[QCWA] Making QCWA Better - FINANCIALS (Part 3 OF 3)

[Dave - VE3JX]

FINANCIALS:  Openness in regard to financials of any organization is a
non-negotiable item.  For many, it is dictated by law that financial
statements be made freely available to the membership or shareholders, as
the case may be.
  I believe that one can get the basic financial statements of QCWA by
requesting such from QCWA Headquarters.  It may require a SASE for them to
be sent to you.  Be that as it may, I think we can do better.
  I was told once that the membership, by and large, is not interested in
the finances of QCWA and that publishing such in the Journal is a waste of
good space, better used to publish things that are of more general interest.
To that, I can only say that they should be; this is their organization and
they should be concerned with its financial health.
  There are a lot of financial statements involved with any corporation.  We
do not necessarily need to have ALL of these published.  What should be
published is a one-page balance sheet, giving an overview of QCWA’s
financial picture.
  An example of what we’re suggesting is the annual financial statement
published by Radio Amateurs of Canada in their Sept/Oct issue of The
Canadian Amateur.  (I assume that the ARRL has a similar annual feature in
QST.)  RAC’s published balance sheet is in two columns.  In column 1, the
actual balance sheet is presented, with side-by-side figures of the last two
consecutive years.  This makes it easy to compare where we have increased or
decreased spending, where revenues have waxed or waned.  Column 2 contains
the explanatory notes needed by the layman to understand the items and
figures presented.
  There is no reason why QCWA could not do the same thing.  In fact, in
promoting more transparency in governance, QCWA should do something similar.
As well, QCWA could go one step further.
  We have a great website and a hard-working webmaster.  QCWA could include
the balance sheet on their website.  Once it is there, it need not be
changed until the next year’s edition is out.  In fact, such financial
reports can be archived for future reference.
  By publishing basic financials in the Journal and on the QCWA website, we
will again suppress any undue claims of secrecy and conspiracy.
Transparency promotes trust, respect, and cooperation with and for those who
are serving in our best interests.
  Both the presented suggestions, i.e. publishing BoD minutes, and QCWA
financials, involve TRANSPARENCY.  Openness is the quasher of suspicion and
unrest.  This is the single, most important area for improvement in our
Association to be seriously considered.  No doubt, there are many other
ideas that could bring a measure of value to QCWA.  However, I would be
pressed to think of anything more important than transparency.  Not to be
forgotten is that such openness is also, in itself, an attraction for
prospective members to join our great association.

Dave Hayes VE3JX
QCWA Life #33597