Case study (chapter 10) – Controllable Costs

Young People Past Time Association is a social association whose objective is to keep youngsters effectively occupied. This association runs a tennis coaching program for those who are interested. Being a non-profit organisation and being funded by grants from different levels of government authorities its charges for coaching are very affordable to many youngsters. Being accountable for public money, the association is concerned with the lack of control over the costs that relate directly to the coaching program.

For the coaching program courts are hired from the local council. The hire fees paid are directly related to the activities. The rate paid to tennis coaches hired on a need basis are higher than booking them on a continued basis. The coaches are hired based on demand for their services and not on a permanent basis. Many tennis balls are lost particularly by beginners as they hit the ball wildly .

As a fund raising activity and to assist the trainees, the association, as part of the tennis coaching program runs a shop. In the shop supplies are kept for sale includes tennis equipment and refreshments. The association observes that some refreshments go out of date whereas others turn over very quickly.

The association wonders if their approach to hiring coaches as they need them is cost effective. They are also considering the erection of a temporary barrier around the courts used by beginners to limit the loss of balls.
Identify the costs the organisation might have some control over and the costs over which they have no control. How may the control over the controllable costs be improved?