Handling cash on trips and events

Cash can quickly become a problem on a trip and having accurate accounting of it difficult.  Here are some things I did to keep things straight in the midst of chaos.


• Be sure to plan ahead to get a cash check cut by the bookkeeper.
  
• Make a list of cash allocations (cooks = $1000; 6^th grade small group $200...).
  
• Put cash in money envelopes (from the bank or you can buy bill sized manila envelopes).
  
• Number envelopes to correspond with the list, put amount and purpose on outside.
  
• Each person with an envelope is to write on the outside of the envelope the itemized amounts spent and for what purposes.
  
• If there are receipts, they are to be put in the envelope.
  Have those issued envelopes tally and balance the envelope.
• Collect all the envelopes before the end of the event – once the staff leave with the envelopes it will be difficult to get them back.