ANST - money for this or that

[Brent & Susan Rachel]

Mssr Lionardo's questioning about funding for a Kingdom server  --that which has
sparked all this brouhaha--   was born of discussion many of us in this area
have been having of late.

Despite the participation of many in these discussions, I will assume
responsibility for anything I write below, as it will all be my opinion:

The question I ask myself is: "How much is enough?"

I apply this to many aspects of finance in our Kingdom.

How much profit per person is sufficient?  After all, the presence of "profit"
means that the group holding the event has recouped ALL of the monies it spent
on the event. So, in essence, that "profit" is our mandatory "donation" to the
life and future projects of that group. Similarly, we mandatorily donate 30% of
the profits from Kingdom events directly to the Kingdom.

How much money does a group need in reserves?  If a Barony is "investing" excess
funds on hand, and this investment does NOT affect their ability to hold events
and function throughout the year, then why do they need that money?  I know that
many groups have funds ear-marked for the purchase of some large item(s) like
big tents, coronets, etc....., but what of monies beyond even *those* projects?
Monies in long-term CD's could be legitimately seen excess profits that need not
have been charged to the individuals in the first place.  Does any local group
*really* need more cash reserves that the Kingdom itself?

If less profit were budgeted..., more realistic break-even numbers used..., then
more money would remain in the pockets of the members.  This is money that could
allow participation in "more events per year."  It could, in the long run, allow
travel to 1 Gulf war in 3, rather never getting to attend. It is a new helm; a
loom; better garb; etc.

I guess what I am saying is that lessening "profit" per event is *itself*
investment in the Kingdom, which is made up of *members* rather than
*branches*.  Excessive profit is "gouging" and it is the membership that is
gouged.

As to funding the server:

All the money we are discussing comes from we the members.

So, with the suggestion that "Kingdom funds" be used to pay for a server, it is
rather to say: "why not use the money *we have already given the Kingdom* to buy
such things, rather than giving the Kingdom *yet more money* to buy this thing?"



Kazimir Petrovich


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