Friday, August 9, 2013

Glorious Leader's Glorious Days as VP, Embezzlement, Alzheimer's

We get many emails leading us down memory lane. KBOO's past is fraught with, fraughtiness, a roller coaster of experience  throughout the years the organization has failed to learn from.

For instance take finances.  

At the beginning of the HATE EVIL FITCH campaign, Glorious Leader rebutted Traitor Hoyne with her experience as an ELDER and former Vice President of the Board and her alleged attempts to reign in Treasurer Kahlia Durham.  Ignoring Glorious Leader's wisdom, KBOO was embezzled out of $19,000 between/around 1995-1998:

http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2013/05/423310.shtml?discuss#415542


2 bh
16.May.2013 17:26

tm

IF you'll check the transcript of the May 4 meeting, you'll see that Lynn did admit to attempting to remove the entire Staff. That's why I keep mentioning it. Treasurer Paula was in on it. Then, when that plan was thwarted, Bullard Law, the (expensive!) anti-union firm, was hired. The Station Manager has obviously tried to manage perceptions of the situation, but it's just as obvious that she intended to clean house.

I am not inclined to believe what Lynn says. That's because I twice approached her, over the last few months, with fund-raising ideas, and was immediately told "we'll probably do that." She was not only lying, but attempting to dismiss me as a crank. One of those proposals was based on an idea that has raised a million dollars per year for WBUR; I know that, becauswe I personally researched it with WBUR staff. So now, if she says she doesn't intend to wipe out KBOO Staff, I take it as perception management. She is not a straight shooter, in my opinion. For example, she just sent out an email blast to KBOO members in which she appears cozily next to the CWA president...but if you listen to the CWA prez on the KBOO Labor Radio broadcast (  http://kboo.fm/content/laborradioon051313 ), you will hear a different story altogether.

As to whether I can comment on Staff competency, I would remind you that I am a 23-year veteran of KBOO--an "elder" if ever there was one--and a former Vice President of the Board of Directors (1995-1998). Board minutes from that era will show me desperately attempting to institute responsible Treasurer practices; I was ignored, and KBOO lost $19,000.00 to the then-Treasurer's embezzlement. (Her name was Kahlia Durham, and she's dead now.) Should I be silent now, when I see the core values of the Station threatened?

You asked if Staff could not be reassigned. They are frequently re-assigned; I have no problem with that. But a reassignment under the current manager would probably mean a realignment towards a downsized, dumbed-down station. As I said, I don't trust her.

I thank you for staying on topic and avoiding mere fireworks.

"Board minutes from that era will show me desperately attempting to institute responsible Treasurer practices;"

Perhaps Theresa Mitchell would like to share those minutes, because Dog knows there's not a snowball's chance in Hell of finding them on the KBOO website.  Otherwise it looks like Our Glorious Leader is "exaggerating" or has a touch of Alzheimer's.

-Kahlia Durham was not Treasurer; she was KBOO's business manager
-It wasn't $19,000, it was $11,000
-This was exposed in 1999, after Theresa Mitchell alleged term. (To be fair, that could be when the story broke after the damage was done.  OTOH it means it was happening under Mitchell's nose.)

This was covered by Willamette Week:

http://www.wweek.com/html/rogue020399.html

Seen a Rogue on the loose?
Get in touch with our Roguemeister:
JOHN SCHRAG
jschrag@wweek.com
(503) 243-2122
FAX: (503) 243-1115

It's a sad day when even the do-gooders at KBOO aren't safe from thieves. But that's apparently what managers of the community radio station found last month. According to station manager Alan Baily, former KBOO business manager Kalia Durham is suspected of embezzling more than $11,000 from the station by forging checks. Portland police are currently investigating the claim, but in the meantime KBOO has won a court injunction to prevent Durham from spending any money that's not lawfully hers. It's beyond roguishness for someone to steal funds from an organization that runs on volunteer labor and listener contributions. But KBOO, the nation's fifth-oldest community radio station, may share some of the blame.
A few years ago, general manager Everett Rice left under a cloud after it was discovered that he was allegedly milking the station for extended sick leave that he didn't need. Before that, a not-so-savvy business manager didn't pay the IRS on time, bringing the wrath of the feds down on the station.
Since the Rice fiasco, we're told that KBOO hasn't really tightened its financial controls. Hopefully, the managers at the station will start doing so from now on. Running better background checks might also be a good idea. A quick look at readily available public documents would have revealed that before signing on with KBOO Durham had been convicted of--guess what?--theft.



- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Willamette Week | originally published February 3, 1999




No mention of Glorious Leader in the Rogue column. But the criticisms of failing to " tightened its financial controls" ring eerily familiar.  History repeats.  And repeats and repeats...

There's a point where those who haven't swallowed the Kool Aid must face some facts about bad character no matter how much the organization or characters claim to have changed or "seen the light":




DO WE NEED TO PUT IT IN NEON?


-MT


33 comments:

  1. "DO WE NEED TO PUT IT IN NEON?"

    Apparently.

    ReplyDelete
  2. "Hopefully, the managers at the station will start doing so from now on."

    And this was 1999? LMAO

    ReplyDelete
  3. "Perhaps Theresa Mitchell would like to share those minutes,"

    Will happen when Hood uploads his copy of last board meeting audio. -_-

    ReplyDelete
  4. My god, this has already been discussed over and over again.

    Lynn wanted to lay off the entire staff, reorganize the workload and job descriptions to reflect what KBOO needs and can afford, and let the old staff re-apply for the new positions. Besides perhaps getting KBOO the best structure and staff possible, having every new position advertised would finally bring KBOO in compliance with FCC rules that Equal Opportunity rules in hiring were followed. Have you noticed that KBOO operates for years with "interim" people? That's because the hiring was never open so the old guard could put who they want into the positions.

    Under the old rules, firing any staff was nearly impossible (except when the staff decided to throw one of their own off the island). Many managers have been shown the door because of the old rules.

    Sure, staff would be uncomfortable with this proposed reorganization, which was called for by the board and tasked to the new manager. So they formed a union. Ironically, some say that by forming the union it might actually become easier to re-organize the staff than it was before. We'll have to sit back and see what the board and the staff agree on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "My god, this has already been discussed over and over again."

      Since 1999! Don't knock our hallowed traditions, comrade! No use pointing out we dug ourselves into this hole because no one in the Inner Party understood the difference between "lay off", restructuring, and firing! Face it we were terrified none of us was ever qualified to do our jobs! Once we lost them, we'd be S.O.L.! The only logical thing to do was send KBOO into a financial DEATH SPIRAL and hope the resulting chaos would hide our incompetence!

      Thank god Glorious Leader was there to show us the way! She's been aware of fiscal incompetence since 1999 and apparently said nothing in public until 2013! That's leadership! SOLIDARITY!!!!!1!

      Delete
    2. " She's been aware of fiscal incompetence since 1999 and apparently said nothing in public until 2013! That's leadership! "

      We only go public when the Iron Rice Bowl is threatened. Anything else is an internal matter to be handled by loyal Inner Party cadre.

      Delete
    3. "My god, this has already been discussed over and over again."

      Theresa Mitchell being Vice President of the board during embezzlement in the late 90's has been discussed over and over again? I must have missed that.

      Delete
    4. Someone didn't notice the red highlighting.

      Delete
  5. "Ironically, some say that by forming the union it might actually become easier to re-organize the staff than it was before."

    LOL. The staff isn't going to get reorganized, that is the whole point of the exercise, Comrade!

    The thing that makes this so riveting is that KBOO can't afford its current cost structure, due to technological change and declining revenues. KBOO brings someone in who identifies the problem, and identifies steps to fix it.

    The Inner Party launches a coup, and reverses all the proposed reforms, and announces that KBOO's financial problems are irrelevant.

    We already know how this movie ends - but the lulz value is likely to be high, as the jaws of the financial trap inexorably close in on the Inner Party.

    KBOO's inability to attract legal representation is an early warning sign of things to come - and I can't imagine which insurance company would be dumb enough to extend D&O insurance to the board, given even a cursory examination of recent events at KBOO.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "LOL. The staff isn't going to get reorganized, that is the whole point of the exercise, Comrade!"

      THIS

      It's all manoeuvring to delay the inevitable.

      Here's a thought. We assume they're morons, misguided, incompetent, whatever. But let's say someone in the Inner Party knows exactly how bad it is.

      Would they act any different from what we're observing? Maybe managing a "death spiral" is their only viable option if they refuse to abandon the ideology that led to it.

      Crazy as it sounds, it could explain their strategy, especially if they think they can set up shop somewhere else. I just don't think that's possible after this fiasco.

      Delete
    2. "LOL. The staff isn't going to get reorganized, that is the whole point of the exercise, Comrade!"

      You're right of course. Reorganization might have happened, but now with "Oh Welp" in charge, the contract will be for a perpetual Iron Rice Bowl!

      What was I thinking? SOLIDARITY!

      Delete
  6. "The Inner Party launches a coup, and reverses all the proposed reforms, and announces that KBOO's financial problems are irrelevant."

    "KBOO's inability to attract legal representation is an early warning sign of things to come"

    Some how I doubt it will escape a reputable firm that KBOO's problems are chronic. They haven't been able to get a handle on their financial problems for 14 years after being embezzled? Wat?

    ReplyDelete
  7. KKK on Facebook now 51 people strong!

    https://www.facebook.com/KeepKBOO/likes

    People Talking About This
    17
    Total Likes
    51
    Page Insights

    55-64 years old
    Most Popular Age Group

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a new post on KBOO's timeline:

      https://www.facebook.com/kbooradio/posts/10151821749215767

      "Hobbin Creechposted toKBOO Community Radio
      8 hours ago via mobile ·

      I'm feeling that I am not seeing a proper forum for member supporters formed or forming to discuss the changes that have happened at kboo with respect to currant management actions and board policies. I might be poorly informed, no I am and I want to talk with the kboo community of supporters and volunteers and anyone who loves this station. Thanks for inspiring so many kboo."

      Contradictions in same post and covering too many bases. How can he be poorly informed after admitting he knows about changes with current management and board policies which have NOT been shared on KBOO timeline?

      This is what bullshit looks like.

      Delete
    2. "I'm feeling that I am not seeing a proper forum for member supporters formed or forming to discuss the changes that have happened at kboo with respect to currant management actions and board policies."

      The answer of course is....Keep KBOO KBOO!

      Classic set up. Brings back memories.

      Delete
    3. "Classic set up. Brings back memories. "

      Anyone remember, "I'm not a Scientologist, but--" ?

      Delete
    4. "Anyone remember, "I'm not a Scientologist, but--" ?"

      Oh man. Flashback city.

      Any group that adopts extreme ideology with controlling behaviours and manipulations effectively is acting like a destructive cult. Thank God the Inner Party doesn't have resources like CoS.

      Delete
  8. Hmmm... I'm not sure if this has been posted here before. From portlandsocialists.org:

    "the Committee to Keep KBOO as KBOO

    On July 13, 2013 by ChrisW
    From Jamie P.
    Comrades,
    A quick summary of my work in creating and leading the Committee to Keep KBOO as KBOO –

    http://www.wweek.com/portland/m/article-20884-mobile.html

    This Willamette Week article quotes a guest on Meredith R.’s Labor Radio show. I am also a Labor Radio host and a KBOO news labor reporter. The WW article incorrectly calls our committee the Save KBOO movement (saveKBOO.org is a website expressing our views generally but run by one member of our committee, Theresa Mitchell).

    In January, I was asked by members of the KBOO staff to respond to new policies implemented by the board, in particular the change from “just cause” to “at will” employment. I was asked because I am the convener (informal) of the Labor Radio collective (I’ve been around the longest). We delivered a statement to the board then put out the word to pack the next board meeting. The Old Mole Variety Hour, run by our socialist-feminist sister organization – Solidarity — showed up in force. I was asked by Bill Resnick, leader of Old Mole/Solidarity, to pull together a meeting to plan a fight against the corporatization of KBOO.

    I have been setting the agendas and chairing twice monthly meetings of the Committee to Keep KBOO as KBOO. Through my organizing skills, including the effective accumulation and mobilization of a 300+ data base of supporters over several packed board meetings (30 people, then 250 people, 70 + 70 at successive meetings), and an online petition of 300+ signatures, we overwhelmed and divided the corporate elements (several have since quit) gave the positive board members some backbone, and got some of our committee members appointed to the board. The momentum is clearly on our side and if we continue to focus on mobilization, we will probably sweep the board elections in September. We are in the process of interviewing for a candidate slate.

    The main lesson here is that with a clear vision of the need for organization and mobilization, of direct democracy unhindered by board “rules” and legalisms, we socialists are able to inspire allegiance. KBOO programmers and volunteers are not used to organizing, generally. They like to pontificate. I was able focus the group, help it keep it’s eyes on the prize and to follow through with tasks & assignments. My work as the leader of Keep KBOO as KBOO is almost done, but I will be looked to for leadership in the future.
    Solidarity!
    Jamie Partridge
    - See more at: http://portlandsocialists.org/?p=968#sthash.zmYjiLIR.dpuf"

    Love the bit about "direct democracy unhindered by board “rules” and legalisms"!

    Rules and "legalisms" are for other people, Comrades!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "I have been setting the agendas and chairing twice monthly meetings of the Committee to Keep KBOO as KBOO. Through my organizing skills, including the effective accumulation and mobilization of a 300+ data base of supporters over several packed board meetings (30 people, then 250 people, 70 + 70 at successive meetings), and an online petition of 300+ signatures, we overwhelmed and divided the corporate elements (several have since quit) gave the positive board members some backbone, and got some of our committee members appointed to the board. The momentum is clearly on our side and if we continue to focus on mobilization, we will probably sweep the board elections in September. We are in the process of interviewing for a candidate slate."


      That's some awful powerful KoolAid Comrade James is chugging.

      Delete
    2. "Hmmm... I'm not sure if this has been posted here before. From portlandsocialists.org:"

      Good find!

      Delete
  9. "Otherwise it looks like Our Glorious Leader is "exaggerating" or has a touch of Alzheimer's. "

    I don't know that it's reasonable to expect someone to remember every little detail after 13 - 14 years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "I don't know that it's reasonable to expect someone to remember every little detail after 13 - 14 years."

      If she's claiming she has minutes to back up her story, it is. Theresa's implying she's got them at her finger tips. But from the WW article it's obvious she doesn't or basic info like Durham position wouldn't be incorrect.

      Delete
    2. " But from the WW article it's obvious she doesn't or basic info like Durham position wouldn't be incorrect. "

      It's possible WW made a correction. Just saying. Hard to tell because there don't seem to be online archives.

      I wonder how they got that rogue article. The url goes to a dead page.

      Delete
    3. The screen looks legit. Maybe cache archives? I've never heard of Everett Rice. Mebbe same person?

      http://www.linkedin.com/pub/everette-l-rice/9/b9/b3a

      Has a history of radio work before moving to Oregon. Wouldn't be a surprise KBOO isn't listed if it's the same guy.

      I'm more interested in the unnamed not-so-savvy business manager didn't pay the IRS on time.

      Delete
    4. "I'm more interested in the unnamed not-so-savvy business manager didn't pay the IRS on time. "

      And there's nothing in searches so far about it. Guess one could try to go through ancient KBOO minutes at webchimpcentral...

      Delete
    5. "I'm more interested in the unnamed not-so-savvy business manager didn't pay the IRS on time. "

      Andrew Geller?

      http://www.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-geller/52/a2b/77b

      It doesn't say business manager, but looks like he's worn lots of hats. And he was there at the time period. idk...

      Delete
    6. "Guess one could try to go through ancient KBOO minutes at webchimpcentral..."

      Ya know for a bunch of chimps who can barely keep the website online they know all about blocking with robots.txt:

      "Page cannot be crawled or displayed due to robots.txt."

      It's as if they don't want people to know about their past....-_-

      Delete
    7. I think the un-named business manager not paying the IRS, or other bills, was from back in the 80's. I think he left his employment and when his desk was gone through, they found a bunch of unopened mail including unpaid payroll tax liabilities. He had been there for a very long time. Everett Rice was the name of the station manager that embezzled funds. More to that story, it's gets KBOO-crazy. Not sure if its the same as the LinkedIn Rice, but I hear he is still in Portland. What prompted the Board to look at the bookkeeper (Durham) was that financial statements were real late and were not jiving with the bank account. She was forging signatures on checks. There were other smaller thefts from the lack of structure and controls at KBOO over the years after that. Station Manager Arthur Davis started putting in some good internal controls, using the consultation of a local CPA firm and surprise inspection of the books and internal controls procedures in addition to the annual audit. After Davis left KBOO, he left his legacy of internal controls and better financial reporting intact. KBOO went to no structured management but internal controls were maintained by the finance staff and finance committee and improvements were made.

      Maire made motion, Nia seconded: KBOO approves creating a temporary position as outlined by Finance Coordinator of 5 hours per week to provide financial internal controls, and that position will be appointed by Chris Merrick. Personnel Committee will draft job description and title for this position. Board also approves allocation of $500 to $800 for training of this person. Full Finance Committee recommendation will follow minutes as an appendix. Vote 4- all members. Resolution was passed unanimously..
      http://kboo.fm/node/20312

      I'm not sure if Glorious Leader and the Inner Party will allow for this kind of accountability to continue! Is it too "corporate" to safeguard the money? Geller never wore the Business Mgr hat.

      As for the D&O insurance renewal, that will be interesting to watch in the next couple of months. I'm placing my bet on the Board being unable to approve a budget until after the 1st quarter of the new fiscal year. It will be something like the old black & white hand cranked movie reels.... Keystone KBOO Kops (I mean Board) or Bored, or...the KKK of the KKK

      Delete
    8. Wow. I think we know what turned "them" against Davis, bold mine:

      "Station Manager Arthur Davis started putting in some good internal controls, using the consultation of a local CPA firm and surprise inspection of the books and internal controls procedures in addition to the annual audit. "

      Can you imagine how many ppl freaked?

      Cuz this "There were other smaller thefts from the lack of structure and controls at KBOO over the years after that." implies more people were benefiting from the lack of structure.

      Bet some of them are still there.

      Delete
  10. "I would remind you that I am a 23-year veteran of KBOO--an "elder" if ever there was one--and a former Vice President of the Board of Directors (1995-1998). "

    Theresa Mitchell was Vice President of the Board for 3 years? This is the first I've heard of it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Of course, the Inner Party could use this ancient history to argue:

    1) KBOO has always been run by fuckups.

    2) The station has survived nearly half a century, despite being run by fuckups.

    The problem now, of course, is without government money or Bush hatred to sustain KBOO, it is losing somewhere north of $100,000 a year, which is different from before.

    Nothing need change, Comrades!

    ReplyDelete
  12. "I am not inclined to believe what Lynn says. That's because I twice approached her, over the last few months, with fund-raising ideas, and was immediately told "we'll probably do that." She was not only lying, but attempting to dismiss me as a crank."

    Oh Theresa honey, you ARE a CRANK.

    ReplyDelete
  13. "Otherwise it looks like Our Glorious Leader is "exaggerating" or has a touch of Alzheimer's. "

    GCLUB CASINO
    gclub online

    ReplyDelete