SOUTHWARK AND SOUTH LONDON SOCIETY OF ORGANISTS
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2014
Treasurer’s Report
The accounts for the year ended 31 December 2013 have been examined and approved by
David Wakefield, with figures for 2012 shown for comparison.
Income is almost entirely from membership subscriptions. In 2013, and for many years
before, these were £15 full, £10 over 65, and £5 student under 19 in full time education.
Many of the members who were over £65 in fact paid the full amount. In 2013, 44 of the 76
members paid their subscriptions by Standing Order and 57 members gift-aided their
subscription, adding a total of £221.25 to the value of subscriptions. Each year some eight to
twelve of the members who pay by cheque fail to renew and, when reminded, only about
half then renew, resulting in a steady decline in membership. On the plus side, some of
those who pay by cheque add a donation to their subscription – three to IAO and five to the
SSLSO memorial fund in 2013.
Expenditure in 2013 was mainly on donations to churches visited, of which there were
fewer than in 2012. Winter visits attract a larger donation than summer ones because of the
need for heating. In recent years SSLSO has contributed a considerable amount to support
for students studying the organ, but the last student so to benefit ended his local studies
and went to university in autumn 2013. The students supported have gone on to make good
use of their SSLSO support by becoming organ scholars at prestigious colleges and churches,
and have reported to and thanked SSLSO for their support. A significant increase in
expenditure in 2013 was the increase in IAO capitation, from £3 per UK non-student
member to £4.
A major reduction in both income and expenditure in 2013 was caused by the cancellation
of the annual dinner.
For 2014 subscriptions have been increased to cover the IAO increase, to £16 full, £11 over
65 and £6 student. The great majority of standing orders are credited at the beginning of
January, which means that most subscriptions for 2014 are in fact at the old rate. Those
paying £15 who have noticed the increase have chosen to convert to senior membership of
£11 plus a £4 donation.
Now I live in Devon, coming to London for a short Monday evening meeting is not very
practical, so I apologise for my absence. Also I have been treasurer since 2008 and reach a
very advanced age this year as I was born on D-Day, so I think you should be considering
finding a new treasurer in the not too distant future. My best wishes to all for a successful
AGM.
Anne Rickwood
a.rickwood431@btinternet.com 01803 882206/07753 658900