FRONT SIGHT - uspsa

Weather also may have reduced thenumber of range officer seminarsthis year which reduced the incometo NROI. Fewer matches also resultsin fewer targets being used, resultingin reduced royalties. Theweather was not the only culprit,but it was certainly a contributingfactor.Annual budgets are scientificguesses at best. USPSA's budget isbased on prior years' experience,knowledge of upcoming events andconditions, and a smidgen of "gutfeeling." Those factors come togetherto create some concern for the1999 budget. We have to considerthat we didn't meet our budget expectationsin 1998. If we want to reinstatethe programs reduced oreliminated in 1998, we have to findadditional funding. Next year wemust send 17 people to Cebu, Philippines,to represent the UnitedStates at the IPSC World Championshipmatch. That is not an inexpensiveundertaking and will not coverit without a fees increase.Responsible financial managementdictates an increase in activityfees beginning in 1999. As you willread in Andy's Inside USPSA column,the board considered many alternativesand chose to adopt the increasewhen it became obvious thatspending could not be reducedenough to solve the problem. Boththe cuts and the fee increase are necessaryto maintain the long-term financialstability of USPSA.It is important to understand thatUSPSA is, in fact, in good financialcondition, due in large part to thewisdom and far-sightedness of previousmanagement and boards ofdirectors. They adopted bylaws thatrequire that the annual activities ofthe association be paid frorn annualrevenue and that the budget be balancedeach year. Further, they establishedreserves to provide for anticipatedliabilities, including the cost ofmaintaining services for three-year,five-year, and life members whomade one-time payments for thoseservices.This year's spending cuts andnext year's fee increase are intendedto maintain that tradition of financialstewardship. The result is an organizationthat remains able to meetthe challenges of the future.&at [711VDatabase ProgramThose reading the minutes carefullymay notice that the board alsoapproved an expenditure of up to$28,000 to develop a new databaseprogram. Some may wonder howthe board can responsibly authorizesuch spending in the same meetingthat dealt with budget problems bycutting spending and raising fees.The difference is in the nature ofexpenditures. Some money is spentfor things like rent, utilities, andpayroll. We have no choice aboutthose expenditures, and we can dolittle to reduce them. Other expendituresare for projects that provide along-term intangible benefit. Programslike the match directorsworkshop and the section coordinatorsworkshop fit that description.Other programs require money becausethey define who and what weare. Examples include the annualnational championship matches andfielding a team to the IPSC worldchampionship. All of these expenditurescontribute to a strongerUSPSA, but 'in the short term theyreduce the assets of the corporation.litPatent#5,515,766.411111•aseffir- We Attack the Problem at the SheOpiate!aed(BeforeAfterMakes ALL your brass guage like factoryammunition after proper reloading.Case-ProAvailable in: 45 Win Mag, 45 Auto 44 Mag/44 Spl, 40 S+W (includeslOmm & 9x25mm) 357 Mag/38 Sp1,38 Super, 9mm (includes 9x19,9x21, 9x23). Special order calibers available.Only $465.00with your cheRce of Die SetAdditional Die Sets are $175.00Extend the life of Your Brass!!!So rugged it comes with anUnlimited Lifetime Guarantee! Ifigna ND NC(,(382 BALM COURTWOOD DALE, IL 60191630-766-7373November/December 1998 • FRONT SIGHT 6 5