The 2003
Financial Report of Four Quarters
Lets do the Numbers!
From the January 2004 Members Muse
It Was the Best of Times, and the Worst of Times
2003 has been quite the year, for our country, the world and Four
Quarters. And just like the big world out there, the year for our small little part of it
has been challenging and mixed. Our bottom line is solid; in fact this is the first winter
ever that we have not juggled income and borrowing just to stay afloat. But we diffinately
felt the ups and downs of the economic downturn through the 2003 financial year.
Attendance at our own events was down 5%, but overall contributions from our Members were
up. Even though Memberships have held steady from last year at about 380 Members.
Even before Beltaine we sensed there would be a downturn in the 2003
season, and with our ears close to the ground we could see that people across the country,
as well as our own, were hurting economically. When combined with the very unsettled
domestic and international developements, the Board of Directors detirmined early in the
season that every effort must be made to reduce our spending, and in that we were
succesfull.
And for Stones Rising we made an even more important desision, that for
2003 Stones would be a giant GiveAway. Our Thank Offering to the people for ten years here
on the Land, and our chance to give a little bit back. The effect of this desision shows
on our bottom line and I hope in peoples hearts. It reflects the very best of our values.
As you read this commentary, glance across the page at the line item
listings, and in particular their changes over the past three years. This will give a good
picture of just how the dollars flow. I beleive that our policy of open financials is one
of the very best reasons why we all choose to support Four Quarters.
Income
Memberships and Donations are always the
purest form of support and are the most genuine indicator of the health of any Church or
nonprofit. The actual number of Four Quarters Members has stayed constant from 2002 at
about 380 Members. Membership revenue is down from 2002, which is explained by the way
Lifetime Promoting Memberships came in. We sold only two in 2003 (from three in 2002), one
of which was paid for in 2002 and the second still outstanding.
Donations and Pledges, have increased over
2003. Most of this increase has been through the front office,
people literally do feed the donation jar and it does all add up! The Members of Four
Quarters continue to show the strongest charitable support of any Earth Religious-NeoPagan
organization… simply unprecedented. You are leading the NeoPagan-EarthReligious
community.
Church Ward Gifts are those funds earned in
outside work by the Church Wards or financial gifts given to the Wards, usually from their
families, that are in turn given over to the Church. With no wards working outside the
Church these funds have dropped for 2003.
Fund-Raiser attendance dropped 5% in 2003,
from 2002’s total of $62,387 to this year’s $56,511. Interestingly, individual
spending by attendees increased due to slight increases in registration fees and a strong
increase in parking, fire and meal plans.
Stones Rising showed a sharp downturn in revenue, and here lies a
story. Four Quarters gave away almost $3,000 in registrations for people in need and fed
everyone at Stones from Saturday on, thus reducing meal plan sales by 50%. (And
dramatically increasing costs) If these moneys had been retained we would have stayed
about the same for Stones 2002. That was the Giveaway!
Grounds Fees are principally fees from our
outside groups, but also include individual weekend camping fees. Revenue from outside
groups increased dramatically, because of the remarkable Gaian Mind event. We all owe them
a round of applause. Members should always keep in mind that the fees paid by outside
groups are in fact a direct subsidy for their own use of Four Quarters.
Somehow, it all worked out. In spite of the economic times total
revenue increased a bit, by about $5,000. And with cost cutting we went into winter better
than in 2003.
Expenses
Church Ward Support are all of those funds
that go towards the support of the Church Wards and we have been much more successful in
breaking out Ward support costs from general operations. In 2003 we went from three to two
full time wards and with some real belt tightening our costs have dropped to reflect this.
Community Support are those funds that go to
individuals in need, the recurring outside obligations of the church wards and to other
nonprofit groups, especially ceremonial organizations. Sadly, we had to decrease this form
of giving in 2003
Capital Equipment and Improvements are hard
nonperishable assets that have been acquired through the year. New kitchen, construction
and other camp equipment. With cost cutting these investments dropped back to 2001 levels.
Land purchase are those costs of down
payment, principle, interest and taxes that go towards land to which the Church holds
title. This category saw a huge increase in 2002 as we made the $35,000 downpayment on the
Liesinger tract and has dropped as we settle into paying down the mortgages.
The Leasehold are those funds that go towards
leasing the Barnes Tract (85 acres). This total dropped in 2002 and 2003 as the Church is
no longer leasing the Liesinger Tract. We own it!
Communications are directly related to our
print publishing programs and include mailing costs. This was one area that grew
substantially in 2003, as every Calendar is an investment in the years to come.
Program Content are the direct costs of
providing content at Four Quarters. Altar decorations, Moon Service food, sanitation, and
of course the Standing Stones are all part of delivering the religious events that are
part of Four Quarters’ Mission.
Outside Event Costs are primarily food,
port-o-lets and supplies directly required to host these events.
Professional Services, Repairs and Office Supplies
form the hidden costs that are necessary to operate Four Quarters. Rapairs are up
significantly as we upgraded more equipment, particularly our camp tow vehicles.
Utilities have increased significantly due to
the increased run time of our camp generator, increased firewood consumtion, more
refrigeration, additional phone, internet capacity and a teenagers hot water needs!
In conclusion, a mixed but promising year at Four Quarters. Plenty of
financial challanges and prompt financial actions. The trend line for our events remains
strong, and even with a tight money situation,we still improved the camp. All in all, much
to be proud of.
Feel free to stop in the Church office if you would like to see a
detailed breakdown of our financials. I love to bore folks with the numbers!
Orren Whiddon
Fiscal 2003 Treasurer’s Report
Four Quarters Interfaith Sanctuary of EarthReligion
Income and Expense by Category
INCOME
2001 2002
2003
4QF MEMBSHP 27,547
35,865 27,993
CONTRIBUTIONS 13,578
15,921 18,999
WARD INCOME-GIFTS 5,856 5,386
2,502
BELTAINE SPRING 3,562
6,847 5,885
BODY TRIBAL
0 4,607 3,310
DRUM AND SPLASH 17,300 23,147
26,040
STONES RISING 31,407
25,224 19,736
SWEAT LODGE
256 272
140
WOMEN’S GATHER 3,502
224
360
ESPIRITU SANTO 575
2,066 1,080
All 4QF Events [56,602]
[62,387] [56,551]
GROUNDS FEES 31,000
32,438 48,207
OTHER INCOME 3,607
3,041 5,791
CREDIT CARD SERV CHRG
1,591 2,463
Operating Income 138,190 156,629
165,043
Land Fund Donations 25,198 3,995 1,265
EXPENSES
2001 2002
2003
WARD SUPPORT 16,137
25,807 15,309
COMNTY SUPRT 2,902
7,520
4,585
IMPROVEMENTS 16,799
15,993 13,571
CAP EQUIPMENT 10,901
17,643 13,679
LAND PURCHASE 2,593
40,431 10,272
LEASEHOLD
18,328 17,162 12,720
COMMNCTNS
9,984 7,976
15,555
PROGRAM COSTS 21,845
27,313 19,561
OUTSIDE EVENT
0 7,527
10,327
PROFES’NL SERVICES 6,890
4,558 6,775
REPAIRS+MAINT 1,052
4,438
8,203
OFFICE SUPPLIES 1,328
800
2,045
TRANSPORTATION 5,487
4,499
4,379
UTILITIES
8,603 11,893
15,739
CREDIT CARD COSTS 0
2,327
2,902
EVENT REFUND
949
0
572
OTHER EXPENSE
0 4,278
1,234
PRESENTERS’ COSTS 5,137
2,740
2,800
Operating Expenses 128,959 197,643
160,229
Summation
2001 2002
2003
Operating Income 138,190 156,629
165,043
Land Fund Donations 25,198
3,995 1,265
Operating Expenses (-128,959)(-197,643)(-160,229)
Borrowing
Credit Line Borrowed 13,500
3,000
8,500
Credit Line Paid (-8,000)
(-5,500) (-6,500)
Outstanding Debt (-5,500) (-3,000)
(-5,000)
LIQUIDITY
+34,429 +2,124
+4,682
Service, Ceremony and
Celebration
Joining the World of Spirit and the World of Today
a Work of Years... Stone by Stone
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