Where Does The Money Go?
by CACSS member Doug D.

Each year when we join or rejoin the Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society, we pay $20 for an individual or $25 for a household membership. Where does the money go?

From this, we need to pay for our monthly newsletter Central Spine; speaker expenses at several of our monthly meetings (often includes transportation, hotel, and a small honorarium); table rentals and printing of signs for our Annual Show and Sale; and a respectable donation to the DBG, since they graciously allow us to meet in Dorrance Hall throughout the year, and the DBG provides space for our annual Show and Sale.

Let's do a few calculations. The plus sign below signifies "at least."

Income (in black)

$3,700 Approximate dues collected.

Expenses (in red)

$1,100 + Newsletter and postage

$1,900 + Speakers and Programs

$1,800 + Show and Sale expenses (table rental, printing, etc.)

$1,000 + Donation to DBG

$5,800 + Total expenses

Wow! The total is far greater than the amount we receive from dues.

In addition, we incur other expenses throughout the year such as partially subsidizing educational trips for the members, purchasing books and periodicals for the library, institutional memberships to some other botanical groups, annual filing with the Arizona Corporation Commission, and other operational costs.

How can we cover all of this, since the above total exceeds our dues collected? We have 3 other sources of potential income:

1. Sales at our annual show in April.

2. Small silent auctions throughout the year.

3. Our yearly LARGE silent auction at the October meeting.

The above three sources require hundreds of hours of volunteer help by us members. This year, it all seems to be working well, but as you can see, it requires a careful balance of resources.

When an auction approaches, please take some extra time to rummage through your collection and bring in plants, cuttings, pots, or gardening materials. Also plan to bid on plants and other items so we can help cover our costs.