01-HelpWare FAQ 0100-06 ZZhlp

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                               TO: Interested Ministries                                                                                                    FROM: Jim Bramer, Retired Auditor-CPA 
                                                                                                                                                                                   FILE: 0100-06/hlp

                                RE: Online HelpWare Engagements                                                                              Originated:  July 1998                                      

What follows is a response to (F)requently (A)sked (Q)uestions - FAQ - regarding these type of engagements.  

Q: Who engages you for Onliner Engagements ?

            A: Please go to  0098  for a partial list of Onliners that we have worked somewhat in depth in the past. Let us know if you would like contact some of these via Email, etc. Our thrust is toward Smaller Ministries (defined as usually having less that $500,000 annual income).  Please digest the HELP WARE FEE PROTOCOL statement below:

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            HELP WARE FEE PROTOCOL: Most of you know that shareware is computer software that you pay for only if you are satisfied with it.  HELP WARE is similar; unless there is a specific fee understanding, we are expecting you who have been helped Online, to rightfully determine the fees, to remit to us.  The Lord used Ravens to meet Elijah's needs ---- likewise we  will trust that you Ministries (Ravens) who have been helped Online will be used of the Lord to meet our needs in keeping this web site operative.    

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Q: What is an Online HELPWARE Assignment?

            A: This usually occurs when a MFTeam  Onliner asks us to assist them remotely, or primarily via Email and attachments and/or via  LOMS, plus the necessary Onliner originated conference phone calls.  Please go to  0199  for more details about a Online Coaching assignment.  We agree as to the mutual expectations.

Q: What does it cost for an Online HELPWARE Assignment?

            A: Let me explain it this way; initially, we acquaint the prospective  MFTeam Onliner with the rationale and philosophy of this HELPWARE FEE PROTOCOL.  We charge no fees, but if the MFTeam pays Jim Bramer   they may want to receive a periodic HELPWARE Assignment Time Sheet showing details of our time spent on their assignment. The MFTeam can then reference such Time Sheet and determine what future fee to pay, if any.  Remember....  any fee determination is made entirely by the Ministry.
            Any phone calls come to us from the Ministry; we do not originate phone calls. Some Ministries budget for a one-time HELPWARE  assistance or they budget for regular repetitive fees of their choosing.  At one time we were paid their self-determined amount via Frequent Flyer miles.

Q: What if we decide to have you come to our office and help us?

            A: Under these circumstances the Ministry must provide all costs of travel, meals and lodging. The Ministry pays for and makes arrangements for rental car and/or plane fare, plus the necessary Hotel/Motel costs. Often all meals occur during our time together. Then the Ministry can receive the Time Sheet mentioned above and, like above, determine what, if any, fees to pay us.

Q: Why don't you have hourly or assignment fees like other professionals?

            A: To remind you, the Ministries we serve are primarily small and we know that they are usually strapped for cash --- there never seems to be enough to go around. But we also know that someone is more likely to value something when they pay for it. In this case, we leave the HELPWARE fee payment amount to the Lord and to the MFTeam as they determine the value. The Lord certainly used the Ravens to take care of Elijah and He knows about our necessary costs related to keeping this effort going.

Q: How confidential would our financial information be if we are working Online? Please provide us with a list of MFTeams who have been served in this manner

            A: See above ..... be happy to do so when, and if, this relationship continues.  But first, let us learn more about each other.....like what type of Ministry you are so the reference can be more precise. We know of no MFTeam who has had their financial records breeched while Online -- either while being sent to us or when returned.   For example, It is a common practice for us to (Look Over Your Shoulder) as we have access updated Quickbooks Pro, or other, file content.

Q: How do we contact you with a question/problem? What is the best way to do this? What is the usual turnaround time from when I contact you to when you respond? What are your working hours?

            A:  This is a two-way street....one of the mutual understandings we have when we enter in a an ONLINE engagement is an Email protocol that is applicable to both parties. Some 90% of all issues can be presented and solved using Email; the remaining 10% are more urgent and we use phone calls that you originate; the ratio radically changes to Email the longer we are associated. I am usually in the office and obtain my Email a number of times a day.   Some of your Emails I forward back to you with a response the same day. The balance, I sleep on it and respond in the next day or so. I try to let you know when I am not available.

                                Thank you.

       Please Click Here for a list of "How we help Onliners" here at www.bcidot.org.   This publication originated in July 1998 and was  UPTD: July 02, 2008  Click here and go to List of FAQs at www.bcidot.org  

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       (1) An Onliner Document, or  WRIT (Writing) may be applicable to all Ministries, or it may be designed for just groups like: Evangelical Church, School, Missionary Agency or Organization, Christian Camp / Conference, or other named group.
       (2) Our Writings formats include the perspective of   Jim@bcidot.org  via IOMs (Inter-Office Memos) to the Ministry Finance Team (MFTeam); THRDs, a hypothetical Online conversation with members of the MFTeam; GLEANINGS, or Scripture within context of the MFTeam; FWIW; A periodic editorial (For What it is Worth); TRUISM, or believed Ministry Finance principles; and FAQ, response to Frequently Asked Questions