'Your voluntary contribution is now due.'

[cupofteaplease]

I was sent a letter from dd's school stating that, 'Your voluntary contribution for snack money is now due.'

Can a voluntary contribution be 'due'

(Just wondering about the wording of the letter, not disputing that I owe the money !)

OOh - lovely post... Can't wait for the replies.

Umm - "don't think so" is my answer.

But what do I know?

I love that.

I also don't think that generosity has a due date.

In my view, even a voluntary contribution can be "due" if a date has been set by which it is to be paid. But I'm more than willing to be persuaded otherwise ....!

Thanks for the opinions so far...

I can't believe I missed a question mark in my OP, in the Pedants' Corner of all places!!

Just you wait until Riven sees this, she had a whole thread the other week on being telephoned by the school and hassled for money.

I also get letters from my DC's school with exactly the same wording and it really annoys me beyond belief.

If a contribution is voluntary it cannot be due IMHO

Although I think TheRedQueen's suggestion makes complete sense, I'd say that the contribution can only be voluntary if the school isn't demanding it. It can only be voluntary if it is entirely up to you, at any time, whether you contribute or not. So saying that it is now due de-voluntarises it IMHO. The only way the school could say what it wants and stay within the "voluntary" context would be if it said "anyone wishing to make a contribution to snack money should do so now", or something like that, rather than saying that your contribution (which until you make it is entirely hypothetical and as it is voluntary cannot be assumed) is "due".

Aha, but what was missing was the quote marks as in "Voluntary contribution".
The school is not allowed to charge but can 'request a contribution' which in theory is voluntary. The truth of he matter is that if the voluntary contributions are not received, the service provided by the payments, or lack of them, will cease.
Aren't euphemisms wonderful??