Re: Treasurer's report (or lack thereof)

On Tue, 7 Dec 2004, Ian Jackson wrote:
> I have some comments on the minutes, item 4 `Treasurer's report'.
>
> I too agree that what was delivered was not a real Treasurer's
> report, and others (IIRC) said so in the meeting. No-one seemed to
> contend that a proper treasurer's report had been delivered.
>
> I therefore think this item in the minutes should be amended to read
> something like:
>
> No treasurer's report was available. However:
>
> Jimmy Kaplowitz informed the board that the First IB account is not
> yet open. American Express has also not closed our bank account with
> them at this time.
>
> Branden Robinson stated our account balances as $238.27 and $4759.43.
> The balance of our savings account was not known.
>
> Some board members requested that the Treasurer deliver a written
> report to the board 7 days in advance of the next meeting.

Are you suggesting that I should do this to all minutes since I became
secretary?

I, three, agree that the treasurer's report from last meeting wasn't, but
I think we are making progress and I would rather not jinx it with a
resolution demanding the progress we are making.

I think there's a time for resolutions, and there's a time for simply
working together, and this is a time for the latter.

> I note that we have had no report. This situation is getting very
> worrying. I would like the lack of coherent and complete reports from
> the Treasurer put on the agenda. As a talking point, here is a draft
> resolution:
>
> Proposed resolution 2004-12-07.iwj.1
>
> WHEREAS
>
> 1. The board has not had a proper report from the Treasurer since the
> Treasurer took office.
>
> 2. The Treasurer was requested by board members at the last meeting
> to prepare a report.
>
> 3. No report has been prepared sufficiently far advance of the board
> meeting for the board to study and respond to it.
>
> THE SPI BOARD RESOLVES THAT
>
> 4. The board is disappointed that the Treasurer has failing to keep
> the board properly informed regarding the state of SPI's finances,
> and of the efforts to transfer to a new bank account.
>
> 5. The Treasurer is reminded that funds are available to hire
> professional bookkeeping help.
>
> 6. The Board expects a draft formal report, in writing, from the
> Treasurer, no later than 14 days following this resolution, and
> preferably sooner.
>
> 7. The Board expects the Treasurer to respond promptly and
> constructively to questions regarding the draft report, including
> in particular requests for additional information. Additional
> information and clarifications requested should be included in the
> Treasurer's formal written report to the next Board meeting.
>
> 8. That Treasurer's report should be made available in substantially
> final form sufficiently far in advance of the meeting for the
> Board to read and discuss it.
>
> Just for the avoidance of doubt, this is not a criticism of Branden.
> I don't have personal knowledge of the exact details of Jimmy and
> Branden's relationship and cooperation. It is Jimmy's responsibility
> to report properly to us.

Ian, See Branden and Jimmy's mail from over night (to spi-private).
Provided it is kept up, this resolution won't be necessary.

While it is not all one report -- it comes in the form of a handful of
emails from Jimmy and Branden -- it is, at least, the information we are
after.

Jimmy, as Treasurer, the Treasurer's report should be coming entirely from
you as one written, signed report, even if it repeats information posted
elsewhere, previously, or by others. It makes for one, concise, easy to
reference Report.

If the Board so desires, I will start including the entire Treasurer's
report as an appendix to the minutes - minus account numbers/names.

---
David Graham, SPI Secretary
cdlu(at)spi-inc(dot)org D5F45889