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[swinginrichard]

[/quote]

Requirements are minimal. I believe in the annual meeting they have to have a presentation from the treasurer that includes some kind of vague summary information. Auditing is another irrelevancy. Simple fact is that a $1 million club budget is going to have a lot more hands in the till than a $20,000 team budget. You want accountability, keep the money as close to home as possible. I'm not saying that graft is the ONLY reason clubs like big budgets - they also allow redistributing money from parent B to parent A for the alleged greater good. e.g. everyone pays the same coaching fee, but the "A" team coach costs triple what the "C" team coach costs. Not saying that's wrong per se, but it's information that the "C" team parents should know, but usually don't.
[/quote]

your right TP. All coaches aren't paid the same. But having every team pay the same has a couple of good things.
Moving teams within the club doesn't create extra work for volunteer team treasurer's.
It saves parents from chasing down other parents for payments. Nothing worse than this, IMHO.

Also, budgeting for families is easier knowing how much coaching fees are year to year. 

[Squash]

Well, as I see it, as a parent that is paying the fees, the club therefore is completely transparent.  If I or any other parent walk into a club that is funded by parents, and ask for spending information, it is the board's responsibility to provide that to the parents.  

I'm pretty sure the board has no legal responsibility to provide that to parents. I have seen some do it, but it is the exception. Most non-profits, soccer clubs included, will steer you to the publicly available mandatory filings (which don't really say anything).

Chapter 24 of the Revised Code of Washington.
Declarations as to the organization's governance and disclosure policies, as listed on IRS Form 990.

Requirements are minimal. I believe in the annual meeting they have to have a presentation from the treasurer that includes some kind of vague summary information. Auditing is another irrelevancy. Simple fact is that a $1 million club budget is going to have a lot more hands in the till than a $20,000 team budget. You want accountability, keep the money as close to home as possible. I'm not saying that graft is the ONLY reason clubs like big budgets - they also allow redistributing money from parent B to parent A for the alleged greater good. e.g. everyone pays the same coaching fee, but the "A" team coach costs triple what the "C" team coach costs. Not saying that's wrong per se, but it's information that the "C" team parents should know, but usually don't.

3play you and I finally agree on something. This actually does happen. When money is pooled it is much easier for clubs to pay some more than others, to fund some other parts of the club with fees from B,C,D, F, or whatever parents.... which in turns means they pay the same for much less value. Is it right....hell no!! It's exactly why I never asked my parents or felt they should do extra for the club. Auctions, tournaments, golf tournaments, and so forth because they were already being stolen from in my book. It made no sense for them to give more when their return was ZERO. 

As far as someones comment about being nickled and dimed in your approach.......they get nickled and dimed in their way too.

I heard one of the larger clubs around had their accountant quit recently....is this true and if so why? 

The riddler finally said one thing I agree with 

[Soccer Wonk]

Our club has a budget, financials are passed out on a regular basis and any member can see the books -  

Since folks are talking about requirements, the Washington Non-Profit Corporations Act, part of RCW 24, requires that non-profit organizations keep minutes of proceedings and maintain the financial record at an office, open to inspection on any member's request.

[tripleplay]

Our club has a budget, financials are passed out on a regular basis and any member can see the books -  

Since folks are talking about requirements, the Washington Non-Profit Corporations Act, part of RCW 24, requires that non-profit organizations keep minutes of proceedings and maintain the financial record at an office, open to inspection on any member's request.

Find out what that means exactly, and it is less impressive. I have experience with other (non-soccer) non-profits. "Financial record" does not mean open books. By way of analogy, if I drink Coke, or even own a few shares of Coke stock, I am not entitled to see how Coke spends its money. Now, some clubs may do better than others and some people may be happy with various summaries, but the reality is that there is a lot of room for shady dealings.

[tripleplay]

Our club has a budget, financials are passed out on a regular basis and any member can see the books - 

What exactly does that mean? "Financials" are typically vague summary forms bragging that we're not going bankrupt, or justifying raising registration fees (again). But can you tell that "the club" (aka the president and his 3 buddys on the board) hired the president's brother to paint the fences for $15,000? My guess is no.

[Squash]

Our club has a budget, financials are passed out on a regular basis and any member can see the books -  

What exactly does that mean? "Financials" are typically vague summary forms bragging that we're not going bankrupt, or justifying raising registration fees (again). But can you tell that "the club" (aka the president and his 3 buddys on the board) hired the president's brother to paint the fences for $15,000? My guess is no.

Actually I could 3play and that's an interesting thing for you to comment on or have some sort of info about. Very interesting. President....DOC....peeps...who knows?¿?¿ Just interesting is all.

[EWSoccer64]

I see nothing wrong with teams collecting the money and paying the coach directly via the team treasurer.   The coach having to chase down parents every month to get their monthly fees is obviously a non-starter.   But I am aware of multiple clubs that have their teams pay the coaches directly. 

[EWSoccer64]

 I will agree that if you are with a club that doesn't put together a budget that is approved by a board of directors who are voted into place by the membership, then I would be worried.  

I have been worried for years..........

[Cornerkicker]

So, what is the best policy?  How many clubs pay their coaches directly vs. parents paying the team treasurer/coach? 

[footie fan]

Cornerkicker,
I like being able to pay everything through bonzi directly to the club.  Make the accounting from my end much easier (and I get miles for my payment  ). 

Almost every team I've ever been involved with that had a "team" treasury, never ran on budget and always asked for more money at the end of the year.  In the years I've been with my DDs club, they've always been up front (at tryouts) about the price and where the money is going, and they've never come back and asked for more.  I also know that all the coaches get W-2s and the club pays taxes and L&I, so I feel pretty comfortable with the accounting.

My vote is everything through the club. 

[TheWarpedDog]

So is this something the state ensures is done or is it left up to the club?

Our club pays the coach's and the families pay the club.  If has everything to do with accounting and tax laws.  If you pay the coach directly it can create some issues if said coach isn't reporting the income etc.  I've not heard it becoming a "state" thing but it could be.  My general feeling is it probably should be a "state" thing to keep everyone on the up and up.

Actually HD..I think that Clubs are obligated to provide financials to their Association who is in turn obligated to provide info annually to WYS.  And the rules will probably continue to tighten with all the $$ scamming  that continues to plague all youth sports.   

[BellLap]

Almost every team I've ever been involved with that had a "team" treasury, never ran on budget and always asked for more money at the end of the year.  In the years I've been with my DDs club, they've always been up front (at tryouts) about the price and where the money is going, and they've never come back and asked for more.  I also know that all the coaches get W-2s and the club pays taxes and L&I, so I feel pretty comfortable with the accounting.

Another benefit going through the club is that you don't get caught up in the line items for party funds, coaches gift, players gifts, and the rest of that stuff.   

[tripleplay]

Almost every team I've ever been involved with that had a "team" treasury, never ran on budget and always asked for more money at the end of the year.  In the years I've been with my DDs club, they've always been up front (at tryouts) about the price and where the money is going, and they've never come back and asked for more.  I also know that all the coaches get W-2s and the club pays taxes and L&I, so I feel pretty comfortable with the accounting.

Another benefit going through the club is that you don't get caught up in the line items for party funds, coaches gift, players gifts, and the rest of that stuff.   

Don't the vast majority of teams still have team accounts, even if the coach is paid through the club? The issue is whether you want one big expense (coach compensation) to be at the team level or do you want to pass it through the club, thereby creating a huge temptation for club people who don't know you to get their hands on your money.

 

[ImaginThat]

We use to collect and distribute everything except for the Registration fee, which covered Assoc. costs and got us entered in one league. Last year the Assoc collected from the team the coaching fee and dispersed to the coaches. And now this year changed to where we only have to collect our tournament fee's and incidental charges ( coach travel, equipment, fun ) as a team fee. The Assoc. fee cover coaches pay and all other expenditures ( fields, refs, lights, and one league). That is a tremendous burden lifted from the team treasurer and manager     And no we do not try to recoup monies by charging all teams the same price 

[Cornerkicker]

   I hear through some other parents that our club is going to discuss and vote on coaching fees run through the club vs the coach.  Will work better that way.... 

[soccerboot]

  I hear through some other parents that our club is going to discuss and vote on coaching fees run through the club vs the coach.  Will work better that way.... 

Kicker - you may want to inquire if they are doing this due to a possible merge with a club that already has the "pay through the club" in place.

[basketballdad]

Coaching fees should always be run through the club for a variety of reasons. The club hires, evaluates, and sometimes fires coaches not parents. (although that could be argued in some places ) When parents start paying coaches directly there is a built in assumption that they are involved in some of those items mentioned above. It creates an employer/employee relationship where there should not be one. There is a host of other reasons why it should not be done.To me it is silly and dangerous.