YES! It costs money to be a member of the local Republican Executive Committee. I was willing to “donate” money and, more affordably, my time. However, when the “powers-that-be” decided how much I should “donate” to be a member of the committee, I basically “threw in the towel”.
What is the fee? How much money, and to whom is it to be paid?
My thoughts are going in two directions at the moment - one, that you might be able to raise the money by "becoming a politician." Your neighbors might contributes, and I am sure that FReepers would. Second, that the demand to "pay to play" might be illegal or against party rules.