The dog rehousing group needed a new treasurer so I put my hand up, and found I have my work cut out for me. No one in the group seems to have any idea about being on a committee (what committee?) and there are a few housekeeping issues that need to be sorted out. Most of the workload of running the group has fallen on Ludelle and unfortunately I think a lot of it has been beyond her with everything else she does for the program.
The financials haven’t been done for a couple of years. Some bookkeeping was done by the previous treasurer, but I’m finding the accuracy leaves a bit to be desired (the lady works at a bank and was apparently supposed to be a whiz at figures). I’m not checking off any receipts or dockets, just checking the additions and entering everything into MYOB so I can get a proper accounting system going. I’ll be more stringent with the accounting for this financial year and onwards.
There is also a bit of education needed with the recording of financial transactions – writing receipts for all donations, getting invoices for all expenses etc. The group has a bank account, but it is rarely used. Cash donations are just used directly to pay bills and a lot of bills are paid directly out of members pockets. Makes it difficult to determine the exact financial situation of the group, not to mention scary from a governance point of view. Have stipulated that if I am treasurer all of these things must be handled properly.
The local council has granted some land for erection of a shelter and kennels so there are building costs for that project, as well as ongoing costs for the program. I’m hoping to get the group registered as a charity with DGR (deductible gift recipient) status at the ATO, this will be of great advantage with grant applications, as well as for general appeals out in the community.