Now lets talk of their latest gimmick. That would be requiring Holy Name members to pay dues upwards of 50$ surely they the members are aware that money , just like the window and brick fund will disappear down the rabbit hole
I am shocked that the HNS would charge DUES ! Why on earth do they need to pay dues?
I used to be an HNS member elsewhere.
Dues, called "subscriptions" in the handbook are traditional. They are voluntary.
The handbook I still have from 1932 has (on p. 85)
Members Subscriptions
A small sum shall be contributed monthly, quarterly, or annually by each member of the Branch for its maintenance. The amount of the subscription shall be determined by the Executive Council. Members' subscriptions shall be paid to the Prefects of the Sections who shall hand an accurate account of all subscriptions received to the Treasurer, who shall make an entry of them in the Treasurer's Book.
The members' subscriptions are purely voluntary, and men (candidates, or enrolled members) unable to pay shall not be debarred from membership.
We typically gave $5 per month at the meeting when I was a member. That seemed very reasonable at the time, but if you think about it amounts to $60 per year, so
more than what it sounds was proposed.
But no one every checked up on who paid, nor was anyone criticized for not paying the dues. It was all done so no one was shamed for not contributing. Still, if one is getting a benefit, in justice, he owes
something back.
Such things are very typical for any parish organization that does active works, like the Legion of Mary (they have their "secret bag"), since the various activities
cost something, and it's not the parish's duty to pay for the Charitible work of its parishoners.
Without such monies how do you expect such groups to invite speakers to come for spiritual, historical, liturgical or doctrinal conferences? How are they to pay for the various things used like medals, pins, booklets, etc.? What about the stipend for the Masses they are meant to offer for members? How about the cost of pamphlets for their apostolic works? Fliers for the activity they are running?
In short, it's not a gimmick. It's the traditional way such things were always done.
Now, if they are
requiring, as in "you can't be a member unless you cough up $50" then that is directly against the principles in the handbook. But then it's a far different thing to say "dues are $50 per year, if you can pay them" and "you can't become a member unless you pay $50".
And who really can't afford $50 per year? If you can't do that, perhaps you need to spend the time you would be going to such meetings and work to get a bit more money.