Today's Feature
Carthage
Chamber of Commerce
Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Press Conference,
September 10, 1999
The Complete Text.
Thank you to everyone for
coming on such short notice. We have called this
news conference to present a statement addressing
issues and community concerns, which also involve
the Carthage Chamber of Commerce.
The first issue we would like
to cover is the independent audit, which was
conducted by Mense, Churchwell and Mense, a CPA
firm in Joplin. The Chamber initiated the audit
process early this year was researching CPA firms
prior to the Carthage City Council’s audit
request. The decision by the Board of Directors
to have an audit was due in large part to the
fact that with the growth of the Chamber and
having not had one in 60 year’s as a
non-profit agency, they felt it was time.
Mr. Churchwell informed the
Carthage Chamber Board of Directors that the
audit was a "clean opinion" and
accurately represented the financial statements
as of June 30, 1999. The Board of Directors
unanimously accepted the audit and management
review, thanking Mr. Churchwell for his
independent evaluation at their Wednesday,
September 9, 1999 Board Meeting. Directly after
the Board meeting Chamber President Dexter
Friesen, Executive Director Heather Kelly and Mr.
Churchwell met with Mayor Ken Johnson and City
Administrator Tom Short to review the audit
information.
Mr. Friesen assured Mr. Johnson
and Mr. Short that the management items for the
most part had been addressed and were being
implemented. Friesen did indicated that all
management corrections would be in place within
the 60 day time period as requested in the 99-41
and 99-42 City contract conditions.
It is important for you to know
that the Chamber board and Staff have taken the
audit seriously. The Board and Executive Director
realize improvements needed to be made in several
of the accounting procedures in addition to those
items listed on Mr. Churchwell’s report,
(please see page attached). As Mr. Churchwell
indicated, several office procedures enhancing
internal controls were put in place in January
1999.
The second issue we want to
address is whether the Carthage Chamber of
Commerce Board of Directors meetings should be
open to the public and the media. The Board of
Directors stands by its acknowledge policy that
these meetings are not to be "open". In
polling several chambers in the area the Board
found that this policy applies to most Chambers,
to include the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.
Although they have no written official policy on
the matter.
The Board does want to state,
that concerning issues of fiduciary
responsibility to the City of Carthage and the
taxpayers of this community, we will as always
abide by the Sunshine Laws. If we discuss public
finding we do welcome the City Council and we do
have Ms. Jackie Boyer as our Carthage City
Council Liaison. We have, and will always welcome
comments and input on City/Chamber implemented
projects from Ms. Boyer, the Mayor, City
Executives and the Council.
The Chamber Board is confident
that this is the correct position for a
non-profit organization, which consists of
private memberships, funded by member’s
dues.
Our Board has also pledged that
we will always be available for media
representatives, and will be happy to meet with
you immediately following any Chamber Board
meetings to report on decisions made by the
Board. We are also available at any time between
meetings for input. Just please remember that the
Board of Directors consists of volunteers from
within the community. We all have businesses and
other responsibilities and are not always
available, but, as president of this Board of
Directors I promise to return any calls from the
media in a timely and professional manner. Please
leave me a message when I am not in my office.
The third issue is the request
by former Chamber employees to meet with the
Board of Directors to air their grievances. Upon
receiving their letter September 1, 1999, the
Board President Dexter Friesen and Vice President
Bob Copeland met with the groups’
representative. At that time, the representative
was told to let the group know that the Board
would like to have a written statement of their
grievances prior to meeting. This request and
response from the Executive Board was in
compliance with existing Board Policy.
According to Board Vice
President Bob Copeland the group’s
representative indicated the next morning that
the group would not submit a written statement.
Based on this response, the Board did not meet
with the group. At no time did the Board of
Directors schedule a meeting with this employee
group.
Currently, the Board of
Directors feels very strongly that this matter
needs to be put to rest.
First and foremost the Board
would like to make the media aware that four of
the five employees who are asking for this
meeting resigned from the Chamber of their own
accord. In many of the articles printed this was
inherently not stated. These employees left at
their own decision.
If the group will comply with
the written documentation request, the Board of
Directors and the Executive Director feel it
would be in the best interest of the community
and the membership to meet with this group to
hear their grievances. Once we have received the
notices the Executive Board will contact them to
schedule a meeting as soon as a date and time can
be agreed upon.
The Executive Board, which acts
as the personnel committee and an outside
independent advisor to the Board, will facilitate
the meeting. The Board feels this outside
independent council will ensure that the meeting
covers all appropriate issues and assist in
bringing this matter to closure immediately. The
Board will report the meeting results to the
Chamber members, the City of Carthage and the
media in a timely manner.
In closing, please remember
that we are all here because we care very deeply
about the City of Carthage and about our entire
area. We all reside and earn our living here, and
the development and sustainability of our economy
is of extreme importance to each and every one of
us.
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