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$15,000 Loan Debate
Winslow Trustee Says WSF Chair Is Wrong
By Kerri Reeder
IFGE received a loan of $ 15,000.00 from Winslow Street Fund in
October, an action which WSF proclaimed would never happen in
their fund raising pleas to the community. The money was transferred
without a note being signed or a repayment schedule being established.
I have protested this move to IFGE's Board, the Trustees, and
the response I have received is Abby Saypen's , "Loan Was
Proper" in the TG Forum on 12/1/97 with a blistering attack
on myself and Judy Osborne who first brought this to the communities
attention in her, Art of Politics, column on TG Forum. I must
respond with the facts that Abby left out of her piece, "
Loan was Proper.
If the loan was proper, why all the fuss? All I've asked for since
the beginning, Oct. 16th and in all communications
since has been to provide the Trustees and IFGE with a "Letter
of Loan". Not much, if you went to a bank or other lending
institution, there would be paperwork.
I have tried very hard to communicate, on Oct. 16th
and at least weekly, that IFGE and WSF must do the right thing
by the contributors and supporters of both organizations. It was
only after none of the principals would respond that I approached
the community. It was IFGE and WSF that did not communicate and
when Abby did it was with accusations and worse.
The facts are:
Abby and I talked on Oct. 16th and I was assured that
paperwork would be done. On Oct. 25th we met in Provincetown
and again I was assured paperwork would be done. On Oct. 26th
Laura Caldwell assured me that paperwork would be done. And after
no response I wrote to IFGE's Board of Directors, on Nov. 13,
1997, asking them to become involved. With no response, I went
to the community and asked for a response. I allowed reasonable
time to respond before taking that action. In each action, Abby
Saypen and Linda Buten were sent Email copies. Still to this day
I have had no response from Linda Buten and Abby, other than Abby's
scathing and incorrect statements in TG Forum which was not a
responsible act since she could at least have copied me, as I
did her.
Abby states in her piece," What Kerri has done is to attempt
to destroy the reputation of Winslow Street, IFGE, Laura Caldwell
and Myself".
I have not attacked IFGE or WSF, I have only
demanded that this Loan be documented correctly. How is this an
attack? It's just good business and proper procedure. It is my
fiduciary responsibility to the contributors to WSF that we keep
our word about how these funds are used. As one of the originators
of the WSF, why would I attack the Fund, or IFGE for that matter,
10 years of working for and with them?
I have asked the Board of Directors to dismiss three of the Trustees,
with thanks for their hard work, and replace them with three or
four unconnected, yet very viable community individuals to shepherd
the Winslow Street Endowment. To place individuals into Trusteeship
that is not beholding or responsible for the financial activities
of IFGE.
Abby states that an instrument was drawn and there was no time
limit set for the signing of this document. As a Trustee I ask
why I haven't seen this document. I ask why, if the funds were
transferred, that there would be any delay in signing the document.
I believe it is in the interest of all contributors and the community
to see that the WSF Trustees uphold their responsibilities, that
all parties resolve this matter in a business like and civil manner.
Rather than hide behind very subjective statements, come out and
open this transaction to the scrutiny it deserves. The longer
it is hidden the worse it gets for everyone. WSF Trustees and
IFGE must for their own sake open the doors, speak with simple
truth, and the community will respond with acceptance and isn't
that what we are all about, acceptance.
Sincerely,
Kerri Reeder Trustee, Winslow Street Endowment Fund
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