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G4EBT > RSGB 06.12.06 21:36l 165 Lines 6947 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 1C3687G4EBT
Read: GUEST OE5AKM
Subj: Re: RSGB hard times ahead?
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0SIF<DB0EA<DB0RES<DK0WUE<GB7FCR
Sent: 061206/1648Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:8184 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:1C3687G4E
From: G4EBT@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : RSGB@WW
I know that balance sheets are a bit heavy going, and only have a limited
interest. RSGB members see them in Radcom, so can draw their own
conclusions.
I ceased to me a member in 2005 after 31 years as I wasn't prepared to
endorse RSGB's adversarial relationship with Ofcom, its total oppsition
to any form of deregulation, and its lack of creativity and vision.
The last straw was the publishing in Practical Wireless and the (now
defunct) Short Wave Mag of reprehensible adverts depicting the "Grim
Reaper" in front of Ofcom's HQ, predicating the death of amateur radio
within five years at Ofcom's hands.
I'm simply not prepared to endorse that style of representation, and I
know I'm not alone. The team handling amateur radio matters at Ofcom is
small, helpful, and includes amateurs, some of whom might even be RSGB
members (until then anyway).
I was appalled that RSGB demonised them.
RSGB, and the magazines most certainly breached the Advertising Standards
Authority Code of Conduct and the adverts were was the culmination of a
series of ludicrous stunts by RSGB at a time when it should have been
forging a strong relationship with Ofcom.
And on what did RSGB waste œ10,431 (subs of 280 members) last year?
PR Consultancy! And for what - just to go to war with Ofcom?
In spite of RSGB's opposition, the regulations have been streamlined
in line with current regulatory requirments.
The year-end accounts should be out by now. RSGB said it expected the
shocking half year's loss to be made up by one means or another. Maybe
it has. Does anyone know?
I only know three ways to balance the books:
1) A big increase in income.
2) A big reduction in operating costs.
3) An injection of cash from other sources.
In August, Ian, G3ZHI sent out the half-year accounts on packet. I was
quite shocked to see the figures so I had a chat with Ian to see what he
thought. Same as me, as it happened.
I'd make the following observations:
(Brackets in the accounts indicate a cost or a loss)
1) Drastic loss of œ43,000 in RSGB income from Ofcom.
2) Drop in advertising income of œ8,569 (9%) (Washed out market)
3) Drop in subs of œ12,132 due to falling membership and age subsidy.
4) Drop in total income of œ54249 (7.3%) from œ752,539 to œ698,290.
5) Net deficit of œ51,901 compared to œ7,476 last YTD. (œ46,773 worse!)
6) "Amateur Radio Costs" net of income œ51,375. Last YTD œ18,955
7) GB4FUN "Mobile Shack" operating costs œ24,906. Last YTD œ18,132
How did RSGB inject funds to reduce the bottom line deficit from œ51,901
to a deficit of (only) œ18,560 last year to date?:
By a grant of œ20,000 from the Radio Communications Foundation.
The RCF is the RSGB charity that supports educational programs and
initiatives, which RSGB sees as "key to the future of amateur radio".
The fund relies on donations from members, legacies, etc.
(I've no idea how much is in the fund).
RCF sponsors the GB4FUN educational vehicle (mobile shack) that RSGB says
is: "Achieving great results up and down the country bringing amateur
radio to the general public". RSGB states" "GB4FUN is seen as an essential
tool to introduce schoolchildren to radio and electronics. The success of
school visits continues...."
As I'm now a non-member it's not my money at stake, but sweeping
statements like that wouldn't stand up to scrutiny in a normal business
environment. There would need to be tangible benefits to offset the costs.
How do you judge the claimed "great results" and "success" of GB4FUN?
I'd want to be assured that the large and mounting costs of running it are
demonstrably balanced by the number of newcomers coming into amateur
radio, (preferably as RSGB members too), who'd otherwise not have done had
GB4FUN not existed. If a robust cost/benefit analysis can't justify
GB4FUN, the mounting costs must surely be unacceptable?
How many necomers?
Any?
Do RSGB even bother to ask?
Does RSGB simply think that if GB4FUN swans around the length and breadth
of the land, that this, in itself, is a measure of "success? And why only
school kids - why not students following electronics degree course etc?
Any small commercial outfit the size of RSGB and on the wane, wouldn't
have an "ivory tower" like Potters Bar. Staff would be mostly working from
home, or a small rented office on an industrial estate. Even large PLCs do
that.
I've never ben impressed by the lack of rigour in RSGBs affairs.
It's not long ago that it lost a fortune on the "DIY Radio" mag, then on
publishing the ill-fated Ham Radio Today. It had to drop the "Ham" word in
the title to give it wider appeal, but it failed anywway and had to be
killed off. (Subs went up to cover the costs).
Anyway, here are the accounts put out by Ian, G3ZHI in Aug 2006.
I'm glad it's not my money propping them up anymore.
RSGB Unaudited Income & Expenditure Accounts six months ended 30 June 2006
> Income 30-Jun-06 30-Jun-06 30-Jun-05 30-Jun-05
> Subscriptions 429,377 441,509
> Radcom Advertising 84,581 513,958 93,150 534,659
> Books and Products for Resale 141,531 132,612
> Other Services 42,801 85,267
> Total Income 698,290 752,538
> Contribution from Subscriptions,
>Radcom, Publication and Services:
> Subscriptions net of
> Radcom Publication Costs 318,697 334,540
> Amateur Radio Costs,
> net of Income (51,375) (18,955)
> GB4FUN (24,906) 242,416 (18,132) 297,453
> Books and Products for Resale 63,106 50,824
> Other Services net of expenses 5,426 3,198
> Total Contribution from Activities 310,948 351,475
> Less Non Activity Specific Overheads
> Commercial Costs (65,744) (66,906)
> Administration (171,196) (175,653)
> Despatch (23,569) (21,034)
> Personnel Costs (11,304) (14,754)
> Office Costs (65,705) (55,243)
> Landlord Costs (25,331) (362,849) (25,361) (358,951)
> Net Surplus/Deficit
> from Activities (51,901) (7,476)
> RCF Grant 20,000 10,100
> Interest Income 10,148 9,602
> Profit on disposal of
> fixed asset 3,193 0
> PR Consultancy (10,431)
> Net Surplus/(Deficit)
> for the Half Year (18,560) 1,795
Does anyone know what the year end results look like?
I think they usually publish the full year accounts in November Radcom.
RSGB = Radio-Society-Going-Bust?
Pity really.
73 - David, G4EBT @ GB7FCR
Message timed: 16:35 on 2006-Dec-06
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