Need budget info without sounding rude

[beannes]

I'm not on exec board, but I do hold a chair. I want to ask our treasurer for a copy of our operating budget for 2013, to see where and how funds are being allocated. However, I don't want to sound rude about it. I do feel that I should be able to see how money I pay is being spent, and I would like to see where it all goes. Is this open info, and I'm not being rude by asking am I?

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by beannes

I'm not on exec board, but I do hold a chair. I want to ask our treasurer for a copy of our operating budget for 2013, to see where and how funds are being allocated. However, I don't want to sound rude about it. I do feel that I should be able to see how money I pay is being spent, and I would like to see where it all goes. Is this open info, and I'm not being rude by asking am I?

Everyone in my chapter received a copy of the budget and we all had to approve it.

To other GCers - is this not "standard practice"?

[FSUZeta]

You should at the least know how much $$ is in the budget for your committee.

How you ask to see the overall operating budget will determine if you are rude or not.

[ColdInCanada11]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Everyone in my chapter received a copy of the budget and we all had to approve it.

To other GCers - is this not "standard practice"?

I know we got the basic version of it (and the indepth version for our office budgets) but anyone who asked to see the full version could, no questions asked. It is completely reasonable that you want to know where your des are going, and what your office budget is.

[adpiucf]

As an organization, you must vote to approve your operating budget each year. You could approach the treasurer this way; ask when your group will be voting and that you would like some time to look at the last year's budget so you can make an informed vote when considering the proposed budget. At the very least, break the ice by requesting a copy of your committee budget. If the treasurer is not responsive, reach out to the adviser who you report to and she can communicate with your finance adviser. It should not be a big deal to get a copy of this.

Edited: Sorry, I was confused. In a prior post, you had said you were parent and alumnae relations chair and I somehow misread that you were a parent and the alum relations chair which in my brain looked like an alumnae association position. Ok, you're a collegian. I get it now. LOL. Rely on your adviser if you can't get a copy of the budget on your own. But I would think your chapter treasurer would be thrilled that someone actually cares about all of the numbers she's had to track and wants to talk about it. A chapter treasurer is the unsung hero of a GLO.

[33girl]

How big is your chapter? Why would you be so scared to ask a sister a simple question? Do you not know her?

[LaneSig]

My chapter always posted the operating budget on the bulletin board. Any one who was interested could look at it.

[AZTheta]

Posted this in the other identical thread you started and have added a few sentences:

Budgets are voted on, in my experience. It is not "top secret" information, it is, however, Chapter business and not to be shared outside the chapter (again, in my experience).

It will be very enlightening for you to learn how much it costs to operate a chapter! Especially if you have a facility; it will be eye-opening. This topic is a "hot button" for me. Many actives think their $ goes mostly for food or socials. It riles me, big time; there are incredible operating expenses that no one ever thinks about (other than the Chapter Treasurer and the Facility Corporation Board). Even if you do not have a facility, it's very expensive to run a chapter.

[beannes]

We don't have a house because of city rules. And we never voted on a budget. It's not tht I'm scared to ask, it's just we don't have the nicest treasurer, atleast she isn't that nice to me. I'm not even sure there is an actual budget plan. We pay house dues each semester in case we ever get a house years from now

[KSUViolet06]

Our chapters all vote on their budgets, as well.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

A chapter treasurer is the unsung hero of a GLO.

Repeating, in bold, because it's the gospel truth!!

Originally Posted by beannes

We don't have a house because of city rules. And we never voted on a budget. It's not that I'm scared to ask, it's just we don't have the nicest treasurer, at least she isn't that nice to me. I'm not even sure there is an actual budget plan. We pay house dues each semester in case we ever get a house years from now

Sometimes a chapter's bylaws rule that an executive committee of some sort approves the budget rather than the general membership. Regardless, there ought to be a budget...if there's not, look for trouble. I would think that as long as you are nice about it and not demanding from the get-go, it wouldn't be a problem. Yes, you do have a right - and a responsibility - to know how your money is spent. If the treasurer refuses to give you a copy, go to the chapter advisor.

[Titchou]

You have to have a budget. You may not have seen it but there is no way to set dues without one. Ask nicely - hey, Susie, I seem to have misplaced my copy of the chapter budget. Can you give me another?

If that doesn't get it, ask your adviser.

[DubaiSis]

I think Titchou has the right approach, or you could say you are thinking of running for treasurer next year and wonder what the budget looks like so you'd know what you were getting into.

But I find it very odd that your budget is not readily available for chapter-wide discussion. Are you NPC? If you have been and continue to pay dues into a chapter housing fund that is not being used, I would be very interested to know what is happening with that money. "In a savings account" is not an acceptable answer as that must be a substantial or even huge amount of money if it's been getting paid into for a number of years by every member. Maybe that's what you're wondering about? That is worth causing a ruckus over. Also, if the treasurer won't share the budget it makes me throw up red flags about fraud and embezzlement. Just sayin.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Also, if the treasurer won't share the budget it makes me throw up red flags about fraud and embezzlement. Just sayin.

Seen it happen, only it was the adviser. Transparency is key.