Who can sign checks (was BoD..)
Lori Jones
LJONES at ossm.edu
Wed Jul 16 19:14:57 PDT 1997
>> Kat said:
>> However, any treasurer signing checks to cover items with SCA
>> funds *should* know these guidelines.
> Stefan replied:
> Hmmm. I may not be clear on things but I thought that the baronial
> checks had to have two out of three signatures. Thus the exchecker
> need not be the one signing the checks. The other two being the
> senschale and ?.
Here's kind-of a *brief?* run down on SCA signatory rules:
You're right. SCA bank accounts are required to be 2 signature
accounts, and 2 signatories must sign each check. A local group
generally has 4 signatories, or people authorized to sign, on their
account.
The group account must meet the following corporate and
kingdom guidelines:
1) The final person to be on the signatory card *must* be the
Kingdom Treasurer
2) Copies of a legal ID and SCA membership card must be on file with
the kingdom treasurer for ALL signatories on any SCA bank account.
3) No two signatories may reside at the same physical address.
(There may be others, but these are the major ones of which I am
aware).
The group signatories are usually the treasurer, seneschal and
baron OR baroness (if applicable). These individuals also usually
serve as the financial committee for the group (3 people who have
final say on where the groups money will be spent).
As to who should actually sign checks: the group's warranted
treasurer should sign ALL checks (after all, it is *their* job).
They are also the only person who should have possession of the
checkbook at *any* time. Other signatories should be used only to
*counter-sign* and provide accountability - not to serve as "acting"
treasurer. Only in very rare circumstances (treasurer on long
vacation, suddenly moved away, etc.) should a check be cut without
the warranted treasurer's signature. If a check absolutely MUST be
cut, it would be best to get permission from the Kingdom treasurer,
in the interest of proper CYA.
On a personal note, based on what I've actually seen over the past
several years, there is no such thing as a "financial emergency".
There is almost always a "by the book" way to handle a problem.
Usually, someone will agree to cover the cost of the expense and be
reimbursed later.
> Perhaps anyone authorised to sign checks should
> have this treasurers training or at least an abreviated course.
That would be a *wonderful* idea! :-) However, it has been
difficult (to say the least) to convince landed Barons/Baronesses
that attending this meeting is a good thing to do. Most feel they
have been playing long enough that they know most of the rules.
Problem is, these aren't the "same old rules". With the publication
of the new Corporate Treasurer's handbook, many of the rules are less
than a few years old. Often, they consider knowing the rules to be
the job of the officer. I don't know, but I think the seneschals
have classes where some of these things might be covered (or not).
Personally, I think financial liability is important enough that I'd
want to be sure I knew ALL the rules before I signed a check to spend
the money of a national corporation....
To respond on a sideline to another related posting, I wholeheartedly
agree that these rules ought to be more readily accessible. The plan
has been to construct a Kingdom Treasurer's Handbook to be
published for reference, but time has not been at a premium to allow
for it's completion. I believe the next kingdom treasurer, Don
Donald Armstrong, has plans to take on this project. Meanwhile, the
new Kingdom Law should include several of the newer, more important
rules in an effort to help get everyone up to speed with Corporate.
> Stefan li Rous
> markh at risc.sps.mot.com
Katrionna MacLochlainn
Deputy Kingdom Treasurer (for only a few more short weeks!)
Barony of Wiesenfeuer, Ansteorra
****************************
Lori Campbell
Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, Library
LJONES at ossm.edu
(Opinions are my own, not those of my employer)
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