Membership Fees and Direct Debit Arrangements
Membership fees are determined by the club’s general assembly, allowing every member the opportunity to influence these fees through voting or proposals at the annual meetings. It’s important to note that, without sponsorships akin to professional sports clubs, our club relies entirely on membership fees to cover operational costs. If income falls short, reductions in services or equipment provisions may be necessary.
The current badminton section membership fees are as follows:
- Adults over 18 pay €18 monthly.
- A reduced rate of €13 monthly applies to students, interns, retirees over 65, unemployment benefit recipients, individuals without an income, and members of other sports clubs in Berlin or Brandenburg.
- Individuals under 18 are charged €10 monthly.
- A one-time joining fee of €20 is applicable upon joining, except for individuals under 18.
Please note, these rates are subject to change, with the official fee schedule being the authoritative source.
Fees are collected quarterly via direct debit on specified dates, with amounts adjusted according to membership categories.
Starting in 2024, a new policy introduces an additional fee of €0.80 per session for members playing more than 140 times annually, starting from the 141st session. This aims to distribute costs more fairly among members.
Expense Overview and Club Comparison
Our primary expenditure is on shuttlecocks, amounting to approximately €30,000 annually. Other significant costs include contributions to sports federations and administrative expenses, with the total annual budget around €80,000. This budget necessitates member contributions to sustain club operations. Cost reductions would require members to supply their shuttlecocks, a common practice in other clubs.
Comparing costs with commercial sports centers, our club offers significantly more affordable playing opportunities, thanks to Berlin’s sports funding law enabling free venue rentals for registered non-profit clubs. This affordability is supported by our members’ voluntary contributions to club management and operations.
We encourage members to consider these factors and compare our fees with other clubs and commercial offerings before expressing concerns about our rates. Our commitment to providing affordable badminton playing opportunities is unwavering. Thank you.