Finance News
 

Thanks to our outstanding auction team leaders, Warren Read and Kassia Sing, for organizing an amazing auction party on October 24 with good food and lots of interesting items for sale.  This was an exciting Cedars community celebration with many people involved as contributors, auction workers, and buyers.  There were even some surprises such as Alan Miller’s reading of “The Cremation of Sam McGee” and Molly Clawson’s haircut.  We are truly blessed with so many generous hearts and hands.

Moreover, the auction brought in Big Bucks.  Our net auction income after expenses was about $18,000.  If you recall from last June’s Congregational Meeting, the congregationally-approved 2009-10 fiscal year budget included a modest $12,000 in fundraising, so this puts us about $6,000 ahead in fundraising.

You may also recall that the Congregation voted to include an additional $7,400 in budget expenses to cover full payment of our UUA dues and Minister’s professional expenses. This increase was partly offset by the heroic efforts of a small group who raised $6,100 in challenge pledges. Another $4,000 has been realized from new member pledges, existing member pledge increases, and the balance of last year’s Talent Revue Paddle Raise. And Marvin Evans generously donated $1,000 specifically to cover the unfunded balance of the DRE’s professional expenses, which had not been included in the budget (thank you, Marvin!).

But there are new pressures on the expense side. For example: our hearing-assist devices are failing and need replacement; health insurance premiums for our ministers increased 11.5% on January 1; the rental cost for The Island School increased 3% last October; printing and reproduction costs have gone up. On all fronts we are seeing unavoidable expense increases. While we are doing our best to manage them, they will have an effect on our bottom line.    

As a result of these plus and minus changes, we are now projecting a deficit of about $5,500, a significant reduction from the $20,500 shortfall that we projected in June. This is very, very encouraging, and through the continuing generous support of our Cedars community we will make ends meet during this fiscal year. 

Thank you,

The CUUC Finance Committee:

Frank Petrie, Treasurer

Herb Hethcote, Volunteer Bookkeeper

Channie Peters, Sandy Bullock, Tracy Dickerson, Jeff Philip

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