A message from the Finance Committee

Guess what? We are now 56.75% of the way to our end of year fundraising campaign goal, with 55 people and households donating.

We announced on Tuesday that two members of the Board of Directors of the NY Aikikai are matching gifts, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. Since we announced we have completed just over 50% of this matching opportunity. This offer ends on Sunday!

As members of the finance committee, we are charged with ensuring the smooth and accurate recording of our finances. We make sure that everything is in its place and we abide by NYS and federal regulations. We meet monthly to track our progress towards our annual budget, and request shifts or changes from the Board when necessary.

We are working to ensure that our finances are as clean and accurate as we might hope for our aikido practice.

It is, indeed, because of the richness we find in our practice that we give our time, energy, and expertise to the financial procedures of the dojo. Our finances should reflect the vibrancy of our practice, and as weird as that might sound, we believe it.

We are very grateful for the trust you place in our leadership and the expression thereof through donating, recruiting others to join your practice, helping kohai on the mat, teaching, volunteering, and just bringing excellent energy to your practice day after day.

Thank you for joining us in our year-end campaign. Just as is the case with our practice, we can’t do it alone, and the only thing we ask is that you bring yourself!

Wishing you have a peaceful and calm holiday season,

Finance Committee

Mieke Vandersall, Joan Ellis, Junya Nakatsugawa, and Michael Parrella