Sunday, November 20, 2011

Epilog how many?

Since donning the role of reporter for the many machinations of the Alaska Mini Goat Cache, those of you who have followed along with this saga have no doubt been amused, appalled, offended, and affronted as I related the events over time.

I do appreciate the emails and phone calls in support, I truly do. At this point, I'll say that the $20 or $25 paid to the group, has provided endless hours of entertainment...but some sagas continue to have epilogs and thus, my post today.

 It came to my attention that the Alaska Mini Goat Cache published a newsletter. This is only notable for the whining "woe is us" tone and outrageously erroneous statements made by the officers in charge. However, one item of note is that they have established a checking account or some sort of "relation" with their credit union (the same credit union they blamed in court for breaking fiduciary trust, mind you) Well, you'd think they would get their business affairs in order, now that they are having meetings. So far, all they have managed to do is send more expulsion letters out.

Yep, a handful (that I know about) of carbon copy form letters were received last week by individuals who joined in January. "You have been found in violation of blah blah blah by a two thirds vote of the board...." and so on. Looks like they found the missing files for the club, yes? And all the applications that were handed over to then-president Laura Manary at the beginning of that January meeting where the polling took place that no one saw.....are now used to identify and expel people who might have otherwise been wonderful assets of that club. You know, like the doctor? The executive? The breeders? The people who actually show and market their goats?

 Naturally I found this sadly amusing, and on a whim, I checked the status of the small claims suit. On the dockets, I discovered that the judgment which was mailed from the court, to the club, was returned. Evidently their mailing address is in error. Like just about everything else they've done since December of last year. Sigh. Of course, just because you don't have a copy, doesn't mean the judgement is not valid, Alaska Mini Goat Cache.

 They had another meeting last weekend, and according to one snippet I read, there were not enough officers to conduct a meeting, never mind that no one showed up but two of them. Nope, no members at all. Oh woe is the Alaska Mini Goat Cache, persevering in the face of adversity from all the meanies in the world-and all that crap. Not!

 I mean really, how do you know if you are a member, or not? They've had just one meeting since January. They have "opened" nominations for next years' officer positions and I'm pretty sure the same crew will be "re-elected" since no has any idea what is going on or whether they are a member. And if you have paid your dues, you can be booted at any time for no reason at all. And they'll keep your money too. Look what happened to everyone who attended the January meeting....nearly all expelled now.

Look what happened to me, Suz, Margie, and Rachel. The "board" decided they didn't want us in their public club and expelled us the same day we paid. And except for myself (and Margie who wrote the letter) no one has gotten their money back. And I had to sue them to get it, lol

 That's about as neat a scam on the public as I've had the misfortune to witness. Seriously. What a way to build the bank account...you take someone's money, then expel them, then say the bylaws don't allow the return of that money.

 Something to think about if you have any thoughts in your head about joining, or renewing your membership in that private club. Or, you could join a truly friendly club, one that does not hide behind closed doors and make unilateral decisions that go against member wishes. You could join a club where there are no officers, where everyone has an equal voice, where any interaction qualifies as a "meeting" and everyone-and I do mean everyone, is welcome.

 Yep, that includes Heather Fair, Laura Manary, Rayna Fritcher, Tisa Witham and crew.

 The Alaska Goat Association is an open and transparent group. We welcome anyone who has an interest, no matter who you are :)

3 comments:

suvalley said...

I forgot to mention, that the current expulsion letters differ from the ones sent in haste last December:

In this one, you are "allowed" to appeal the board's decision.

Ahem.

You have until the 28th to submit why you should not be expelled in writing sent by postal service blah blah blah.....

Seems the Alaska Mini Goat Cache could use a refresher in American jurisprudence: The notice of expulsion is de facto proof that "innocent until proven guilty" makes them a private little fiefdom where they may rule as they choose.

Good luck with that!

Margie said...

I would like to add that many of the people that were expelled were not even members. We submitted our applications and money, they kept the money, did not process the applications but sent us letters saying we were expelled. I would also like to add that for many different reasons, the money that we were reimbursed came from the personal pocket of one of the officers. My understanding is that the treasurer refused to refund anyone's money under any circumstances. I want to thank that person; she knew how much the $25 meant to us (extremely fixed income and every cent counted).

suvalley said...

Good for you, Margie. At least one board member/officer stepped up and did the right thing at least once this past year.

What's highly ironic about what you wrote is this: According to their own bylaws, when you pay your membership dues, you are a member.

Period. It doesn't say anything about "processing applications".

It really doesn't matter what the members voted on or not-the board just meets (which are not open to members) and they chose to not accept any previous minutes of any meeting.

Voila!

Members' will and intent means nothing. The board can do as they chose for as long as they are re-elected.

Like Heather Fair testified in court, this is a very tiny club. And with all the new expulsions it continues to shrink. Considering how they "conduct" themselves and how they have treated people who genuinely desired to join......

Who'd want to?