Dear Rabbi Lamm: I am writing to you for some advice in helping to put our Congregation on a "fair share dues plan" or "graduated dues structure." Our Congregation’s annual budget is about $120,000, and we have a membership of about 500 families, with 100 members in the widow and poor category. This means an assessment of $300.00 per family. We have problems in raising this money just through dues, and so we have some fund raisers. This across-the-board dues of $300.00 per family is discouraging many younger couples from joining the Congregation. We provide some special consideration for these young couples. This means that for our widows, our poorer families and our young couples, we provide a graduated dues structure downward. There are many leaders in the Congregation who say we should now provide for a graduated dues structure upward, so that families who are affluent should pay $400.00, $500.00 and $600.00 annually. This suggestion is sensible and "Oleh Al Hada-as." The key question is how do we bring this about. How do we institute a "fair share plan" or "graduated dues structure" downward and upward. Can you please give me some suggestions in terse "Rashay-Prakim" language how we go about doing this. If your Congregation went through these "Chevlay Leydah," will you please help us benefit from your experience. Please be "Mekayim," the mitzvah of "Azov Ta-azov," as Teyve the Milchiger would say. Needless to say, I would appreciate very much one or two paragraphs from you on this crucial matter.Sincerely yours, Leonard R. Gewirtz Rabbi Leonard R. Gewirtz