Raphaely, who could only be reached on email, claimed MPASA was “on course for 2008” following a board meeting last week.
align=leftThe meeting took place after an “urgent survey” was sent out enquiring from its members if they were willing to accept a 15%-increase in membership fees.
align=leftTheMediaOnline could not get a detailed response from MPASA regarding the extent of the “budgetary deficiencies” which led to the request, nor on the outcome of the survey or the board meeting.
align=leftBoth Sandy Goulding, MPASA manager, and Tony Vaughan, a spokesperson according to a recent release, referred enquiries to Raphaely, who failed to respond to questions including what the discrepancy between the organisation’s required and available budget was and how this would impact on its activities. She also did not respond to a question about the surplus MPASA had supposedly been running on in the past.
align=leftSunday Times reported the association could close down. Raphaely, however, said the article was “premature and not correct”.
align=left”It seemed to be responding to a confidential email sent to board members asking them to consider some of the priorities for discussion before the board meeting…R”The MPASA is funded largely through membership fees and initiatives which give value to the members as well as opportunities for sponsorships. R”When setting a new budget it is customary for any organisation to review all areas and this is what is happening. Reviewing membership fees is a part of that process and I would like to reiterate that the MPASA is not in danger of closing down,” she said.
