 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 
|
|
 |
||||||||||||||||
|
Bar News - July 26, 2002 Questions & Answers Regarding the 2002-2003 NHBA Budget
AN INFORMATION SESSION for members with questions about the NHBA budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2002, will be held Monday, Aug. 19, 2002 at 9:30 a.m. at the Bar Center. The following are some questions and answers regarding the Bar’s budget process. How is the budget created and approved? The Finance Committee, chaired by the president-elect (Martha Van Oot this 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. (See above.) 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. The last audit indicated no negative findings or "reportable" conditions. What is the size of the budget? What are the major components?
Virtually all activities of the NHBA are service-related; hence a major cost is staffing to carry out those services. Of the 24 full-time and 10 part-time positions in the budget, eight are grant-funded. Benefits experienced an 8.3 percent increase over last year’s budget, attributable primarily to a 15 percent increase in health insurance That’s a big budget – how does it affect dues? In 2001, the Board of Governors approved only the second dues increase in the last 20 years, to meet the rising cost of providing adequate services to Bar members. A portion of the funds generated last year have been set aside in a reserve fund whose purpose is to delay the need for future increases. Your Bar Association staff continues to aggressively pursue new sources of non-dues revenue; however, increased competition for limited resources continues to make this a very difficult challenge. 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. 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 a member is experiencing financial hardship impacting their ability to attend, they are encouraged to contact the CLE program to inquire about the availability of scholarships. What are reserve funds, and how do they work? Reserve funds are used by many not-for-profit organizations to set aside funds to ensure their 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 upgrade our software and to launch an exciting new member service, Casemaker, this fall. Where the Bar Association's Total Annual Revenue Comes From
How the Bar Association's Total Annual Resources Will Be Allocated in 2002-2003
|
|
Home | About the Bar | For Members | For the Public | Legal Links | Publications | Online Store New Hampshire Bar Association |
