We ask for prayer for our neighbours at Aberfoyle Park Corps.
For a number of months they have wrestled with the dilemma created by building problems. That is to say, they have significant mould growing through their roofing and the building exceeds the health deparment limits for safe operations.
The Corps and the South Australia Division have concurrently conducted a review of The Salvation Army's activities in the area. It was noted that the Corps' outreach through the cafe, playground, Community Support Services and activities such as SAGALA were excellent. It wasn't however translating into new disciples or impacting worship attendances, which are currently quite low.
A decision has been made that the Aberfoyle Park Corps will close and an application to this effect is currently before THQ. Regardless of this process, because of the issues with the building, all activities will cease from Aberfoyle Park from June 30, 2011. Lts Malcolm and Priah Dean will remain in the area to provide support to the people of Aberfoyle Park and manage the transition as the Corps finished up operations.
It is anticipated that the resources from the Corps will be used to plant a new Corps in the Division from 2012.
Please pray for Malcolm and Priah, their staff Jodie, Michelle and Brad, their corpsfolk and the community members that flow through the building each week. This transition will be difficult. If any Aberfoyle Park members choose to transition to our Corps, let's offer the best of Marion welcomes and be understanding of their grief and loss.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Corps loan
We like to maintain transparency around the way that the Corps is managed, particularly in the area of finances. This information is provided in that spirit.
Most of you would be aware that our Corps carries quite a loan for our building. Over the last 5-6 years we have made significant repayments, and received some bequests, and this has reduced from nearly $1m in 2006 to now being around $575,000. This is great news.
Over the last year or two, our Corps income has decreased. This was mostly because of the whole retail sector being diminished and affecting our shop income, but we also have had a slight decrease in other income areas - receipts from chaplaincy and hall hire for example. This is coupled with rising costs - especially electricity and wages. We are countering this with our new solar panels!
What this means for our loan is that for the last year we have had an arrangement with THQ to only pay interest on our loan while we investigate the possibilities for grants or bequests to reduce the capital. This has worked well, giving us around an extra $1800 per month in retained earnings while still reducing the principle of the loan, albeit slightly.
THQ have asked to review this arrangement, and to be honest we would struggle if we had to pay the full repayment each month. To this end we have applied, alongside the Division, to continue the interest only repayments over the next two years. During this time our goal is to raise via legacies, bequests or capital donations sufficient to reduce the principle of the loan down to a level commensurate with the repayments that we are making. This would be in the vacinity of $300,000 (remaining on the loan).
If this is achieved it would mark a significant result for the Corps in that $700,000 would be paid off our loan within 7-8 years!
In the meantime we are retaining other securities for our corps finances, such as retaining a $40,000 offset account as a 'backup' plan for any unforseen issues - such as if we get to the end of the month and can't cover wages from our default account.
We thank Iris, Alma, Wendy, Bronwyn, Angela and all those that are involved in the management of our Corps finances. It is a complex task, split across a number of cost centres and accounts, and is done always with our mission in mind. The honourable management and diligent stewardship of our resources are the means by which we have structure in place to shine our light in Adelaide's south and have others join us as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Most of you would be aware that our Corps carries quite a loan for our building. Over the last 5-6 years we have made significant repayments, and received some bequests, and this has reduced from nearly $1m in 2006 to now being around $575,000. This is great news.
Over the last year or two, our Corps income has decreased. This was mostly because of the whole retail sector being diminished and affecting our shop income, but we also have had a slight decrease in other income areas - receipts from chaplaincy and hall hire for example. This is coupled with rising costs - especially electricity and wages. We are countering this with our new solar panels!
What this means for our loan is that for the last year we have had an arrangement with THQ to only pay interest on our loan while we investigate the possibilities for grants or bequests to reduce the capital. This has worked well, giving us around an extra $1800 per month in retained earnings while still reducing the principle of the loan, albeit slightly.
THQ have asked to review this arrangement, and to be honest we would struggle if we had to pay the full repayment each month. To this end we have applied, alongside the Division, to continue the interest only repayments over the next two years. During this time our goal is to raise via legacies, bequests or capital donations sufficient to reduce the principle of the loan down to a level commensurate with the repayments that we are making. This would be in the vacinity of $300,000 (remaining on the loan).
If this is achieved it would mark a significant result for the Corps in that $700,000 would be paid off our loan within 7-8 years!
In the meantime we are retaining other securities for our corps finances, such as retaining a $40,000 offset account as a 'backup' plan for any unforseen issues - such as if we get to the end of the month and can't cover wages from our default account.
We thank Iris, Alma, Wendy, Bronwyn, Angela and all those that are involved in the management of our Corps finances. It is a complex task, split across a number of cost centres and accounts, and is done always with our mission in mind. The honourable management and diligent stewardship of our resources are the means by which we have structure in place to shine our light in Adelaide's south and have others join us as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Army Chaplaincy Information
Those that received the Corps calendar at the start of the year would have noticed that I (Brad)was due to be away with the Army from May 5. Obviously this didn't happen.
The dates for this have moved and last Friday I received a panelling advice and notice to report at Duntroon this coming Sunday afternoon.
I don't have travel details yet, but I will be away from May 15 to May 31 - back in time for Red Shield Week.
As always, please pray for and support Angela, Kathleen and Marie, and the rest of the team during my absence.
The dates for this have moved and last Friday I received a panelling advice and notice to report at Duntroon this coming Sunday afternoon.
I don't have travel details yet, but I will be away from May 15 to May 31 - back in time for Red Shield Week.
As always, please pray for and support Angela, Kathleen and Marie, and the rest of the team during my absence.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Financial Counsellors
SACOSS (South Australian Council of Social Services) today launched a media campaign to protest the state government cuts to services in the area of Financial Counselling. The Salvation Army is a member of SACOSS and has participated in the protest. It will have direct impact on our services at Marion.
Effectively, 44 Financial Counselling positions have been cut from Families SA centres, with the workload being transferred onto exisiting non-government providers. Because the government funds this service through the same program as Emergency Relief, the figures are often blurred, and you will notice in tonight's news that the minister continually says that they are funding this service already, but then quotes ER figures.
Realistically, anyone that is not defined as a Families SA client, e.g. a ward of the state, child at risk etc, they will be referred for assistance to the local NGO, e.g. The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army will then need to provide the additional services provided by 44 Families SA staff on our cut of the money provided that will be split between all NGO's in the sector. One estimate, which you will hear on the radio, is that the funds provided may support 10 extra workers across the state in the place of 44.
The link here takes you to the ABC interview with the minister this morning. You will note that the minister continually refers to Emergency Relief style financial services (e.g. food voucher style services) and not financial counselling figures, which the interviewer keeps returning to. There is a spokesman early on in the interview and then it crosses to the minister.
http://soundcloud.com/chris-78-1/abc-financial-counselling/s-QTm3d
Effectively, 44 Financial Counselling positions have been cut from Families SA centres, with the workload being transferred onto exisiting non-government providers. Because the government funds this service through the same program as Emergency Relief, the figures are often blurred, and you will notice in tonight's news that the minister continually says that they are funding this service already, but then quotes ER figures.
Realistically, anyone that is not defined as a Families SA client, e.g. a ward of the state, child at risk etc, they will be referred for assistance to the local NGO, e.g. The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army will then need to provide the additional services provided by 44 Families SA staff on our cut of the money provided that will be split between all NGO's in the sector. One estimate, which you will hear on the radio, is that the funds provided may support 10 extra workers across the state in the place of 44.
The link here takes you to the ABC interview with the minister this morning. You will note that the minister continually refers to Emergency Relief style financial services (e.g. food voucher style services) and not financial counselling figures, which the interviewer keeps returning to. There is a spokesman early on in the interview and then it crosses to the minister.
http://soundcloud.com/chris-78-1/abc-financial-counselling/s-QTm3d
Visiting
Visiting members of our community always brings privilege and highlights the number of untold stories that are hiding behind the doors of our community.
Today I had the privilige of spending some time with C. C is a Vietnam Vet that can't sleep, even 40 years after the conflict. He is disabled and can't walk to his letterbox, but each year helps out the Salvos by passing the tin around his returned service organisation.
He has had an incredible life. Serving in the armed services he did two tours of Vietnam and also work in Australia at Warradale, Puckapunyal and Cunungra. He has been in bikie groups and community groups and obviously enjoys being around people. Despite his personal circumstances he wants to help others, such as The Salvation Army.
Today I had the privilige of spending some time with C. C is a Vietnam Vet that can't sleep, even 40 years after the conflict. He is disabled and can't walk to his letterbox, but each year helps out the Salvos by passing the tin around his returned service organisation.
He has had an incredible life. Serving in the armed services he did two tours of Vietnam and also work in Australia at Warradale, Puckapunyal and Cunungra. He has been in bikie groups and community groups and obviously enjoys being around people. Despite his personal circumstances he wants to help others, such as The Salvation Army.
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