Having worked with non-profit organizations for about 20 years, I've seen more than one mis-appropriation of funds case.
The cases I saw were never publicly discussed. These cases happen frequently. Churches are one of the more common victims. In general, mistakes happen when you elevate people to an inappropriately high level of responsibility. Most of the time, they don't mean to mis-appropriate funds - it simply happens. Poor personal financial management, combined with weak controls allow it to occur. In the cases I saw, people were terminated (a reasonable course of action when people mis-appropriate funds - deliberately or not).
From what I've seen, the best way to deal with these cases is to cut your losses, learn your lessons, recover what you can - and move on. Chances are, whatever was purchased with the funds, can't begin to repay the IMHS (a trip to the casino, for example - is unlikely to be something you'll ever recover).
As far as I can see (albeit from 300 miles), IMHS likely understands how/why things went awry. I'd guess they're unlikely to make this particular mistake again (revised processes and policies can help ensure that). I don't really think additional public criticism is necessary - either for the alleged perpetrators, or the alleged victims. Continued criticism won't do much for IMHS or the animals that it serves.
MsMAM wrote: IMHO - I would like to see all of the info come out. I also was interested in creaturekeepers quotes. There has to be more info there.
They were booted for killing cats with simple ringworm. *&#$*# on them. (Insert your own expletive)
And I have been REQUESTING that to happen for a VERY LONG time(since mid summer last year) The PR nitemare that has occurred
because the "new board" has circled the wagons could have been avoided if the BOD had elected to disclose EVEYTHING that
was legal to disclose. Thereby setting the record straight....right upfront....and showing the community that THIS board is totally
different than the old board. That did NOT happen and the result was an explosion on PC,a black mark on IMHS (again) and the subsequent PR nitemare that we now have. What a waste of time......all because "silence" was the code.
MsMAM wrote: IMHO - I would like to see all of the info come out. I also was interested in creaturekeepers quotes. There has to be more info there.
They were booted for killing cats with simple ringworm. *&#$*# on them. (Insert your own expletive)
And I have been REQUESTING that to happen for a VERY LONG time(since mid summer last year) The PR nitemare that has occurred
because the "new board" has circled the wagons could have been avoided if the BOD had elected to disclose EVEYTHING that
was legal to disclose. Thereby setting the record straight....right upfront....and showing the community that THIS board is totally
different than the old board. That did NOT happen and the result was an explosion on PC,a black mark on IMHS (again) and the subsequent PR nitemare that we now have. What a waste of time......all because "silence" was the code.
I haven't seen any of them be closed? I am sure if I take the time to waddle to IMHS, I can read everything I need to.
I realize you are NOT on PC anymore MSMam,but an old board member nailed them to the wall about the new ringworm incident. It
could have been AVOIDED if they would have issued a statement airing on the side of caution and transparency.....given that the
OLD board acted in the way they did. UPDATES on the new surg. wing have been lacking,both here and on PC. UPDATES on their
own website were greatly lacking until I queried them/requested that the site be updated. Ultimately,since the old board acted in
the manner that they did,it is EXTREMELY imperative that the NEW board establish a bond of trust with the community ( a bond that
has been severely damaged) and that begins with a straight up communicative manner and continues to address the issues that are
on going(understanding that SOME things must remain within the board meetings). Of course this is JMO.....but it is apparent the
method they are utilizing now is NOT effective/and is in fact a detriment to the organization. JMO
homeagain wrote: I realize you are NOT on PC anymore MSMam,but an old board member nailed them to the wall about the new ringworm incident. It
could have been AVOIDED if they would have issued a statement airing on the side of caution and transparency.....given that the
OLD board acted in the way they did. UPDATES on the new surg. wing have been lacking,both here and on PC. UPDATES on their
own website were greatly lacking until I queried them/requested that the site be updated. HOWEVER, I believe this thread is about
ANOTHER TOPIC......a discrepancy between reporting agencies here on the mountain and inaccurate information within those reports,
THAT is what this topic is REALLY about. I am NOT a "sheeple",I ask alot of questions and when I do NOT get answers I will escalate
the question/s till I DO get an answer.......I have been asking ALOT of questions.
How could ringworm be avoided? It occurs in nature, and is quite common. It is certainly NOT deadly although contagious. If treated it goes away more quickly - left untreated - it goes away in a month or so more. So, I can't say that they handled it badly? They AT LEAST didn't euthanize the animals - unlike the "old regime."
And who says that it is the responsibility of them to update *these* forums? I happen to know three of the folks over there very well as you know. IMHO - they are three of the finest people I have ever known in my life. I KNOW that job takes HOURS of their time per day. Every time I have been to any of their homes, they have scads of those animals invading their lives as fosters. And frankly, I am quite up to date as I check in. I *go* there. I *talk* to them. I know *exactly* the scoop with the surgical wing. I also know where they are with being to get an intake site for the pets. If that makes me a "sheeple" so be it.
The other interesting part to me was that one particular Board member *knew* about that person charging personal expenses and letting the shelter pay for it. He also alluded in his post on PC that he was concerned about the missing fees. See, I tend to give folks the benefit of the doubt. This sounds to me that some knew prior to the audit and *that* is what concerns me. I voted them out because they killed all of those cats. I had no idea that there was a misuse of funds. I am highly disappointed in the Park CO DA for not taking it farther based on what I know.
HA, you know I like you and your hubby, so I am not going to fight with you, but that is my .02
I like/respect you too MsMam....... It is my highest hope that the community get thru this, BUT from POV, you have to bestraight-up. This community is very small and the general populace relies on this venue and PC,for information,entertainment,debate
company,if they are lonely or hurting....so it seems like a true waste to be silent on the subjects that involve/concern/impact the
monies,support and overall good will of this organization. JMO........I believe,Marta and Karen will be IMHS salvation and I have told
both Karen and Marta that in person and I related my gratitude to a new board member......We all would like IMHS to succeed and
florish,and it is my hope that can be accomplished with better communication.(yes, I asked about the surg. wing to a new board
member, it is my understanding that a piece of equipment has been delayed in arriving, one that is mandatory for the operations to
move forward.....the information would have wonderful to have as an update on the surg.wing thread.....so that the community could
understand the lack of progress in opening the wing.)It is now the first week of Feb. and it is my hope that we can ALL put this to
rest,but the "legal" issues are continuing to drag down the process.
That's Cool, (still like ya), that's what this is all about correct?
I just don't know what you are saying the new board did.
That is what I wondered as well? HA - above said something too? Is it pertinent that they post here that animals come in with ring worm? I would have been torked if they had also put the animals down like the old regime, but they didn't. They just handled it. Do I need to know every time they make a run to spay and neuter? I know that ring worm is a sensitive issue, but I happen to know there are all kinds of things they do to the animals to assist them with special medical needs. Frankly - *I* was amazed the old board member brought that up. IMHO - it was just a reminder that *they* euthanized those animals. This board did nothing of the kind. They handled it.
Also, it may be that the community tried to rely on these sites as all of those means of communication etc., but that does mean that it is the responsibility of IMHS to use those as a means of communication? IMHO - Frankly - no. I only read the thread on PC since it does involve IMHS - as you all know my feelings pretty well about PC. My point is those folks spend TONS of hours per day helping those babies find homes and caring for them. I can't see them having the time to also make sure they spend tons of time posting on these forums. As I stated - go talk to them (the royal you). Go to the shelter. Help them. You will get all of the information you need. Steve said on TV, anyone is welcome to go look at what they found. If you do, I think a good bunch of you will feel as I do - the DA *should* have pursued this issue.
It is my highest hope that the community get thru this, BUT from POV, you have to bestraight-up. This community is very small and the general populace relies on this venue and PC,for information,entertainment,debate
