Home> 2003 Financial Report

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