[Kzyxtalk] Fundraising Idea

[Scott Peterson]

Dear Ms. Dechter,

Fifteen years ago, I helped a local nonprofit out of a jam. The nonprofit

was Eagles Hall in Fort Bragg. Their historic building was in foreclosure. 

A former officer had lost a large amount of money. And then attempted 

to cover it up. The Board of Directors was clueless. But the members 

pushed for accountability. An investigation followed. And the former 

office went to prison. For embezzlement.

I found out about this in late June of 2001. The economy wasn't in very

good shape back then. Dotcom had gone bust. And the Eagles had two

weeks to raise $25,000 or they'd lose the property. So I offered to step

in and help. I brought in a small computer network -- 3 computers -- 

along with 3 telephones. I also got a database of Mendocino County

voters with telephone numbers. This was all done on two days notice.

There were three volunteers. And no calling script. All it took was

calling people up and telling them the truth. About how the Eagles

had been taken advantage of. And how they stood for their rights.

Two days of calling netted $12,000+. And the drive generated a lot

of publicity. Enough to pressure the lender into renegotiating the

mortgage. Thus saving Eagles Hall from foreclosure.

MCPB may find itself in the same situation soon. By my estimate, it'll

be bankrupt in a few months. Because of a situation not that much

different than the one at Eagles Hall. With one possible exception:

The Board of Directors at Eagles Hall listened to its members. They

pushed for accountability. And they got it. The discovery was made

in 1999. The investigation took a year. It concluded that a Secretary-

Treasurer named Phillip Thomas Lopedota was responsible:

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1194579/

So here's my idea. If -- and only if -- MCPB finds itself in a similar 

situation, a similar operation would be possible. With similar 

results.

Feel free to call Norm Beckman to confirm: (707) 964-9645.

Sincerely,

Scott M. Peterson

Mendocino

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