Conference Finance Committee
1. The committee reviewed the Composition, Scope and Procedure of the Committee and amended item 1 under the Scope to read "Reviews the A.A. World Service/ General Service Board budget and financial reports" (it had read only the A.A. World Service budget).
2. The committee reviewed the reporting of International Convention accounting on the 2002 financial statements and looked favorably on the balance sheet treatment (a separate column for an International Convention Fund). However, it felt that the footnote listing all prior conventions with profits and losses was to detailed. The committee indicated an abbreviated footnote was more appropriate, for example:
"Amounts shown as prepaid expenses in the Convention Fund on the Balance Sheet represent funds paid in advance for future conventions. These costs include such items as site selection costs, deposits on facilities, and professional management expenses. Following established Policy, funds not needed for current operations reside in the Reserve Fund."
3. The committee reviewed the draft of the "Simplified Reserve Fund" document forwarded by the trustees' Finance Committee
The committee then reviewed the current A.A. Finance Guidelines as well as the current version of the A.A. Service Manual, and felt those descriptions better fulfilled the intent of last year's committee for a simplified description of the Reserve Fund.
The committee also suggested that the document forwarded by the trustees' Finance Committee be available if a request for more detailed information is requested by a member of the Fellowship.
4. After considerable discussion on the topic of self-support, the committee feels that sponsorship is the key. The committee urges the delegates to discuss financial responsibility within their areas.
NOTE:This committee did not submit
any recommendations for Conference Approval.