A Responsive Leadership Team

I take very seriously my duties as the Treasurer of the FAR. At the January meetings I asked the local Treasurers how their renewal rates were looking. In an unscientific sampling we determined that the average rate was around 20%. The 2008 FAR budget (based on the best information at the time) reflects a renewal rate of 11% and new FAR members of around 2,000 per month. Without getting in to all of the detail of the numbers, the Finance Committee felt it a prudent idea to meet during GARD for an update and to be prepared to respond as appropriate. President Chuck appointed a PAG to prioritize all of our activity packages in a manner that would least affect our members. These areas, while important to the overall FAR mission statement would least impact the services that we provide to our members. John Fridlington tasked the VP's to identify these areas and the expenses that could be saved.

The PAG met in Orlando on March 20th and discussed each and every activity package with the Management Team. The result of an independent ranking on each item produced a prioritized list that the LT reviewed and tweaked. The Finance Committee then met on March 25th and agreed with the LT that FAR should not use any reserves other than what the approved budget requires. The Executive Committee is scheduled to meet on April 24th to address this issue.

My point in going to such detail to explain this matter is to show exactly how proactive and responsible this Leadership Team is to the needs of the member.