MTNA Board of Directors approves 2003-2004 budget.(National Association News)(Editorial)

MTNA MUSIC TEACHERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Phyllis I. Heifer, NCTM President

Dear Members:

At its summer meeting, the Board of Directors approved the operating budget for the 2003-2004 fiscal year. Due to the prudent management of MTNA funds by the Board and National Executive Director Gary Ingle, the financial picture for MTNA is very healthy. As you can see from the pie charts on the next page, MTNA generates only 50 percent of its operating income from dues monies, while the rest primarily comes from the national conference, publications and royalties/sales. This additional income beyond dues allows MTNA to fund many more programs and services than we could if we relied only upon dues income. Seventy-two percent of our total income supports programs and services, while only 24 percent funds our administrative costs. Programs and services include such areas as the ASCAP licensing fees for all our affiliated associations, composer commissioning for the state associations, general liability insurance for events, the national conference and our national competition programs.

We also have more than tripled our amount of monies earmarked for membership development and retention, and for general programs such as the Independent Music Teachers Forum, Local Association Forum, Collegiate Chapters Forum and College Faculty Forum. In addition, it has allowed us to set aside a small contingency fund to cover development of new programs, potential partnerships with other organizations for special projects or even possible economic downturns.

The Board of Directors maintains close oversight of MTNA finances to ensure our financial resources are utilized in the best interests of MTNA and its members.

Phyllis I. Heifer,