grant writing is this correct to do

[Guest chris mikesell]

I work at a non profit 501(3) c and have found grants written for the center for items like computers for those we serve. Instead the funds are used to pay the director and the center gets no computer. I was looking into similar matters when I was voted off the board 7-5-1. The grant is written for a computer and says any funds left is to pay the director for their time. I have been studying all the grants written this year and 95% are for directors pay. The chairman and secretary are behind the director to get more money for this person while the center falls apart. I am at a loss on what to do since I was voted off the board though it is not 2/3 of all those then in office. If you came across a problem like this who do you contact? Thanks, Chris.

[jstackpo]

The cops.

[Josh Martin]

I work at a non profit 501(3) c and have found grants written for the center for items like computers for those we serve. Instead the funds are used to pay the director and the center gets no computer. I was looking into similar matters when I was voted off the board 7-5-1. The grant is written for a computer and says any funds left is to pay the director for their time. I have been studying all the grants written this year and 95% are for directors pay. The chairman and secretary are behind the director to get more money for this person while the center falls apart. I am at a loss on what to do since I was voted off the board though it is not 2/3 of all those then in office. If you came across a problem like this who do you contact?

Well, for starters, you should take your case to the general membership (if there is one). Perhaps they can amend the bylaws to provide a mechanism for the membership to remove board members, or simply elect new board members when the next election comes up. It may also be a good idea to contact a lawyer. Lastly, it seems to me that whoever is giving these grants to the organization may be interested to hear what the organization is doing with them.

[Guest Chris mikesell]

There is a general membership of 150 indivuals but I would need to have their address to inform them of the matter. I am seeing a lawyer about this matter. The Board has it's election on 1/8/15. I was told in my brief phone consult that I should contact the organization that gave the grant and inform them it did not go for the purpose intended. I do have all of the paper trail to show this did not happened I also found out two other matters that were supious. That is the real reason I was voted off the board. I contacted our local District Attorney and have not heard from him. I contacted the next county over and their DA told me to bring it to the proper police officials. I could never understand why grants were not being written to help with the center. All grants had salary for Director and a small amount for programs. This is a senior center and the board is run by seniors but the Chairman and Secertary seem to think that getting more money for our director is the #1 priority. I was just given a written notice that is a final notice before I can't be a member. Never had the first and they are trying to get me out of the general membership that way instead of a 2/3 vote of entire membership. Thanks Mr. Martin for all of you input to my questions.

[Josh Martin]

There is a general membership of 150 indivuals but I would need to have their address to inform them of the matter.

Why would you need their addresses? They have meetings, right?

[Guest Chris mikesell]

No there is no meeting of the general membership. There are only 5 board meetings in a year. If a member attended a meeting that is the only way they would know what was done.

[Guest Chris mikesell]

Also the Chairman says we follow Robert's Rules of Order it seems that we do only some of the rules and not most. The majority of the Board does not even know what Robert' Rules are or have read them. The Chairmen seems to keep members in the dark and if the officers just meet they don't want to share what was talked about to the Board. We receive some funding from the federal government and a budget has to be submitted to the county. The budget is given to the county for approval but the board votes on it after the counties approval. We are told if we don't approve the budget we will lose the funding which is wrong since I contacted the county offical in charge. We could change it and resubmit the budget. The decisions are being made only by the officers and the board acts like a rubber stamp. I have tried to point out to other board members that the board has the power.