task Force! The Board of Directors approved these changes at the task force’s recommendation, and the changes will take effect this fall when dues bills are sent on September 1.

“E-billing and the new dues billing schedule allows KCRAR to collect dues in a manner that is more environmentally friendly, while honoring the wishes of an ever-increasing number of our members,” said 2009 KCRAR President Chris Collins, ABR, CRS, GRI. “As President of the KCRAR Board of Directors, I can promise you that your Board will continue to make every effort to find ways to deliver services to our members as affordably as possible.”

Lee said that timing was a factor in the changes.

“The time of the year when bills are due is normally a slow time in the market,” Lee said. “The market shift that we have seen has made this an even more challenging time. We wanted the members to have payment options to get their dues paid. Thanks to the KCRAR staff for all of the research from other associations for this task force!”

Your dues invoice will be e-mailed on Sept. 1, 2009, with a due date of Dec. 15, 2009. Those who have opted to continue receiving paper invoices will receive their bills via snail mail.

This year you will have the following payment options:

• Pay the total amount of the invoice anytime, online or by check, as long as KCRAR receives payment by midnight on Thursday, Dec. 15.
• Choose to make partial payments or pay in installments.
• If you choose to pay in installments by check, you can opt to make partial payments in any amount, at any time, as long as the invoice is paid in full by midnight on Thursday, Dec. 15.
• If you choose to pay in installments online, the following payment options are available to you:
• Make 1/3 payments each month in September, October and November;
• Make a 2/3 payment in October and the remaining 1/3 payment in November.

Other important dates to remember:

• Members who have not paid in full by Thursday, Dec. 15 will be assessed a $25 late fee on Dec. 16.
• During the first week in January 2010, members with a dues balance will be suspended from KCRAR and HMLS services and assessed an additional $25 late fee.
• On Feb. 1, 2010, members with continued unpaid dues balances will be terminated. If you decide to rejoin after Feb. 1, you’ll have to pay new member application fees and pro-rated dues to reinstate membership.

As it does every year, the invoice will include dues for the local, state and national associations; it’s possible that the state dues will change when MAR and KAR hold their fall meetings in October. If state dues increase, any change in the amount of their dues will be billed to you in November.

The most important thing to remember is dues are STILL due in FULL by Dec. 15. This new policy means invoices will be sent out two months earlier, giving you the option to either pay in full a few months before the holidays, or spread the payments out in monthly installments. 

For questions about the annual dues billing changes, contact Accounting at 913-661-1600.