Roughly 2 years ago, SEW IFMA decided to prominently start displaying and strictly enforcing the existing "No-Show" Policy (shown below) which was part of every event registration page:     

"The policy set forth by SEW IFMA is to invoice for $25 any registered attendee, including member, non-member and sponsor, that did not show for a free event and did not provide clear 24-hour notice.  Please e-mail to notify our chapter of your cancellation.  If a family or medical emergency is provided as a reason, the registered attendee will be excused from the $25 invoice.  

After 60 days of no payment, the individual will be considered not in good-standing with the chapter and could be restricted from attending future SEW IFMA events."

When the policy was written, our mindset was NOT to discourage attendance, but to control costs by making attendees responsible for their RSVP.  This responsibility assisted the chapter so it would not be paying over and above for amenities at events when people were "no shows".  

While the Board of Directors want to keep the budget balanced, we want to offer more opportunities for the membership, guests and sponsors to attend our great line-up of programs and Lunch & Learns!

So, as of right now, the existing "No-Show" Policy has been temporarily suspended.  We still want to make sure that once people register, they remain responsible for their RSVP, so please have the courtesy to call WAM 24 hours in advance of an event if you won't be attending.  If we find that someone is abusing this "courtesy policy" and registering, not attending events and not calling WAM, then, after 3 instances he/she will be invoiced $25.  

Thank you to all of the membership, guests and sponsors who help make our chapter a success!  

Sue Bunker
Vice President - SEW IFMA Chapter