One of the tactics the Elders use at the conventions always bothered me: They vote, without ever asking the publisher's permission, to send $5000 to Brooklyn in addition to the exhorbitant Ass Hall rent. Then they have the nerve to say, "so far for this assembly, we have incurred a deficit of $_____. But we are confident you brothers will donate generously to make up the deficit".
Of course there's going to be a deficit! You created a $5,000 additional debt before the "costs" for the assembly were even met. And, is the so-called "deficit" ever announced on Sunday, at the end of the convention? No, it's announced on the first day of the assembly, before they know how much money they'll receive for the two days. Typical approach- guilt trip the rank-and-file into donating even more money. And how arrogant of the elders- just vote to send an additional $5000 of the publisher's money to Brooklyn, but no need to ask if that's okay.
I once asked an Elder how it could possibly cost $9-$10,000 per day to use our own assembly hall? Doesn't any elder ever raise their hand at the noon time "let's create an artificial deficit" meeting for a breakdown of the per-day cost as a justification? His answer, "no, we just approve the amount and agree with everyone else to pay it". And, whatever money is collected over-and-above the convention costs is also sent to Brooklyn, so the circuit always starts with a "zero" balance. It's pay, pay pay and pay some more!!
Isn't it interesting that JWs, even Elders, do not feel it's within their rights to ask where their money is going? WT says to pay, so we are expected to pay.