bensmom,
I don't think anyone is questioning your choice of using a committee or attempting to waste your time. It looks like each of us are just passing along how our groups do business.
Thank you for your input. We did spend a lot last year and this year we didn't raise as much funds so we are carrying over a much smaller amount than usual to start the new year. I am the treasurer this year and have been asked to do it again next year (if voted in). Our budget committee met on the last of March and planned a proposal for next year based on the last 2 years. We had sent out wish lists forms to the teachers so we could the view for including in the new budget also. A couple people commented on the new officers planning their own budget. Then why do we have a committee ??? Don't waste my time. I was chair of this also and put a lot of effort into researching past business to do this.
Our new officers are elected in May (tonight as a matter of fact). The new officers and the old officers develop a budget which is presented and voted on at the June (final of the year) meeting. That way, spending approvals are in place for the first day of school. We carry over approximately half of the budgeted amount from the previous year to support our process.
We elect our new officers in May, and the new treasurer develops the new budget in August before school starts. Luckily, we have a strong history of budgeting, so it's not that hard to tweak the old version to create the new one. You just need to know if you are planning any new events, or ceasing others.
Also, it's extremely helpful to understand why line items from last year came in significantly over or under budget. That's where the old treasurer (or very good notes) can come in handy. For example, if the staff appreciation budget came in way under budget it may be because the food was donated this year, or the committee scaled the event way back from preceeding years. tHe reason behind the results is essential to developing a good plan for next year.
Our officers are elected in May, then the new officers work on the budget (theoretically with input from the old ones) sometime between May and September. The budget is then approved by the general membership at a September meeting.
Budget Committee, hmmmm. There is a thought. I'd like to share your questions. We usually do pretty good with our spending and never really had a set budget. But I feel spending got way out of hand this year. About an average of $80 per meeting that cost me $30 to do, if that much. So I have sit down and started doing some figuring. I am worried about how we are going to pay for things before our Fall Festival in October it is so low. Until then I (if I am elected) will have to pretty much improvise. So any advice you get will benefit me too. Thanks for starting this thread.
