By Genevieve Daniels, VP Finance

Our Chapter is starting off the year in a position of financial strength.  Over the past couple of years, we have been working toward financial sustainability, measured by the key performance indicator of our operating reserve, which we have now grown to 110% of annual revenue.   This is fantastic!  It speaks to the:

• Quality of our professional development & member experience

• Generosity of our sponsors

• Numerous volunteers who give of their time and talents 

• Event speakers/presenters who shared their expertise with us on a pro bono basis

• Fewer in-person events, reducing venue/food/beverage expenses

The operating reserve also allowed our Chapter to stay strong and stable as we moved through the changing needs brought on by the health pandemic.

Once again, in 2022, we are taking a conservative approach to our revenue and expense expectations.  We will do a mid-year check on this budget to ensure we have the right balance of investment in upskilling, belonging and leadership development for our Chapter members. We anticipate a slight uptick in expenses as we return to offering more in-person social and professional development events.

 

You may be curious about what some of these expense categories include.  For example:

• Office of the President covers volunteer recognition, marketing, Board conference fees and national dues

• Operations expenses cover bank and credit card charges and Board insurance, 

• Administration includes our fees to pay our chapter administrator, MDS.  MDS handles many responsibilities that keep our chapter running smoothly, such as: member support, member database, annual renewals, and financial & accounting services.

As stewards of our funds, we typically complete a review and contract for our chapter administration needs every three years, with 2022 being a review year.  This is important because these administration needs are our highest expense item, and as our needs change, we want to make sure we are getting the highest value while ensuring quality of services.  A committee has formed to examine and revise our requirements, and then will work with the Board to evaluate our current administrator and other vendors.  The result will be contracting with the partner who can best help us meet our financial stewardship & sustainability needs.

Why is this important to you?  Because the process helps us explore new ways to add value for membership, and align even more effectively to our three strategic pillars.  

The committee will be hard at work this spring; stay tuned for a summer update!