CA2RS California Association of Accident Reconstruction Specialists

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Membership Renewal Procedure

Why is the fiscal year so wacky?

The CAARS fiscal year begins July 1st and ends June 30th. The fiscal year of many police departments and other government agencies coincides with ours. We considered other non-profit organizations' fiscal years and opted to stagger ours. Our first informational meeting was held in April 1998, and our first training session was held in July of 1998, which also helped to form our wacky fiscal year.

When do I submit my renewal dues?

In order to be eligible for continuous membership status, you must submit your renewal form and dues ($40) between April 1st of the expiring fiscal year and September 30th of the upcoming fiscal year. This provides members with a 6-month window in which to submit their dues.

After October 1st of the new fiscal year, renewing members are subject to a $5 reinstatement fee in addition to the standard dues renewal. The total renewal after October 1st of the new fiscal year is $45.

If an entire year of membership lapses, a new application and membership fee ($50) must be submitted. A new membership card will reflect "Member since (new application year)."

Will I receive a renewal reminder in the mail?

Yes. You should receive a letter along with a renewal form in the mail near April or May, 1-3 months prior to July 1st, the beginning of each fiscal year. Your renewal form includes any contact information you submitted on your CAARS application. Please make any corrections/additions/subtractions on this form and submit it with your dues. Updating your information is essential for CAARS to be able to relay information to you in a timely manner.

Why does a reinstatement fee exist?

Our reinstatement fee is designed to encourage members to submit their renewal dues in a timely manner. The reinstatement fee also helps to offset the expenses of having to process additional membership materials if a membership lapses longer than one year.

Why was the reinstatement fee changed?

When the majority of our current members opted to view the newsletter via the website, we were able to pass the savings of reproduction and distribution of the newsletter on to our members. We were able to reduce the reinstatement fee from $10 to $5, which also encourages members to update their membership within the fiscal year versus having to pay a new application fee of $50.