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The URSI accounts started with a deficit in 1999, the excess of income over expenditure was about -115 kEuro. This is to some extend normal, since the expenditures are always highest in the years of the General Assemblies. In this particular case, however, the deficit was unusually high because the revenue of the GA in Toronto was considerably less than expected, and most of it was paid late in 2000.

Fortunately this deficit was overcompensated in 2000 with an excess of income over expenditure of about 142 kEuro. Again this is normal, because expenditures are generally low in the years in between General Assemblies.

In 2001 URSI experienced again a small deficit of about -16 kEuro. This was due to a small income because of arrears of the member committees and a reinvestment of assets. In addition the expenditures were somewhat higher than in 2000 because of preparations for the 2002 GA, and more scientific activities of the Commissions.

Since the URSI accounts have always to be regarded over the whole triennial cycle, we can state that the total excess of income over expenditure within 1999-2001 was positive with about 12 kEuro.

Year	Total income (Euro)	Total expenditure (Euro)
1998 (for comparison)	229,049	143,919
1999	272,444	387,257
2000	283,776	141,747
2001	160,213	175,821
Total 1999-2001	716,433	704,825

 

 

2. Assets

The URSI assets rose steadily within the last 3 years, partly due to new investments, partly due to an increasing market value. The investments have performed quite well, despite of the turmoil at the stock markets. The URSI assets thus provide a safe basis for the coming years.

Year	Total net assets (Euro)	Investments (Euro)
1998 (for comparison)	558,276	385,646
1999	533,414	464,025
2000	718,139	515,920
2001	725,175	553,122
Total increase 1999-2001	166,898	167,476

 

3. General remarks

Details of the finances can be found in the attached balance sheets for the three years 1999-2001. Nevertheless a few remarks seem appropriate :

• URSI has 42 paying national members at present, two less than at the last GA in 1999 (Argentina and Thailand choose to change their status into "associate"). The total dues for 2002 are 185,106 Euro, which provides 78% of the regular URSI income. Unfortunately several member committees have accumulated quite large arrears, and it seems unlikely that these debts will be paid.

• The contribution from URSI’s parent organisation ICSU has steadily fallen from about 13 kEuro in 1998 to 5 kEuro in 2001. It might go down to zero in the future. ICSU will pay only for special grants which have to be well-founded and well-prepared and which are in competition with grants for other ICSU bodies.

• The expenditures for scientific activities rose from about 302 kEuro in the triennium 1996-98 to about 331 kEuro in 1999-2001. This increase of about 10% is well-spent money, since the advancement of radio science is URSI’s principal purpose.

• The publication costs on the other hand were reduced by about 15% with respect to the triennium 1996-98. This is certainly Ross Stone’s merit, keeping the publication standard high, despite of a cost reduction.

• The administrative expenditures have increased from 207 kEuro in 1996-98 to 239 kEuro in the past triennium. This increase of about 15% is caused by only quite small salary increases (5%), but by a considerable increase of accounting and auditing costs and losses of exchange.

The day-to-day financial business of URSI is very effectively handled by our Secretary General. The Treasurer wants to express his sincere thanks to him.

Kristian Schlegel

Enclosure : Balance sheets of 1999, 2000 and 2001

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