Aquatic Fitness 'Class Pass' - Request for Input & Ideas

[Meg Esry]

Thanks for reading this post. I'm contracted to teach an Aquatic Fitness class at a local Community Center. Until now, a discount was offered for those who paid by ‘session’. Most people opted for the daily drop-in fee. I'd like to avoid collecting money daily. Some of the folks have asked if a 'class pass' could be used.

Have you had any experience with using pass cards?

My concerns are:
1) I want folks to buy & use, not buy & snooze. So for how long should the pass be good once it is purchased? Should it expire at the end of the calendar year, or be good for a set time period such as 6 months or 1 year from purchase?
2) I want to reduce my paperwork, not increase it. Is this even possible?
3) Finally, is there anything here that I am missing in regards to 'class passes' and/or class fees?

Thanks,

Meg

NOTE: In the past, the length of the session varied [6-8 weeks]. I've asked to change from 6-8 week 'sessions' to a monthly time frame.

[Meg Esry]

Hello,

I wanted to share with the group what I have done with the 'Class Pass' in case any of you end up in a similar situation [having to collect the fees and later pay the pool a percentage.] I decided to offer my aqua classes three options for payment: Pay per Session [as set up by the local parks & rec dept], or by the month and/or by a 'drop-in' fee. The basic cost is $6 per class. Monthly fee is #classes possible in that month X $5 and only payable in the first week. Session fee is slightly less, but is usually 5-6 weeks in duration. I do not offer a once a year payment plan - maybe in 2009.

Most class members are paying by the month or using the "Class Pass." They do not have to bring a check or cash to every class. It is interesting to me that the ladies who wanted the option to pay in advance have all gone to the monthly plan [unless they know they will miss more than two classes that month], while the rest have gone to the 'Class Pass.' Only a few choose to pay by the Session.

Since I am not a 'numbers' person, rather a 'people' person, my greatest challenge is keeping up with the 'Class Pass'. I have a roster and verify attendance after every class with one of the lifeguards. Then I check off the class pass - if I remember. My intent with the Class Pass was for the individuals to check off their attendance. But so many come just as class starts - they get in the pool and ask me to check them off later [usually I am already teaching on deck.] Most of the time I am running off to my next class or appt before I remember and have to go back to the roster to fill in the class pass at a later time.

There has only been one class member who has 'opted out' of the class pass after using it for two months.

So, overall it seems to be working. I am allowing members to use the class pass until the end of this calendar year - so if they go to their local pools during the summer they can come back and use the remaining classes in the Fall.

Hope all of you are doing well.

Meg