HE38S
TREASURER'S
TIPS
by Ann Hancook, Extension Specialist, Program Organization and
Eleanor Hannemann, Administrative Assistant
You have been elected by your club to be their treasurer. You will be the money-handler — the banker —for your fellow members. As club treasurer, you will be expected to collect, deposit, disburse, record, and report on the financial transactions of your group. The membership will look to you for answers to questions about the organization’s financial policies.

After You Take Office
Familiarize yourself with the group’s constitution and bylaws. Look over the budget and note the year’s plan for income and expenditures. Note special projects as well as routine projects.
Check the minutes for the past year. (The secretary should have copies of the minutes.) Note each entry which refers to possible expenditures or income. As projects or expenditures come due, you will be able to validate them.
Get to know your organization — its goals, objectives, and membership. Try to learn the history, traditions, and accomplishments of the group and its members. You may have to fall back upon these facts when someone asks about the financial feasibility of a project.

The Immediate Past Treasurer
Like other offices, the orderly transfer of the office of treasurer is vital to the organization. Consult with the immediate past treasurer as soon as possible.
Transfer the books, records, documents, files, and supplies. If your organization has a procedures manual or a checklist for the orderly transferal of records, supplies and equipment, be sure to consult it. Such a list usually will include:
■	a list of bank accounts including numbers, bank locations, personnel and hours;
■	passbooks;
■	signature and authorization cards;
■	a reminder to have previous books audited and certified, (see Audits)
Locate:
■	cancelled checks;
■	receipts;
■	bank statements;
■	securities;
■	safety deposit boxes.
Note:
■	past commitments;
■	unpaid bills;
■	outstanding checks;
■	fees;
■	interest income due dates;
■	interest payable due dates;
■	delinquent members and accounts.

Look over the club’s equipment and supplies. Determine what you have and what you need. To preserve financial records you will need a ring or post binder, and punched, journal-ruled sheets.

If you use the club’s current binders and sheets (or if you buy new ones) note stock numbers. When you reorder stationery supplies and sheets, be sure to use these numbers.
In addition to the usual office supplies (pencils, pens, paper, etc.) you will need a money receipt book, files, folders, and an adding machine or calculator. These supplies will help you keep neat, accurate records.

Visit Your Banks
After talking with the past treasurer, you should