Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Although Civics Club was started as an all-woman organization, particularly to promote women’s suffrage, it has welcomed men for many years now. When the club was founded, membership was by invitation. However, we now welcome anyone who is interested in joining.

2.  I have become a member but I can’t attend all the meetings. May I make a reservation and give it to a friend?

Because of the continued high cost of bringing in national speakers and the low cost of membership, the membership fee cannot be transferred to pay for someone else's luncheon. We need to count on our members' full memembership fees in order to afford the quality of national speakers that make our luncheon series so outstanding. A member may, however, make a guest reservation for someone else, even if the member cannot attend that meeting, as long as the guest fee is paid.

3.  What if I attend as a guest and then decide to join Civics Club?

FOR NEW MEMBERS WHO JOIN IN THE MIDDLE OF A SEASON, THE MEMBERSHIP FEE WILL BE PRORATED AT $25 FOR EACH OF THE REMAINING MEETINGS. In other words, if you were to join when there were only three meetings remaining in the season, your membership fee would be $75.00. This reduction of the membership fee applies only to new members in their first year, and does not apply to returning members.

4.  I want to bring a group that is especially interested in a particular speaker or topic. May I?

Civics Club will welcome your group to the extent that space allows. Please contact Assistant Reservations Kay Jarvis Sladky at 831-9331 to make group arrangements. Civics Club reserves the right to give preference for seating to members up until the deadline listed on the reservation card. Therefore, it is possible that we will not be able to accommodate your group, but we will make every effort to do so.

5.  I am not currently a member and don’t know any members. I am very interested in attending a particular meeting. May I?

We invite you to call Assistant Reservations Chair Kay Jarvis-Slatky at 831-9331 to make a reservation for any Civics Club meeting. Please keep in mind that we do have space restrictions so we may not be able to accommodate everyone who is not a member. The luncheon fee is $25. If a luncheon is sold out, we may be able to create extra seating space (without the meal) for a fee.

6. Why does the Madison Civics Club invite students and special guests to its meetings?

In 2005, the board of the Civics Club amended and restated the bylaws that define the purpose of the corporation as: Supporting and recognizing active local citizens; awarding grants to youth groups for their civic achievements; and promoting non-partisan education and the discussion of important contemporary issues in its annual lecture series.  This statement of purpose was the basis for our successful application for 501(c)3 tax status in 2006  This status makes the Civics Club a not-fo-profit organization that is eligible to receive tax deductible contributions.  We encourage our special guests to become members of the Civics Club. More information about our 501(c)(3) status.

7. Who pays for the students and guests who attend our meetings?

We have received grants from American Family Insurance and Channel 3000 last year.  The grant money is used to support the costs of our student guests.  Adult guests pay a guest fee unless they are being recognized or are the advisor of a youth group.

8. How does the 501(c)3 tax status affect members of the Civics Club?

Members are not allowed to claim a tax deduction for their $100 dues because this is not a charitable contribution to the organization.  The member receives services (lunch and the opportunity to hear the speaker) for the basic dues.   Sustaining members, who pay $150, may claim a charitable deduction for $50.  Contributing members, who pay $200, may claim a tax deduction for $100.  Businesses may also claim a tax deduction for grants they make to the Civics Club.

9. What impact has gaining a 501(c)3 tax status had on the finances of the Madison Civics Club?

The Civics Club, now defined as a charitable and educational organization, is exempt from paying state taxes on lunches, meeting rooms, printing, and speakers’ fees.  This tax-exempt status makes it easier to qualify for grants to support our educational outreach programs.  This new status requires detailed budget and corporate reporting.  Since the new tax status was awarded during the middle of the fiscal year we have not yet determined the specific dollar impact.

10. Do board members and hostesses get free lunches or additional perks?

All board members and hostesses pay for their annual membership and pay for all guests they invite to meetings.  Seating is reserved for board members, hostesses and their guests because they are greeting members and special guests or performing other duties before the meeting.  The Madison Civics Club board is a volunteer board.  All mailings, registration activities, grant writing, financial and legal work, web-site development and updates, publicity, and hostess activity is done by volunteers.  We encourage all members who are interested in serving on the Board or on one of our committees to contact Nancy Young at 256-0942 (w) or 221-4030 (h).

11. What happens to complaints about the food?

The board takes concerns about our meals very seriously, and continues to work on ordering meals that make our membership happy.  It is important to note that while one portion of our membership has indicated that they like a light lunch, another group has told us that the noon meal is their main meal of the day, and they wish it to be substantial.  Currently members of the Board are meeting with the staff at Monona Terrace to work on menu changes that we hope will please more of our members.