Treasurer Schneider on the budget: A tale of continuing reductions in IEEE´s 1976 operating budget and some dour implications for 1977

In an interview published in the March issue of Spectrum, IEEE President Dillard advised a dues increase in 1977. At the time of that interview, it was not known what the effect of the 1976 dues increase would be. Nevertheless, President Dillard felt that under the most optimistic circumstances, another dues hike would be necessary in 1977, if only to maintain the 1976 level of member services in the face of inflation. After all, there had already been an 8-percent staff cut and this staff reduction was still not expected to produce a year-end budget surplus. With the May meeting of the Board of Directors upcoming, Spectrum interviewed IEEE Treasurer Burkhard Schneider to find out what had occurred since the Dillard interview that might affect President Dillard´s recommendation of a 1977 dues increase. Had the 1976 budget turned out to be realistic? What recommendations would be made to the Board prior to its May meeting?