Where to go for more information:

The Financial Manual - page 1-3 and 2-1

Things to be aware of:

• The annual budget form is the same as the Annual Review form (2nd page - 3-2)
• Instead of eliminating activities if your budget indicates that you are spending too much look at more creative ways to accomplish the same things and spend less:
  • instead of going to a movie and out for pizza have the girls make pizza and rent a video
  • instead of doing 4 camps in the year make 2 of them sleepovers - talk to Churches, malls, sports buildings and see if they will let you sleep over there - have everyone bring their own food
  • instead of doing fancy crafts talk to your parents and see if they can help organize a recycled craft
  • instead of going to an indoor skating rink use a free outdoor one
  • instead of paying for a person to come in to lead an event talk to your parents, other Guiders, your Training Team and see if someone can do it for free
  • instead of paying huge amounts of rent try meeting creatively - have each patrol meet one week at a home, make one meeting a month an out meeting, have each age group meet at a home once a month and have one meeting a month where you have to pay rent

Budget

In the Standard Financial Reporting Manual, Section 2 contains a budget sheet.

It is strongly recommended that all levels prepare an Annual Budget each year, and all District/Division/Area levels are required to prepare a budget that has been accepted by their Council. Some Areas require a budget showing funds on hand and expected funds through fundraising before discussing funding for the Unit or individuals.

Preparing a budget makes it easier to plan events and activities for the year by providing the Guiders with enough financial information that they can make decisions about how much they need to fund raise or charge for each activity.

Notes:

No Unit should have a large balance that is not designated for a specific event - such as an international trip - and steps should be taken to reduce larger bank balances by spending the money for the benefit of the girls and the Unit. This could mean charging less for camps and activities, increasing the level of activity, buying equipment for the the unit such as tents and camp stoves that will benefit all the members of the Unit.

If there is a shortfall in the budget the Guiders must then make decisions about whether to reduce activity level, increase fund raising, approach the parents for additional funds or reduce the cost of the activities and camps by choosing less expensive activities.

With a well prepared, well thought out budget, the Unit Guiders will find it easier to plan the year's activities and have fewer surprises due to a lack of funds, or concerns about excess funds at the end of the year.