Interestingly back in my cadet days (wearing khaki uniforms) I can remember the finance officer posting monthly the Financial Report on the unit bulletin board detailing revenue, expense (by simple objective expense categories e.g. stamps, vehicle repair, etc), and cash balance.
In today's environment, the member has to request to the commander to look at the books, rather than there being a published report that those supporting the squadron (e.g. senior members paying dues) should be getting as part of a senior member newsletter, detailing revenue, expenses, and cash available in bank (with perhaps a short narrative explaing about the financial condition or supplemental schedules). It doesn't seem that the CAP Regulation directs any reporting to the membership that is supporting the unit, especially below wing level at the squadron level :-[
Any of you get a published financial report from your unit via a newsletter on a monthly/quarterly basis ??? It seems to me to be the right thing to do :angel: Comments?
RM
More unnecessary administrivia - the books can be examined anytime there is a concern and/or members can
attend the finance committee meetings.
What finance committee?
Not to worry, Wing Banker Solution is in charge.. Oh, did I mention that of all of the large fraud/thefts in finance has been at the Wing level.. Keep moving, nothing to see here..
Every unit is required to have a Finance Manager and a Committee appointed in writing. The WBP does not relieve
the unit(s) of that responsibility (assuming they have any money).
CAPR 173-1:
Finance Committee.
b. Units Below Wing Level. Each unit commander will establish a finance committee in writing within 30 days of assuming command. The wing commander may waive this requirement if the unit does not have any funds.
The committee is required to meet at least quarterly, though how those meetings are accomplished is flexible. Minutes must be kept.
Quote from: Eclipse on May 24, 2010, 01:45:51 AM
Every unit is required to have a Finance Manager and a Committee appointed in writing. The WBP does not relieve
the unit(s) of that responsibility (assuming they have any money).
CAPR 173-1:
Finance Committee.
b. Units Below Wing Level. Each unit commander will establish a finance committee in writing within 30 days of assuming command. The wing commander may waive this requirement if the unit does not have any funds.
The committee is required to meet at least quarterly, though how those meetings are accomplished is flexible. Minutes must be kept.
Well the amateur repeater club, non profit association I belong to also has a financial committee. However EVERY month in our club electronic newsletter we get a financial report detailing what happend that month (revenue & expenses) and what cash we have left in the bank, as well as a narrative explaining what is going on :clap:. As the Unit PAO who has to publish at a minimum a quarterly newsletter, I think that a simple financial report to the senior membership is very reasonable and would be informative, and actually might generate some questions. So far it doesn't appear that any CAP units are doing this as far as I am aware.
It's been my experience that most membership organization do keep the membership informed as to the financial condition. Last time I looked CAP squadrons are self supporting.
I've got to really wonder why CAP lacks this regulatory guidance for transparancy? :-\
RM
I think CAP has all kinds of transparency. All you need to do is ask the commander or the finance officer about the condition of the finances. Seems pretty simple to mean.
Quote from: RADIOMAN015 on May 24, 2010, 02:15:35 AMAs the Unit PAO who has to publish at a minimum a quarterly newsletter, I think that a simple financial report to the senior membership is very reasonable and would be informative, and actually might generate some questions. So far it doesn't appear that any CAP units are doing this as far as I am aware.
It's been my experience that most membership organization do keep the membership informed as to the financial condition. Last time I looked CAP squadrons are self supporting.
There is no requirement to publish a unit newsletter on any schedule.
You should also not assume that just because this information isn't in a newsletter, or published publicly that the unit members are not informed.
Quote from: Senior on May 24, 2010, 02:28:46 AM
I think CAP has all kinds of transparency. All you need to do is ask the commander or the finance officer about the condition of the finances. Seems pretty simple to mean.
Yep - and if the CC says "MYOB", just give the wing admin a call - WBP has all the numbers you need.
Quote from: Senior on May 24, 2010, 02:28:46 AM
I think CAP has all kinds of transparency. All you need to do is ask the commander or the finance officer about the condition of the finances. Seems pretty simple to mean.
However, they are under no obligation to respond to this request for information.
Quote from: AirAux on May 24, 2010, 01:42:51 AM
Not to worry, Wing Banker Solution is in charge.. Oh, did I mention that of all of the large fraud/thefts in finance has been at the Wing level.. Keep moving, nothing to see here..
WRONG.
Most of the fraud theft has been at the squadron level. WBP elimiates all that.
Quote from: RiverAux on May 24, 2010, 02:51:32 AM
Quote from: Senior on May 24, 2010, 02:28:46 AM
I think CAP has all kinds of transparency. All you need to do is ask the commander or the finance officer about the condition of the finances. Seems pretty simple to mean.
However, they are under no obligation to respond to this request for information.
The requirement appears to be only to commanders, Finance staff, and outside auditors, though any member being refused reasonable access to appropriate records would be justified in whining and complaining, if not an IG complaint (though that might not stand as there is
no reg violation).
Quote from: lordmonar on May 24, 2010, 03:10:32 AM
Quote from: AirAux on May 24, 2010, 01:42:51 AM
Not to worry, Wing Banker Solution is in charge.. Oh, did I mention that of all of the large fraud/thefts in finance has been at the Wing level.. Keep moving, nothing to see here..
WRONG.
Most of the fraud theft has been at the squadron level. WBP eliminates all that.
This is true. All the really big Frauds/Thefts were at the Squadron level. I can say that one squadron alone accounted for almost $300,000 in fraud, tax evasion and theft in a 2-3 year period. The only major problems at the wing level were basically transition expenses related to aircraft maintenance.
Now as to squadron financial transparency; It is my opinion that any member who wants to know where their money is being spent should be given the information. What would be the point to keep it from them; except to alienate and decrease moral?
I think that the budget info should be posted on the bulletin board, then we all know how were doing. and what areas we can improve on
With CAP's prowess for the "information age" and online this and that
How about an Excel spreadsheet or some product of the sort.
Little more you say? Wing Banker out to be putting out statements to each Wing and Squadron each month just like a bank
What is so special about CAP's money? We are putting it through membership and Vanguard
If WB is so great...then this should be an end product every month...NO excuses.
CAP preaching accountability...here is where it starts...the bottom line......DINERO....how is it being spent?
Yeah, well they already do that - at least my wing does. Whether those statements are shared with the membership
is a local commander issue.