New Britain herald., 1927-11-10

WILLIAM r.. ATWOOD
 officers and directors that many oi 1 these Were secured as members dur. i ing the mem bership drive in Oc.
 tober. 1925, and that they did no i intend to pay dues. To them, rather
 than to ourselves, We extend pity.
 The year, from a membership
 standpoint, has heen one of house. i cleaning. We have adopted the pol | icy Of not carrying on our records
 the membership Of any delinquent 1 firm or individual beyond the close of the year. Any member in ar rears who has not made definite ar.
 rangement for the payment of his dues account has been automatical- ly dismissed so that We enter the new year with a greatly diminished m emb bership roll so far as members are concerned but with revised roll of members on whom we can count for loyalty and interest. It should be our aim and purpose throughout the year upon which We are now entering to stimulate mem- bership Interest and increase the number Of our members to a great ly enlarged list. There is much to be done in 8 membership wayy and it is my belief that our board of directors will devise proper means for an extension of our membership to the point that we can reasonably expect in live community such as New Britain Is.
 Finances
 'The chamber entered upon Its fiscal year starting November 1, 1926 with an excess of liabilities over realizable assets of about sd,S0o. From the membership, as it stood at that time, the amount of dues then owing and probable income from dues for the year. the finance committee prepared an operating budget for the year. This budget allowed for probably expenditures totalling s9,510 and an estimated in come of about s11 900. The actual operating expense for the year has been s9,O29 or a saving on the budget Of about $500. The excess of liabilities over realizable assets at the close of the year is about S3,360 or net decrease in the deficit of S1,470 at the close of the year over what it was at the start
 ITO appreciably reduce the deficit this coming year should be our con- stant aim. It can be done in only two ways and l do not believe we should consider but one of these ways We should so widen our ac- tivity and influence in the conlmuni- ty that an increased membership and income will be the result. The other way. naturally is 10 become an in active organization and use present than to spend goodly portion of it for extended activity.
 "1t Is unfortunate from the cham ber's standpoint that our former members did not assume their full responsibility to the organization and pay the dues for which they had obligated themselves. The amount of dues already charged off has been sufficient to entirely liquidate the deficit and leave some thing over.
 Activities
 "The year has been largely de voted to setting our organization in o,I y,li ,l,y r,,t and activity In the year and years to come. Much time and thought has been devoted to collection of dues and to calling upon members, particularly the mercan- tile members. This personal contact between the organization and the through the medium of the secretary is well worth while, in my opinion. and it is my purpose to con- tinue is so far as my time will per init.
 The board of directors has been active throughout the year having met l , times with an average att tendance at each meeting or IS. To these men. the chamber is deeply in debted for the personal sacrifices they have made in order that they might meet together and consider the problems confronting the cham ber and the community. To those these men not only give of their time to attend directors meetings but they also pay individually for their luncheons and give unspairing- ly Of their time and energy to carry out committee activities to which they are delegated. Ten of your directors during the past year have attended ten or more directors meeting.
 "The finance committee, W. l.. Hatch, chairman; s. NJ. Davidson. and W. E. Atwood have devoted much time and thought to the cham oer's financial affairs and to their ability is due the credit for the chambers improved financial condi- ! ion.
 No Collection This Year
 "Christmas tree committee. This under Fred O. Rackliffc, succeeded in carrying on the com nunity Christmas tree idea in New f Britain and extended its program to | Include one additional community lee over what had been the GUS om in previous years. New Brit lin's response was very generous lnd S6655 was subscribed for the use. Of this amount. '331.sS was used, leaving balance ,f 3333.67 which will be available to he 1927 committee making it un-