Stronger Finances. Stronger Representation.

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 A Financial Oversight Plan That Honors the Bylaws and Respects Our Members

Every educator in St Mary’s County pays dues that come directly from their hard earned paycheck. Those dues deserve the highest level of care, honesty, and stewardship. The bylaws of EASMC outline how finances must be managed, but those safeguards only work when leadership follows the process fully and openly.

Fiscal accountability cannot be claimed. It must be seen. Members deserve a system where information is clear, oversight is real, and trust is earned through transparency.

The Representative Assembly technically receives monthly financial reports. But the reports are delivered during the duty day on the same day as the meeting. That gives building reps almost no time to read the documents, check variances, or prepare questions before votes are taken.

A report that arrives hours before a meeting is not transparency. It is a barrier to transparency.

Members should not be expected to analyze financial documents on the fly while teaching, transitioning between classes, or managing student responsibilities. The bylaws require oversight. Oversight requires time.

Real accountability begins with information that is shared early, clearly, and consistently. A healthy association does the following:

• Provides financial reports at least seven days before Board and RA meetings
• Includes line item detail for every expenditure
• Explains variances from the approved budget
• Gives building reps time to ask questions and collect feedback
• Creates opportunities for members to understand how their dues are being used

When the process is transparent, members feel informed. When the information is timely, members can participate. When leadership respects the bylaws, the entire association becomes stronger.

The bylaws already outline a structure for fiscal accountability. The issue is not a lack of rules. The issue is whether leadership follows them.

As president, I would make sure the association honors that responsibility by:

• Sharing all monthly financial reports well in advance
• Ensuring major expenditures receive Board approval
• Empowering committees to review spending and provide oversight
• Strengthening internal financial controls
• Requiring receipts and documentation for all purchases
• Maintaining a consistent monthly reporting format
• Making the full annual budget available to members
• Ensuring the Board and RA receive accurate updates each month
• Performing an annual financial review or audit
• Documenting all decisions clearly in the minutes
• Reporting presidential actions openly to the Board and RA

None of this requires changing the bylaws. All of it is already supported by them.

Members want an association they can trust. That trust is built through:

• Clear communication
• Accurate information
• Consistent procedures
• Respect for the governing rules
• A culture where accountability is expected, not optional

Right now, only a small number of people have seen how inconsistent the process has become. Most members simply want honesty and clarity. They want to know their dues are being used responsibly. They want financial information presented in a way that is easy to understand and easy to verify.

A strong association serves its members by being open, not by operating at the last minute.

I will not ask members to take my word for anything. I will show the work.

As president, I will create a financial process that is fair, disciplined, and aligned with the bylaws. Reports will be timely. Procedures will be consistent. Information will be shared. Oversight will be respected.

This is how we restore trust. This is how we rebuild accountability. This is how we put members first.