Local Book of Mormon Money from Years Past
Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 5:13 am
I'm a relatively new ward clerk in a stake where leaders called for each ward to start a local Book of Mormon project a few years ago. I realize this is against church policy, and so does the current bishop, who was not in the bishopric at the time. Nevertheless, we have an Other:Book of Mormon subcategory with a significant balance. All donations were made at least two years ago.
During an attempt to repair some old budget discrepancies, someone at church HQ told us that we must send the Book of Mormon money to HQ as excess funds. I agree that we need to clear that subcategory. However, my reading of the training on the Other category indicates that if the payers can be contacted, excess funds in Other subcategories can be A) refunded to the payer, or B) changed to a charitable donation (i.e. tithing, fast offering, etc.) with the payer's permission.
Conveniently enough for us, we have a large deficit in a different Other subcategory for past years' Scout camps. The bishop and I were wondering about whether it is within Church policy for us to either 1) ask payers' permission to change their local Book of Mormon payments to Scout camp funds, or 2) refund their Book of Mormon payments. If we refund the payments, the bishop would like to approach some of the members to ask if they would be willing to use some of that money to help fill our Scout camp deficit.
Can anyone explain what Church policy indicates in this case? I need answers based on policy more than those based on opinions--the bishop and I have plenty of opinions ourselves. I need to know if there is a way within Church policy for us to keep that local Book of Mormon money to fill our other deficit. Thank you in advance for your help!
During an attempt to repair some old budget discrepancies, someone at church HQ told us that we must send the Book of Mormon money to HQ as excess funds. I agree that we need to clear that subcategory. However, my reading of the training on the Other category indicates that if the payers can be contacted, excess funds in Other subcategories can be A) refunded to the payer, or B) changed to a charitable donation (i.e. tithing, fast offering, etc.) with the payer's permission.
Conveniently enough for us, we have a large deficit in a different Other subcategory for past years' Scout camps. The bishop and I were wondering about whether it is within Church policy for us to either 1) ask payers' permission to change their local Book of Mormon payments to Scout camp funds, or 2) refund their Book of Mormon payments. If we refund the payments, the bishop would like to approach some of the members to ask if they would be willing to use some of that money to help fill our Scout camp deficit.
Can anyone explain what Church policy indicates in this case? I need answers based on policy more than those based on opinions--the bishop and I have plenty of opinions ourselves. I need to know if there is a way within Church policy for us to keep that local Book of Mormon money to fill our other deficit. Thank you in advance for your help!