CommuNIqué - Newsletter of the Bahá'í Community in Northern Ireland
Issue 140 - 17 ’Ilm 165 BE - 1 November 2008 CE

 

FROM THE TREASUER OF THE BAHÁ’í COUNCIL

 

THE FIRST SIX MONTHS

Dear Friends

The financial year for the accounts of the National Spiritual Assembly runs from the beginning of February to the end of January. This report gives an overview of the first six months, it highlights some key issues and it gives feedback on the financial outturn of the Summer School.

In February there was a radical change in the accounting arrangements in Northern Ireland. Previously all transactions of the Bahá'í Council were handled directly by the National Spiritual Assembly’s finance office in England. This year we opened an account in the Ulster Bank in Belfast for the Bahá'í Council. We have our own cheque account and we maintain our own records. The funds of the Bahá'í Council remain part of the National Fund but our local account gives us direct control of our payments. With this direct control comes the responsibility for good management. In recognition of this the Bahá'í Council implemented comprehensive finance guidelines. Individuals who wish to make donations and benefit from the tax relief available under Gift Aid still have to donate through the National Office because we cannot yet handle Gift Aid in Belfast, however all other donations are best being directed through the Council treasurer.

Donations

Spiritual Assemblies £ 1170
Groups £ 104
Individuals £ 444
Gift Aid £ 2314
ATC £ 195
Total income £ 4227

Expenditure

ATC £ 362
Council meeting expenses £ 265
Stationery £ 683
CommuNIque £ 742
Regional events £ 207
Association of Bahá'í Women £ 50
Sundry £ 16
Total expenditure £ 2325

A number of initial points are worthy of note:

  • This income and expenditure relates only to the six month operations of the Bahá'í Council and its agencies. Obviously there are many other areas of activity by the Bahá'í community which are not included in these figures.
  • The figures do not include Summer School. The Summer School accounts are summarised separately below.
  • A high level of activity that is undertaken by individuals on behalf of the Council incurs costs that individuals are entitled to claim. In many cases these costs are not passed on to the Council.

In addition many individuals make donations to cover the cost of activities such as the provision of catering or the hire of venues.

The key point that is apparent from these figures is that the overall level of donations has exceeded the costs incurred during the period. The Council is very grateful to everyone who has donated. The single largest area of expenditure during the year is Summer School. The Summer School income and expenditure is summarised below:

Total income from registrations £13,514

Expenses

Lorne fees £12,930
Art & craft materials £ 190
Children’s class materials £ 88
World of Owls £ 120
Total expenses £ 13,328

Donations (including tuck shop, CD and second-hand book sales) £ 1,514

The organisation of Summer School demands a high level of skill and care at all levels. The Residential Schools Committee has responsibility for Summer School and has been advised by the National Spiritual Assembly that the income and expenditure should be as close to balancing as possible. This year the finances showed a small surplus of £286. This represents a surplus of just 0.02%. The level of donations received during Summer School was boosted to a very large extent by the sale of CDs that were donated.

Edwin Graham,
Treasurer,
Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland

 

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