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Finance and Budget

  1. Does the meeting have a long-term financial plan that includes:
    • Increasing endowment through bequests and planned giving?
    • Increasing current support through fundraising and growth of membership?
    • Utilizing multi-year budgeting?
    • Developing multi-year schedules for the repair, maintenance and renovation of meeting buildings and grounds?
  2. Does the meeting approve a budget each year?
  3. During the year does the meeting approve discretionary expenditures that deviate from the approved budget?
  4. Does the treasurer report to the meeting each year on the prior year’s income and expenses and the meeting’s balance sheet? Does the treasurer also report periodically to the meeting on its financial situation?
  5. Does the meeting have proper checks and balances in place in the disbursement of its funds?
  6. Are the meeting’s accounts regularly reviewed by a committee appointed for this purpose, its trustees or, if appropriate, an independent outside auditor?
  7. Do the meeting’s treasurer and finance committee observe generally accepted accounting practices and standards in handling the meeting’s finances?
  8. Does the meeting seek the financial support of all its members? Does it make clear the expectation that each member will contribute as able?
  9. Are routine operating funds financed by living members and attenders?
  10. Does the meeting have a process for extending financial support to members experiencing hard circumstances or suffering as a result of witness to Friends testimonies?
  11. Does the meeting’s budget include resources to support and give witness to Friends testimonies in the local community and the world?
  12. Does the meeting’s budget provide financial support for the quarterly and yearly meetings?
  13. Are the meeting’s patterns of spending and consumption socially and environmentally responsible?