Winter 2024 · Torch: U.S. · DEAR ACL MEMBERS
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Dear ACL members,
The last five years have been hard ones for organizations, but the accomplishments of the American Classical League and its members have been plentiful. We celebrated our centennial and then provided two years of virtual programming while navigating an unprecedented pandemic.
Since the pandemic, we have awarded scholarships to over twenty teachers enabling professional development opportunities and the purchase of classroom materials. Our summer institute continues to be the premier professional development opportunity for teachers of Latin, Greek, and ancient Mediterranean cultures. Tens of thousands of students have participated in our contests and the NJCL convention, winning thousands of awards and encouraging their love of studying the ancient Mediterranean, Latin, and Greek. Hundreds of students have received scholarships to continue their education, some of those encouraging them to pursue teaching as a career.
In the last six months, the American Classical League has successfully sponsored our annual summer institute for teachers in the West, which drew about twenty-five first-time attendees, and the annual NJCL convention, which returned to pre-pandemic attendance numbers. Additionally, both our National Committee for Latin and Greek and the newly refocused Visibility and Advocacy Task Force are working to advocate for the teaching of Greek and Latin in schools. We are so proud of the work our members and organization are doing.
The Board of Governors is committed to keeping you informed about our efforts towards the financial sustainability of the organization. Various factors have influenced our current situation, including the pandemic, losses from prior institutes and conventions over the last ten years, and, at times, a lack of clarity in financial reporting to the Board of Governors. For those who have attended our annual open meeting held at the ACL Institute or watched the recording, you are aware that the Board of Governors has been focused on this vital topic for the last two years.
Recently the Finance Committee met with our long-time accountant, Jill Frieden of Kirsch CPA Group, LLC. We wanted to update you on ACL’s current financial status and outline a path forward.
While we have known for a while that ACL is dealing with a financial crisis, at this meeting it became clear that we have the resources to operate only for another 18 months on our current financial course. However, we are optimistic about our ability to regain financial stability through collective effort. As I mentioned in previous updates, we have already taken quite a few steps toward financial sustainability by transitioning to virtual meetings, switching to a more affordable platform for digital tests, etc. Additionally, our former treasurer worked to find a less cumbersome and clearer financial reporting system to help the board make better decisions for the organization.
Sherwin Little, our Executive Director, has worked with our new treasurer, David Jackson, to set a course for reversing the last ten years of operating losses. For five years, since the 2019-2020 fiscal year, we have been operating with losses totaling approximately $200,000 annually that have used up some of our unrestricted investments. The steps of this plan follow. Each bullet point represents potential annual income or savings.
DEAR ACL MEMBERS,
DEAR ACL MEMBERS,
We have the resources to operate only for another 18 months on our current financial course. However, we are optimistic about our ability to regain financial stability through collective effort.
a message from Jennie Luongo, ACL President