How to Join Us
Definition of Membership
Membership in the Gopel Music Project is available to any individual over 18 who is interested in furthering the mission of the organization. Voting members pay annual dues to belong to the GMP and are expected to maintain a standard of conduct consistent with both the GMP’s mission and with a level of professionalism appropriate for a charitable, nonprofit organization. If you're interested in joining us, please email mail@dfgp.org, and we'll be happy to sign you up.
Dues Policy
Because the Gospel Music Project is a nonprofit membership organization, dues are required by all who join. This is true for choir members as well as GMP members who provide other outreach services through their membership in the GMP. As is true for any membership organization, the payment of dues represents not only a fiscal necessity but also reflects a member’s commitment to the mission.
The GMP’s dues of $20.00 per month are consistent with those required by other choirs in the Seacoast area, including those that do not have an established charitable purpose. In this case, however, payment of dues is not only intended as compensation for receiving vocal instruction and the privilege of being able to sing and perform. Rather, dues are required for voting membership, whether the member is in the choir, performs as a soloist, or provides other outreach services.
We are very serious about fulfilling the GMP’s mission, and about becoming a well-respected and successful organization and choir. Your payment of dues is your commitment to these goals, and affirms your understanding that this is a community effort: We are all in this together and we are all committed to sharing the responsibility.
The founding Directors have considered the issue of dues carefully and with great concern. We are well aware that even minimal dues may represent some financial difficulty; this is no less true for the founders than it is for others wishing to join. Therefore, for those who have legitimate difficulty meeting the dues requirement, sliding-scale and service scholarships will be available. No one will be excluded for financial reasons. Speak with the Treasurer or another Board member for more information.
Dues Payment Procedures
Membership dues are $20.00 a month, paid in advance, or $5.00 per week. There is a two-week grace period when first attending to allow new people time to decide whether they wish to become GMP members. Dues are expected on time and, if you are paying at the monthly rate, in advance. The collection schedule will be the first Tuesday of each month, payable at rehearsal for choir members or via mail for others. Members are free to pay for multiple months in advance, should they wish to do so.
When payment is not made in a timely manner, you will receive a written reminder. If, by the first Tuesday following receipt of the reminder, arrears are not reconciled, membership will be suspended until a meeting with the President or designee can be arranged.
Other Services
Because there are many tasks involved in establishing and running the organization and the choir, every GMP member is required to provide at least one additional service for the organization. This requirement extends to all members -- choir and non-choir alike. When you establish your membership, make arrangements with the Secretary or another Director to commit to a service that interests you. These services may include (but are not limited to):
- Sound system setup and breakdown
- Other concert setup and breakdown
- Other concert support (e.g., stage management)
- Box office and reservations
- Publicity
- Fund-raising
- Mailing list maintenance
- Financial maintenance
- Other business support (e.g., putting up posters; distributing flyers)
Service Scholarships
Sponsored scholarships that enable those in need to provide additional services in exchange for a reduction of dues will be available.
