- 34 -
surprising that not more people are willing to take on a position which
would be a useful service to an organisation of which (presumably) they
are happy to be active members. Possibly here also there is scope for
further enquiry.
2.5.4.2 - B2 -
Happy to continue?
This did lend itself to analysis and 24 out of 30 who responded
did so with what amounted to a 'Yes' answer, but several qualified it
with comments such as "reasonably happy but feel there should be a set
maximum term for all similar appointments. Perhaps ten years is a
suitable maximum." or "In my own interests I am happy to continue, but
in the interests of the Church on account of my age 72 I would welcome
the opportunity to hand over to another person".
2.5.4.3 - B3 -
Sufficient training?
This yielded a surprisingly favourable response. Anterior pre-
sumption had been that most treasurers coming new to the job would
lack experience ("Fortunate indeed is the parish that has a treasurer
and auditor well versed in both church affairs and accountancy"
(B26)
)
and consequently would feel a need for some form of training, but even
though so few were qualified, most felt they coped with the takeover
reasonably well. Several were assisted by their predecessors but none
referred to using any of the books published on parochial finance
(possibly being unaware of their existence) or to seeking 'outside'
help. Yet several also made comments such as "the first balance sheet
was the most difficult part", "slightly difficult until I could get the
book-keeping on to a better business-like footing", and "the major diffi-
culty was interpreting the system evolved by the previous treasurer over
a period of 25 years", all of which would bespeak the value of a simpli-
fied standardised system applicable to all parishes throughout the Diocese.
