[NFBFTtreasure-Coast] Chapter Treasury and Constitution
Joe Chite
joe at joechite.com
Wed May 26 19:39:00 UTC 2021
I really don’t know how to answer that. We voted to do something at the meeting. It was a unanimous vote. We had outstanding debit cards. Do i have to say all of THAT out loud? We unanimously voted against you and for Rosemary to be on the account. I am the treasurer. I can’t not be on it and unlike other words we have heard around here i 100% assure you i wouldn’t be on it if i didn’t have to be.
I greatly appreciate the discussion of how slow and arduous the process of amending the constitution will be. I think we are prepared for it. There are also more immediate votes i can think of that may also nip this in the knees. The length and general difficulty of the process did not deter you from immediately wanting us to do it for term extensions. Term extensions….another thing “some chapters are doing around the country” or whatnot but isn’t mandatory. Sheesh. That sounds similar to Sylvia telling us a lot of chapters are moving away from the president being on the account. It’s so funny what does and doesn’t matter around here!
There’s right and there’s legal. There’s also technically correct which is considered the lowest form of correct. Let me present facts and i’m begging anyone to correct me if i am wrong. We can even have Jessica submit this list of questions to the meeting if we need to go over each point as a group:
The group has unanimously and openly told you they do not want you on the account.
You have attempted to compel the group on multiple occasions to put you on the account to be in compliance with the constitution.
The bank account is currently consisted of 2 signatories with approval of all expenses by the president.
I think even if we disagree on the meanings, those are basic facts that currently exist.
And one last thing i can’t help but offer. As someone with no experience in the NFB and just a big dumb lummox for all intent and purposes…
Your experience of 40 years has clearly not taught you to catch more flies with honey than vinegar. I couldn’t even imagine the great things you could accomplish for the NFB of the Treasure Coast if you spent 1/5th of the time you spent sending emails about the checking account on getting to know the members. Offering a friend a hand. I’m sorry i even have to say this out loud but 99% of the correspondence and interaction the members have with you is an. Email forward or check persistence. I may not be experienced, but i know how to shake a hand. And i know i do not follow the kind of person who thinks that’s not as important as what a document says.
-Joe
> On May 26, 2021, at 2:57 PM, NFBFL Treasure Coast <treasurecoastnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Also, a vote can not override the constitution because the constitution is a legal binding document.
>
> I had also mentioned that I wasn’t sure if the vote would stand that I had to speak to the state board, and I did so, and I was informed that we have to follow the constitution. We can not talked anyone off, but we can only add individuals and this what we are doing by adding the Vice President.
>
>
> Thank you
> Nicole
>
> Nicole D. Fincham-Shehan
> President
>
> Treasure Coast Chapter
> National Federation of the Blind of Florida
> Home Phone: 561-366-7841
> Cell Phone: 410-493-4461
> Email: treasurecoastnfb at gmail.com
>
>
> On May 26, 2021, at 2:26 PM, Joe Chite via NFBF-Treasure-Coast <nfbf-treasure-coast at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
>
> A fundamental misunderstanding of the issue is you reciting your time with the NFB over and over and over again. What your time with the group means is you know the machinations to run an end-around against an unanimous vote against you. It does not mean you have 40 years with this chapter. With these people. With this family. So, i respect and appreciate your time in the US Senate, but this is the Florida State House. Welcome to the group. How long have you been a member here?
>
> Here is the problem. My father used to tell me to “say it out loud”. So let’s say it out loud for everyone within earshot.
>
> We voted not to have you on the account. We just told you there will be a proposed amendment following article 12 of the constitution to remove the office of the president as a signatory. It will be replaced with the Vice President, as the chapter voted on. If that passes, everyone wins. We will be in line with the constitution and you will not be on the checkbook. This also goes in line with your original messaging that you wouldn’t want to be on the check book anyway if it weren’t for the constitution. So you’ll get your way. You won’t be.
>
> We can keep saying it out loud. Not only was there a unanimous vote to remove you from the duties of a signatory, Sylvia if you are still reading this we are going back to the minutes. Your story has changed as well. We have you saying that previously chapters had the president on the account but lately you have frowned on it and moved away from that. What has changed since that?
>
> Further…
>
> You were voted off the account. The only leg right now you are standing on is a point of order and a technicality that will be resolved one way or another at the next meeting. Say it out loud. You have a vote right now outstanding against you and you send out emails compelling us to put you on the account anyway? Say that out loud. And i will gladly discuss this to a resolution, a final resolution, one way or another at the next meeting. We can begin exerting our energy on equality opportunity and security and not figuring out maneuvers to get onto a check book and be eextraordinarily aggrsssive about it.
>
> -Joe
>>> On May 26, 2021, at 11:49 AM, NFBFL Treasure Coast via NFBF-Treasure-Coast <nfbf-treasure-coast at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>
>> Question this is not how I’m trying to build the chapter, with conflict. I am trying to build the chapter on the foundation that has been previously established, along with the protocols that have been in place for years. This is why we have the chapter constitution which mirrors the state and national constitution. I’m simply trying to follow what has been established and documented to be factual and truthful information
>>
>> Changes, is required to be done at the beginning of a transition period. So this is what I have been trying to do.
>>
>> Thank you
>> Nicole
>>
>> Nicole D. Fincham-Shehan
>> President
>>
>> Treasure Coast Chapter
>> National Federation of the Blind of Florida
>> Home Phone: 561-366-7841
>> Cell Phone: 410-493-4461
>> Email: treasurecoastnfb at gmail.com
>>
>>
>> On May 26, 2021, at 11:37 AM, RONALD VANGELDEREN via NFBF-Treasure-Coast <nfbf-treasure-coast at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Nicole if this is the way you are building the Chapter I think you are off to a really bad start. Ron
>>
>> From: NFBF-Treasure-Coast <nfbf-treasure-coast-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of NFBFL Treasure Coast via NFBF-Treasure-Coast
>> Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 11:03 AM
>> To: NFB of Florida Treasure Coast Space CoastList <nfbf-treasure-coast at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: NFBFL Treasure Coast <treasurecoastnfb at gmail.com>; Jessica Chite <j_voepel25 at yahoo.com>; Denise Valkema <valkemadenise at aol.com>
>> Subject: Re: [NFBFTtreasure-Coast] Chapter Treasury and Constitution
>>
>> Again, my wanting to be on the books is to simply be in line with what our constitution states. In addition, to correct you and Tamika and Donnie were on the books and most recently Ron was added. Therefore, as I had stated, this is nothing new. So it is being drawn out more than it needs to be.
>>
>> Also, I never said that I was going to clean things up. I stated that we need to have current membership on the account and access to all bank records, as we currently do not. I never said I was going to do anything to the account. It is just to satisfy what the local, state and national constitutions state needs to happen. This is not mypersonal agenda as you keep wanting to imply. This is factual information and documentation that governs what has to occur.
>>
>> Also, I total agre and I would never advise or allow for a husband and wife to have control, nor would I allow a husband and wife to hold the positions of President and Treasurer or Vice President at the same time. It is a complete and total conflict of interest.
>>
>> Again, for me to recommend 3 names on the account, shows complete and total tranparency.
>>
>> Joe, no disrespect, but I have been in the NFB for over 40 years and held numerous leadership positions within Maryland and Florida and I have always abide and follow what the constitution states. Each constitution is determine, developed and voted on by the membership that will be directly impacted. The same was done for this chapter.
>>
>> Again, everything I have stated is documented, factual information and this is nothing that I have made up on my own to benefit myself. It is in the best interest of all the members in the NFB Treasurer Coast Chapter.
>>
>> As always, feel fre to contact me with any additional concerns.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you
>> Nicole
>>
>> Nicole D. Fincham-Shehan
>> President
>>
>> Treasure Coast Chapter
>> National Federation of the Blind of Florida
>> Home Phone: 561-366-7841
>> Cell Phone: 410-493-4461
>> Email: treasurecoastnfb at gmail.com
>>
>>
>> On May 25, 2021, at 11:55 PM, Joe Chite via NFBF-Treasure-Coast <nfbf-treasure-coast at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Yes i have concerns and none of them have been resolved through this email thread. In fact, your persistence in insuring you are on the check book has only given me an additional concern. Personally, speaking for myself. I cannot fathom thinking this is the best way forward.
>>
>> We have discussed ad nauseum the reasons why folks had concerns about you and me both going on the check book. Tamika, frankly, was only relatively recently added to it from my understanding when Donny thought 2 signatures were required on all checks. Previously, i believe we had a husband and wife team as the 2 folks on the checks. There’s another thing from the past i would be super uncomfortable with that will never happen again if i have a vote.
>>
>> You have to approve every purchase anyway. And you citing you wanting to help dive into the books and clean things up and get in there…that’s exactly what i don’t want, personally, as treasurer. The buck allegedly stops with me. I am accountable. By no means am i comfortable with someone else already planning on actively involving themselves in the job i am on the hook for. How does that add transparency or do anything but add more moving parts?
>>
>> Again, this is all talking in circles and things we have discussed. So i guess we can all just prepare for this to be a topic, again, at the next meeting.
>>
>>
>> On May 25, 2021, at 6:55 PM, NFBFL Treasure Coast <treasurecoastnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> Again, I want there to be full transparency. Yes, at the first board meting and chapter meeting I presided over as President, I did bring up the constitution and bank account. These are important things that need to be addressed as soon as there is a new administration. Also, it was discussed with the state board and other chapters in regards to changing the constitution so that there wil not be a change of the entire board every year. This is a topic that many other chapters who have elections every year are working to going to two year terms and have it as alternate positions, therefore, attain, there will not be a new board every election.
>>
>> In addition, the want and need to have the banking information changed as soon as possible is urgent and important, especially if you look at our chapter dynamics. Our most recent Preside3nt passed away, the former Treasurer has moved out of state and the former Vice President is in the process of moving out of state. Therefore, we need to have current leadership on the account. At this time, we do not have any bank tatements from September 2020. This is not acceptable nor good business practice.
>>
>> As I shared, I have recently became the Treasurer of the NFB Deaf Blind Division for the state and when I took this position, there was no bank account nor bank statements for the entire year of 2020. So, I had a cashiers check but no record as to where the funds came from or how they were established. We have to turn in a report at the beginning of the year for the previous year with all of our expenses along with bank statements. So, this is difficult to do when you do not have the documents or access to receiving them. So, I do not want to see our chapter go through what we just went through in the Deaf Blind Division.
>>
>> I have been. A member of the NFB since 1985 when I was 5 years old. I have assisted in creating chapters and held numerous leadership positions within the organization. So, if I was trying to hide anything or be misleading to the membership of our chapter, i wold not have pushed to have a third individual on the bank account, especially since our constitution only calls for the Treasurer and President.
>>
>> This is a constitution that was created by many of you and followed for years, so I am not understanding what the problem is, and if it is be3cause I am new, I apologize for that, but I simply deserve a chance to serve you and until I do something wrong or deceiving, I am hurt that this has gotten out of control.
>>
>> However, I will bring this up in our meeting in June and if we decide to vote to change the constitution, we can begin that process in August, but at the current moment, we will have to follow what is currently written and approved by the membership and that’s is the current constitution.
>>
>> I hope that this ca be resolved, as it is only for protocol and consistent with local, state and national constitutions.
>>
>> If you have any questions, lease feel free to contact me.
>>
>>
>> Thank you
>> Nicole
>>
>> Nicole D. Fincham-Shehan
>> President
>>
>> Treasure Coast Chapter
>> National Federation of the Blind of Florida
>> Home Phone: 561-366-7841
>> Cell Phone: 410-493-4461
>> Email: treasurecoastnfb at gmail.com
>>
>>
>> On May 25, 2021, at 5:56 PM, Joe Chite via NFBF-Treasure-Coast <nfbf-treasure-coast at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>>
>> I have several things to add here but first and foremost, our former President was Tamika Butts. Tamika spent years earning the trust and respect of every single member in the chapter. So i want to nip any comparisons to our “former president” in the budd if i can. It is not apples to apples. At least to our membership.
>>
>> Second, Nicole, we did not say it was too hard to amend the constitution. Here’s how it went down and I’m sure we have minutes to support it. You broached the subject of extending term limits to 2 year terms. I feel like i am repeating myself or folks are not taking me seriously. There is no ulterior motive, so i will repeat it again. Based on the optics of your first two administrative moves were to get on the checkbook and extend terms, the optics of the situation did not call for it. And, as this email thread suggests, you want it said to you plainly and justly. So, based on the fact that the very first things we were to do at the very first board meeting were to extend terms and insure you were on the checkbook….red flags starting dropping from the sky like a clown exploded. So based on the optics of that, we decided to punt that can down the curb and discuss it later. You’re right. If we said “it was too hard” to do at the time, maybe that was to cover for potentially sore feelings. But clearly that doesn’t fly here so iut’s just plain obtuse Joe from here on out. So i mention that because…
>>
>> I would absolutely have the stomach time and temperament to amend the constitution regardless how hard it may be. We achieve hard things daily. Hard doesn’t scare me. What scares me is not doing my office a service by representing the membership.
>>
>> Particular reasons? I don’t know. And, again, anyone else on the planet feel free to speak up because i thought the vote we took did that but also clearly not. But there’s no reason for you to be on the account. Sylvia, this has nothing to do with personal concerns about Nicole for me. I barely know her and all my interactions with her have been unbelievably efficient and professional. But i see zero reason, have been presented zero reason (other than, well Tamika was on the account), and can’t comprehend why this has become the issue THE ISSUE of the first hundred days. I have much more concern now that we have rebuffed Nicole’s attempts to get on the account it feels like a couple different times and yet here we are again. What motivates that? I don’t know. And “because Tamika was on” isn’t just the reason. And because Donny, our old treasurer who i was raised to not say anything at all about his tenure by my momma…I’m not Donny. The same way Nicole isn’t Tamika. And if the argument is “well, according to the constitution, you ARE Donny and Nicole IS Tamika” for all intent and purposes….
>>
>> Then we need to change the constitution.
>>
>> -Joe
>>
>>
>> On May 25, 2021, at 4:36 PM, Sylvia Young via NFBF-Treasure-Coast <nfbf-treasure-coast at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hi all,
>> I am so sorry you are having this confusion. I believe it stems from a discussion the state board had about having presidents on the banking account. It was just that, a discussion and no changes have been put forth. However, if you look at most of the Florida chapters constitutions at this time; the president is listed as a signatory on the bank account.
>> Nicole is correct in stating that if you want to change your chapter's accounting policy, you will have to officially amend your constitution. You can find how to amend your constitution under the amendment article #12.
>> This has been your past policy as your former president was on the account. If you are having problems with Nicole specifically on the account, this concern should be discussed as such and resolved. If it's just having the president on the account, you will need to change the constitution.
>> I would hope that this issue can be resolved without loss of membership or hard feelings. I am copying President Valkema on this email to inform her of your concerns.
>> Sylvia Young
>> NFBF Secretary
>> 850-322-5937
>> Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.
>>
>>
>>
>> Sender notified by
>> Mailtrack 05/25/21, 04:07:33 PM
>>
>>
>> On Tue, May 25, 2021 at 3:47 PM NFBFL Treasure Coast via NFBF-Treasure-Coast <nfbf-treasure-coast at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Joe,
>>
>> I am trying to do what the membership is asking for. However, when I tried to have the discussion as to changing the constitution, it was frowned upon and voted against. Therefore, at this time, all we can do is follow the current constitution.
>>
>> I honestly do not understand what the concern is as the chapter has had only the Treasurer and President on the bank account for years, and just recently was the Vice President added to the account. Even when the Vice President was added to the account, the President’s name still remained on the account. So, I am simply trying to meet the requirements set forth by the membership in. The creation of the constitution and also add another individual to ensure transparency. I am simply trying to do what is in the best interest of all the members.
>>
>> Again, we can discuss at the June meeting and if we decided we are going to change our constitution, we can begin the lengthy process, but for the time being, we would need to have at least both the Treasurer and President names on the account and wed can add the Vice President.
>>
>> I hope this clarifies things. I have asked Sylvia to input the state board position.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you
>> Nicole
>>
>> Nicole D. Fincham-Shehan
>> President
>>
>> Treasure Coast Chapter
>> National Federation of the Blind of Florida
>> Home Phone: 561-366-7841
>> Cell Phone: 410-493-4461
>> Email: treasurecoastnfb at gmail.com
>>
>>
>> On May 25, 2021, at 2:40 PM, Joe Chite via NFBF-Treasure-Coast <nfbf-treasure-coast at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> I couldn’t be any less comfortable with this strongarming. I want to say, again, and as transparently as possible, i am SUPREMELY UNSETTLED by this. Am i clear enough?
>>
>> For 2 weeks i spoke to each and every one of you. I agreed to speak for the group. And i said there are two parts to me agreeing to be the face of this concern:
>>
>> 1. I have absolutely zero interest in being the treasurer and the person accountable when the president has full access to the funds.
>>
>> 2. I genuinely love and respect the crew of you here that welcomed me, a scared blind new guy, and made me feel at home. I owe things to you folks. And when i hear you guys aren’t happy, that means I’m not happy.
>>
>> Nicole, i don’t know what else to say. Your leadership and experience seems unreal amazing. I fawn over these emails you’ve been sending out saying, wow this is the sort of stuff i was hoping we would get into. And under your leadership, i see our chapter becoming more of that. But i do not know you very well. Person to person. I certainly can tell you’re a serious individual with tremendous skills and expertise across the board. But i have no interest in following a leader that hears the concerns of the constituency and proceeds to do the exact thing asked not to do.
>>
>> -Joe
>>
>> > On May 25, 2021, at 2:14 PM, NFBFL Treasure Coast <treasurecoastnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > Hello,
>> >
>> > I first want to say, Mary, I hope you will reconsider your decision and not step down from the board. You are a marvelous asset and we do not want to loose your contributions.
>> >
>> > Joe,
>> > I will get the info about Jessia’[s email over to David Andrews and ask him to make the correction/addition. As for the bank names. The chapter motion can not over ride what the current constitution states. I had brought up to the board and chapter to revise our constitution and it was stated that we did not want to go through the long process it would take to revise the constitution. There are many steps involved when changing the constitution. Also, if we would decide to change or revise the constitution, we would still at the moment have to follow the proper protocol and at this time would ask for both the Treasurer and President names. So, if the bank has been updated with both your name and Rosemary’s name, then I simply need to go and add my name.
>> >
>> > Sylvia,
>> > Can you please address these concerns and what we had discussed on the phone, and that I am only stating what proper procedures are and that we need to follow our chapters constitution which is a spin off of the state and national constitutions.
>> >
>> > I am trying to keep everything transparent for all to see and know exactly what is going on with the chapter. In addition, I am sharing any and all information and conversations I have with the state board as to what we are doing in our chapter. I do not want any9one to feel as though things are not being done properly and that no one has any questions in regards to decisions that are being made.
>> >
>> > Pleas feel free to contact me if I can answer any questions or concerns.
>> >
>> >
>> > Thank you
>> > Nicole
>> >
>> > Nicole D. Fincham-Shehan
>> > President
>> >
>>
>>
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