Karen Potje
We ended 1994 with 931 members, while in the first quarter of 1995 859 people had already paid for their memberships. Our bank balance continues to grow, as our membership revenues considerably outstrip expenses. We are having no problem maintaining the 6-month cushion we aim for. In fact, at the end of 1994 we already had enough money in the bank to meet all our 1995 expenses, a situation which will be repeated in 1996.
Projected costs per member for 1996 are about $19.00:
| Officers' Expenses and Membership Mailings: | $ 5.00 |
| Annual Meeting: | 5.00 |
| Publications (BPG Annual): | 8.00 |
| Other: | 1.00 |
| Total: | 19.00 |
This means we will have a surplus of about $11.00 per member (cost of dues of $30 minus per member expenses of $19.00 equals $11.00). The cost-cutting measures that Robert Espinosa introduced last year for producing the BPG Annual are responsible in large part for our reduced expenses and growing bank balance.
Last year we suggested reducing the dues or applying the surplus to a worthy purpose. A stipend for BPG officers, on which we solicited your opinions on the 1995 ballot, is one such worthy cause. Now is the time to discuss other ways in which we could be giving you more for your money.