ASLA Budget An Examination of Organization Expenses WASHINGTON, D.C. In a recent American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Membership Survey, respondents indicated the following top five programs of importance to members: (1) Public Relations; (2) Licensure; (3) Landscape Architecture Magazine; (4) Continuing Education; and (5) Policy. According to ASLA Director of Finance Cheryl Ewanciw and Executive Vice President Pete Kirsch, program priorities are identified through these membership satisfaction surveys and are developed with the Board of Trustees. Through these top programs, ASLA has made significant shifts with regard to its budget in Fiscal Year (FY) 1998, and will continue to invest in these priorities in FY 99. According to Kirsch, the additional funds invested in many of these programs have come through non-dues revenue sources. Membership dues represent only 25% of the society's budget, and "in the spirit of keeping dues low," ASLA regularly seeks new sources of revenue to provide programs to its members (i.e. Landscape Architecture Magazine, the Annual Meeting/Expo, and Information Resources including the website and bookstore). Kirsch explains, "ASLA is proud that it has not raised dues since 1989." In FY 99, ASLA will trim $180,000 out of its expenses line due to the purchase of its new building. This savings is projected to reach $225,000 in the year 2000. Kirsch indicates that "the big changes" in FY 99 budgeting will be: significant new funding for ASLA's 100-Year Anniversary; additional funding for chapter services; and additional funding for government relations/policy/licensure. ASLA FY 1998 Budget: Program Revenue Expense Dues 1,800,000 Landscape Architecture Magazine 2,665,000 2,300,000 Annual Buyer's Guide 400,000 275,000 Annual Meeting/Expo 1,125,000 1,100,000 Information Resources*900,000850,000 Membership Services 350,000 Chapter Services**150,000 Public Relations 200,000 Government Affairs/Licensure 175,000 Landscape Architecture Foundation 180,000 Continuing Education 90,000 150,000 Student University Support 110,000 Professional Awards 40,000 55,000 Special Programs***250,000 Governance 350,000 Headquarters/Administration 500,000 Contribution to Reserves1 50,000 Total 7,145,000 7,145,000 * includes Website, Bookstore, member information requests and support ** includes matching grant programs; does not include dues rebates to chapters ***e.g. 100-Year Anniversary, roundtables, international affairs, etc.