RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia National Guard Association’s Executive Council unanimously voted to approve a $69,290 budget for fiscal year 2021 on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 after making $6,885 in cuts across several areas.
The final budget approved by the council highlights a general fund of $14,350, a $4,425 reduction from 2020, of which $8,000 is designated for organizational membership to the National Guard Executive Directors Association, which coordinates with the host state to plan the annual National Guard Association of the United States General Conference and Exhibition held in Charlotte, NC next fall. The budget also includes $5,000 in educational grants and scholarships, $4,500 for strategic communications and $6,500 as membership incentives for major subordinate commands reaching 100 percent membership.
The council also approved $15,000 as seed money for the Virginia National Guard Management Group’s 4th Annual Conference held April 21-25, 2021, at the Norfolk Convention Center. The VNGMG serves as the joint authority for planning the annual conferences of the Virginia National Guard Association, the Virginia Army / Air National Guard Enlisted Association and the Virginia National Guard Historical Foundation. The VAANGEA also provides $15,000 as seed money for the conference.
The major cuts were taken from the national conference fund that fell from $17,400 in 2020 to $12,500 for 2021, representing a reduction of $4,900. These cuts reflect lower expected costs in Charlotte as well as the elimination of a Virginia-sponsored hospitality suite during the conference. The National Guard Association of the United States 143rd General Conference and Exhibition is scheduled for Sept. 9 -12, 2021 in Charlotte, NC.
Other budgeted items include $500 for the family support, awards and membership committees; $4,940 for the finance committee that funds an accountant, tax preparation and finance software; and, $5,000 for the legislative reception held at the Library of Virginia on Jan. 20, 2021.
The association’s fiscal year begins Jan. 1 of each year and requires a majority approval vote from the Executive Council prior to execution.