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Troubled Times, Inc.
Annual Report, 2001

During 2001, Troubled Times, Inc. was engaged in the following projects, and made the following achievements:

Survival Booklet Development
During 2001, the Survival Booklet was published and made available to the public for download from the web-site in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format as well as in paper format, shipped via mail. The production and distribution facilities are located in Montana. Several booklets are mailed out each week to fill requests coming from several continents around the world. The Survival Booklet was developed to provide the Troubled Times web site content to those without access to the Internet. The booklet was drafted by Shirley Short in Canada, Nancy Lieder provided the PDF format in PageMaker, and Mary Simpson in Montana was supplied with a copy machine and other supplies to provide booklets on request from the general public. The booklet had been translated into Russian by the Russian people, and consideration of mass production to support increased requests was under discussion. The booklet introduces simple steps the average man can take to assist themselves, such as eating bugs and weeds, creating shelter from rammed earth or straw, boiling and distilling water to produce pure drinking water, and relying on herbal medicine in a pinch. The booklet, 120 pages in length, points to books that can be purchased and emphasizes self-help.

This booklet presents issues which a family or individual would be presented with in the event of a global catastrophe such as a pole shift. This booklet is not intended to be a survival guide, but a guide to information sources, an overview of problems, possible solutions, and options available. After such a catastrophe, there would be a loss of government and utility services such as power and clean water, volcanic gloom with dust polluting the ground and well water, and a lack of fresh food. But healthy living through and after such a catastrophe is possible. Mankind has lived through these before. A family or individual can be helped to keep a cool head during troubled times, if armed with knowledge of the steps they can take to better their chances.

Panic should be avoided, particularly when young children are involved, and serves no good purpose. With knowledge, a family or individual can be empowered with a sense of control over their circumstances. Each family or individual must think for themselves, as only they know of their special circumstances, matters particular to their environment, and their ability to prepare. Some families or individuals will find themselves on foot, with no or few belongings. Others will find themselves with a safe place to go to, which can be stocked with supplies, but even these settlements can find themselves overtaken or robbed. This booklet is a work in progress, and will be updated periodically. It is the handiwork of only a few, and thus should not be construed to be an authority.

Troubled Times, Inc.
a Nonprofit, Public Benefit Corporation
PO Box 249
Baraboo, WI 53913
(800) 485-1501

Short Wave Communication
During 2001, Ham Radio equipment has been provided to a Canadian short wave radio site operated by Shirley Short, who holds a Morse Code license in addition to short wave radio license in Canada. This site will be acting as a hub in the post-pole shift Ham radio network. Short Wave communication uses radio waves propagated in the Earth's atmosphere, and is independent of any infrastructure like ISPs, servers, satellites, telephone lines or fiber needed for the operation of the Internet. In times of crisis, Short Wave communication can be used for global voice communication as well as a primitive Internet replacement using Packet Radio communication. Troubled Times Members are encouraged to acquire such skills and licenses for pre-Pole Shift practicing and acquisition of the necessary equipment. The project will test and advise upon equipment needed for Packet Radio communication, test the various Packet Radio protocols, and arrange IRC Chats and communications tests. Web based self-study classes and practice sessions have been developed to assist novices.
 
UNIX Servers
During 2001, The twin UNIX servers went online via DSL in Wisconsin and began web hosting, and providing other Internet services. A domain for troubled-times.org and web based e-mail for the Officers and Board were established. The twin UNIX servers were assembled the prior year in the Silicon Valley. The servers run under Red Hat, with an Apache web server, maintained by a UNIX professional in the Netherlands, Jurian. Due to the low band-width, supporting Internet audio and video, chats and meetings among team members, and host web-based radio shows was delayed.
 
Seed Team Support
During 2001, the Troubled Times Seed Team continued to be supported by dedicated seed gardens, and the Troy-Bilt tiller was moved to Kansas to be utilized during the following year's growing season on 30 acres of loaned land there. This project supports the Troubled Times Seed TEAM volunteers by paying postage on the mailing of seed and purchasing seed. During the 2001 growing season, the Troy-Bilt tiller was idle due to lack of volunteers in Wisconsin. Active Seed Team hubs are now consolidated under Roger Thuma.
 
Hydroponics Lab
During 2001, a hydroponics cycle using nutrient solution exclusively from the worm beds and using pH balancing from wood ash water was conducted. This cycle attempted to grow the plants to seed production and determine how viable the nutrient solution would remain over time, and any adjustments or problems that might ensue. What was learned was that solution from composting materials is highly acidic, but can be balanced by wood ash water. However, careful monitoring of the pH needs to be done to prevent pH lurching from an acidic 5.5 pH to an alkaline 7.5 pH, both detrimental to plant growth and health.

Chickens were housed on the periphery of the hydroponics, to determine the effect of the shared light on their egg laying productivity. Under the influence of the Halide light, production increased 2.3 times over the effect of incandescent light.

Grants and Gifts

The corporation received donations from 89 individuals during 2001, but the sizable donations totaling over forty thousand dollars received the year before from a foundation and a single anonymous donor did not recur. Contributions for 2001 at end of the year totaled $5,735.15.

Balance Sheet
as of December 31, 2001
ASSETS
Current Assets
Checking/Savings5,379.96
Accounts Receivable0.00
Other Current Assets0.00
-------------------------------
Total Current Assets5,379.96
Fixed Assets
Assets
Equipment11,094.43
Accumulated Depreciation-2,628.00
--------------------
Total Assets8,466.43
-------------------------------
Total Fixed Assets8,466.43
-------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS13,846.39
====================
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Liabilities
Current Liabilities0.00
------------------------------
Total Liabilities0.00
Equity
Retained Earnings17,224.66
Net Income-3,378.27
--------------------------------
Total Equity13,846.39
--------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY13,846.39
====================
Profit & Loss
January - December 2001
Ordinary Income/Expense
Income
Sales - Video Tapes15.00
Donations/Contributions5,735.15
----------------------------------
Total Income5,750.15
----------------------------------
Gross Profit5,735.15
Expense
Administration and Web Hosting760.00
Program Expenses
Seed - Gardens1,017.21
Survival Basics Booklet349.08
Hydroponics157.26
Worm Beds194.34
Ham Radio575.25
TV Video3.82
UNIX Servers620.79
Other Expenses1,764.77
----------------------
Total Program Expenses4,682.52
Administration144.09
Insurance300.00
Professional Fees1,655.25
Travel885.41
Telephone708.86
----------------------------------
Total Expenses9,136.13
----------------------------------
Net Other Income77.71
Net Other Expenses70.00
----------------------------------
Net Income-3,378.27
====================

Operating Units

The Company Corporation acts as the corporate agent in the State of Delaware, a presence required by law. The corporation registered in the State of Wisconsin, where both the corporate bank and CPA firm are located, and received a permit to operate an office in a private home as a place of business. In anticipation of increased interest in the corporation's activities and educational material, the corporation secured an 800 number and PO box to receive public correspondence.

 

Troubled Times Inc. Internal Auditor's Statement for 2001.
I have audited the accounts of TT Inc for the time period January 1 to
December 31 2001.

Revenues and expenditures were examined to the extent deemed necessary.
Fund balances, bank balances and investments were verified and found 
to be accurate for the period indicated.

The expenditures were verified and found to be in line with the 
Non-Profit Organization Mission & Objectives, and in accordance with 
the Board of Directors' decisions and guidelines.

I believe that the financial statements present fairly the financial
position and results of operation of the Troubled Times Inc. for the 
period indicated above.

Respectfully,
Jan Rypdal
Internal Auditor 
Troubled Times Inc. Internal Auditor's Statement for 2001.
I have audited the accounts of TT Inc for the time period January 1 to
December 31 2001.

Revenues and expenditures were examined to the extent deemed necessary. Fund
balances, bank balances and investments were verified and found to be
accurate for the period indicated.

The expenditures were verified and found to be in line with the Non-Profit
Organization Mission & Objectives, and in accordance with the Board of
Directors' decisions and guidelines.

I believe that the financial statements present fairly the financial
position and results of operation of the Troubled Times Inc. for the period
indicated above.

Respectfully,
Jan Rypdal
Internal Auditor

Administrative Operations

Troubled Times, Inc. currently operates on the Internet and is staffed with volunteers. The corporation is international, with officers and staff and board members during 2001 in Europe, the Mid-East, Canada, and the US. The monthly Board of Directors Meetings is held via NetMeeting or IRC on the Internet.

Directors and Officers

Directors are nominated by the membership, and elected during the annual elections held in February. Officers are likewise elected by the membership, but confirmed by the Board, at whose pleasure they serve. The roster below represents the Officers and Appointed Positions (who all served on the Board) and the remaining Board Members who served during 2001.

President: Brent Freemont
VP: Roger Thuma
Treasurer / Admin VP:Nancy Lieder
Secretary: Shirley Short
Internet Comm: Gerard Zwaan
Internal Auditor: Jan Rypdal
Board: Jurian
Board: Mary Simpson
Board: Toni Simpson
Board: Shaul Volkov
Board: Barry Setser

Appointed Positions

All staff positions are appointed by the board at this time. Appointed positions at the end of 2000 included:

Administrative VP
receives and processes administrative correspondence with Delaware and Wisconsin, the IRS, and maintains a physical place of business
Internal Audit
contributed oversight of the Treasurer’s accounting and adequacy of the vouchering system
Internet Communications
connecting Board Members during meetings via NetMeeting, IRC, Instant Messaging, and handling net splits and other emergencies

Internet

http://www.troubled-times.org

Delaware Agent

The Company Corporation
1313 N. Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801-1151

Financial Agents

First National Bank
PO Box 529
Baraboo, WI 53913

Wegner LLP
PO Box 150
Baraboo, WI 53913

Contact Information

Troubled Times, Inc.
PO Box 249
Baraboo, WI 53913
(800) 485-1501