Finances of dues-supported programs detailed A resolution was passed at the Los Angeles ACS meeting this spring by the Council Committee on Membership Affairs that calls upon the Council Committee on Program Review (CPR) to present a brief analysis of expenditures and income for dues-supported activities in C&EN each year. Following is the first such annual report, prepared by CPR chairman Donald L. Swanson. Beginning in 1975, member dues will be adjusted annually according to a formula based on the Consumer Price Index for Services compiled by the Department of Labor. Since this index rose by about 4% in 1973, the dues for 1975 are increased to $29 from $28 this year. The plan of changing the dues in accord with an economic indicator should permit an equivalent level of dues-supported programs each year. A number of programs presently are supported by dues. Each program is reviewed by appropriate committees of the Councif and of the Board to make certain that the program objectives are still relevant and that those objectives are being met. Since Society policy demands that each of its segments makes a modest contribution to the financial reserves of the Society, some programs must be phased out if new ones are created. The impact of two committees is particularly important in this review process. The Council Committee on Program Review studies all dues-supported programs to set priorities among them based on benefit to all the membership and to evaluate the cost effectiveness of each. The Board ultimately decides on the funding level for each program, bearing in mind those priorities. Writing as the chairman of Program Review, I assure the membership that the evaluation process is careful and that the management of dues-supported programs by Society staff members is effective. Since the Program Review Committee was formed in 1970, the average rate of increase in total cost of dues-supported programs has been 6%. During this period major enhancements in professional activities, member assistance services, and in public affairs have taken place. You are getting excellent value for your dues dollars! Currently we are in a deficit period in dues-supported activities. However, from 1971 to 1973 the dues-supported programs paid their way. In 1976 and beyond, two factors are expected to improve the financial picture significantly. The dues will rise, hopefully in parallel with costs, and a vigorous campaign to recruit members is under way. In addition, the close attention to cost effectiveness will continue. Program Review and the Council advocate that, henceforth, these programs be 30
C&EN Sept. 30, 1974
Members' dues support a number of programs PER MEMBER» Dues $28.00 Expenditures $30.11 Deficit $ 2.11 Allocation to C&EN $5.00
Pressrelease· Radio and TV programs Reports and communications Exhibits National meetings abstracts
Professional relations and .manpower 3S1.88
Salary and employment surveys Supply/demand studies Professional handbooks Employee/employer guidelines Member assistance Promotion and admissions Emeriti and 50-year members Employment aids Officers conferences Speakers tour service Liaison to sections and divisions Regional meeting assistance
Memoen records servicing
Public affairs
$3.19
$2.88
Educational activities
$4.32
—*
Liaison with government science policy makers Information on science-related legislation and programs Special studies, projects, and symposiums
Education conferences Student affiliates Committee on Professional Training Career literature, special publications, and reports Continuing education program planning
a Based on estimates July 1, 1974.
budgeted at a cost not to exceed income each year. The deficit for 1974 will not be as great as was budgeted. The reason is that more members have joined than was anticipated and the fact that ACS staff has held the overall expenses near budget. An overrun in educational activities results from printing the Directory of Graduate Research in 1974 rather than in 1973 (no carryover of funds is shown in the table) and from moving the office of the Committee on Professional Training from Rochester to Washington. The Society is indebted to a generous host who subsidized that office space for years. The preliminary 1975 budget provides for increases in membership activities mainly to provide augmented employment aids for members and to locate and recruit those new members whose dues will help balance 1976 and later budgets. The budget promises somewhat increased emphasis on professionalism and on governmental interaction. Public relations, on the other
hand, will decrease as a cost directly to the members because these efforts will be allocated partly to the publication areas which they also serve. This budget will receive careful scrutiny by Program Review and by the Board Finance Committee before such a large deficit is approved. The pie chart shows how your 1974 dues dollars are being spent. The $5.00 for Chemical and Engineering News is fixed as is the average local section apportionment of more than $4.00 per member. Activities directly benefiting members, local sections, and divisions cost more than $7.00 and must continue to maintain our current Society structure. The remaining $13+ for education, for public and member relations, for public affairs, for awards, and for professional relations is more discretionary, but maintains programs of great value to the members. Would you recommend a different split? Program Review thinks not. Your input to guide us is not only welcome but needed.
Dues-supported activities are running in the red 1974 Actual
Budget
Probable actual
1975 Preliminary budget
DUES INCOME
$2404
$2662
$2722
$2822
EXPENSES C&EN allocation Local section apportionment Membership activities and services Educational activities Professional relations Public relations Public affairs
$2505
$2921
$2927
$3156
481 418 736 255 148 314 153
495 414 808 300 208 342 354
486 426 801 420 183 301 310
487 431 972 451 230 192 393
$(101)
$(259)
$(205)
$(334)
1973 Thousands of dollars
BALANCE (deficit)
