[Businessmtg] Treasurer Questions Answered

[asp_treasurer at asp-afg.org]

Good day BM.

    My apologies for being absent from this conversation. Life has thrown 
me some curveballs of late and I have had a grandchild that has been 
hospitalized a few lengthy times in his first year since birth as well 
as a sick elderly mother who lives across the country.  Talk about jet 
lag and being pulled in every direction.  Just got another call that Mom 
is back in the hospital this morning.

   I have submitted my resignation, however, have said that I will stay 
on until a replacement can be voted in. It is my hope that someone will 
step up and take over and relieve me from these duties.  Until then I 
will do my best to do the best job I can.

   The position itself includes going to the PO, picking up checks and 
taking them to the bank to be deposited.  In addition,  I accept the 
funds that come in through our PayPal account and transfer them to the 
bank account. (quick and easy).  All of these items are recorded in a 
spreadsheet and in the past have been posted to the web site.   The bank 
statement is sent to me each month.   I forward it on to the LA so that 
another set of eyes can verify funds.  Bank statements are balanced and 
outgoing funds verified.  It is the Treasurer's responsibility to 
provide a report to the BM each month and most recently I was asked to 
provide a Balance Sheet  as well as an Income and Expense Statement.   
It is also the responsibility of the Treasurer to be present in the SC 
meeting.

    I really can't put a time spent on the tasks at hand because there 
are too many variables.  When I was asked to think about running for the 
position I was told that the bank account would be transferred over to 
my name and all I needed to do was get a PO Box.   It really wasn't that 
simple.   The bank account is in the previous treasurer's name.   It 
remains that way.   The reason is that today, you can't just walk into a 
bank and tell them you want to open an account in the ASP name and have 
it be done.  You need to show that ASP is registered with the IRS and 
that you link it to your Social Security Number.  I have found issue 
with that procedure.  First of all,  I was never told that I would need 
to apply to the IRS using my social security number.   I spent countless 
days going into National Banks/Local Banks/Credit Unions, etc., 
attempting to open an account, it wasn't happening without me linking it 
to my social which I believe jeopardizes my anonymity.  Secondly,  I 
have issue with one name being on the account as there currently is.  
what if something were to happen to me?  Unfortunately, the current 
account is linked to a personal account, so adding my name to that 
account was not an options.   So it remains, that I don't have access to 
the bank account itself.  The only access I have is through PayPal.   It 
is our funds,  it is used ONLY for ASP expenses.  We have one monthly 
payment of $99 for the server, and that payment comes directly out 
through PayPal. There is no time involved with paying bills.   In a 
perfect world that we know this is not,  the treasurer if they had 
control of the account could process deposits through their smartphones 
and the only time consuming chore would be driving to the PO to collect 
those paper checks, then documenting the funds and preparing the reports 
for the website/BM.

    Hope this helps.   I am happy to answer any other questions that you 
may have regarding the position.   Hugs, In Service, Jennifer