Columbus Torch Club dues for 2024-25 Program Year

This year marks the 98th anniversary of the founding the Torch Club of Columbus. As members we have enjoyed the benefits of good fellowship, quality food/service, and very interesting presentations. A survey of our members completed last year showed that members enjoy the venue, the dinners and the programs that have been offered for the last decade. The OSU Faculty Club is a very desirable venue to hold our meetings. It is a very comfortable facility that has the physical space, quality food, and staff for a table service meal. The Faculty Club also has the amplifier system, projector, piano and support for a wide variety of programs.

Without doubt, the Torch Club has faced many challenges since its founding in 1926. The immediate challenge for the coming year (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025) is to balance the budget.  In recent years, the Club has had the luxury of a substantial bank balance that has enabled us to operate with a deficit without raising dues. During the COVID years our meetings were held via Zoom and the Torch Club had no dinner expenses. Dues accumulated in our bank account and served to keep our dues the same even though costs were rising. Last year, dues were increased by $60.00 per member because the Torch Club must move toward a balanced budget (income equals expenses) each year. Unfortunately, this last year the budget deficit was approximately $5,500. As in previous years, this deficit was covered by drawing on the bank account balance. That bank account balance is now down to about $3,000; the club no longer has cash reserves to cover future operating deficits.  

The membership dues will need to be increased in order to have a balanced budget for 2024-2025. At the August 1, 2024 meeting, the Board approved unanimously a dues increase of $100 per member (less than $10.00 per month) in order to avoid a deficit at the end of next year.  Member dues will be $460.00 for the year. Additionally, guest dinner fees will be increased to $ 45.00 except for the December meeting which will be $50.00.

Your Board did not arrive at this dues increase without considering other options. These options included holding one or more Zoom meetings, having a social hour and presentation without dinner at several meetings, and/ or continuing with what our members clearly prefer based on a recent survey. Dinner costs are by far the biggest item in the budget. A typical dinner cost for the Torch Club is over $2,200.00 (or greater) depending on attendance. Dinner costs are expected to increase for the next year. Meeting without a dinner would save a considerable amount of money but the loss of fellowship and a shared meal would probably reduce attendance and even membership. Going to a buffet dinner or a two-course meal would save very little money according to the OSU Faculty Club. 

To pay your dues, make your check payable to:  Torch Club of Columbus and send to our Treasurer, David Lenz, 1926 Lake Shore Dr., Columbus, OH 43204.  Or bring your check to the first Torch Club meeting on October3 , 2024 at the OSU Faculty Club. 

Options for club members not attending Torch due to COVID

Although most Torch Club members have attended the in-person monthly meetings that resumed in October 2021, there are a few members who have been reluctant to attend in person due to ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. These members or persons in their households may be at greater risk for the illness for a variety of reasons. As a result, the Torch Club at its March 3 meeting set aside an area of socially distanced seating for members particularly concerned about COVID-19. This will permit them to hear the Torch paper. In addition, the Faculty Club will prepare a take-home dinner for these members. If you require a takehome dinner, please indicate that in your RSVP to Thom Seelbach’s monthly Evite.

Presentation November 7, 2024: IATC: Past, Present, and Future

A portion of the dues of each member of Torch Club of Columbus goes to support the International Association of Torch Clubs (IATC).  However, most members in local clubs know little about the international association beyond the fact that it publishes The Torch, a magazine of high quality.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the International Association of Torch Clubs.  Few organizations, less than 5 per cent, live long enough to celebrate a centennial.  To commemorate this special milestone, IATC commissioned an updated history.  Several members of our club participated in the research and writing of this new book. (In fact, our club has always played a prominent role in the development and government of IATC).

 A panel of four former presidents of Torch Club of Columbus will give an illustrated presentation that focuses on the history, present activities, and future of IATC.  Raimund Goerler will talk about the book, the history of IATC, and the origins of Torch Club of  Columbus, one of the oldest and the second largest club of the IATC. Dorothy Driscoll, past president of IATC, will offer insights into the history of women in our club and in the IATC.  Rich Davis, currently vice president of IATC, will talk about the present and future of IATC.  Finally, Nancy Wardwell, another former president of Columbus Torch and a director of IATC will add closing comments.

Torch Club’s monthly meeting agenda:

4:30-5:30 p.m. Board of Directors meeting

5:30-6:15 p.m. Cocktails and conversation

6:15-6:35 p.m. Business matters

6:35-7:30 p.m. Speaker

7:30-8:45 p.m. Dinner and table discussion

Torch papers for the 2024-2025 Program Year

Our website says “ Join us for intelligent and respectful discussion in challenging, even chaotic, times.”  To see the schedule of programs on the first Thursday of the month, beginning on October 3, 2024 and ending on June 5, 2025, click HERE.