ASA has spent a lot of time on a strategic plan, and the budget is the financial tool that empowers that strategic plan. The criteria used to critically examine the budget should be how well the budget accomplishes the strategic plan goals. Last year, I also indicated where you could find specific information about ASA finances. This year, I would like to give you some general information about where our revenue comes from and the extent of our expenses. There are other line items in the income category on the financial statements, but these other programs produce little net income.
Dues are the single largest income source, providing over half of the total.
The Annual Meeting may be one of the few examples of a free lunch. This represents a remarkable bargain for the membership. Another source of revenue is the Society s share of the royalties for the publication of the journal Anesthesiology. This amount is variable and somewhat unpredictable from year to year depending on the journal s activities. Michael M. Todd, MD, has met with the Section on Fiscal Affairs in the past and is keenly aware of the impact of the journal s performance on the Society s finances.