I was ordered to delete the website that I still managed for Alger Parks and Rec. The same organization that I started and ran for ten years as chairperson. However before I take the site down, I am publishing my letter of resignation from earlier this year, so it will be on permanent record.
I plan on reading a prepared statement to the board at the next meeting in order to clarify any misunderstanding(s) that may have arisen either intentionally or unintentionally by any current or past board members of Alger Parks and Rec. I think it’s sad that after ten proven years of exceptional service, dedication and transparency within the community, that it comes down to me having to defend my honor.
Here’s a copy of my recent letter to the board with names removed. By the way, I have decided to leave the website live so I have proof of my transparency during the years I served from 2012 to 2022.
November 5, 2022
Proud Daughter Publishing
To all board members:
I was going to present this letter to you at your next board meeting, but after careful consideration, I’ve decided to send this letter and accompanying data to each via snail-mail. This will give you ample opportunity to peruse said material and not only ascertain the truth, but to clear me of any wrongdoing or negligence.
1: As stated in my letter given to ” ” in April and to be shared with your board members at your following meeting (see attached copy), everything in my possession as chairperson for the period dating 2012 until my resignation in 2022, was provided free of encumbrance, including, but not limited to:
• Financial and bank statements, payables, and receivables
• Minutes
• Event documentation and photos
• Proposals and grants
• Letters to contractors
• General liability insurance documentation
• IRS and state filings/reports
• Thank you letters to the public
• Corporate and personal donations
• Funding campaigns
• Scholarship information
• Food basket information, including a database of recipients
• Alger Parks and Rec letterhead/logo
• Signs (jpegs, etc.)
• Mission statement
Question: If somehow the data on the thumb drive became unreadable (i.e., accidental exposure to a magnetic source), why wasn’t I contacted immediately? I would have happily supplied the board with a backup copy upon request. So, why am I hearing about this seven months later? Note: a copy of the drive was recently provided to ” “. I’ll be happy to provide additional copies.
2: The invoice for the domain and hosting renewal for algerparksandrec.org was submitted in April, with a due date of 5/27/2022 (see copy provided). The only time the website was discussed with your ” “, was when I emailed a past due reminder in July. I then received a cash payment from ” ” the week of July 10-16 (payment deposited July 17). The next conversation took place in October, when I inquired (via email to ” “), who was responsible for sending me website updates – no reply. Please note: Had it been requested that I remove my letter of resignation (or any other changes), I would have immediately complied. However, I was never contacted until I received an email in October, requesting deletion (of website).
While your organization is NOT required by law to have a website, it is highly recommended. Having a social media page (Facebook) does not take the place of a fully functioning website, which includes your minutes, financials, members contact information, mission statement, social media links, donation link to PayPal, etc. – it’s called transparency. Of course, as a board, the decision to cancel the site is yours, but I strongly advise you to rethink your decision. Caution: By pulling the site, the associated email address (contact@algerparksandrec.org) will cease to function. Your email address is listed as your primary means of contact with several companies including your PayPal and bank accounts, along with other businesses and anyone who’s corresponded with Parks and Rec since 2012. Furthermore, if you shut down the site, I urge you to establish and use a separate corporate email address (do not use an existing personal account) – one that can transfer throughout the life of the organization, regardless of membership changes.
Initially contact@algerparksandrec.org was temporarily forwarded to ” ” email address. However, as was requested by ” “, I provided her with instructions on how to set up the corporate email on her computer. Was this completed?
3: The Manager accounting program, along with financial data was provided for your convenience (latest copy is in the 2022 folder on the thumb drive). Please ensure that the treasurer has access to it. Also, have the members:
• Each visited Mercantile Bank in West Branch to establish board membership?
• Determined who has check signing rights (two signatures are required for any check)?
• Been provided required minutes along with monthly financials at each meeting?
In closing, I admit that I was first angered, then dismayed to the point of tears, that anyone currently sitting on the board, could value me so little as to think that I would willingly withhold information or deny specific requests from Alger Parks and Rec, after having faithfully served the organization for ten years. Those who lied or made accusations against me (without me being able to defend myself), or members who sat quietly saying nothing in my defense (or questioned it), are equally complicit in my eyes. A simple email, text, or phone call to me would have immediately rectified any concerns.
P.S. As is the right of anyone in the public sector, I ask to be provided with the following: Copies of approved minutes and computerized financials for the period from April to September 2022. Copies can be mailed or emailed to me by your secretary and treasurer by November 30, 2022. Note: The IRS and State of Michigan require that corporations, including nonprofit corporations, keep copies of their meeting minutes. Please see Michigan OPEN MEETINGS ACT 267 of 1976.
(https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-act-267-of-1976.pdf)
Sincerely,
Marion J Chard
Former chairperson of Alger Parks and Recreation
Proud Daughter Publishing
Update: November 22, 2022
It appears that even after being presented with the truth, some people choose to close their eyes and ears and ignore the facts. However, I still proudly stand my ground and hold my head high. I’ve always judged my own behavior by asking myself, “Would my father approve?” If I can honestly answer yes, then I know I’ve done the right thing. Those who choose to live in ignorance and denial will have to live with their own karma.
Update: November 23, 2022
Yesterday I discovered the identity of the person who is spreading the malicious rumor that “The real reason I left parks and rec was due to the fact that I was embezzling money from my own non-profit”. As you can imagine, I feel as though a bomb has been dropped on my house. I am shocked, dismayed, hurt, bruised, and saddened to the point beyond tears.
I’ve thought long and hard on this, and was even considering filing a defamation of character lawsuit, but that would be an ugly drawn out process in the courts. But yes, I personally know the woman behind these vicious lies, and I must admit, I’m not surprised. She’s always been a troublemaker in the community, so I see she hasn’t lost her flare for gossip and misdeeds. I wonder, how does she sleep at night?
I’ve never been one to act rashly, so will think long and hard on my course of action. But as I stated on FB, I do have the truth and social media on my side.
Sounds like they need to head in a direction WITHOUT someone level headed at the helm.
That seems to be going around the world these days.
You’ve spent hours, days and years working on their behalf and best interest and it does indeed sound like someone has Poisoned the well.
Enjoy your freedom to use all your talents and interests growing well beyound what a few others in the areas might have tried to smoother.
Onward & Upward!