ANTHROPOSOPHICAL
SOCIETY IN
TREASURER’S REPORT
YEAR ENDED
To the members:
Here is a summary of our audited financial statement for 2004.
Page 1 is the Statement of Financial Position showing what we own, what we owe, and the difference between the two, or “net assets”. The following table summarizes Page 1, including comparative columns for the last two years:
Statement of Financial
Position
|
|
Year ended |
Year ended |
Year ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Assets |
1,397,593 |
1,395,477 |
1,443,452 |
|
Total
Liabilities |
(83,851) |
(99,227) |
(160,584) |
|
Net
Assets |
1,313,742 |
1,296,250 |
1,282,868 |
Total assets at
Page 2 is the Statement of Activities showing how we did during the year. It is summarized as follows, again with columns for the two previous years:
Statement of Activities
|
|
Year ended |
Year ended |
Year ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core
Income |
386,338 |
400,695 |
747,201 |
|
Core
Expense |
(378,425) |
(344,073) |
(602,019) |
|
Net
Core Income |
7,913 |
56,622 |
145,182 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dornach Income |
143,350 |
157,625 |
138,053 |
|
Dornach Donations |
(157,438) |
(171,608) |
(160,525) |
|
Net
Dornach |
(14,088) |
(13,983) |
(22,472) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment |
26,833 |
(26,800) |
(111,995) |
|
Activities |
(12,446) |
(4,604) |
(49,058) |
|
Other |
(6,089) |
2,147 |
8,899 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
in net assets |
2,123 |
13,382 |
(29,444) |
Core activities are those that are essential to
perform the basic functions of the Society. Income is mostly in the form of
dues and contributions. Expenses include
member services, regions/groups/branches, the library, publications, and the
In the most recent year, we took in $386,338 of core income and spent $378,425 of core expenses, leaving a $7,913 net surplus. The surplus is lower than in 2003 for the following reasons: during the year we experienced a $25,000 decrease in voluntary contributions and a $33,000 increase in operating expenses, in the School for Spiritual Science and in several categories of administrative expense – primarily mailing and health insurance. These negative effects to our net income were partially offset by a $13,000 increase in membership dues. Happily, dues and contributions so far in the current 2005 year are up, with July and August receipts exceeding their levels for the same two months last year.
Two years ago in 2002, we had much higher core income and expense. In that year we had a $207,000 bequest and $117,000 in contributions from our designated fund at the Rudolf Steiner Foundation. This higher income in 2002 was mitigated by higher expenses predating a substantial reduction in staffing.
Dornach Income and Donations are based on member recommendations. We receive donations designated for Dornach and forward them. In order to clear some historical underpayments, for the last three years we have paid more to Dornach than we are took in.
In fiscal 2005 we will, on a voluntary basis, pay $10,000 more to the Goetheanum than we take in. This is our response to the concern voiced by Dornach that the American Society pays far less per member than similar developed western countries. While we cannot readily close the gap, the voluntary additional contribution is an effort in that direction.
Investment represents interest earnings on investments and the increase or decline in the value of investments. The number is negative in 2002 and 2003 because of declines in the stock market. Last year the council decided to divest stocks to avoid further declines. Investment income in 2004 reflects interest earnings.
The change in net assets for the year (our net income) was $2,123, compared to $13,382 last year. This break-even bottom line suggests that in the face of declining support, we are able to cut costs and live within our means.
For the 2004-05 year, the council has approved a budget that is summarized in the table below. The table includes a comparative column showing actual results last year (a repeat of the 2003-04 figures in the table above):
Statement of Activities –
Actual and Budget
|
|
Year ended Budget |
Year ended Actual |
|
|
|
|
|
Core
Income |
435,800 |
386,338 |
|
Core
Expense |
489,726 |
(378,425) |
|
Net
Core Income |
(53,926) |
7,913 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Dornach |
(10,000) |
(14,088) |
|
|
|
|
|
Investment |
3,800 |
26,833 |
|
Activities |
(18,750) |
(12,446) |
|
Other |
0 |
(6,089) |
|
|
|
|
|
Change
in net assets |
(78,876) |
2,123 |
The significant
change from last year to this is that expenses are $110,000 higher, partially
offset by an assumed $50,000 increase in support. The expense increase occurs primarily in the
following areas:
·
Library
($27,000). In recent years, the library
has been successful in fundraising to cover its costs and there is no reason
this should not continue. However, to
ensure its expenses will be covered, the Society budgets to subsidize the
library regardless of its fundraising success.
·
·
Regions,
Groups and Branches ($8,000). Two
meetings (Joint Regional and Whitsun) are expected to increase expenses this
year.
·
Administration
($46,000). Costs are expected to
increase over nearly all categories including mailing, medical insurance and
salaries.
Projected increases in expense are therefore not the result of major new initiatives but a realistic assessment of the cost of running the Society sustainably, together with assumptions about income to the library and School that will probably prove to be conservative.
I said above that the Society has demonstrated its ability to cut costs and live within its means. But cost-cutting allows us to survive, rather than thrive. Instead of shrinking operations in reaction to higher operating costs the council has decided to undertake those costs, and the associated deficit, recognizing two things: that we have the resources to sustain such a deficit, and that a full program, coupled with a happy outcome to the General Secretary selection process, should attract additional membership and support, thus leading to activity of increasing scope and ambition.