Response to Bishop Hawkins on his 2018 Budget Surplus

Earlier email response from Bishop Hawkins:

A few questions:

1. What is your current ward budget balance? Did you transfer any budget funds into the Other account for Scout Camp? If so, how much?

I will verify the budget and get back to you later tonight. 

2. How many boys do you anticipate wanting to go to Scout camp and how much were you hoping to put towards their registration?

There is a group of about 7 to 10 that have expressed interest to go to scout camp this year. I hadn’t set an amount of money until I knew it where we were at funding wise.

3. Why are you using a projector? Hardly anyone in the stake is using a projector except when we (the stake) have large gatherings in the chapel or cultural hall.

The projector was purchased so that we could show videos on the fifth Sunday in the chapel and it was also requested by the seminary because in the years past there was not one supplied by the stake for seminary. It has also been used by larger groups of people when there has been presentations in primary, young men’s, EQ, etc. so that everyone can see. The one item that could be purchased to go along with the projector is a better sound speaker possibly wireless.

4. Flat screens are relatively inexpensive and the quality is so much better than a projector (plus more convenient for teachers). Where would you put flat screens if you had them?

We looked at possibly putting one in the relief society room last year but just the layout of the room with the windows,  the piano,  the closet’s,  the chalkboards it didn’t seem to fit well especially with the desire to have everyone in somewhat of a circle. Would have to look at wall space in the different rooms for possible locations.


THEN THIS REPLY FROM ME TO HIM:

Bishop Hawkins,

With regard to the $1,500…sorry for any confusion. What I’m asking is that if, at the end of the summer, you still have a sizable budget balance (beyond the $2,600 income you would have received by then after two quarters of allocation) will you please send us a check for something up to $1,500 to help defray costs of the trek? In other words, let's wait until we see how your expenses go through the summer. Please don’t spend just to get your balance down. But spend it wisely, getting additional technology, if needed, and helping to subsidize (but not totally pay for) any summer camp fees for your youth.

Does that sound OK?

Thanks so much,
PrL