Spotlight on Sponsorship - You Have to Pay to Play
It goes without saying that there is a monetary cost for conducting a Walk to Emmaus. We are fortunate to enjoy a wonderful relationship with St. Joseph’s and with the Mercy Center, and we are the beneficiaries of their commitment, along with that of our Board of Directors, tokeep walk fees as reasonable as possible. Here are some reminders about the financial obligations of participating in and conducting a Walk:
1. Walk fees are expected to be paid at the time a registration form is sent in. No one will be added to the pilgrim list until the walk fees are paid, even if the registration form is sent in ahead of time.
2. If a pilgrim has financial need, the sponsor can make a request for scholarship assistance from the Board of Directors. Generally, the Board will consider scholarships for up to one half of the walk fees, on a case by case basis. The rules for Chrysalis scholarships are a little different, but still have to be approved by the Board. If you have a scholarship need, make sure it is brought to the attention of a board member in advance of the next monthly community gathering. Scholarships are not available for team members, only for pilgrims.
3. If you are asked to work on a team, you, too, have an obligation to pay walk fees. It is not acceptable for team members to pay their fees at the beginning of the walk weekend, or after the retreat. Team member fees are to be in the hand of a designated team member, usually an ALD, by the last team meeting date. Failure to have walk fees paid by that date can result in a team member being removed from service on that team. Team walk fees are held by the treasurer until the weekend of the walk, when they are deposited. Pilgrim walk fees are deposited immediately upon receipt by the registrar.
Timely payment of walk fees makes sure we can keep costs as low as possible, and insures our status and position with the Upper Room. They should never be the primary focus of the retreat, but they are a part of the journey when we set off on a Walk to Emmaus.