The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-21
PAGE 13

ipgs, and treasurer. Perhaps the officials OF the
company have decided to contribute to start the
ball rolling, or you may assess your members
small sum each to cover preliminary expenses. ING
dues of YOUR association should be drawn from each
mans pay each week. sometimes these dues are
collected by the treasurer, but it is far simpler
plan to arrange with the cashier to deduct from
each pay envelope the right amount and give the
treasurer a check for the whole. All funds should
be deposited in a bank as checking account.
TT your company has a medical staff you can
get its cooperation in the matter of medical
attendance and visiting service; it is
also good plan to have physical examinations for
qualification to membership. An insurance COM
pany would not give policy to a man who was
"bad risk"-that is, man who is likely to fall SICK
at any moment. Neither should you give such pol-
cies. Physical examinations are necessary, and
they not only have the advantage of safeguarding
your association, but they also can give individual
men proper advice, so that man who could not
pass the examination may take course of treat-
ment which otherwise he could not afford and 50
bring himself up to the standard; good thing for
the association and an infinitely better for the
man himself In order to get the amount of dues
you should ask consult the constitutions of othef
organizations, ask an insurance company for ad-
vice. You will be able to get exact figures on this
question; in advance may say that the dues should
not run above $3.50 per 500 payroll; that is,
man making $50 week would have deducted from
his pay only rs cents, a man making $25 week
would be short about 81 cents, less, for $1.5o
should be the maximum rate per 500.
And there you are. If man falls i'll the doctor
investigates the case, gives him proper Treatments
his benefit is paid to him out of the treasury In
most of the associations already formed, benefits
start with the eighth day of disability and not more
than thirteen weeks benefit paid in any one
year. This is to safeguard the association. Printed
forms are prepared for the doctors report; this
form is sent to the sick himself after one days
absence, and he gives it to the doctor. !
These mutual sick benefit associations have
social side which adds to their value In order to
keep plenty of money in the treasury, so that all
claims may be promptly paid, some of the associa-
lions give annual picnics dances; perhaps bases
ball games or track and field sports can be organ~
lied, the money made from these to go into the
treasury. In normal times the dues should keep
you we'll ahead of the game. i
The plan have outlined, which has been fol-
lowed by many firms, has the great advantage that
the whole business from dues to benefits is run by
your own fellows elected and appointed by yous
If however, you should decide to take out group
insurance, as is often done, the same plan
should be followed; the committee takes out the
policy-after approval by all the members, OF
course-and premiums paid out of the treas
ury This does away with the necessity of keeping
your own books and attending to the details of the
business. However, that's up to you.
And that's what I'd do if 1 wanted to safeguard
myself against the bugaboo of sickness and loss Of
time and money.