Treasurer

Speeches

Parker – Hello, My name is Parker Wilkie and I am running for the position of Treasurer. I would be a strong fit for the role as I have some experience in the role already. I have some new ideas for both new fundraisers and ways to make old fundraisers better. I have experience handling money and will gain more knowledge on the subject as my major is Accounting, thus requiring it of me. I promise to work diligently and to strive for the highest as your Treasurer. Thank you for your time.

Questions

1. What fundraiser ideas do you have for this year? 
   • (Paige) I would like to start some easy fundraisers in the summer that are super easy like asking restaurants to help us fundraise. I would also love to do event based fundraisers (if doable). Kind of like the Las Vegas Night event I had this year though I’m still coming up with ideas. My main thing I would like to implement with fundraising is to start immediately at the beginning of the semester or even to start in the summer with easy fundraisers (like the restaurant ones). I think in the marching season we can get a lot more money than in the other semesters because the people who would be most likely to want to help are all in the LMB. Plus this would make it easier to pay for things later in the year and to save up for the next year’s budgeting. Some ideas for these I had are the infamous spaghetti fundraiser idea which I’m really interested in, a cotton candy fundraiser, pi a Psi where you can either pi them (whip cream) or buy a pie or both, etc.
   • (Parker) One fundraiser I would love to do is a used book sale fundraiser. We as a chapter can donate books and even donate musical books we no longer use. I’d also like to update some old fundraisers like bake sales by making a sign for our bake sale stand to advertise and showcase what we’re selling.
2. Describe your organizational and time management skills.
   • (Paige) I am super organized when it comes to this position. I am the current treasurer for the GVWG and nominated for the position next year. So I know how to budget on time and how to organize. I think it’ll be better to see my work so above, at the top, are some photos of the GVWG budget to show how it would look. Also, I’d make sure members can see the budget when we are voting on things related. Side note: I often use excel because I’m proficient in it but can also use google sheets (I don’t prefer it)
   • (Parker) My organizational and time management skills are about average. I have developed healthier habits this year to help me get things done, like making a schedule.
3. How will you get the Finance Committee involved in the fundraising process besides tabling? How will you delegate fundraiser tasks?
   • (Paige) I would like to start whenever I get with the fundraiser committee to just have our first meeting being our ideal fundraiser ideas for the year and kind of just setting goals. More of a fun just spew of ideas type of meeting that can be put in a google  doc. From there I’ll kind of talk about specifics on what fundraisers are doable; what times the fundraiser would be the most profitable; how much money it would likely cost and how much we would expect it to raise; etc. I already know how to do these so I’ll give guidance on how to do so.
   • (Parker) I plan to give my committee members a chance to take charge and run fundraisers they would like to do. I plan to be more active in the committee chat so that clear communication can assure this goal will be achieved.
4. This year we were able to partner with the Grand Rapids Symphony for 3 events. How would you continue our chapter’s outreach into the community? What other businesses/organizations could we partner with?
   • (Paige) I think fundraising with other chapters would be cool where we split the profits. That way we are not only funding our chapter and having the opportunity to raise more money with a greater audience but it will also help their chapter grow. I’m still unsure how but I’m cooking up some ideas. Also doing some fundraisers with SAI and PMA would be amazing, especially because Tri-Greek is something we all need to pay for.
   • (Parker) I would reach out to other nearby symphonies and ask If we can collaborate with them. I don’t quite have any that come to mind but I will research and see when events will be held.
5. How would you handle collecting dues and keeping record of money/transactions?
   • (Paige) Up above I included images of how I recorded dues for GVWG and how I kept track of money. What I didn’t include though was I’m also big on sending out receipts. I would like to keep records in the KPsi email and on the spreadsheet of sent out receipts to members who have paid their dues. That way they can also show proof of paying. An example of said email would look like this.
     • Name paid for dues on 06/09/2420 with check, through the venmo, cash, etc. 
     • Payment Summary:
     • Set Dues…………………………….. $—–
     • (Any reason dues were reduced [if])  $—–
     • Total                                                    $—–
   • Also, I think it’s important to keep all receipts for at least up to a year. So having a box with any and all checks,receipts, etc. and/or making a digital copy to store for the next treasurer is a top priority of mine with any sort of payment or income that is coming in.
   • (Parker) I would and have make/made a list of the individuals who have yet to pay and then check mark by their name when they have paid.
6. What new merchandise ideas would you want to execute?
   • (Paige) I don’t know what type of merchandise we’re able to sell (I’ll check the guidelines) but it would be cool to sell more clothing. Some ideas I had were KKPsi sweatpants, shirts of any kind meant for family of KPsi members, and possibly a shirt acknowledging that you helped donate to KPsi. I also would like to sell more merchandise for instruments like instrument stands that have the instrument or Kpsi incorporated in it (3D printed); stickers for instrument cases; chains for cases; music stands possibly; stickers for computers; fancy KPsi jewelry (like silver KPsi necklaces); buttons; more merch at band day not only for the high schoolers but for current LMB members; etc.
   • (Parker) I would love to get KKPsi hoodies for all the members who are willing to pay.
7. How do you plan to present a budget to the chapter every month and continue our financial transparency?
   • (Paige) This is a great question. I would like to send out every month our current budget including what we spent on and why in the notes and then a similar page with the projected budget at the end of the month with future incomes and expenses being in a different color like blue or red so it’s easier to read. The projected budget would include how much we expect to make at fundraisers; an estimate as to what planned events may cost; an estimate towards any projects (like the MC project); how much we expect to spend and gain income for merch; etc. I’ll also include pages on how I came up with those projected numbers by cross referencing past fundraisers profits; past events expenses; etc. in cases where I’m estimating the budget. For the committees who are giving me their estimated budgets, after double checking everything looks right and it’s still the most affordable for good quality of items, I’ll include those as well. These will obviously be optional and possibly on request to look at in order to make the process easier. I also would like to include that voting on any sort of payment that KPsi makes will be completely transparent. That means I’ll prepare ahead any info necessary and show what the budget would be after the expense.
   • (Parker) I will keep in contact with other committee heads on how much they plan on spending for each month and if that’s achievable.
8. Why do you want to be Treasurer?
   • (Paige) I am incredibly good at this job and I would love to see some positive changes in the role. I’m very confident in my abilities to do so. Plus I love being the treasurer or GVWG and I would love to do the same for KPsi.
   • (Parker) I learned a lot the first semester of being treasurer and I feel I didn’t take as much initiative as I should have. Now that I feel comfortable in this role I know I can do a better job and make a difference for our chapter.