[SCA-AE] money

[Tim Button]

Greetings from Tigranes,

The rainy days do happen, and then even the hoarders may end up as the 
beggars.  I have been on the BoD of a small living history museum for going 
on 15 years.  The grounds and buildings are owned by the state, but the 
museum is run by our little 501(c)3 non-profit.

Up until 4 years ago, we got operating funds from the state to run the 
place.  Then the bottom fell out of the state budget, and our funding was 
cut -- to ZERO.   For the past three seasons, we have operated only on funds 
we have been able to raise on our own, in the worst recession since the 
1930's.  We need to pay for insurance, maintenance, and utilities for over a 
dozen buildings, and fund the events and programs that we present for the 
public.  Our current bank balance is less than $5000.

We feel that what we, (as I'm sure all the other small non-profit groups out 
there feel as well), do for our communities is important and of value, even 
if it isn't feeding, clothing, or sheltering the needy.  Our missions are no 
less worthy of the work we put in than any other charitable mission, and the 
funds we raise and save are every bit as earned.

Anyone is free to forgo paying SCA membership or attending events and 
instead donate those funds to causes that help the needy.  But it is their 
money, and their choice, and they should not be judged by their choices. 
And if local SCA groups want to put the effort into raising funds to build 
up a surplus, that's their choice too.

My only concern over that situation is that is really isn't the local 
group's money anymore:  it belongs to Corporate.  The SCA BoD could take it 
at any time -- without the consent of the local group, because it belongs to 
SCA Inc.

Tigranes

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dug" <eburhard65 at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [SCA-AE] money


This same problem happens in churches and other organizations. There seems 
to be an overwhelming need to keep savings accounts ( that whopping 0.14%) 
or CDs (0.8% yearly). That fear of the rainy day makes hoarders of many 
volunteer organizations. With people locally who are in need of food, 
clothing and shelter, we still worry that we haven't saved enough. And, I 
don't know how to get beyond that fear.

Boniface Eburhard called Oger