by Michael Mitrano, Treasurer

Membership has increased by 10 to 64 since my last report, as past members renew and new ones join. Setting aside StarQuest, we currently have a year-to-date surplus of about $2,200. The upcoming insurance payment (about $1,200) and needed electrical repairs to the observatory will reduce that, but I am confident that we will remain in the black for the fiscal year as membership continues to grow.

If all participant payments and event expenses are in, then StarQuest 2011 in its second attempt will have a surplus of exactly $3. The rescheduled event had total revenue from registrations plus the raffle of about $1,100 versus $1,700-$1,900 in recent years. Expenses this year were down about 10% from those earlier years. In my opinion, the AAAP’s financial strength at this point does not require StarQuest to produce a surplus.

Our cumulative surplus is about $23,000.