An emergency meeting was held at the Montrose branch of the Royal British Legion to address a cash crisis.
The Legion’s social club accounts were due to run out of money within a matter of days before the extraordinary general meeting on Monday night.
Over the past five years the club’s funds have been steadily reducing as the organisation has continued to meet its tax, VAT, staffing and maintenance responsibilities in the face of declining revenue.
At the meeting a resolution was passed to write to all members asking for financial help.
The membership fee for the social club will also increase from £9 to £14 in October.
A spokesman for the group said: “A large assembly of members gathered to hear that funds held in the bank with immediate forecast deposits could not meet the immediate outgoings required in the next few days.
“We hope that the mailing of all members will raise funds to alleviate some of the pressure.
“The level of annual membership fees has been ignored for the past few years, and it was realised that steps had to be taken immediately.
“This year’s membership will be increased by £5 and will be reviewed at future AGM’s on a regular basis.”
There are three strands to the British Legion the main branch, the women’s section and the social club.
The main branch and the women’s section have charitable status and continue to be well supported.
However, their income cannot be used towards the Legion’s social club.
Despite the premises at Wellington Street being recently upgraded at modest expense, the group spokesman said they must now look at where savings can be made.
He called on people in Montrose to become members and to make more use of the facility.
People do not have to be ex-armed forces to become members.
The spokesman added: “We currently have around 350 members but not all of them make use of the social club on a regular basis.
“The new drink-drive limit has not helped. Apart from the immediate plans that are to be put in place, it was agreed that the office bearers of the branch, social club and women’s section should meet and try to look at ways to work closer together and move the club away from its dangerous situation.
“Serious investigations must also be looked at savings that can be made. Much of the pressure comes from heavy bills from licensing authorities, taxations, and in-house expenses.
“At the meeting, members who simply pay their fees each year and never appear to support the club were heavily criticised. It’s now a case of either use it or lose it.”