Fees

When considering membership in a new organization, you may ask yourself..."Where do my member dues go? How will membership benefit me?"

These are great questions! As an entirely volunteer-run, non-profit organization, Greener Photography relies on the support of our membership fees to offset our operating costs. These funds also allow us to realize our Mission and increase the benefits and quality of your membership.

To answer your questions, we've listed a breakdown of some of the ways we utlitize Greener Photography membership fees:

Operating Costs:

• Greener Photography (GP) is a California non-profit corporation awaiting federal 501(c) tax status.
• We are 100% volunteer run. Our volunteer staff works an average of 60 hours combined per week just to meet our basic needs.
• Volunteer staff work remotely from their personal computers, cell/land phones and internet connections. (i.e. These services and equipment are donated probono to Greener Photography.)
• GP's start-up costs topped $3,000 for branding, web development and incorporation.
• GP's annual operating costs are $1,000 just for the basics like email, hosting, SEO, and website maintenance & development.
• GP's accounting and legal costs exceeded $1,200 in 2009.
• Our web team (10K Webdesign) has donated over $8,000 of their services in order to upgrade the GP website. Additional website development/maintenance is projected to cost $5,000-10,000 per year.

Goals:

We want to make GP:

• Financially sustainable
• Member-supported (an advertisement-free, unbiased source of information)
• Internationally recognized as the environmental authority in the photographic industry.
• Able to influence the products suppliers offer and the business practices they implement

Member Benefits:

• A thorough certification process that distinguishes you from your peers and greatly increases your credibility as a Greener Photographer.
• A road map to making your business more green. Our staff provide applicants with concrete and simple tips for greening their business and achieving GP Certification.
• Access to the members-only Discussion Forum (starting in Spring 2010)
• Use of the prestigious Greener Photography certified logo on your website, promotional material, etc.
• Discounts on products and services of interest to greener photographers. (Membership can easily pay for itself!)
• Targeted market exposure - business listing and website link in the online Member Directory. Increase your sales and your SEO!
• Free subscription to our e-newsletter
• Opportunities for publication on the Greener Photography website and its associated organizations
• Opportunity to inspire others as a Greener Photography mentor, presenter, and spokesperson
• Opportunity to reeive Greener Photographer of the Year award
• Opportunity to be featured in the Spotlight of the Month on the Greener Photography homepage

Our Needs:

• GP will need 200 members to meet our 2010 budget.
• GP will need to retain 75% of our membership and grow by 250 members each year to reach sustainability by 2012

How You Can Help:

• Apply for certification as a Greener Photographer. It's $7 per month you can feel good about!
• Vounteer. As a 100% volunteer organization, we rely on the time and dedication of our members.
• Donate. As a member-supported, non-profit organization, we rely on contributions from our members and supporters.