[amsat-bb] Another call for forensic accounting and an inventory

[Michelle Thompson]

Clayton Coleman called for an inventory, and called for specific and
reasonable expense reductions, over a year ago on the BoD mailing list.

We lost a valuable IP donation from AHA.

A Rincon AstroSDR went missing for over a year. It  resurfaced after I
started asking questions about it.

We need a better grip on what we own, where it is, and who has it. This can
be done.

It's not a bad idea at all to resolve to take inventory as soon as possible
and do a better job.

Don't get offended at an honest critique paired with proposed actions.
Those things lead to better solutions for the organization.

-Michelle W5NYV




On Sun, Aug 9, 2020 at 8:43 AM Jeff Johns via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
wrote:

> I didn’t say anyone stole anything. I haven’t heard anyone say that. The
> membership, however, has learned of inappropriate spending by a group of
> legacy BoDs. It would be in the best interest of AMSAT, no matter who is in
> office, to make the dark cloud of FUD to go away. The only way that will
> happen is to have an independent, third-party investigate finances and to
> perform an inventory.
>
> AMSAT is a business. A business is valued by its cash on hand, receivables
> and assets. A customer base can also be used as part of the valuation of a
> company. All of the information, combined, gives an indication of the
> stability of a company (organization).
>
> The membership deserves to have the FUD removed and there’s only one way
> this can occur. Nobody wants to invest in a business that has questionable
> finances. In this case members and donors will be less likely to invest in
> AMSAT as long as there are questions about the governance of AMSAT and how
> that governance handles the organization’s money.
>
> If I were on the board, I would want to cloud removed to show that I, as a
> Board member, was being a good steward of the members’ money.
>
> So, I once again ask that a thorough examination of AMSAT’s finances and
> assets take place so that the organization can show members and investors
> (future members and donors) that the organization is sound and that money
> is appropriately spent.
>
> This seems like a no-brainer to me. I’m not sure why any reasonable person
> would take issue with the membership wanting to know, for sure, that the
> organization’s finances are sound.
>
> Jeff WE4B
> http://we4bravo.com
>
> > On Aug 9, 2020, at 8:45 AM, Jeff Davis via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
> wrote:
> >
> > 
> >
> >>>>> On Aug 9, 2020, at 3:23 AM, Jeff Johns via AMSAT-BB <
> amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:
> >> The call to ask them to step-up and help ease the minds of many members
> was not answered. Why? It could be a myriad of things but because they will
> not (so far) step forward and help promote financial transparency is very
> disturbing. If there is nothing astray, then there would be nothing to
> worry about other than the cost for a third-party to perform the audit.
> >
> > Yes. I see the “plot” clearly now. A few grifters decided the best way
> to get “rich" was to join a ham radio organization. They would lay low for
> 10-30 years so as not to arouse suspicion. They would volunteer their time
> and efforts for decades to provide an smokescreen so other members wouldn’t
> suspect that they would one day steal money and inventory from the coffers
> and then refuse to provide a detailed accounting when requested…
> >
> >
> > Jeff, KE9V
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> Opinions expressed
> > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
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> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
> expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>