 March/April 2000 (XXXVIII 2) |
ore than 60 Friends were energized by their participation in a February 5 meeting geared to the concerns and interests of Meeting treasurers. Throughout the morning at Arch Street Meeting House there was a lively sharing of the different practices of the Meetings represented. The meeting was sponsored by the Fiduciary Corporation of PYM and Finance Services Group.
Connie Brookes, Executive Director of Fiduciary Corporation, explained how the idea for this session grew out of a meeting for treasurers held at Yearly Meeting last year. PYM Senior Accountant Kathy Reilly, Helen File of Byberry Meeting (PA), Jean Landis of Haddonfield Meeting (NJ) and Jack Childs of Germantown Meeting (PA) led discussions on procedures for handling cash and gifts of property, record-keeping and reporting to our Meetings, and conducting a "Friendly Audit." PYM Development Director Elizabeth Foley reminded Friends that the Development Services Group is ready, willing and able to help Meetings raise money for their needs. (Call her at 215-241-7115.)
The assembled group concluded that there is a strong desire for additional meetings on issues of concern for treasurers, to be held either annually or semi-annually. Some topics for future meetings: How to Utilize Quickbooks/Accounting Software; Investments; Laws that Affect Meetings; Financial Records: How and What to Keep; Liability and Insurance Issues; Responsibilities of a Treasurer; and How Others Do Things. It was also recommended that an e-mail list service be set up so that treasurers, trustees and finance committee members could contact each other directly with questions and concerns.
Copies of the day's handouts are available from Connie Brookes at Fiduciary Corporation (215-241-7272) and Kathy Reilly at PYM (215-241-7214). These include "Hints on How to be an Auditor," "Procedures for Receiving a Gift of Stock," "Charitable Gifts & Sample Acknowledgements," "Sample Journal Voucher for Sale of Securities from Radnor Monthly Meeting," "Record Retention," and copies of financial reports from several Monthly Meetings.
Two books were discussed at this workshop as useful tools. "A Friendly Audit" by Elizabeth Muench is available for $1.50 from FGC Bookstore (215-561-1700). "Church and Nonprofit Organization Tax and Financial Guide" can be borrowed from PYM Library (215-241-7220) or purchased for $13 through the PYM Accounting Office (215-241-7214).
Katherine Reilly
Westfield Meeting (NJ)
PYM senior accountantConstance Brookes
Haddonfield Meeting (NJ)
Executive director of Fiduciary Corporation
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM