Accounts and Accountability for Volunteer Events
I’ve been thinking a lot about some of the discussions at bicon partly prompted by the accounts and accountability workshop, as well as other conversations over the course of the year.
At the moment each of the bi-fest events is organised by a small volunteer group. This creates significant risks for anyone organising the event... and for the event itself
If we expect the individual organising an event to be responsible for any losses, why do we expect them to donate any surplus back to the community?
There is an assumption the events run under the “Bi-community” banner are not for profit... and that the money goes back into the coffers of “the bi community” - but is this correct?
If an organiser gives up significant time, and energy to arrange an event what’s wrong with them using any surplus to buy pizza for the people who run workshops, or for that matter taking the money and gambling it on a “sure thing” at the races?
Does payment for entry to an event entitle us to
I’d like people to be able to organise events without risk of personal financial loss, and I I think it might help if there was a clear guideline on how any surplus from any event running under the banner of “the Bi Community” will be used.
Is this something other people think is a worthwhile aim?
If so how can we achieve it?
And what else would be in such a guideline?
EDIT 8pm 8th sept - . If possible please keep the discussion general rather than about specific events. I want to keep the emphasis on what we might achieve not rake over old coals.
At the moment each of the bi-fest events is organised by a small volunteer group. This creates significant risks for anyone organising the event... and for the event itself
- I believe, the organiser may be at risk of tax liability, as handling these funds could be seen as “profit”
- The organiser is at risk of being out of pocket if the event makes a loss
- The organiser is at risk of censure from the community if they do not use any surplus funds as other people expect
- If the event of a personal emergency (e.g. an organiser going into hospital) the funding structure may collapse or be inaccessible.
If we expect the individual organising an event to be responsible for any losses, why do we expect them to donate any surplus back to the community?
There is an assumption the events run under the “Bi-community” banner are not for profit... and that the money goes back into the coffers of “the bi community” - but is this correct?
If an organiser gives up significant time, and energy to arrange an event what’s wrong with them using any surplus to buy pizza for the people who run workshops, or for that matter taking the money and gambling it on a “sure thing” at the races?
Does payment for entry to an event entitle us to
- The event
- A say in how the surplus is used
I’d like people to be able to organise events without risk of personal financial loss, and I I think it might help if there was a clear guideline on how any surplus from any event running under the banner of “the Bi Community” will be used.
Is this something other people think is a worthwhile aim?
If so how can we achieve it?
And what else would be in such a guideline?
EDIT 8pm 8th sept - . If possible please keep the discussion general rather than about specific events. I want to keep the emphasis on what we might achieve not rake over old coals.