2023 Finances - now with added Event Chat

Not a meetup you can actually go to - somewhere to keep track of this year's finances.
This is a link to 2022 finances for some context:
https://www.meetup.com/the-brighouse-walking-and-fitness-meetup-group/events/286156022/

We just broke even in 2022, partly decreased attendances and also increased meetup charges. No need to panic as yet but disappointing to not have anything to give to charity as we did pre-pandemic.

The reason for the finances folder is to demonstrate where the money the group collects goes too. The majority pays our meetup subs (about £205 in 2022), see below for what happens to the rest.

We usually collect £1 from those who attend a walk. That is split between the group and the hosts. This can be used to offset the costs of reccying although some walk leaders donate it to charity. We don't ask - it's up to them. We want walk leading to be accessible for all including those for whom transport costs may be an issue. Therefore we never accept if walk leaders offer us their half.
On a Saturday walk the group's half goes towards meetup subs. When we have made enough for the next payment to meetup we split the money between two charities. The charities were chosen on the basis that they are relevant to the group's aims and are non-controversial. We don't want anyone to feel that by attending a walk they are having to contribute to a charity which they don't support.
We donate to the YHAs Breaks for Kids scheme. This scheme gives discounts to low income families so that children can attend activity holidays in the countryside.
"Breaks for Kids supports children to take part in a short YHA hostel break giving them life-enhancing experiences through adventurous educational stays that they would be excluded from without the support provided."
http://www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/breaks-for-kids
We also donate to Holme Valley Mountain Rescue based in Marsden. They cover a lot of our local area. Luckily we haven't needed their services so far but many a walker has.
http://holmevalleymrt.org.uk/category/call-outs/

On evening walks the group's half goes in the contingency fund or CF. We use this when making purchases for the group for example maps and walk leaflets. In 2016 we bought a GPS for group use.
The contingency fund then got very big - luckily for us when the pandemic hit as it covered our subs.

We have previously received a donation from members of our sister site Leeds Live Music and Arts and may do again this year.

We are going to try using Event Chat for the photos and accounting this year as we think it may make it easier to follow on, so over to Event Chat to follow the finances.

Hopefully this folder will answer any questions about the group finances but if you have any questions feel free to ask in a comment.