The 2002-2003
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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