Due to the increased number of no-shows and "no-pays" to our monthly meetings, the Denver Chapter will be implementing a new policy starting with our October 2006 meeting. We have had an increased number of attendees registering for meetings and not showing up and paying. We are all professionals here and the chapter really should not have to function in a "bill collector role", but unfortunately, this is the situation we are in at the current time. If you have any questions about this new policy, please send them to the following email address: board@isaca-denver.org.

Please just pay your meeting fee as you have agreed to do when you register -- it is that simple. However, if you fail to pay for a meeting for which you have registered, the following policy will be in place:

If an individual registers for a meeting, indicates that he/she will be paying at the door (with cash or check), and then does not show and does not cancel before the cancellation date indicated on the chapter's website, that individual will not be allowed to register for or attend another meeting until their account has been settled with ISACA Denver. In addition, the individual will be charged an additional $10 late fee when he/she makes payment on the delinquent charge.

The following FAQ should help answer some of your questions about this new policy:

Q: Why are we implementing this policy?
A: Attendees registering for meetings and then not showing up (and not paying) are becoming an increasing problem for our chapter. These neglectful individuals create a financial liability for our chapter, as the chapter needs to have a headcount for lunch at the meeting place. The cost of each attendee that does not pay is absorbed by the chapter, thus taking away valuable funds from other ISACA activities. Just as importantly, these attendees create significant additional effort for the chapter's volunteers that manage the meetings and manage the chapter's finances.

Q: What if I have an emergency and cannot attend a meeting after I have registered and miss the cancellation deadline?
A: If you truly have an emergency, our Education Committee will review your situation and work with you to address your situation. You can reach our Education Committee via our website: www.isaca-denver.org.

Q: What if I sign up for a meeting and then my plans change and I cannot attend?
A: Each month, you will have a reasonable cancellation deadline to cancel your reservation. This cancellation deadline is specifically outlined in the online registration form on our website. The cancellation deadline is dictated by the hotel at which the chapter holds the meeting. As an example, you can cancel your reservation for September's meeting within two days of the meeting itself (September 19) without being charged. In addition, you are more than welcome to substitute another attendee to attend in your absence, but it is up to the two of you to arrange exchange of payment. The chapter does not handle transfers of funds between two parties.

Q: What if I am one of the attendees that registered for a meeting and did not pay, but want to attend future meetings?
A: You will be expected to settle your account prior to registering for any future meetings. If you want to walk into a future meeting without registering make sure you bring enough money to pay for your previous no-shows and the associated late fees, in addition to the current meeting fee plus the $10 walk-in charge.

Q: How can I "settle my account"?
A: The chapter currently cannot accept past payments via PayPal, so you will be required to settle your account with a check via mail prior to registering for the next meeting or by using cash/check at the door at the next meeting (and incur a walk-in fee -- see example below).

Q: But how can I attend another meeting, if you won't allow me to pre-register until I settle my account? This sounds like a Catch-22.
A: Simple answer -- settle your account via mail prior to the registration deadline for the next meeting and you will be allowed to pre-register. If you can't make that happen, you can always walk into the next month's meeting and settle at the door. You will be charged an additional $10 as a walk-in, but it will allow you to settle up in person. You can then pre-register for the next meeting online.

Here is an example:

You registered for September's meeting and did not show because you changed your mind, you did not cancel during the cancellation period, and did not submit payment. Now you really want to attend October's meeting. You have two options:

Option 1 -- settle up with our Education Committee before the registration deadline ends for the October meeting and the chapter will allow you to register online when the chapter receives your payment. If the chapter doesn't receive your past payment before the registration period ends, you will be forced to use Option 2. In Option 1, you will pay $25 ($35 for non-member) for the September meeting *plus* $10 for the late fee via mail (we currently cannot accept past payments via PayPal) and then $25 dollars ($35 for non-members) for the October payment online. Your total would be $60 for members, $80 for non-members.

Option 2 -- If you cannot settle your account before the registration period ends, then you can settle up with the chapter at the door and walk-in. You will be charged $25 for the September meeting *plus* $10 late fee and then $25 ($35 for non-members) *plus* the $10 walk-in fee for the October meeting. Your total would be $70 for members and $90 for non-members.

Q: Wait a minute, I am going to be charged an extra $10 for a no-show and not paying?
A: Yes, you will be charged an extra $10 as a late fee and it must be cash or check, as the chapter is not able to accept past payments in any other way at this time. You will be required to pay in check via mail or pay in cash/check when you come to your next meeting by walking in. Please just pay your meeting fee as you have agreed to do when you register and you will not be assessed any late fees.

Q: Exactly what is a "walk in"?
A: A walk-in is someone that does not pre-register and shows up at the meeting and would like to attend. The hotel makes accommodations for a few walk-ins, but the chapter must pay an extra charge to accommodate these types of attendees. That is why walk-ins are charged an extra $10. There are a limited number of walk-in slots available, so they are subject to availability and walk-ins may be turned away at the door. The best way to avoid this situation where you may be turned away is to pre-register and keep your account paid in full.

Q: What if I pay using PayPal and then I don't show up? Am I still considered a no-show at the meetings?
A: No, you will not be considered a no-show at the meeting, because via PayPal, you will be charged whether or not you attend the meeting (and do not cancel before the cancellation date outlined on the registration form). Therefore, your account will be considered paid in full, even though you did not attend the meeting, and you can pre-register for the next month's meeting.