Refundable Deposit for Youth Activity

[russellhltn]

Allowing for refund of event participant deposit/fee has been an accepted practice.

I believe that's referring to refunding if someone can't attend an activity for which they are changed for. If it's acceptable to charge for an activity, I don't see a problem with refunding it if they can't attend.

As I understand the OP, they want to do the opposite. The ward will pay for the event, but they want a deposit that's refunded if they do attend.

[cjbeckert]

As I understand the OP, they want to do the opposite. The ward will pay for the event, but they want a deposit that's refunded if they do attend.

You are correct. I missed that key point reading too quickly. That changes everything. If my stake presidency floated this idea I'd have to advise against. If they attend the participant receives their fee back but if not the ward keeps it? As a clerk I'd likely be a bit irritated with having to make multiple refund payments to multiple individuals just because they attended, not to mention keeping track of whether its the youth or parent receiving the payment.

I understand wanting to somehow commit the youth to an event, it can be a real challenge and frustration. But if there's concern about youth dropping out, or if there is a tendency for the youth to drop out of the ward's youth events on short notice, I have to wonder how much buy-in to the event do the youth have to begin with? Are they involved in the planning and organizing process? Do they have any "ownership" (other than monetary) in the event? Or are the adult leaders planning it all and expecting youth to attend?

[russellhltn]

I have to wonder how much buy-in to the event do the youth have to begin with? Are they involved in the planning and organizing process?

Good point. That crossed my mind as well. Having been a teen once myself, I know all social commitments are tentative - subject to better offers.

If this is a pattern, it sounds like the events tend to be "better than nothing", but comes off second to other attractions.

Of course, it's always possible that the another commitment has come up (such as the school band has scheduled a performance on short notice) and the whole deposit things just adds a pain point to something they're not in control of.

In short, it sounds like some questions about why they didn't show are in order. Ignore the individual situations and look for patterns.