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Bar News - July 23, 2004 New Hampshire Bar Association Budget Questions and Answers How is the budget created and approved? The Finance Committee, chaired by the president-elect (Jim Gleason for the 2004-2005 budget year), works with the management staff to develop a proposed budget based on projections of continued, new, changed or discontinued programming and services. The proposed budget is presented to the full Board of Governors for approval, and is then presented to the membership through publication in Bar News. Also, a separate information session is held at the Bar Center for member questions and comments. This year, the session is scheduled for August 24 at 1:00 p.m. at the Bar Center. Are the financials audited? What do the auditors say? The financials of the New Hampshire Bar Association are audited on an annual basis by an independent CPA firm. For a number of years, the auditors’ notes and comments have been brief, expressing no serious concerns, and we have received an unqualified opinion on the audited financials. At the request of the Board of Governors, our auditors also prepare a Management Report identifying areas where improvements can be made. Management then takes steps to address these suggestions from the auditors.
What is the size of the budget? What are the major components? Virtually all activities of the NHBA are service-related; hence the single largest expense in the budget is staffing to carry out those services. Of the 27 full-time and 7 part-time positions in the budget, 9 are funded in whole or partially by grants. Although health insurance premiums continue to climb at a double-digit rate, changes to our plan implemented last year actually allowed us to reduce the budget for benefits from last year’s budget level. That’s a big budget – how does it affect dues? Dues for the 2004-2005 budget year were held level through a combination of expense reductions and withdrawals from reserves created in years when revenue exceeded expenses. The majority (58%) of the Association’s revenue is generated from non-dues sources. According to information collected by the American Bar Association, NHBA dues are in the average range nationally. (New Hampshire’s highest dues rate of $250 should not be confused with fees for the Supreme Court Professional Conduct Committee or the Public Protection Fund fee, which the Bar collects as a courtesy for the court.)
Why do we make money on CLE? The NHBA CLE program is designed to offer high-quality continuing legal education, specific to New Hampshire law, in a variety of formats and covering a wide range of subject and experience levels to meet member needs – while generating revenue for the Association that reduces our dependence on membership dues to fund programs and initiatives. Our most recent offering, Online CLE, which is available 24/7 through www.nhbar.org, has proved to be very popular with members. The pricing of the programs is generally below market cost, and participant evaluations indicate consistently high quality and value. The CLE Club offers NHBA members a volume discount, and if members are experiencing financial hardship impacting their ability to attend, they are encouraged to contact the CLE program to inquire about the availability of scholarships. Why have CLE fees increased? CLE fees have been adjusted to reflect the increased cost of offering high quality programming that includes an opportunity for networking to NH Bar members. Shifting more of the true cost of CLE programs to users of this member service helps to minimize increases in Bar dues, while still offering a below-market choice for our members.
What are reserve funds, and how do they work? Reserve funds are recommended for most not-for-profit organizations, and are used most often to set aside funds to ensure an organization’s long-term viability in the case of unforeseen events, as well as to build funds to pay for future significant capital expenditures or other special projects. This year’s budget anticipates drawing funds from reserves to replace outdated equipment and subsidize the cost of providing Casemaker at no additional cost to all members of the Bar Association. NH Bar Association Budget 2004-2005
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