Wednesday, July 24, 2024
If you are an OAA Member, last week you received a survey from the Ontario Association of Architects regarding Society Funding, including possible adjustments to the current Society Membership Fee and Per Capita allocations.
Membership Fees and Per Capita Allocation represent the most significant portion and most reliable annual revenue source for our operating budget, but many of these fees and allocations have remained unchanged in a long time—some as long as 30+ years. Updating these fees and allocations is an important part of ensuring the long-term sustainability of Local Societies including the TSA, making sure we can continue to deliver the high-quality, varied and affordable programming that you are used to.
The TSA needs your support in asking for improved funding for Local Societies. You can do this by completing the OAA’s Local Societies Funding survey by Tuesday, August 6.
We are asking our members to support the following changes:
- A modest increase in membership fees to help close the inflation gap accumulated over the years. (Questions 7-8 in the survey)
- The introduction of a yearly percentage fee increase tied to cost of living to avoid the recurrence of a similar situation in the future. (Questions 9 in the survey)
- Overhauling the OAA Per Capita funding formula from the current inverse sliding scale to a funds matching scheme, where the OAA would match the membership fees raised by Local Societies in recognition of their contributions to advancing the objects of the Architects Act. (Question 11 in the survey)
- Introduction of Per Capita Allocation for student-members, a demographic currently excluded from the OAA’s calculations. (Question 11 in the survey)
Understanding Society Fees and the Proposed Changes
Looking to better understand why we are asking for these changes? Check out the explainer below where we provide additional information on key terms, the need for improved funding, and what this all means to you.
What is the difference between Membership Fees and Per Capita Allocation?
Membership Fees refer to the dues paid by TSA Members, whether directly to the TSA or indirectly through the OAA’s annual renewal process. They are currently set at $65 for Architects and General Members, and $25 for Intern Architects. Student membership is free. In 2023, our total membership revenue was $112,922, 42.90% of our total income.
Per Capita Allocation refers to additional funds provided by the OAA meant to support the work of Societies and is part of the OAA’s Annual Operating Budget. Currently, it is based on an inverse sliding scale, averaging to about $20 per member. Per Capita is only received for OAA Members and affiliates, and no funding is currently allocated to support student members. In 2023, we received $36,390 in Per Capita Funding, 13.80% of our total income.
Why is there a need to increase fees and Per Capita Allocation?
TSA leadership are deeply committed to maintaining the accessibility and affordability of our programming. A lot of work goes into ensuring that our events and operations are delivered at the highest quality without necessitating the expensive membership and ticket prices we see associated with so many other industry organisations and events. However, our ability to continue to deliver this high-quality, varied and affordable programming is dependent upon having stable sources of revenue. Over the years, while our costs have gone up with inflation and cost-of-living increases, our membership and support from the OAA has remained unchanged.
Here are some statistics to provide some perspective:
- In 1973, TSA Membership was $20 for Architects and $10 for Affiliates. Adjusted to inflation, today that would be $134.72 and $67.36 respectively. Our current membership rates are $65 and $25, less than half of those adjusted amounts.
- Back in 1973, we had 329 members, compared to our current 2,765.
- Over the last decade, our programming and services have greatly expanded. For example, our lecture offerings increased from just 5 in 2003 to 14 in 2023, representing 16 hours of Structured Learning hours.
- The last time membership fees were adjusted was in 2019, when Architect fees were raised from $50 to $65—the first adjustment in over 20 years. Intern Architect Fees have not been adjusted in at least 25 years.
- The OAA Per Capita Funding formula has remained unchanged in over 30 years, meaning the percentage of the OAA’s Annual Budget supporting the work of Societies has steadily decreased, even when OAA fees have increased.
Simply put, we are doing more with less and we have reached the limit of what our current resources are able to support. Without an adjustment in these funding sources, we will not be able to maintain the current levels of valued programming and services you rely on.
Why weren’t these fees adjusted sooner?
OAA by-laws require their approval for any changes to Society Fees, which means these changes need to be negotiated with the OAA and approved by Council. In the past, it had also been customary for all Local Societies across Ontario to have the same membership fee, meaning any adjustment had to be agreed upon by all 14 Local Societies.
The OAA has acknowledged that this model may no longer be appropriate given the vast differences in size and services each Society is able to offer. To provide some perspective, the TSA is the largest Society with 2,765 members. The next largest is the Ottawa Regional Society of Architects, with 303, and some of the smallest Societies have less than 20 members.
Has the TSA looked at other sources of funding?
While we believe a small adjustment in membership fees and an overhaul of the OAA’s Per Capita Allocation formula would have the biggest impact on the long-term sustainability of the TSA, we have also placed increased effort on other income areas including:
- Revamping our sponsorship program to provide year-round opportunities.
- Introducing a cash bar at most TSA events.
- Adjusting ticket prices to help offset select programming costs.
- Increasing attendance at TSA events and ticket sales through marketing and capacity.
- Providing a more robust private tours offering to generate a new source of revenue.
- Investing our operational reserve into GICs.
- Submitting for grants when possible.
- Increasing outreach efforts to non-OAA members to join the Society, including creating direct join options.
What about Special Project Funding?
Special Project Funding refers to small grants provided by the OAA that only Local Societies are able to apply for in order to support one-time projects that are aligned to the objects of the OAA, in particular increasing public appreciation and awareness of architecture and the allied arts & sciences. Applications require significant work and approval is not guaranteed.
While the TSA often applies for Special Project Funding to make individual projects possible, it is not a sustainable way of operating as the funds cannot be used to cover recurring operating costs and other expenses like membership services.
What is the value of my TSA Membership?
The last decade has been a time of significant growth for the TSA, both in terms of membership numbers and the services we provide. Today TSA Members enjoy:
- Free access to Structured Learning Opportunities, compliant with OAA Continuing Education requirements, including 10 yearly technical lectures ($15 each for non-Members) and 2-4 forums a year.
- Free access to numerous other programming opportunities, including our walking tours and TSA CONNECT networking events (both $15 per event for non-members).
- Discounted pricing and early-bird access for Building Tours ($10 vs $20), Kids’ Main Street ($10 vs $15), and the TSA BASH ($55 vs. $120), as well as discounted tickets to the Architecture and Design Film Festival Toronto.
- Free access to our Past Lectures Library.
- Our twice-a-month e-bulletin packed with upcoming events, resources, and discounts from partners and friends.
Our Thoughts on Voluntary Membership
Towards the end of the survey, there is a question regarding eliminating voluntary Society membership dues and instead funding Societies through the OAA’s annual budget (Question 10). We believe this is a topic that requires a wider conversation beyond this survey to fully understand the implications of this proposed change and how it might impact the operations, programming, and expectations of each Society. There is the opportunity to answer “unsure” and we encourage you to use the comments section to ask any questions you might have on this proposed change.
Still have questions about the survey or Society finances in general? Join us for an Info Session.
We will be hosting a virtual information session next week on Tuesday, July 30 at noon where members of our Executive will be present to answer any questions you might have.
You can also find more information about the TSA’s finances and activities in our 2023 Annual Report or check out the recording of this year’s AGM where we speak not just about our programming but also walk through our financial report and budget.
Register for the Info Session