CSAC of the Twin Cities

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

Get answers to your questions about CSAC of the Twin Cities here:

 

Membership

 

 

Participation

 

 

General

 

 

 

Membership

 

Q.  How many members does CSAC of the Twin Cities have?

 

A.  Currently we have about 100 members.  We are in the midst of a membership drive. 

 

Q.  How long has the club been in existence?

 

A.   The club was originally established as the "Twin Cities Catholic Alumni Club" in 1958.  As of January 1, 2004 we changed our name to the "Catholic Single Adults Club of the Twin Cities".  We are an affiliate of Catholic Alumni Clubs International (CACI).  Some other CACI chapters have been around for over 50 years.

 

Q.  What are the ages of the people in the club?

 

A.   Our members range in age from their mid 20's to their 70's.  The number of young adult members has traditionally been high, but has been diminished recently due to marriages from within the club, and due to a general lack of publicity in the Twin Cities area.  Currently, most of our members are in their 30s and 40s.  All ages are welcome, so if you don't see anyone your age at your first event, please keep coming.  We are expecting the recent changes in the club to result in an influx of members from all ages, but particularly people in their 20's and 30's. 

 

Q.  What is the gender mix?

 

A.   Our membership composition is about 50% men and 50% women.  Of course, the ratios at events will vary.  Some events tend to attract men while others tend to attract women. 

 

Q.  I don't have a college degree.  Can I still join?

 

A.   Provided you are free to marry within the Catholic Church and are at least 21 years of age, your membership application may be accepted if you possess either the educational equivalent of two years of post-secondary education or have certification.

 

Q.  I notice that one must be "free to marry in the Catholic Church” in order to join CSAC.  Exactly what does this mean?

 

A.   One is free to marry in the Catholic Church if he/she:

 

  1. has never been married, or
  2. is widowed, or
  3. is divorced and has obtained an official annulment from the Catholic Church, or
  4. is divorced from a marriage outside the Catholic Church and has obtained a declaration from his/her local Diocese known as a "declaration of defective form."

 

In the event that you are not eligible to join CSAC due to a divorce, we encourage you to contact your Diocese to obtain the necessary item above so that you can join us as a member. 

 

Q.  Where do my membership dues go?

 

A.   Dues are only $30 per year, which is a fraction of the cost of many other organizations.  With them, your dues often pay the salary of some corporate employee who goes home at the end of the day and forgets all about you.   Our club is run by people like you, whose only reward is the enjoyment of being with friends doing what they like to do.  Your dues pay for the cost of things like printing and mailing the monthly newsletter, club operating expenses, publicity, and our club dues as an affiliate of CACI.  Occasionally an event does not draw the expected turnout of people, and the club reimburses the host/hostess for expenses incurred.

 

Q.  Do members all have to live in either Minneapolis or Saint Paul?

 

A.   No!  About 40% of our members live outside of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.  Some even live in Wisconsin, or in Rochester, Minnesota.

 

Participation

 

Q.  I'm not a member yet.  May I come to any events?

 

A.  Absolutely!  All you have to do is contact our membership chairperson to be put on our guest list for 3 months.  During that time you will receive a copy of the monthly newsletter and may attend any events that interest you.

 

Q.   May I bring a guest to an event?

 

A.  Yes, as long as they are single and over 21 years of age.

 

Q.  Do I need to make reservations to come to an event?

 

A.   Most events do not require reservations, although the sponsor may still appreciate your letting them know you are coming so they can expect you.  Events that require reservations will be clearly identified as such in the monthly newsletter.

 

Q.  I am a new/prospective member.  What are the best events to come to initially?

 

A.   Members often join with their favorite events, such as house parties, dinner nights, Mass and Brunch, Museums, or cultural or community service events.  Any of these that perk your interest is guaranteed to have at least one other person that feels the same way (the host or hostess).   It can be harder to meet people at events such as dances that have a larger crowd.  You may even try the monthly newsletter mailout party.  Help is always appreciated, and you will win the eternal gratitude of the newsletter editor.

 

Q.  What is the cost of a typical event?  How is the money collected?

 

A.   Some events such as hikes and biking are free, but people often go out to eat afterward at a nearby restaurant.  House parties and dances often cost $4-$5, where money is collected at the door.  Public events such as movies or plays, dinner, etc. set their own price.  Finally, our big dinner events of the year such as the Christmas Dinner-Dance and Single's Sunday cost about $25-$30 for food, DJ, and guest speaker.

 

Q.  I paid my dues!  Why do I have to pay to attend events as well?

 

A.   As explained earlier, dues go toward operating expenses, publicity, and newsletter printing and mailing expenses.  These are expenses we all incur and benefit from.  Members join for various reasons, and not everyone agrees on what are the best events.  It would be unfair to people who do not attend parties (for example) to expect them to pay for them.  Club dues are kept as low as possible to allow people to attend whatever their financial status allows.  Having the club pay for all events would require raising the dues, which would discourage people from joining.

 

Q.  How many people attend events?

 

A.   Our most popular events are Singles Sunday (March or April), Picnic (June or July), and the Christmas Dinner/Dance.  These are attended by 40-80 people.  Other events vary, but typically draw about a dozen people.

 

Q.  If I have an idea or a suggestion for an event, or I would like to help out by organizing an event or getting involved on a committee, who do I contact?

 

A.  Refer to the list of committees on the inside of your monthly newsletter, toward the back.  Contact the chairperson under which the event would be categorized.  The Activities Committee includes social and sports events, the Arts & Education Committee includes cultural events, tours and guest speakers, and the Spiritual Life Committee includes prayer meetings, masses and community service.  The Membership, Newsletter and Publicity Committees are always glad to welcome members who want to help out. 

 

General

 

Q.  I would like to find out about your upcoming events in order to attend one or more of them.  Can I get a sample newsletter? 

 

A.   Yes!  Contact our membership chairperson to be added to our guest list, or request a complementary newsletter by calling our voice mail at 612-338-1288.

 

Q.  I am a member and I have not received my newsletter.  Who should I contact?

 

A.   Contact either our membership chairperson or club president and they will look into it immediately. 

 

Q.  I am a member and I am moving to another residence.  Who should I contact?

   

A.   Please notify our membership chairperson as soon as possible so that you will continue to receive the newsletter.

 

Q.   I have a question that is not listed here.  Who should I contact?

 

A.   You may Email us at one of the Email addresses listed in the Committees/Board section of this web site, or call the appropriate chairperson or officer listed in your newsletter.