Looking for a Bookkeeper Bruce: Have you finished the balance sheets yet?

Alice: I've been working on them since 10 this morning. I'm almost done. Bruce: No need to rush. I don't need them until tomorrow morning. Alice: Janet told me we're looking for a new bookkeeper. Is that true? Bruce: Yes, We've been looking, but no luck yet. Alice: I know someone who'd be perfect. Bruce: Oh really, does she have any experience? Alice: Of course, she's been working for Smith CPA and Co. since 2004. Bruce: Great. Ask her to come in for an interview. Alice: Sounds good. She's not too happy in her current position. I'm sure she'll be interested in interviewing for the job. Bruce: Oh, I almost forgot to ask ... have you opened the new accounts at Wells Fargo? Alice: Yes, I have. Here are the account numbers, PIN number, and paperwork. Bruce: Thanks. Well, let me know when you finish those balance sheets. Alice: Sure, I should be done soon. Discussing Ideas at a Meeting Chairman: I'd like to open today's meeting. Robert? Robert: First, I'll quickly go over the main points of the last meeting. Chairman: . (finishes) , if no one has anything to add, let's move on to today's agenda. Robert: I suggest we each give a little background on the suggestions we discussed last week. Chairman:Could you repeat that, please? Robert: Let's start by going over the research you've done on the suggestions. Chairman: You'll find most of the information outlined in the summary documents in front of you. Robert: These figures are interesting. It's clear to me that customer communications are not working as they should. Chairman: Yes, our marketing efforts really haven't been effective to date. Robert: I suggest we break up into groups and discuss how we can improve our message. Chairman: Unfortunately, we're almost out of time. I suggest you submit your ideas on marketing and we can discuss the best next week. Robert: Before we close, could we quickly discuss the Armstrong situation? Reviewing Past Business Meeting Chairman: Let's get started. We're here today to discuss ways of improving sales in rural market areas. First, let's go over the report from the last meeting which was held on June 24th. Right, Tom, over to you. Tom Robbins: Thank you Mark. Let me just summarize the main points of the last meeting. We began the meeting by approving the changes in our sales reporting system discussed on May 30th. After briefly revising the changes that will take place, we moved on to a brainstorming session concerning after sales customer support improvements. You'll find a copy of the main ideas developed and discussed in these sessions in the photocopies in front of you. The meeting was declared closed at 11.30. Beginning the Meeting Meeting Chairman: Thank you Tom. So, if there is nothing else we need to discuss, let's move on to today's agenda. Have you all received a copy of today's agenda? If you don't mind, I'd like to skip item 1 and move on to item 2: Sales improvement in rural market areas. Jack has kindly agreed to give us a report on this matter. Jack? Discussing Items Jack Peterson: Before I begin the report, I'd like to get some ideas from you all. How do you feel about rural sales in your sales districts? I suggest we go round the table first to get all of your input. John Ruting: In my opinion, we have been focusing too much on urban customers and their needs. The way I see things, we need to return to our rural base by developing an advertising campaign to focus on their particular needs. Alice Linnes: I'm afraid I can't agree with you. I think rural customers want to feel as important as our customers living in cities. I suggest we give our rural sales teams more help with advanced customer information reporting. Donald Peters: Excuse me, I didn't catch that. Could you repeat that, please? Alice Linnes: I just stated that we need to give our rural sales teams better customer information reporting. John Ruting: I don't quite follow you. What exactly do you mean? Alice Linnes: Well, we provide our city sales staff with database information on all of our larger clients. We should be providing the same sort of knowledge on our rural customers to our sales staff there. Jack Peterson: Would you like to add anything, Jennifer? Jennifer Miles: I must admit I never thought about rural sales that way before. I have to agree with Alice. Jack Peterson: Well, let me begin with this Power Point presentation (Jack presents his report). Jack Peterson: As you can see, we are developing new methods to reach out to our rural customers. John Ruting: I suggest we break up into groups and discuss the ideas we've seen presented. Finishing the Meeting Meeting Chairman: Unfortunately, we're running short of time. We'll have to leave that to another time. Jack Peterson: Before we close, let me just summarize the main points:

ng procedures to help deepen our understanding. Meeting Chairman: Thank you very much Jack. Right, it looks as though we've covered the main items Is there any other business? Donald Peters: Can we fix the next meeting, please?

Meeting Chairman: Good idea Donald. How does Friday in two weeks time sound to everyone? Let's meet at the same time, 9 o'clock. Is that OK for everyone? Excellent. I'd like to thank Jack for coming to our meeting today. The meeting is closed. Explore useful phrases and proper language use in these business English articles: Happy Shareholders Director: Can we go over some figures please? Assistant: Yes, our shareholders' meeting is soon. I think it'd be a good idea to review the key numbers. Director: What has our total outlay been this year? Assistant: Our expenditures are estimated at $4,320,000. Director: What percentage is that is research and development? Assistant: About 27%. We've invested heavily in developing some new technologies. Director: What is our gross operating profit? Assistant: Approximately 1.4 million. Director: What kind of margin does that represent? Assistant: The gross operating margin is at 24% for the year. Director: That's impressive. That's up from last year, isn't it? About 10 points I think. Assistant: That's right. We're solidly in the black. As a matter of fact, this is our fifth year straight. Director: Shareholders will be happy. Assistant: They should be! This kind of growth in the current market is remarkable. Director: Hopefully the shareholders won't veto any further R & D allocation. Assistant: I think they trust the board to continue doing the right thing. Discussing Ideas at a Meeting Chairman: I'd like to open today's meeting. Robert? Robert: First, I'll quickly go over the main points of the last meeting. Chairman: . (finishes) , if no one has anything to add, let's move on to today's agenda. Robert: I suggest we each give a little background on the suggestions we discussed last week. Chairman:Could you repeat that, please? Robert: Let's start by going over the research you've done on the suggestions. Chairman: You'll find most of the information outlined in the summary documents in front of you. Robert: These figures are interesting. It's clear to me that customer communications are not working as they should. Chairman: Yes, our marketing efforts really haven't been effective to date. Robert: I suggest we break up into groups and discuss how we can improve our message. Chairman: Unfortunately, we're almost out of time. I suggest you submit your ideas on marketing and we can discuss the best next week. Robert: Before we close, could we quickly discuss the Armstrong situation? Hardware Deductions Mr. Sanders: Mark can we talk for a moment? Mark: Sure, Mr. Sanders. What would you like to discuss? Mr. Sanders: I'd like to look into the Johnson account for a moment. Mark: I did the bookkeeping yesterday and updated the balance sheet. Mr. Sanders: Yes, I don't understand some of these deductions. Mark: Do you mean the amortization costs? Mr. Sanders: You deducted $35,000 for depreciation of hardware. Mark: That's based on their accounting criteria. I got the amount from their bookkeeper. Mr. Sanders: It seems too much to me. Mark: Remember that computer equipment tends to depreciate faster than office furniture. Mr. Sanders: I guess so. I'll take your word for it. Did they approve the balance? Mark: Yes, it was OKed yesterday afternoon. Mr. Sanders: The net growth looks fantastic this year. Mark: It sure does! The bottom-line grew by 17%. Key Vocabulary Financial Reporting Sulzer publishes a midyear report as well as an annual report on a semi-annual basis. The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). In addition, Sulzer informs about its business course on a quarterly basis. Order intake grew to CHF 2.1 billion. Sales decreased slightly, while profitability was lower. Sulzer wants to focus its activities in three attractive key markets.

Order intake increased to CHF 2.1 billion. Sales decreased slightly, despite good sales levels in recent months after a slow start to the year Sulzer strongly increased order intake and sales. Profitability was stable on adouble-digit level, and return on capital employed remained value-generating. The company achieved a strong increase in free cash flow. Finding a Bookkeeper or Accountant Unless you have a bookkeeping or accounting business, you will need someone to help you with bookkeeping and accounting tasks in your business. Depending on the size of your business, you may need several individuals to perform these tasks. You will need someone to perform routing bookkeeping bookkeeping tasks:

Keeping track of checks and other income, paying bills, and reconciling the business checkbook. Paying employees and filing and paying federal and state payroll taxes

Keeping track of receivables (amounts owed to you by customers) and following up with billing and collections activities. If you are just starting out, or if you have a small company, you may find one bookkeeping person who can perform all of these tasks. This person should be detail-oriented, honest, and have a knowledge of bookkeeping, payroll, and receivables/collections management. In searching for an accountant or CPA, here are some considerations:

Your accountant should be experienced with your type of business or other similar businesses. Some CPAs specialize in advising certain types of sizes of businesses. If you are a larger business, look for a regional or national CPA firm to help you with these matters. Your accountant should be willing to spend time with you in startup to help you establish your business recordkeeping system and advising you on financial matters. Your accountant should have a range of services available for you. Many CPAs, for example, have bookkeepers or payroll people working for them. Your accountant should have knowledge of business accounting software and is "computer savvy." Most CPAs use accounting software, but some still do not. If your business is complex, accounting software is a must.

Finally, keep looking until you find an accountant or CPA who is also someone you enjoy talking with. You don't have to be best friends, but you will be spending time with this person on a regular basis, so you should enjoy his or her company. You may be able to find a CPA or accountant who offers bookkeeping and payroll services. If your company is small, you may want to use these services instead of hiring an employee to perform these tasks. Vocabulary Word Meaning Example Absent (adjective) Not present I will be absent from the meeting tomorrow. Accomplish (verb) To succeed in doing We have a lot to accomplish in this meeting Address (verb) To speak about a subject The first important we need to address is communication. Agenda (noun) List of things to talk about Has everyone received the agenda? Brainstorm (verb) Generating lots of ideas Lets brainstorm about some solutions Chair (noun) The person who leads the meeting Who will be the chair of the meeting? Clarification (noun) An explanation so that something is understood I need some clarification about this point Conference (noun) A formal meeting for discussion The conference will be about company marketing Consensus (noun) General agreement We need to come to a consensus about the best solution Deadline (noun) A due date for completing something The deadline for submitting the report is 1st January. Minutes (noun) Notes from a meeting Who will take the minutes for the meeting? Objectives (noun) Goals to accomplish We have a lot of objectives to discuss Punctual (adjective) To arrive on time Please try to be punctual for the meeting. Strategy (noun) A plan to make something work We need a new strategy to address this problem. Unanimous (adjective) When everyone is in complete agreement about They came to a unanimous agreement something Phrasal Verbs

Run through We have four points to run through in our meeting today. Deal with The most important issue we must deal with is communication. Leave aside I think we can leave this point aside for now. Come back to Lets come back to this point at the end. Turn to Could everyone please turn to page 3 of th

Script for Annual Board of Directors Meeting*

PRESIDENT: I call to order the Regular meeting of the Board of Directors of (Parish Corporate Name). (and says the Opening Prayer) PRESIDENT: A timely letter of notice was received by all members of the board for this meeting or A waiver of notice has been signed by all members of the board and is to be filed with the minutes of this meeting. PRESIDENT: (To the Secretary,) Do we have a quorum? SECRETARY: Yes, the following members are present (Pastor's name), (Secretary's name), (Treasurer's name), Bishop (name) & (Vice President's name) Moderator of the Curia or Bishop (name) & (Vice President's name) Moderator of the Curia are present by proxy or via telecom. (Quorum is 3 members). Also in attendance are the Finance and Pastoral Council Chairs (name others if present) PRESIDENT: You have all received and had an opportunity to review the minutes of the previous meeting. Are there any corrections or amendments to the minutes? (After dealing with such corrections and amendments) I call a motion to approve of the minutes as presented (or as amended). MEMBER: So moved MEMBER: Second

PRESIDENT: Having been moved and seconded, is there any further discussion? I call for the question. All in Favor say Aye. (pause for vote) Those Opposed say Nay. Motion carries (or Motion does not carry), as applicable. PRESIDENT: We now take up the matter of the Compliance SECRETARY (asking the President): Is the Parish in full compliance with the Diocesan Safe Environment Program? (pause for response from Pastor) Then Is the Parish in full compliance with the Diocesan Policies which have been previously adopted by the Parish board of directors? (pause for response from Pastor). The response from the Pastor on Compliance will be recorded in the minutes of each meeting. PRESIDENT: We will now review the findings of all Parish Audits and Safety Inspections since the last Board meeting and the determine course of action for compliance. (President presents findings and parishs response to that action.) Is there any discussion? The response from the Board on the Audits and Safety Inspections will be recorded in the minutes of each meeting. ---blah blah PRESIDENT: We will now discuss any Old Business. PRESIDENT: We now invite our guests to report on the activities of the Pastoral Council and Finance Council during the past year along with the number of meetings that were scheduled. (pause for the reports from the Council Chairs) Thank you for your update, is there any discussion? The report from the Council Chairs will be recorded in the minutes of the meeting or attached if in written form. PRESIDENT: The next agenda item under New Business is the review and approval of the Annual Financial Report to the Diocese for (Parish Name). Having received this document prior to the meeting and reviewed it is there any discussion? (pause and discussion if needed). Do we have a motion to approve the resolution as it is stated in the agenda? MEMBER: So moved MEMBER: Second PRESIDENT: Having been moved and seconded and there being no more discussion, I call for the question. All in Favor say Aye. (pause for vote) Those Opposed say Nay. Motion carries (or Motion does not carry), as applicable. PRESIDENT: We will now address the second item under for the ratification and approval of all actions taken by the Officers of the Corporation in furtherance of the business of the parish for the past year or since the last meeting. Is there any discussion? (pause and discussion if needed). Do we have a motion to approve the resolution as it is stated in the agenda? MEMBER: So moved MEMBER: Second PRESIDENT: Having been moved and seconded and there being no more discussion, I call for the question. All in Favor say Aye. (pause for vote) Those Opposed say Nay. Motion carries (or Motion does not carry), as applicable. PRESIDENT: We will now address the agenda item regarding the submission of the Pastoral Report to the Bishop. The report has been prepared and will be sent with the signed annual financial report. Is there any discussion? (pause and discussion if needed). The submission of this report to the Diocese will be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. (only if needed) PRESIDENT: We will now address the final agenda item, the acknowledgement of the appointment of a new pastor/administrator. 1. This does not apply to our parish. 2) Do we have a motion to approve the resolution as it is stated in the agenda? MEMBER: So moved MEMBER: Second PRESIDENT: Having been moved and seconded and there being no more discussion, I call for the questi on. All in Favor say Aye. (pause for vote). Those Opposed say Nay. Motion carries (or Motion does not carry), as applicable. PRESIDENT: There being no further business, this Board of Directors meeting stands adjourned. MEMBER: So moved MEMBER: Second PRESIDENT: This meeting stands adjourned. adjournment.) Sample Meeting Script Pres. The regular meeting of the MSS Chapter will come to order. The Secretary will please read the minutes of the previous meeting. Sec. (Read minutes) Pres. Thank you. Are there any corrections to the minutes? If there are no corrections, the minutes are approved as read. The next business in order is the Reports of Officers, Boards and Standing Committees. May we have the Treasurers report? Treas. Treasurers Report (NOTE: No vote is needed after motion and second for

(which will be typed/written and submittedoral report is below) Beginning balance, June __, ____ $150.00 Receipts: Candy Sales $150.00 Donations $500.00 Total Receipts $650.00 Total Cash to be accounted for $800.00 Disbursements: Fall Conference Expense $600.00 Fall Series Registration $100.00 Total Disbursements $700.00 Ending balance, July __, ____ $100.00 ====== ORAL REPORT The balance on June __, ____ was $150. There were receipts of $150 from candy sales and $500 from donations. There were disbursements of $600 for the Fall Conference and $100 for the Management Series. The balance as of July __, ____ is $100. Pres. Thank you. Are there any questions on the report? The report will be filed. The next business in order is the Reports of Special Committees. The chair recognizes (member name), Chairman of the Special Valentines Day Committee for a report. Katie The committee appointed to investigate the possibility of having a Valentines Day activity for the American Heart Fund recommends selling suckers. On behalf of the committee, I move that the chapter sell Valentine suckers to raise money for the American Heart Fund.Pres. Thank you. A motion from a committee does not require a second. The motion before the assembly is, that the chapter sell Valentine suckers to raise money for the American Heart Fund. Are you ready for the question? (Pause) Those in favor of selling Valentine suckers to raise money for the American Heart Fund, say aye. (All for) Those opposed, say no. The ayes have it, the motion is adopted, and the chapter will sell Valentine suckers to raise money for the American Heart Fund. The next business in order is Unfinished Business and General Orders. Under unfinished business the first item of business is the motion relating to having a Career Shadow Day which was pending when the last meeting adjourned. The question is on the adoption of the motion that the chapter sponsor a Career Shadow Day on October 27 to promote career awareness. Are you ready for the question? Treas. Mr. President, Joshua. Pres. Joshua Treas. I speak in favor of this motion. Career Shadow Days have been successful for other chapters and will give our members the opportunity to see occupations first hand. VP. Mr. President, Erin. Pres. Erin VP. I move to recess for 5 minutes. All Second! Pres. It is moved and seconded to recess for 5 minutes. Are there any amendments? (Pause) Those in favor of the motion to recess for 5 minutes, say aye. motion is lost, and we will not recess for 5 minutes. Sec. Mr. President, Lindsay. Pres. Lindsay Sec. I move the previous question. All Second! Pres. The previous question is demanded. Those in favor of ordering the previous question on the motion concerning sponsoring a Career Shadow Day, please rise. (Erin vote aye) Those opposed, say no. (All others vote no) The noes have it, the

(All but Erin) Thank you, be seated. Those opposed, please rise.

(Erin) Thank

you, be seated. There are two-thirds in the affirmative, and the previous question is ordered. The question is now on the adoption of the motion that the chapter sponsor a Career Shadow Day on October 27 to promote career awareness. Those in favor, say aye. (Erin, Lindsay, Joshua) Those opposed, say no. (Katie, Ryan) The ayes have it, the motion is adopted, and the chapter will sponsor a Career Shadow Day on October 27 to promote career awareness. The next business in order is New Business. Is there any new business? Katie Mr. President, Katie. Pres. Katie Katie I move that the chapter purchase 10 copies of the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order. All Second! Pres. It is moved and seconded that the chapter purchase 10 copies of the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order. Are you ready for the question? Katie Mr. President, Katie. Pres. Katie Katie I speak in favor of this motion. Our officers want to use proper procedures in conducting our business meetings. Purchasing 10 copies of the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order will provide our officers with the proper tools. Pres. Are you ready for the question? The question is on the adoption of the motion that the chapter purchase 10 copies of the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order. Those in favor, say aye. (All but Joshua) Those opposed, say no. (Joshua) The ayes have it, the motion is adopted, and the chapter will purchase 10 copies of the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order. Ryan Mr. President, Ryan. Pres. Ryan Ryan I move to reconsider the vote on the motion concerning sponsoring a Career Shadow Day. I voted on the prevailing side. Katie Second! Pres. It is moved and seconded to reconsider the vote on the motion concerning sponsoring a Career Shadow Day. Are you ready for the question on the motion to reconsider the vote? Ryan Mr. President, Ryan. Pres. Ryan Ryan I speak in favor of the motion to reconsider the vote. I believe we decided too quickly and feel we will not have enough time to contact all the businesses by October 27.Pres. Are you ready for the question? Those in favor of reconsidering the vote on the motion concerning sponsoring a Career Shadow Day, say aye. have it. Treas. Division! Pres. A division is called for. Those in favor of reconsidering the vote on the motion concerning sponsoring a Career Shadow Day, please rise. (Ryan, Katie) Thank you, be seated. Those opposed, please rise. (Lindsay, Joshua) (Erin does not vote) Thank you, be seated. There are two in the affirmative and two in the negative. There being a tie, the motion is lost, and we will not reconsider the vote. Is there any further new business? Are there any announcements? Is there any further business? If there is no further business and no objection, the meeting will adjourn. Since there is no objection, the meeting is adjourned. ----------(Ryan, Katie) Those opposed, say no. (Lindsay, Joshua) (Erin does not vote) The ayes