(See related stories, more links to related and public commentary here, here and here)
Andrew Travers:
"The press and public were not allowed at the chamber retreat. The bulk of the meeting allegedly addressed ACRA’s strategic plan and preparing for an upcoming change in board leadership. Donnie Lee, general manager of The Gant, will be taking over as board chair....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Showing posts with label ethics in non-profits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ethics in non-profits. Show all posts
April 19, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Glenwood Chamber hands out business, Top Brass awards"
Every year in Garfield County and Glenwood Springs, there are basically three very different in energy awards ceremonies and celebrations honoring those who give of themselves in humanitarian or community service ways.
Not too long ago, Melanie Sturm, up on the Aspen Times, very artfully put out a column on Rotary International and local Rotary. Without any collateral damage to these wonderful folks who give of themselves and actually participate in these types of organizations, Sturm jumped into the highly controversial problem in society today, of transparency and accountability in the world of non-profits.
She is to be commended, it was an excellent piece that nailed the point and did so in Sturm's very own version (we love it!) of 'yellow journalism'.
A respected columnist who refuses to be a wordsmith, instead just speaking in a skilled and forthright manner to her followers.
Here is a link to Garfield County's recent 2012 Humanitarian Awards celebration.
An annual event that has true common folks pride, every year, as it is the focus of the 'off the beaten path' lives of the common man, the little guys, the folks.
Put on by Garfield County officials, there is a feeling of security and trust that is inherent in the celebration. One that stands alone and finds it unnecessary to be gleaned away from the trustworthy and stellar moral character of the recipients themselves. Simplistically stated, the folks who receive the awards and those who attend with their support for the event, are not the ones frequently called upon to lend credibility to the events of other's organizations.
The Garfield County Humanitarian award is an honor held where cronyism, self-aggrandizing and power are simply not present.
The GarCo ceremony is a place where the folks feel secure, comfortable. They are there among inherent credibility and also drawn with the desire to sincerely honor another of worth. Rather than throw a social soiree.
With that said, GarCo Humanitarian Award ceremony is also usually buzz titled as the best party of the year. Go figure, who knew?
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120417/VALLEYNEWS/120419911/1083&parentprofile=1074
With all of the above said, congratulations to the recipients of all local and regional service awards. You are amazing people, trusted and so appreciated by all.
Heather McGregor:
"The Athena award presentation came at the pinnacle of the Premier Awards Gala hosted Tuesday evening at the Aspen Glen Club by the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association.
“I love awards. I like to get them, I like to give them, and it makes everybody feel good,” said Marianne Virgili, president and CEO of the chamber.
A new award, the David Delaplane Award for Community Partnership, was given to Stan Jensen, president of Colorado Mountain College. Delaplane, 85, now of Denver, presented the award after being introduced to the audience by Virgili.
“David was a young minister and the chamber director in 1963,” Virgili said. “He was cleaning out his files and found one labeled Education Committee.”
With the thought in mind that “there really ought to be a college here,” he called the committee together. From those meetings at the chamber, plans emerged for Colorado Mountain College.
Nearly 40 years later, CMC is a strong community institution from Glenwood Springs to Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs to Buena Vista. Virgili created the new award to honor Delaplane for his original vision, and to recognize the college's current president for his work in building partnerships all over the college district with businesses, local governments, churches and community organizations.
She cited CMC's partnership in downtown Glenwood Springs with the city government, the Garfield Public Library District and the Downtown Development Authority to build the new library and parking garage at Eighth and Cooper.
“We needed somebody with vision and to have trust in the room. That's what we have with Stan,” Virgili said."..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Not too long ago, Melanie Sturm, up on the Aspen Times, very artfully put out a column on Rotary International and local Rotary. Without any collateral damage to these wonderful folks who give of themselves and actually participate in these types of organizations, Sturm jumped into the highly controversial problem in society today, of transparency and accountability in the world of non-profits.
She is to be commended, it was an excellent piece that nailed the point and did so in Sturm's very own version (we love it!) of 'yellow journalism'.
A respected columnist who refuses to be a wordsmith, instead just speaking in a skilled and forthright manner to her followers.
Here is a link to Garfield County's recent 2012 Humanitarian Awards celebration.
An annual event that has true common folks pride, every year, as it is the focus of the 'off the beaten path' lives of the common man, the little guys, the folks.
Put on by Garfield County officials, there is a feeling of security and trust that is inherent in the celebration. One that stands alone and finds it unnecessary to be gleaned away from the trustworthy and stellar moral character of the recipients themselves. Simplistically stated, the folks who receive the awards and those who attend with their support for the event, are not the ones frequently called upon to lend credibility to the events of other's organizations.
The Garfield County Humanitarian award is an honor held where cronyism, self-aggrandizing and power are simply not present.
The GarCo ceremony is a place where the folks feel secure, comfortable. They are there among inherent credibility and also drawn with the desire to sincerely honor another of worth. Rather than throw a social soiree.
With that said, GarCo Humanitarian Award ceremony is also usually buzz titled as the best party of the year. Go figure, who knew?
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20120417/VALLEYNEWS/120419911/1083&parentprofile=1074
With all of the above said, congratulations to the recipients of all local and regional service awards. You are amazing people, trusted and so appreciated by all.
Heather McGregor:
"The Athena award presentation came at the pinnacle of the Premier Awards Gala hosted Tuesday evening at the Aspen Glen Club by the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association.
“I love awards. I like to get them, I like to give them, and it makes everybody feel good,” said Marianne Virgili, president and CEO of the chamber.
A new award, the David Delaplane Award for Community Partnership, was given to Stan Jensen, president of Colorado Mountain College. Delaplane, 85, now of Denver, presented the award after being introduced to the audience by Virgili.
“David was a young minister and the chamber director in 1963,” Virgili said. “He was cleaning out his files and found one labeled Education Committee.”
With the thought in mind that “there really ought to be a college here,” he called the committee together. From those meetings at the chamber, plans emerged for Colorado Mountain College.
Nearly 40 years later, CMC is a strong community institution from Glenwood Springs to Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs to Buena Vista. Virgili created the new award to honor Delaplane for his original vision, and to recognize the college's current president for his work in building partnerships all over the college district with businesses, local governments, churches and community organizations.
She cited CMC's partnership in downtown Glenwood Springs with the city government, the Garfield Public Library District and the Downtown Development Authority to build the new library and parking garage at Eighth and Cooper.
“We needed somebody with vision and to have trust in the room. That's what we have with Stan,” Virgili said."..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
April 18, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Protesters air concerns about Grand Junction credit union"
The lack of non-profit oversight in America is astonishing. There is nothing that oversees the ethics and financial oversight of IRS classified 501C3 or 501C6 non-profit organizations.
If you were to sit down and so some serious online research into how much crime is charged against non-profits or their employees, boards of directors as individuals and administrators; you would be shocked at the numbers. These positions of public trust really have no one to answer to except themselves within their own board of directors.
Read up on a troubling trend and consequence of no oversight here.
See related story and public comments here.
See a sister story on current issues in Colorado with non-profit credit union policies here.
Take a look and read up on what protestors in Grand Junction have to say by clicking the title.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
If you were to sit down and so some serious online research into how much crime is charged against non-profits or their employees, boards of directors as individuals and administrators; you would be shocked at the numbers. These positions of public trust really have no one to answer to except themselves within their own board of directors.
Read up on a troubling trend and consequence of no oversight here.
See related story and public comments here.
See a sister story on current issues in Colorado with non-profit credit union policies here.
Take a look and read up on what protestors in Grand Junction have to say by clicking the title.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
April 12, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "ACRA to decide on U.S. Chamber membership during private meeting"
(See related links to story along with public commentary here)
Andrew Travers:
"The board of directors at the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) will go behind closed doors to make its long-awaited decision on its controversial membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
ACRA is expected to take a final vote on the issue during a board retreat on Monday, April 23. The press and public — including chamber members — will not be permitted to attend the 45-minute discussion on the U.S. Chamber or any other portion of the daylong board retreat at The Gant.
Though 49 percent of ACRA’s budget comes from local tax dollars and public funds, the chamber is a nonprofit membership organization, and not legally considered a public body. So, it is not bound by Colorado’s open meetings laws. Those laws require public boards, like county commissions and city councils, to post notices for meetings and abide by strict rules controlling when and why they can exclude the public and press from meetings........
.......Chamber president Debbie Braun said Wednesday that board members want to speak openly without fear of having their views broadcast publicly through the media, as they make a final decision on this long-simmering and divisive issue.
“We want to have an honest dialogue,” Braun said. “We want to hear from everyone on the board, and we don’t want them to think they might get caught with a pull-out quote in the newspaper.”...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Andrew Travers:
"The board of directors at the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) will go behind closed doors to make its long-awaited decision on its controversial membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
ACRA is expected to take a final vote on the issue during a board retreat on Monday, April 23. The press and public — including chamber members — will not be permitted to attend the 45-minute discussion on the U.S. Chamber or any other portion of the daylong board retreat at The Gant.
Though 49 percent of ACRA’s budget comes from local tax dollars and public funds, the chamber is a nonprofit membership organization, and not legally considered a public body. So, it is not bound by Colorado’s open meetings laws. Those laws require public boards, like county commissions and city councils, to post notices for meetings and abide by strict rules controlling when and why they can exclude the public and press from meetings........
.......Chamber president Debbie Braun said Wednesday that board members want to speak openly without fear of having their views broadcast publicly through the media, as they make a final decision on this long-simmering and divisive issue.
“We want to have an honest dialogue,” Braun said. “We want to hear from everyone on the board, and we don’t want them to think they might get caught with a pull-out quote in the newspaper.”...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
April 3, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "The new cradle of civilization"
Updates: See related stories and public commentary here, here and here)
Steve Skinner:
"I was just looking over a list of Pitkin County nonprofits and it struck me. In many ways these groups, hundreds of them, account for a significant, if not the biggest, part of our valley economy. For me personally, I have found meaningful work in community radio at KDNK. This was a real relief because the commercial sector was outsourcing, maximizing profits and abandoning creativity.
That kind of thing is what spurs nonprofits to rise and grow in the first place. People are eventually repulsed by outsourcing, maximizing profits and abandoned creativity. Better yet, despite all the distractions, people want more than just stuff, and that’s where the nonprofits often come in. From human health services to Pica protection, thankfully, there is someone on it.
Nonprofits mostly do their special work in the background: protecting kids from abuse, suicide prevention, hospice, solar energy training, after-school programs, veteran’s programs, disabled services, pet shelters, clay, art, justice, environmental protection, writing, music, poetry, theater, volunteer groups, senior support, language assistance and on and on...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Steve Skinner:
"I was just looking over a list of Pitkin County nonprofits and it struck me. In many ways these groups, hundreds of them, account for a significant, if not the biggest, part of our valley economy. For me personally, I have found meaningful work in community radio at KDNK. This was a real relief because the commercial sector was outsourcing, maximizing profits and abandoning creativity.
That kind of thing is what spurs nonprofits to rise and grow in the first place. People are eventually repulsed by outsourcing, maximizing profits and abandoned creativity. Better yet, despite all the distractions, people want more than just stuff, and that’s where the nonprofits often come in. From human health services to Pica protection, thankfully, there is someone on it.
Nonprofits mostly do their special work in the background: protecting kids from abuse, suicide prevention, hospice, solar energy training, after-school programs, veteran’s programs, disabled services, pet shelters, clay, art, justice, environmental protection, writing, music, poetry, theater, volunteer groups, senior support, language assistance and on and on...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
February 25, 2012
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor "Welcome to the witch hunt"
Maurice Emmer:
"Editor:
Ken Neubecker has written an absolutely masterful explanation of the solid public policy reasons why not-for-profit groups are not required to disclose their donors’ identities. In addition to what Ken has explained, not-for-profit corporations must adopt a purpose and must state their purposes publicly. They also must limit the portion of their expenditures that is devoted to political activities. This is to insure that their stated purposes, rather than political purposes, are indeed their primary endeavors. Moreover, nonprofits typically publicize their events and activities, resulting in a high level of transparency for anyone who really cares to understand a particular not-for-profit organization...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Editor:
Ken Neubecker has written an absolutely masterful explanation of the solid public policy reasons why not-for-profit groups are not required to disclose their donors’ identities. In addition to what Ken has explained, not-for-profit corporations must adopt a purpose and must state their purposes publicly. They also must limit the portion of their expenditures that is devoted to political activities. This is to insure that their stated purposes, rather than political purposes, are indeed their primary endeavors. Moreover, nonprofits typically publicize their events and activities, resulting in a high level of transparency for anyone who really cares to understand a particular not-for-profit organization...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
February 9, 2012
SandBox Comments: Snowmass Sun "Barbara Lucks: Coming this summer, AAA baseball"
And it's free.
No tourism marketing funds needed.
No Chamber of Commerce needed. No Chamber Resort Association needed.
No millions of dollars of public funding needed.
How much would it take to get our local municipalities to each hire a couple of good writers to sit on staff and flood the internet with informative columns like this one from Barbara Lucks up on the Snowmass Sun?
Is it possible that a number of the bells and whistles pushed to our esteemed decision makers in fancy power point presentations could be eliminated? And significant chunks of change saved for use in actually bringing draws, events and growing our tourism infrastructure?
Glenwood Springs has a paltry 1.7% increase in sales revenues for the year 2011. Yet we spent a half million dollars+ in 2011 on tourism marketing. Another near clean sweep has occurred on the tourism promotion board and GSCRA has serious internal issues. Snowmass has serious internal issues in their tourism marketing efforts. With outlying communities throughout Western Colorado experiencing similar.
Yet here comes Barbara Lucks with a no cost, upbeat and straight to the point information that will draw folks to the Grand Junction and Mack area this year.
Wonder how long it took her to pump out the piece? Wonder how much exposure it would get if it was positive viral link baited to the right news outlets? Wonder how long it would take to get all that done?
Two hours? Three? Even at a full day of work we would be far better off than dropping millions on glossy ads and high dollar salaries for tourism marketing vendors.
(Read the article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
No tourism marketing funds needed.
No Chamber of Commerce needed. No Chamber Resort Association needed.
No millions of dollars of public funding needed.
How much would it take to get our local municipalities to each hire a couple of good writers to sit on staff and flood the internet with informative columns like this one from Barbara Lucks up on the Snowmass Sun?
Is it possible that a number of the bells and whistles pushed to our esteemed decision makers in fancy power point presentations could be eliminated? And significant chunks of change saved for use in actually bringing draws, events and growing our tourism infrastructure?
Glenwood Springs has a paltry 1.7% increase in sales revenues for the year 2011. Yet we spent a half million dollars+ in 2011 on tourism marketing. Another near clean sweep has occurred on the tourism promotion board and GSCRA has serious internal issues. Snowmass has serious internal issues in their tourism marketing efforts. With outlying communities throughout Western Colorado experiencing similar.
Yet here comes Barbara Lucks with a no cost, upbeat and straight to the point information that will draw folks to the Grand Junction and Mack area this year.
Wonder how long it took her to pump out the piece? Wonder how much exposure it would get if it was positive viral link baited to the right news outlets? Wonder how long it would take to get all that done?
Two hours? Three? Even at a full day of work we would be far better off than dropping millions on glossy ads and high dollar salaries for tourism marketing vendors.
(Read the article? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
January 30, 2012
SandBox Comments: Eagle County Times "Education Foundation of Eagle County"
'by – what we learned' :
"Some ECT folks attended a recent meeting of one of Eagle County’s newest 501(c)3 non-profits – www.efec.org. (Photo – Amber Prince & Charles Overy)..." (Read more? Click title)
How long has it been now?
Couple of years?
How long has it been that the commmons have been finally starting to speak up in very public ways against the status quo in local politics and government issues through harnessing tools like the power of the blogosphere and social networking?
How long has their rising success been showing in powerful enough ways to make powerful non-profits, major corporate powers, powerful politicians, local governments and law enforcement pay attention to what lies beneath the surface of such entities and those held in positions of trust?
A year or so?
How long has it been since you, the individual voter/follower, realized that a light bulb, an epiphany of sorts, has come on in your way of thinking?
Today? Yesterday? A week ago? A few months ago?
All that matters is that your awareness has been pierced by first whispers, then outspoken voices cutting trails of communication avenues ahead of you. What you do with your awareness is your business and falls into what you're willing to experience when you make your own choices.
Thank you once again goes to the guys and gals over on the Eagle County Times.
Why?
For paying attention to the patterns within the news others make and cutting trail ahead of you.
We wish good luck to the 'Education Foundation of Eagle County'.
May you never forget that as a non-profit you and all who work within your organization are no longer just average citizens but rather persons in a position of trust. That you are held to a higher standard.
As far as the goal you have set for your organization, may you always remember that there are endless possibilities on both sides of the political spectrum that would accomplish true public education reform.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Some ECT folks attended a recent meeting of one of Eagle County’s newest 501(c)3 non-profits – www.efec.org. (Photo – Amber Prince & Charles Overy)..." (Read more? Click title)
How long has it been now?
Couple of years?
How long has it been that the commmons have been finally starting to speak up in very public ways against the status quo in local politics and government issues through harnessing tools like the power of the blogosphere and social networking?
How long has their rising success been showing in powerful enough ways to make powerful non-profits, major corporate powers, powerful politicians, local governments and law enforcement pay attention to what lies beneath the surface of such entities and those held in positions of trust?
A year or so?
How long has it been since you, the individual voter/follower, realized that a light bulb, an epiphany of sorts, has come on in your way of thinking?
Today? Yesterday? A week ago? A few months ago?
All that matters is that your awareness has been pierced by first whispers, then outspoken voices cutting trails of communication avenues ahead of you. What you do with your awareness is your business and falls into what you're willing to experience when you make your own choices.
Thank you once again goes to the guys and gals over on the Eagle County Times.
Why?
For paying attention to the patterns within the news others make and cutting trail ahead of you.
We wish good luck to the 'Education Foundation of Eagle County'.
May you never forget that as a non-profit you and all who work within your organization are no longer just average citizens but rather persons in a position of trust. That you are held to a higher standard.
As far as the goal you have set for your organization, may you always remember that there are endless possibilities on both sides of the political spectrum that would accomplish true public education reform.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
December 27, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Chamber board considers its legal liability exposure"
"According to an article on San Diego-based Aspen Risk Management Group’s website, “charitable immunity,” which is based upon the notion that charitable organizations and individuals should be exempt from legal liability, has faded over time.
The website also says that general liability policies only cover basic exposures, such as premises and operations, and directors and officers may not be protected under a stand-alone liability policy.
When considering how much insurance to carry, nonprofits ought to consider all of their resources and financial strength, as well as the organization’s activities and what can go wrong at any of them, according to the website...."
(sack@aspendailynews.com)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
The website also says that general liability policies only cover basic exposures, such as premises and operations, and directors and officers may not be protected under a stand-alone liability policy.
When considering how much insurance to carry, nonprofits ought to consider all of their resources and financial strength, as well as the organization’s activities and what can go wrong at any of them, according to the website...."
(sack@aspendailynews.com)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
August 29, 2011
SandBox Comments: Eagle County Times "Eagle-Vail Community Board – Votes to violate Federal Drug Law"
Medical marijuana controversies, tourism marketing and promotion, politically powerful individuals, Destination Resorts, illegal foreign nationals, conflicts of interest, Boards of Directors, law enforcement, judicial districts, crime, civil law, 501C3 and 501C6 "non-profit" organizations.
Garfield County, Pitkin County, Eagle County.
What do these stories all have in common? Besides not being reported by Swift Communication owned publications?
(Learn more? Click title or comment to start discussion)
Garfield County, Pitkin County, Eagle County.
What do these stories all have in common? Besides not being reported by Swift Communication owned publications?
(Learn more? Click title or comment to start discussion)
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