by Gorbatchov 21 Replies latest jw friends
Recent we had a Circuit Assembley. We used the JW assembley facility. It's (the building) totaly payed off without any mortage.
Still we (the congregations of the circuit) have to pay 10.000 euro for the use of this WTS building for one weekend!
Our small country beside the Nord Sea has 2 assembley halls and 52 weekend. The WTS maximum income is 2 x 52 x 10.000 euro = 1.040.000 euro.
$$$ Fun isn't it?
1.040.000 annually for a building that is paid off, uses volunteer labor for maintenance and the speakers are also not paid.
That's a pretty good little scam, don't you think??
-Aude.
Cheaper than a hotel bill for the preacher Benny Hinn, Las Vegas, Nevada. The hotel was $68,000 USD per night, what a scam that was! He had the top floor of one of the most expensive hotels. More of Hinn's cons.
http://www.christiannews.0catch.com/hinn.htm
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William Lobdell, a Times staff, wrote about target-rich environment: the unregulated industry of televangelism is estimated to generate at least $1 billion through its roughly 2,000 electronic preachers, including 80 nationally syndicated television pastors. He told of the founder of the Dallas-based Trinity Foundation, Ole E Anthony, whose operatives struck dumpster pay dirt five years ago in south Florida when they found a travel itinerary for Benny Hinn, the Trinity Broadcasting Network's superstar faith healer who has filled sports arenas with ailing believers seeking miracles cures. Hinn's itinerary included first-class tickets on the Concorde from New York to London ($8,850 each) and reservations for presidential suites at pricey European hotels ($2,200 a night). A news story, including footage of Hinn and his associates boarding the jet, ran on CNN's "Impact." In addition, property records and videos supplied by Trinity investigators led to CNN and Dallas Morning News coverage of another Hinn controversy: fund-raising for a $30-million healing center in Dallas that has yet to be built.
WBTS =WatchtowerBibleTract and Scam
I've also wondered about this. Whenever the bill was read out at our Circuit Assemblies (at our fully-owned, dedicated hall in the UK) it always made my jaw drop. I find it hard to believe that the costs went on utilities alone (heating, water, etc). I guess the only way to know for sure where all the money goes is to be an "insider" on the circuit accounts. I would be intrigued to know if there is any evidence of assembly halls being used as a scam.
Cedars
Still we (the congregations of the circuit) have to pay 10.000 euro for the use of this WTS building for one weekend!
This topic has been covered before at length, try "searching" past posts.
Recently it seems, all Assembly Halls dramatically increased their "per publisher" charge for use of the AH for CAs/SADs. Many of these buildings were purchased or built decades ago so that in a typical business plan they would have been paid for long ago. The only ongoing expense is utilities (which of course are going up on all of us), maintenance (materials only, labor is free), and the modest compensation for the staff (1 or 2 pioneer couples -- all of the "old timers" who used to get a nice "retirement" serving at AHs seem to be being replaced with YOUNG couples -- at least in the US -- healthcare costs, I suspect).
They are not all used 52 weeks/year. (Does anyone know of any that are?) Still, each circuit (most are A & B) require 3 weekends at the AH. That means 13 circuits can easily utilize each property (and leave the summer Dist Conv period open for Pio School, etc). According to the above quote, that is 130,000Euro annually = roughly 10,000Euro/MO. I cannot imagine their expenses = to even 50% of that. Probably more like 40%. The balance belongs to the WTS. Plus, at every CA/SAD the elders, in their "business meeting", make a generous contribution to the WWW and to the AH -- perhaps $1000 to WTS $500 to AH. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that these are recommended contributions. That DOUBLES their NET receipts meaning they're receiving 120K/130KEuro PROFIT annually from each AH they own.
Surely someone who works circuit accounts, or even better, someone who audits the AH each year could elaborate on this.
DOC
Stop running the HVAC system!
In the US they are installing credit card machines in the Assembly Halls to shake down more money.
JK
Any of the Assembly Halls can be looked at on the Charity Commission website. The above link is for the Surrey Assembly Hall.
Perhaps someone with financial background could have a look at them.
George
It doesn't cost anywhere near as much as they think. The building might cost 2 1/2 million toilet papers. If each weekend brings in 10,000 toilet papers, you pay for the building in 5 years. And most a$$embly hells I have seen are more than 5 years old--we had one built toward 1990, 20 years ago, and it is still in fine condition. Utilities can't be all that much to run the show.
I must add that a good portion of the initial building expenses are as likely as not supported by donations from the congregations, as part of the Worldwide Pedophile Defense Fund. Resolutions are also passed to ensure these expenses will be made at the beginning. When they have to borrow, they take the mortgage out of the circuit funds--which are easily replenished with those a$$embly donations.
Regardless, once the building is paid for, it should only cost $1,000 or so per weekend for utilities (if that) to run. Anything above and beyond that is only going to help protect pedophiles and go toward silencing critics, and pushing the Washtowel rags where they are not wanted.
