Treasurer's Report 1999-2000: Lambda Sigma, Alpha Pi Chapter

At the start of this school year, the Lambda Sigma organization has about $900 in its account. Last year's group left us with $996.77, but there were a few charges not included in that total, and our group has already spent $50 on a program at Plamman Park. This puts us in a fairly good situation financially. It would be nice if we could leave the next group in as good or better financial shape. Four out of the last seven years, the members have been able to do increase the balance from the beginning of the year to the end, so there is no reason we can't, too.

Much of how this year goes financially depends on two things. The first of these is fundraising. If our Fundraising Committee is able to raise a good deal of money, this obviously puts us in a better position financially. I think that $2000 is a reasonable fundraising goal for the year. This is about average for the last four years. As a member of the Fundraising Committee, I will discuss with them fundraising goals for the year and how previous groups have raised their money.

The second large factor affecting the chapter's financial status is our choice of a spring break trip. The spring break trip is the most expensive undertaking all year. Just how expensive it is will affect how much money we need to raise through fundraising and how much money we will be able to pass along to the next group. The two biggest determining factors of the cost of the spring break trip is distance and number of people going. This both affect van fees and gas mileage, which are the two main expenses that Lambda Sigma incurs for the spring break.

Other than the spring break trip, most of the expenses Lambda Sigma will encounter are fairly static. The costs of convention fees are standard ($150). There is a traditional amount for a scholarship donation, though that could vary ($50). The amount spent on printing will vary slightly, but will fall within a fifty dollar range ($50-$100). The costs of the initiation will also fall within a fifty dollar range ($125-$175). The amount of social expenses will vary some, depending on the number and cost of social functions, but it should be somewhere in the $300 to $400 range. Other expenses, such as donations or service related expenses can vary the most widely, and it is hard to predict what these will be, but they will not be more than a few hundred dollars.

Other than fundraising, there is a fairly static income level, too. The chapter will receive about $400 (depending on the number of new members initiated) from local dues at the end of the year. There is the possibility of alumni or some other source giving us a donation, but we should not count on receiving money from anywhere other than fundraising and chapter dues.
Ultimately, the chapter will and should make financial decisions about how much to spend on what throughout the year, not at the beginning. It is impossible to predict all expenses and revenues, but this is a preview of the sort of financial situations we should encounter.

David Scott
Lambda Sigma Treasurer
1999-2000