Spending the Lord's funds wisely to help address surplus budget funds for both the stake and wards

16 May 2017

In response to the significant budget fund surplus that both the stake and wards have experienced, the following suggsestions were made.

The Lord has blessed our stake with a miracle. Because we chose in 2012 to suspend all fundraising, in obedience to the oft-repeated request that we not conduct youth fundraisers for summer camp fees or equipment (see Handbook 2: 8.13.78; 10.8.9; 13.2.9; and 13.6.8), our stake has been blessed with a significant surplus of both stake and ward budget funds.

We can show our appreciation by spending our budget excesses wisely in support of  “programs and activities of the Church (that) support and strengthen individuals and families.” (Handbook 2: 2.2)

Here are suggestions on how to spend our surplus funds wisely:

·   Hold more ward activities. We recommend at least one ward activity per quarter and that every organization holds at least one activity for their members per quarter. Activities provide opportunities for members to invite friends and less-actives. To this end, consider allocating more funds to each organization to host more activities.

·   Help lighten the financial burden on families by further subsidizing summer camps for the youth in your ward—beyond the $150 for Scout camp and $75 for all other camps.

·   Increase the Scout budget significantly so leaders do not use funding as an excuse for not providing a first-rate Scouting program in the ward.

·   Encourage more camping and outdoor experiences for Scouts, young women and older young men. We desire every young man in our stake to experience “40 days and 40 nights” in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2) as part of his missionary preparation. Consider allocating $100 per campout.

·   Purchase outdoor and camping equipment to encourage more youth outdoor outings and campouts.

·   Teach and encourage leaders to submit receipts for travel costs and other expenses incurred for church activities that often do not get reimbursed.

·   Purchase technology equipment that will help ward leaders to operate more effectively or to enhance the effectiveness of classroom instruction.

·   Provide financial support for activities around important events, such as the Cub Scout Blue & Gold Dinner, a dinner honoring women during the Mother’s Day month of May, a Pioneer Day picnic, etc.

·   Use funds, when needed, to encourage participation in service opportunities.