Greetings! Whether you're new to the investment club format or it's long been a way of life for you, we're glad you've found us! My name is Amy Rauch Neilson and I write a column for the ICLUBinsider aptly titled Join The Club!

Beginning January 10, my column will appear both in the ICLUBinsider as well on this forum. What does this mean to you? It's a warm and friendly invitation for you to post your comments and questions here -- or to simply drop in and say hello!

As I've been writing on the topic of investing and investment clubs for the past 17 years (I started when I was 5 -- OK, maybe I was a bit older than that), you can consider me somewhat of an expert. What that means is that, if I don't know the answer to your question, I can certainly find someone who does!

Please consider this "your" space. I look forward to meeting you and chatting about everything investing!

Amy

Welcome to StockCentral, Amy!

(I hope you don't mind, but I stole your picture from the old Investware website and made it your "avatar" here.  If you have another picture you'd prefer to use, I can help you add it.)

Thanks for the warm welcome, Joe!

And that's pretty sly...swiping my picture from the old Investware site! But I love it -- that's one of my favorite photos -- so, carry on! :)

Hi Kennedy! Thanks for writing! I consulted some of the other "experts" at ICLUB to help answer your question:

A member's payments should be credited on the date that they are paid. So, if the member doesn't pay for a couple of months and then pays the missing dues now, he or she will be credited with the payment now and will purchase units at the current monthly price. If the price of the club's holdings has been decreasing in value, that person will own more units and at a lower cost.  On the other hand, if the price of the club's holdings has been appreciating, the member will purchase fewer units because the unit price will go up.

There's really nothing wrong with this.  It's just the way that it happens. The member's fractional ownership of the club's assets will differ from others, just as will happen if old members leave the club and new members are admitted. That said, however, members shouldn't be allowed to "time" their dues payments. 

Some clubs charge a penalty for missing a dues payment, which isn't the best solution. If a club member is remiss in his responsibility, the club has other remedies.

Hello Amy,

Can you please give me some suggestions concerning the other remedies?

Hi Kennedy! Regarding your questions on remedies for members who don't pay dues on time, I'd suggest that you go to The Clubhouse and post this question and any other questions you may have as your club's treasurer. Though I have been a member of an investment club, I did not serve as treasurer and would rather that some of our "world class" club treasurers have the opportunity to answer your questions more completely than I could. In addition, look for pointers for club treasurers in one of my upcoming Join The Club columns!

Kennedy,

I'd recommend that you post any and every question that you have about being a club treasure in our "Clubhouse" forum.  We've got some really good treasurers who will be more than happy to answer them for you.

Thanks, Joe. I will do that right this minute.

Thanks for the advice, Amy.

You're welcome, Kennedy! Please write again soon! In the meantime, best of everything to your club!

Amy

Kennedy,

Just a quick note to let you know that I'll be posting a series on tips for club treasurers beginning with my April 10 column!

Best,

Amy