Along with many others, I am removing myself from this listserv. I no
longer wish to be associated with the three who have taken over and acted
against the wishes of the majority of the membership.
Lise Wagner
On Wed, Jul 6, 2016 at 11:48 PM, <roryphoenix@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Sally. Thanks for writing. I haven't said much on the group list except
for that long statement the other day. I would welcome the chance to chat.
You can call my cell anytime -- 831-917-3104. Actually, despite extremely
misleading communiques, there is nothing to "sort out" -- so don't worry,
I'm not asking for advice ;-)
Thanks,
Rory
On Mon, 4 Jul 2016 10:24:24 -0400, Sally Waite <swaite@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
WOW, you guys, my prayers are with you for sorting out this one. Thanks
for the information! I know you can do it! Sally
On Jul 4, 2016, at 8:40 AM, mundhenk <mundhenk@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Well said, Linda. I am so troubled by all this contention.
Leigh G.Mundhenk, PhD
WorkConcepts
(207)772-2550
mundhenk@xxxxxxxxx
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy Express 3, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
-------- Original message --------
From: Linda Carleton <lindacarleton01@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: 7/3/16 5:19 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: phoenixchorale@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [phoenixchorale] Re: Letter of explanation
Appointing a Board of only yourselves and firing our director do not seem
to be actions furthering peace within our organization, never mind within
the world.
There has to be another way forward.
Linda C
Sent from my iPad
On Jul 3, 2016, at 5:05 PM, roryphoenix@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:that we can clarify the current state of the organization and the steps we
To concerned people:
Anna, Russ, and Rory are sending this letter to all of you in the hopes
have taken recently to fully comply with our obligations under the charter
of the organization.
(Rory) secured a very substantial gift ($42,000), through a very dear old
In January, at a time when we had significant unpaid bills, one of us
friend, that enabled us to pay the A/D for all her past work (we had been
$800 short) as well as a large bonus ($2,500). Almost immediately,
conflicts arose among the leadership concerning the use of the rest of the
financial resources of the organization. Shortly thereafter, improper
attempts commenced, on a very flimsy pretext, to oust Rory from the Board.
Rory was the founder of the chorale, and no documented complaints had ever
arisen regarding him, or indeed anybody else on the board, prior to this
time.
over the assets of the organization, they initiated further improper steps
While the rest of us objected to the co-chairs' plan to obtain control
to influence the board; these were untimately unsuccessful. With the board
split 3-3 over this issue, the co-chairs called the annual meeting of the
membership, ignoring the requirement in the bylaws that only the board as a
whole was empowered to call the meeting. We believe the timing and intent
of those calling this meeting was not in the best interests of the chorale,
and certainly was in violation of the principle of consensus enshrined in
the bylaws.
neither the board nor the bylaws had ever been approved according to very
Prior to June 8, it is doubtful that anyone appreciated the fact that
clear state law (see section 403 of Title 13-B, keeping in mind that our
Articles of Incorporation were only signed by incorporators, who were three
in number).
co-chairs, consulted with an attorney for advice on how best to protect the
Not knowing this, when we, in our alarm over the actions of the
assets of the chorale, we learned of the mistakes that were made during the
initial incorporation process. We learned specifically that the
incorporators failed to call an organization meeting to approve bylaws and
appoint the initial Board of Directors. The incorporators are Anna Noyes
Benoit, Russell Glidden and Linda Atherton. So following the law, we called
a meeting of the three incorporators. Linda Atherton acknowledged receipt
of her registered mail invitation via return mail receipt, but declined to
attend the meeting. A quorum of two incorporators attended the meeting. We
met on Monday, June 20 and elected the initial Board of Directors. The
Board consists of Russ Glidden as President, Rory Sellers as Treasurer and
Anna Noyes Benoit as Secretary.
wholeheartedly pursuing the Mission of the chorale and protecting the
This experience has been harrowing for us, whose only interest is in
substantial assets of the chorale to do so. One of our goals is to
formulate a structure under which it is very unlikely that we could
experience a repeat of the recent events that have gravely damaged the
organization.
choir succeeds and grows in Portland, we do not wish to cause further pain
Expect future announcements explaining how we intend to proceed.
One final thought:
While we wish to protect our assets to ensure that a social justice
by organizing under the name Phoenix Chorale Portland. Assuming a legal way
can be found to do so, we are quite willing to freely transfer this name to
an appropriate representative of the organization, and to subsequently
organize under a new name.
any bylaws, our mission is and always will be to promote social justice
For now, we remain Phoenix Chorale Portland, Inc. But under any name and
through song.
Thank you.
Rory Sellers (roryphoenix@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Russ Glidden (freestyle04098@xxxxxxx)
Anna Noyes Benoit (purple16@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
