[TheForge] Re: Saving ABANA

[Harland Johnson]

Guess that everyone quickly forgets all the audit scandals in the big 
companies like ENRON, WORLDCOM, AOL-Time-Warner, etc.  An audit generally 
only picks up only the "stupid" mistakes. 

An audit won't  settle the issues that have been re-called recently, as 
these issues are judgment calls.  On the  boards that I have participated, 
there are no requirements to let bids, or even if bids are let, that the 
board must accept the "low bid". 

The issues pointed out, would likely be laughed out of a court.
The issues that were pointed out back in 1998, even if they had bit of truth 
to them, would be well past the statute of limitations.  Even something that 
happened 3 years ago would be nearing the 5 year statute by the time it got 
through the court docket.   The Kiwanis, the Lions, the Rotary, Church, etc 
...  don't go for real audits.  Each simply has another member of the group 
do a 2nd party review. 

This has likely been done with ABANA as well, but would not satisfy George's 
issues.  It is my opinion that nothing short of giving him the keys to the 
organization would satisfy him.   Didn't he run unsuccessfully for the ABANA 
board in 2002 or 2003?  Doesn't anyone think it is funny how George calls 
all responses to his email as "spam" but then lobs another  volley of 
garbage into the list through a friend's forward. 

I think ABANA is doing just fine.  I will renew my membership. 

Dann 

 

John Husvar writes: 

> gblacksmith wrote:
>> Folks:  This is an interesting sidebar.  Under the IRS rules for 501 C 3
>> corporations, financial statements are not only required, but they must 
>> also
>> be made public to anyone wishing to view them.  This requirement exists
>> because of the need for disclosure to potential donors.  If memory serves 
>> me
>> correctly, there is a further requirement that financials for the 
>> preceding
>> three years be available.  I am not sure that this makes for a de-facto
>> requirement for an audit, but without one, how can the financials be
>> certified as accurate....a rhetorical question, perhaps. However, this 
>> does
>> not alter the fact that external audits are considered a standard 
>> business
>> practice.  Grant 
>> 
>> 
> 
> http://www.guidestar.org 
> 
> Has recent Form 990 for most non-profit organizations in the US. Won't 
> give specifics, but will show how much money came from where and was spent 
> for what, more or less. 
> 
> It's a start. Nobody is required to publicly reveal every jot and tittle 
> of their accounting books, except for in an audit-- and often not even 
> then, IIRC. (Well maybe to the IRS.) :) 
> 
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Dann Johnson