|
I Know What the Numbers Say--
What Do They Mean?
By Mary Schmitz
ISA Director of Finance
Accounting . . .
Financial statements . . .
Most people rank their interest in these topics about as high as going
to the dentist. "It might be good for me, but I don’t have to like it."
However, beyond the columns of data and accountant mumbo-jumbo, the numbers
tell many important things about ISA. Who supports arboriculture? Which
programs does ISA put on? What are we doing to achieve the ISA mission
and strategic plan? … and so much more!
So, you paid for your membership. That must be where all of ISA’s money
comes from, right? Actually, for the year ended June 30, 2001, only 38%
of all the money ISA received was from membership dues. Where did the rest
come from? Another 17% of the money came from certification exam fees and
recertification fees. Individuals and companies buying books, videos, apparel,
and other merchandise made up 27% of the money. The ISA annual conference
and trade show contributed about 11% of all the money ISA received. In
summary, more than 20,000 people and organizations sent money to ISA for
many different services. Amazing, isn’t it? And all these different people,
from around the world, are sending money to Champaign, Illinois, in support
of arboriculture.
Of course, the next question is where does all the money go? Part of
this answer is obvious. ISA pays to provide you with this Arborist News
and next month’s Journal of Arboriculture, as well as other membership
benefits. The ISA staff administers the certification program, grading
exams and entering CEUs, among other things. Of course, we have to buy
or produce in-house the books, videos, and other merchandise we sell. The
annual conference and trade show cost money to put on. Also, as with any
business, a portion of your money goes toward administrative costs and
overhead, including paying for our building, employee benefits, printing,
and other items.
ISA also spends money in other areas to support arboriculture in ways
that may not be as obvious to you. For example, ISA supports tree care
research by donating money to the Tree Research Education & Endowment
Fund (the TREE Fund, formerly the ISA Research Trust). Also, ISA’s strategic
plan contains initiatives relating to public outreach. As a result, ISA
has been working with a public relations firm to get the ISA message out
to the public, both increasing awareness of the value of trees and the
need for arborists to maintain those resources. In addition, ISA is continually
trying to improve the ways we serve you and improve your profession, and
these efforts also have a price tag. For example, the certification board
is looking into an advanced certification, the next step after becoming
a Certified Arborist.
After ISA has received all the money and paid all the bills, there still
is money left over. That money goes into our savings. Just as you keep
a little extra in the bank, so does ISA. The money is saved up for a rainy
day or perhaps to pay for a new program that supports the ISA strategic
plan.
Guess what? You just read though ISA’s income statement. Now you know
what the numbers mean!
Lots better than a dentist’s chair, don’t you think?
|
International Society of Arboriculture
