It is absolutely alright to speak out our mind and express dissatisfaction or anger but we must always try to do it in awareness and without losing our temper or being carried away by emotion. Recent events did not have to end up like they did. There is a reason why people sit down together and define the parameters that the group will work within. We do this to avoid misunderstandings and to assure that we are all playing by the same rules. Yes, at times those same rules can become an inconvenience, even a hindrance to what some may think should be the course of action on an issue, but personal opinions aside we operate within a defined set of rules for a reason.
When we suddenly abandon those rules for this exception or that exception, we cease to be an organized group and become a mob, adopting a mob mentality of following situational ethics whenever it suits us. A group cannot survive in this manner. An emergency for one may not be an emergency for another. For clarity, an emergency is a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action -a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or environment. Most emergencies require urgent intervention to prevent a worsening of the situation, although in some situations, mitigation may not be possible and agencies may only be able to offer palliative assistance. For example, if a medical situation is a true emergency, the physician is required to provide all services and medication required to remove that person from imminent danger, as dictated by Federal law. There's an old proverb: "Bad planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."
We are a not for profit organization and we operate solely on donations. We are not a business. We do not provide goods or services. We do provide credentials to qualified ministerial candidates so that they may fulfill the requirements of law in performing the duties of clergy, but we do not sell them the credentials. The ordination donations we receive go into the general fund from which the church draws to carry out its mission.
Aside from that, my duty as CEO is to ensure that the organization abides by the law regarding operation. In regards to donations, This is an issued called "enforceability of a restricted gift to a nonprofit organization"
In other words, a donor who has made a completed charitable gift to a nonprofit organization does not even have standing in a court to bring an action to enforce the terms of that gift unless the gift instrument contained an express reservation of control over the disposition of the gift, such as a right of reverter or a right to redirect. A right of reverter means that the donation would be refunded if the charity breached the agreement. In fact, people who have not even given donations but have pledged a donation, are obligated under general state law to give the funds to the charity.
Aside from that, my duty as CEO is to ensure that the organization abides by the law regarding operation. In regards to donations, This is an issued called "enforceability of a restricted gift to a nonprofit organization"
In other words, a donor who has made a completed charitable gift to a nonprofit organization does not even have standing in a court to bring an action to enforce the terms of that gift unless the gift instrument contained an express reservation of control over the disposition of the gift, such as a right of reverter or a right to redirect. A right of reverter means that the donation would be refunded if the charity breached the agreement. In fact, people who have not even given donations but have pledged a donation, are obligated under general state law to give the funds to the charity.
No nonprofit organization could survive without this law. So before anyone gets all bent out of shape over recent events, you must understand that we operate under the authority of the Bylaws that the organization has so painstakingly drafted, and the State and Federal laws that govern our organization. There is nothing "personal" in any decision that has been or will be made. We are merely operating according to the rules and regulations that the Board has defined as the code of conduct for our organization.
That being said, I hope we can put this matter to rest for the time being so that we can continue with the plans for the Midsummer celebration. If necessary, we will take up the issue again at the next Board meeting. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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