Eduan, our Treasurer, reported that we have been unable to find someone who could conduct our audit for free. Nexia, our current auditors, can do this for a fee of R12,000 per audit and we will ask them to proceed with the 2019 financial year audit and the 2020 financial year audit as well.
Leigh, our Chairperson, reported that we have fared well in terms of our strategic goals this year. Fundraising went particularly well (thanks to grants from the HIbbert Trust and the Unitarian Universalist Funding Programme) and, as a result we are currently an operational deficit of R377,000 in our 2020 financial year, compared to R620,000 which was the deficit that we budgeted for. The only strategic goal that has not gone well has been hiring out our church, as this has been particularly challenging during COVID.
Leigh presented Council's strategic priorities for 2021 which include inducting and supporting a full-time Administrator who will start on 1 January. A promising internal candidate has been found for this role and an offer will be made to them shortly.
Other strategic goals for 2021 include implementing Lay Leadership to assist with Ministry and securing a second UUFP grant.
Council will renew Nima's two year contract which ends in mid-Feb 2021. However, in an effort to contain our costs, we will only be able to afford three-fifths of the time that she currently gives to the Church. If we are unable to secure the second UUF grant from June onwards, this may been to be reduced down to one-fifths time. Looking ahead, our priority is to ensure that she has sufficient support so that she can focus on providing Spiritual Guidance and Direction to our community ongoingly.
Another strategic priority for 2021 is to reduce our operational deficit for next year to under R200k and, although we will keep up with online services every Sunday, we will only hold in church services twice a month in an effort to contain the related costs.
Elspeth has not applied for the new Adminstrator role and her current contract will end in December this year. She was appreciated for her stalwart service and valued contributions as a staff member since 2012.
If you have queries about this or would like to watch the recording of the meeting, please email Leigh Meinert.