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Show 4 ASWC FORUMFORTNIGHTLY.COM Club Budgeting Communication in ASWC Will Ermish Staff Reporter there are 49 active clubs and 24 inactive clubs on campus. Out of the 49 clubs requesting budgets, only 14 received the amount Currently, requested. Out of the total budget request for all the clubs of $68,764.45, ASWC allotted 51.7 of that: $35,563.25. The clubs with the approval, highest budget $l,000-$4,62were A Associated Residents of Westminster College ComAssociated (ARWC), muters of Westminster College (ACWC), Dance Team, Hockey, Mock Trial, pHAT, Phi Alpha Theta, and Table Tennis clubs. For many of the clubs that received significantly less than what they requested, how the amount for each budget is determined becomes an important question. Had I not gone to talk to Nick personally, I wouldnt have known the specific reasons why our budget wasnt completely approved, said Joe Lohr, Enviroclub Treasurer. After we talked, I had a better understanding but I still was disappointed that ASWC wasnt willing to invest in the idea and help us get started, Ca-pel- la, 5, he said. Lohr submitted a request for the development of a ski shuttle to the different resorts for students, in the hopes of reducing fuel costs. The request wasnt fully approved because the plan wasnt completely developed. The Enviroclub requested $6,779 and was awarded $345. Lohr said part of the problem with budget approvals is that much of it is oriented toward one-ti- me events. Its difficult to get a recur- ring event funded that serves a lot of people, he said. I would really like to see them invest in projects that people could be using every weekend. ACWC President Jeffrey Kmetz explains that club budgets are often determined by the number of members, the amount of events and the success of those events. We were given more money than last year because I did some really cool events with a lot of turnout and they know that the money they give me is going to be used, he said. In order to request a budget, clubs have to fill out a budget request application during the semiannual budgeting due during March and November. They are submitted by email to the Director of Budget & Finance. The Budget Committee, a group of seven senators led by the Executive Director of Budget and Finance, put the requests together and give their recommendations to the Senate. ASWC President Nick Raoux said the budget committee meets two weeks before budgets are passed and their recommendation is usually what the senate approves. Last year he said clubs were given $30,000 and this year clubs were given close to $55,000. Raoux said the amount given to the clubs is based on a tier system with several factors: the amount given to clubs is based on service project completion, club history, how much money was used the previous semester, event turnout and how active the club is. Another determining factor is the planning and organization of each budget request. Clubs who have very clear and well thought-ou- t plans receive more usually funding than clubs that dont, said Nick Raoux. In regards to communication, Raoux said club communication has improved, as well as the amount of funding going to those clubs. Clubs are communicating at a level they never have before, said Raoux. If clubs grow at the same rate, ASWC will need more funding to be able to sustain them sufficiently. Lohr said he agreed that club communication has improved, but that meetings could be more efficient. He said, "The way the meetings are set up makes it difficult to attend. A lot of times the organizations are brought in to hear things they already heard and could be said through email. Raoux said that the meetings are scheduled in advance so clubs are allowed to send any Inter-Clu- representatives to the b Council (ICC) meetings. While I do think ICC meetings should be short, sweet, and to the point, they are also held for important reasons, said Raoux. All new clubs are approved at these meetings, and there are things we would like to make sure our clubs know, and cant guarantee that assurance. Clubs are encouraged to speak with ICC president Quayla Skevington if they have any concerns or suggestions for improvement. ails would really like to see them invest in projects that people could be using every weekend." "I Joe Lohr Enviroclub Treasurer -- |
