Sikh Funding Issues!

[malkeet]

I do think it's realistic achievement particularly as some Gurdwaras are already doing this. Hitchin Singh Sabha are a great example of a progressive thinking committee. See the 'Accounts' section of their Gurdwara's website - www.sgssh.org.

When the new naujwaan committee came in they wanted to be fully transparent and update the Sangat regularly. They created spreadsheets (accessible on their website), based on the previous 3/4 years accounts, which helps forecast their coming expenses and income. It is labour intensive at the outset to upload all previous accounts records and, as an ongoing requirement, they ensure the Gurdwara treasurer is commercial and excel-literate. However, it's a strong control mechanism.

The Sangat get confidence from the transparency Hitchin Singh Sabha committee provide and the sewadars are able to create a realistic budget for what percentage of the Gurdwara's income they put towards Granthi wages, Parchaar, Youth, Maintenance and New capital projects, etc.

This is definitely a great example of good practice all Gurdwaras can follow.

wow, im really impressed by that website. I agree, this gurdvara is what our uk gurdwaras should aspire too. Any sangat here attend this gurdwara frequently? and know how they went about reforming and improving its practice? I think realistically speaking we have to all get actively involved in the gurdwara committees if we want to see any positive changes.

[Pyara]

Gift Aid and Gurdwaras.

This may bore many people, but I think as educated Gursikhs we should be taking more responsibility in making our Gurdwaras aware of their rights/benefits as a Charity.

As the majority of our Gurdwara/Sikh Organisation are set up as a charity, we would benefit by joining the HMRC Gift Aid Scheme. The Gift Aid scheme is for gifts of money (donations) by individuals who pay UK tax. It increases the value of donations to charities by allowing them to reclaim basic rate tax on your gift. For every £1 Sangat donate whether through membership or donations, HM Revenue and Customs can give the Gurdwara 25p, which means that for donations of £1,000, the Gurdwara can receive an additional £250.

This might mean receipting Sangat's donations (who are UK tax payers), but a simple tick in the right box means more tax relief for the Gurdwara. If the committee operated smartly, they could receipt the entire weeks Gurdwara Kirtan Peta (for example) to a member of the Sangat who can tick the Gift Aid box so that the Gurdwara can claim back the Gift Aid. It's a simple tax efficient way of getting the most out of the Sangat's donation.

A prime example is if the £150,000 deficit of Mata Sahib Kaur Academy was collected entirely from UK tax payers then the Academy could get an additional £37,500 from HM Revenue and Customs. I am sure this will go a long way in helping with the finances.

[VanHelsingh]

@ Pyara - Don't Gurudwara's already undertake this practice? If not, they should be made aware (well, the one's not partaking in beadbi of course). Brilliant advice, though. Nice one.

[humanbeing]

Why is there always an emphasis to teach people in English...Why cant the younger generation take the step and learn punjabi and Gurmukhi. They can easily learn and are excited about learning other languages like French, Italian etc...but when it comes to Punjabi they put up the lame excuse that they are not ready to learn this and it is the Gurudwara's job to translate everything in English.