14 
Bulletin of the EANHS 28(2) 
mid-1997. Most regrettably, these problems do not 
appear to have been resolved to date, and the status of 
this group will need to be reviewed by the incoming 
Executive Committee. 
The Society’s various publications have had a 
somewhat difficult year. Only Ballya has appeared 
promptly as scheduled, for which the Editor, Professor 
Len Newton, deserves warm congratulations. The 1997 
Bulletin issues were much delayed (issue 2 & 3 has 
only just emerged, somewhat mangled, from the 
printer’s clutches), although the new format, which is 
livelier and more readable, seems to have met with 
general approval. Kenya Birds re-jigged its publication 
schedule to appear in October/April rather than June/ 
December. Even so. the combined issues of vol. 6 were 
still six months late. A bulky issue of Scopus including 
several years’ bird reports finally went to press last 
month, unfortunately coincident with disastrous floods 
that inundated the printer’s machinery. The Journal 
board finally decided to change primers after 
experiencing many problems and delays. Unfortunately 
they discovered what scarcely seemed possible, that the 
new firm was yet more ineffectual than the old. An 
arrangement being negotiated for assistance from the 
Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium, 
may finally solve this particular problem. These tales 
of woe find echoes in many annual reports down the 
last 89 years. Producing the Society’s publications has 
never been an easy task, though always a worthwhile 
one. The heavy workload of the various (volunteer) 
editors is a major delaying factor, and more people with 
the skills, experience and time to assist with writing, 
editing and laying-out material are badly needed. 
The Society’s finances remain healthy, thanks in 
large part to the sound advice of our outgoing Hon. 
Treasurer, Andrew Brass. The expansion of our staff 
and improvements to the office have been underwritten 
by generous support from the RSPB, the BirdLife 
Partner in the UK, and as part of the capacity-building 
component of the GEF project. This support gives us a 
few years’ breathing space to develop a sensible long¬ 
term financial strategy, and I hope the new Executive 
will be giving close attention to the options, including 
the possibility of an endowment fund. 
As always, the Society is indebted to the many people 
who have given much of their lime and energy over the 
last year to assist its operations. The list of those to 
whom I should offer thanks is lengthy, but a few at 
least should be acknowledged here. Andrew Brass has 
once again spent a great deal of time and effort (much 
more than we would have wished to be necessary) 
handling our finances and putting our books in order 
for audit. Numerous other commitments caused him to 
step down in January, but he has agreed to continue to 
avail his expert financial advice when needed. Improved 
accounting procedures in the office should make the 
Hon. Treasurer post much less burdensome in future, 
but this is an important position that we must seek 
seriously to fill—there are no nominations for this AGM 
to consider. Jim Birnie, as appointed at last year's AGM, 
has generously made his time available to audit our 
accounts on an honorary basis—a very substantial 
contribution. John Silvester has invested enormous effort 
in drafting and re-drafting our revised Constitution and 
the documents incorporating Nature Kenya, as well as 
letters of appointment for staff; he deserves the Society’s 
sincerest thanks. Members of the Executive Committee 
generally have had a taxing year, with much to decide 
and discuss and many lengthy meetings. Those who are 
also on the Management Sub-committee—Theresa Aloo, 
Tom Butynski, Fleur Ng’weno, Joseph Oyugi and John 
Silvester—have spent even more time attending to the 
Society’s affairs. A number of volunteers have 
contributed to the running of the office this year. In 
particular Narinder Heyer has stepped in steadfastly to 
look after the front office when necessary, and Githinji 
Kamau has been of great assistance over the past few 
months. Finally, all our staff deserve praise for their 
hard work and dedication during a strenuous period. 
Next year is our 90th anniversary and we are 
discussing how best to mark the event. Members will 
have their own suggestions and ideas arc welcome. We 
hope to celebrate our 90th year as a stronger, bigger, 
healthier, wealthier, more effective and above all more 
active and fun Society. Together, we can make this 
happen. 
Thank you very much, 
Leon Bennun, Chairman 
REPORT OF THE TREASURER ON 
ACCOUNTS AT 31 DECEMBER, 1997 
Mr Chairman and Members, 
The financial report for the year ended 31 December, 
1997, has been comprehensively audited and, after your 
approval, as required in terms of the concession 
exempting the Society from taxation, will be lodged 
with the Kenya Revenue Authority. 
The finances of the Society are in a healthy state. 
The Balance Sheet reflects an increase in the General 
Fund of one and a quarter million shillings to KShs 
2,239,593, including a grant of KSh 460,000 from he 
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to update the 
Society’s office technology, which is reflected in 
increased furniture and fittings to Shs 468,100. Cash 
on hand resulted from a deposit maturing at the end of 
December which, together with other retained earnings, 
was invested in early January in Treasury Bills yielding 
26 X A %. Prudent investment of temporary cash surpluses 
during the year resulted in an increase in interest earned 
by Shs 56,000 to Shs 135,928. The weakening of the 
shilling resulted in a currency translation surplus of KShs 
58,660 justifying the policy to keep some funds in 
foreign currencies. The Balance Sheet also contains the 
balances of Designated and Project Funds which 
continue to be administered in terms of their individual 
financing agreements. 
