Association Treasurer Report

[johnnyg08]

I'm looking for realistic, honest opinions here.  

 

I have been a member of my local officiating association for baseball and football for 16 years. 

 

As I got older, joined some other associations, we always had a treasurer's report stating expenses, revenues, bills paid, etc and the members voted to accept the treasurer's report or vote to not accept the report.

 

The association that I speak of in sentence two has never presented a report to it's members for approval.

 

When asked, the comment is usually "we're right around the $2,000 mark" or "we're right where we need to be" etc...

 

There's never a motion to approve the treasurer's report, nor any place where we can see the numbers.  

 

A few of us in the group would simply like to see where the money is being spent, but the leaders don't seem to take us seriously.   We haven't stood up at the meeting, in front of everybody and said "we demand a treasurer's report" mainly because most of the officials simply don't care if we approve a report or not.  They just want to work their games.  I'm not looking to take down the association, some of us feel that it is a formality that should ALWAYS be covered in the meetings.

 

So my question is for those of you throughout the world...is it common in your associations to view and approve a treasurer report at your association meetings?

 

Finally, what are some ways we could tactfully approach leadership and demand that we see a treasurer report?

 

 

 

Thank you.

[Replacematt]

If I'm reading this right, you just want to make sure the association is covering its bases (no pun intended,) and are trying to figure out a way to have this brought forward without coming off as accusatory?

[johnnyg08]

If I'm reading this right, you just want to make sure the association is covering its bases (no pun intended,) and are trying to figure out a way to have this brought forward without coming off as accusatory?

 

Exactly.  I have no evidence to suggest impropriety nor am I looking for any evidence.  I just think that it is the ethical thing to do.

[maven]

Look at the association's by-laws or constitution to see whether such a report (a) must be produced each year, and (b) must be provided to the membership. Ordinarily it's in there.

 

Your leaders have enjoyed their golf outing each year at association expense and prefer that you not out it.

[maineump]

If it isn't in your by-laws, then maybe it is time to update them. Bring it up in a business meeting.

I would use the words that you have in the OP - you have worked on different boards and different sports and the report is always been read to the membership.

We require that each report updates the incoming funds as well as outgoing. None of our e-board members are paid for their position, so it is cut and dry for us.

This year we had to increase our dues due to insurances and meeting place costs. We had to justify the increase to the membership. Our dues are part of the by-laws, as far as cost and late fees.

Maybe a good question to ask - What are my dues used for?

[BigUmpire]

Get ready for bad news.

Something smells.

 

One of the assocaitions here in Atlanta recently elected new leadership after 4 years.

Last " verbal report" indicated that there was $2400.00 in the bank. New leadership started with -$1200.00

Another caught one member writing dual checks for over a year. Losses were >$7,000.00.

 

Depending on the size its money well spent on a third party audit every year.

Most of the time it is neglect.

Sometimes it is not.

[BigUmpire]

If it isn't in your by-laws, then maybe it is time to update them. Bring it up in a business meeting.

I would use the words that you have in the OP - you have worked on different boards and different sports and the report is always been read to the membership.

We require that each report updates the incoming funds as well as outgoing. None of our e-board members are paid for their position, so it is cut and dry for us.

This year we had to increase our dues due to insurances and meeting place costs. We had to justify the increase to the membership. Our dues are part of the by-laws, as far as cost and late fees.

Maybe a good question to ask - What are my dues used for?

Good questions.

If the leaders get mad OR" ask if you want to run this association THEY ARE HIDING SOMETHING!

[grayhawk]

In our association, the general membership doesn't approve the treasurer's report, the board of directors does.  General members are invited to attend the board meetings, if they so choose.  Financial statements are posted online for all to see.

[LMSANS]

The starting place as Maven has said is with your by-laws/constitution/policies.  If it is not addressed there, recommend a change.  It is the memberships money, not the association and the board is (or should be) subject to a review of anything & everything by the membership.

My football organization had an incident a couple of years ago where the President was transferring funds (borrowing) from the association account to his personal account.  The treasurer didn't say anything for several months.  When the membership found out, the fit hit the shan.  I am now the auditor and review the bank statements monthly and provide a report to the membership at the next meeting.  In addition the treasurer provides a report to the membership every week during the season.

Online is good for the financials also.  Everything should be out in the open (except some personnel issues).

[afaber12]

Every monthly meeting, our treasurer hands out an A5 sheet to all the attendees with the incomings and outgoings. After seeing we've got a positive balance I don't think anyone's too worried about anything else, but its there to see if we want.

 

There's been a running joke that one of our members has a check for about $12.50 they haven't cashed for quite some time - probably fees owed for a forfeit/finals game, less membership dues or something like that.

[UmpJM]

johnny,

 

I have never seen a financial report from my association, and I'm not terribly interested in seeing one. (I might be mildly curious.)

 

I pay $55 in annual association dues. For my dues I get....

 

All my assignments (at no additional per game charge).

 

Free attendance at the annual "state certified" clinic my association puts on in Feb/March each year.

 

Association discount at Honigs and Gerry Davis for any gear/uniforms I buy through them.

 

Free attendance at the annual end of summer banquet/meeting.

 

"Scholarship" money to attend external clinics - small stipends to defray the cost of attendance, which I received when I went to the Evans Desert Classic and Bruce Doane clinics in the past.

 

A 1099 at the end of January for all fees paid to me through the association.

 

Assigners who always have my back if something "controversial" comes up.

 

I am sure the two guys who do all the assigning for the association make a decent buck for their efforts - I have no idea how much.

 

As far as I'm concerned, I'm getting a fair deal for my $55, and I don't begrudge them one penny of the money they make.

 

JM

[JaxRolo]

Our HS association has the usual boards members and stuff. But the assignor runs everything. The by-laws are a secret document that no one has seen. I am the webmaster and been told for a long time that at some point they will be on the website. The assignor started the association like 20 years ago. To many unanswered questions.

[Rich Ives]

In our association, the general membership doesn't approve the treasurer's report, the board of directors does.  General members are invited to attend the board meetings, if they so choose.  Financial statements are posted online for all to see.

 

This is how an orgs by-laws usually set things up.  You don't really want everyone voting on everything - you either get anarchy or don't have a quorum. 

[BigUmpire]

johnny,

 

I have never seen a financial report from my association, and I'm not terribly interested in seeing one. (I might be mildly curious.)

 

I pay $55 in annual association dues. For my dues I get....

 

All my assignments (at no additional per game charge).

 

Free attendance at the annual "state certified" clinic my association puts on in Feb/March each year.

 

Association discount at Honigs and Gerry Davis for any gear/uniforms I buy through them.

 

Free attendance at the annual end of summer banquet/meeting.

 

"Scholarship" money to attend external clinics - small stipends to defray the cost of attendance, which I received when I went to the Evans Desert Classic and Bruce Doane clinics in the past.

 

A 1099 at the end of January for all fees paid to me through the association.

 

Assigners who always have my back if something "controversial" comes up.

 

I am sure the two guys who do all the assigning for the association make a decent buck for their efforts - I have no idea how much.

 

As far as I'm concerned, I'm getting a fair deal for my $55, and I don't begrudge them one penny of the money they make.

 

JM

You must not be in Georgia.

[johnnyg08]

This is how an orgs by-laws usually set things up.  You don't really want everyone voting on everything - you either get anarchy or don't have a quorum.

I agree with this.

[maineump]

Our HS association has the usual boards members and stuff. But the assignor runs everything. The by-laws are a secret document that no one has seen. I am the webmaster and been told for a long time that at some point they will be on the website. The assignor started the association like 20 years ago. To many unanswered questions.

Our board runs the meetings, training and issues that come up during the season. Our assignor runs the day to day game stuff. We are lucky that assignment fees do not come from us, they come from the schools that use us. He has a one time fee per game for each game, and I believe that covers a reassignment for weather.

Our dues are basically 1 game fee, and that covers, books, tests, meeting place, state meeting and 3 hour field mechanics session.

[dumbdumb]

In our association, the general membership doesn't approve the treasurer's report, the board of directors does.  General members are invited to attend the board meetings, if they so choose.  Financial statements are posted online for all to see.

IMHO this is how anybody who is in a leadership position should want it to be. No questions asked or else no organization to start with. Otherwise, why not just show up for games in shorts and a t-shirt.

[BigUmpire]

johnny, I have never seen a financial report from my association, and I'm not terribly interested in seeing one. (I might be mildly curious.) I pay $55 in annual association dues. For my dues I get.... All my assignments (at no additional per game charge). Free attendance at the annual "state certified" clinic my association puts on in Feb/March each year. Association discount at Honigs and Gerry Davis for any gear/uniforms I buy through them. Free attendance at the annual end of summer banquet/meeting. "Scholarship" money to attend external clinics - small stipends to defray the cost of attendance, which I received when I went to the Evans Desert Classic and Bruce Doane clinics in the past. A 1099 at the end of January for all fees paid to me through the association. Assigners who always have my back if something "controversial" comes up. I am sure the two guys who do all the assigning for the association make a decent buck for their efforts - I have no idea how much. As far as I'm concerned, I'm getting a fair deal for my $55, and I don't begrudge them one penny of the money they make. JM

Respectfully sir this is what most governing bodies want In a member - including the US government.

[Replacematt]

You could go cloak-and-dagger. Recruit a new member, but have him ask to see the bylaws and reports before he joins under the premise that he wants to make sure that everything is legit.

[MidAmUmp]

I've never seen a financial report from any association I've ever been involved with.  To be honest, every association I've been involved with (with the exception of college associations now) have never charged enough for me to get too concerned that anyone is "getting rich" off association dues.

 

For example in my current local association, I am the Executive Director.  Dues are $30 for the year.  We have 60 members.  That's $1800.00.  I use some of the money to purchase printer ink, envelopes, stamps...office stuff.  I'm not paid by the association, I don't pay internet or phone bills out of that money.  We save up the money and purchase educational items when necessary with the Executive Board's approval (5 voting members - I'm not one of them).

 

Some things that might cause me concern:

• If you pay $50 or more in dues per year, and not seeing some sort of return on that investment (beyond game assignments).  UmpJM listed several for his association.
• If you have a large association, maybe over 100 members.  Someone could get rich off of that if they're just pocketing the money.
• If you are being nickle and dime'd to death (dues + assigning fees, required clinics, turnback fees, etc.)  Basically if you end up shelling out more money each year than just dues, you need to see a financial report.
• If your association handles game fees instead of the schools, you need to see a financial report.  You're talking major money being brought into the association and it needs to be accounted for.
• If you do not see the association re-investing in their people - apparel, learning tools, etc.
• If you see the assigner is living a lifestyle beyond what his "real job" would allow.  I.E.: He has a part-time job and he's wearing Tommy Bahama's and driving a brand new car.

I've said many times, I don't mind anyone making money as long as they are doing it honestly and taking care of "their people" along the way.

[Rich Ives]

If your association happens to be a 501(c )(3) then they have to file a 990.  Your state might have rules for non-profits also.

[mstaylor]

In our assoc we give a report every meeting, generally not written but that can be supplied on request. We also have the assoc pick two members to review the books. They go to the treasurer and they go through the check book and justify it against receipts to balance things. I am on the BOD have been since the group's inception except for one year. 

[PonyUmpire]

My association's spring dues are $200. We are required to buy association shirts and hats from our assigner. There are rigorous apparel requirements, and it's all on umpire dime. Oh, and we have $75 summer dues as well.

[maineump]

My association's spring dues are $200. We are required to buy association shirts and hats from our assigner. There are rigorous apparel requirements, and it's all on umpire dime. Oh, and we have $75 summer dues as well.

Wow - that is more expensive than my HS board, college board and hockey board combined!

We have to buy our uniforms, but can use vendor of our choice (except for college board), but once you have them it is just up-keep.

What do you get for $200.00?

[Kevin_K]

 

My association's spring dues are $200. We are required to buy association shirts and hats from our assigner. There are rigorous apparel requirements, and it's all on umpire dime. Oh, and we have $75 summer dues as well.

Wow - that is more expensive than my HS board, college board and hockey board combined!

We have to buy our uniforms, but can use vendor of our choice (except for college board), but once you have them it is just up-keep.

What do you get for $200.00?

 

Hosed?