[amsat-bb] Re: Annual Report Discussion - Meisse Reply

Mon Sep 15 16:39:30 PDT 2008

  As a former CPA, I can tell you this, a non-profit audit is "filler", low
margin work for an accountant unless you're a mega-non-profit.  If we
requested the statements to be completed by the auditor by March 31st, you
can count on about a 300-400% increase in cost.  As "filler" work, the firm
usually charges a substantial discount.  If you started a non-profit and you
asked a CPA when your fiscal year should end, it would be any month other
than January-May.  70% of a firms business and revenue is in that period.

73
Greg
N3MVF

-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Gunther Meisse
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 6:42 PM
To: 'joe cassano aka jmario'; amsat-bb at amsat.org
Cc: 'Rick Hambly (W2GPS)'; 'Barry A. Baines'
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Annual Report Discussion - Meisse Reply

Joe,
Responding to your questions regarding the "Annual Reports' of AMSAT:

The President has historically "Reported" to the membership on the state of
the affairs of AMSAT. This presentation is done at the "Annual Meeting" of
the organization and contains details not included within the "Formal Annual
Report" for the outside world. There is no reason to think that this will
not continue to be the practice. The Annual Meeting is a typical time to
make such a presentation.

Since becoming the AMSAT Treasurer, some years ago, I have produced a full
color 12 page "Annual Report" which is used in fundraising efforts. It is
really designed for the "Outside World" including mention of our many
projects and containing the financial report of our Auditors in an easy to
read format. These reports are on the amsat.org web site for the entire
world to see. Printing and mailing to 4000 ~ 5000 members would be cost
prohibitive especially when we make it available on-line. 

The Auditors do not complete the Annual Audit until the third quarter each
year due to the press of tax deadlines. This is not uncommon in the
industry. Having the Audit done within the first three months of the year is
not likely to happen. The "Annual Report" is of no outside-world value
without this financial information.

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. If there is anything additional
I can contribute, feel free to contact me.

Regards,

Gunther Meisse
W8GSM
AMSAT LM: 594
AMSAT Treasurer

-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On
Behalf Of joe cassano aka jmario
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 4:26 PM
To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Annual Report Discussion

AMSAT Members:

There have been several recent postings on the topic of an AMSAT Annual 
Report.  At the time of writing this (September 15, 2008) as near as I 
can determine the most recent annual report available to the membership 
  is for the year 2006 (see 
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/AboutAmsat/documents/finance.php).

On reading the AMSAT bylaws the closest thing I can find to a 
requirement for an annual report is in Section 1 which states:   "An 
Annual Meeting of the corporation shall be held during October or 
November of each year at such time and place as the Board shall 
determine.  At this meeting, the President shall present a report to the 
members."

I believe the bylaws should be changed to incorporate the following:

1.  assign responsibility for the production of an annual report to the 
  the AMSAT President

2.  specify a list of topics which must be addressed in the annual report

3.  require no more than a 3 month interval between the close of the 
calendar year and the publication of the annual report

4.  specify that publication must consist of mailing a copy to each 
member or posting a copy on the AMSAT website

It might be appropriate to post the annual report on the AMSAT website 
and then later in the year distribute a printed copy of the annual 
report in the same mailing that is used to distribute BOD candidate's 
CVs and the BOD candidate ballot form.

If you are a current AMSAT member your comments are solicited...

Joe Cassano - K3FMA
AMSAT member

_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb