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RSS icon Comments on Another Gay Community Group Implodes

1

snarky comment that belittles the suffering of everyone involved.

Posted by max solomon | May 13, 2008 4:05 PM
2

thanks for posting this for me Dan.
Eben

Posted by eben | May 13, 2008 4:06 PM
3

Why doesn't The Stranger open one of those coffee shops?

Posted by elenchos | May 13, 2008 4:06 PM
4

here we go again...

Shouldn't West Seattle be in bold letters? It seems there is another former community leader who drove a once thriving organization into the ground also lives/lived there.

Posted by Keen Observer | May 13, 2008 4:07 PM
5

But what about the vaginas!?!?!

Does know one care about the vaginas?!?!

Posted by michael strangeways | May 13, 2008 4:19 PM
6

It can't be so! The "rad dyke plumber" advertises for them!!!!

Posted by Won't someone PLEASE think about the community?!?!?! | May 13, 2008 4:29 PM
7

Bummer.

Posted by Will in Seattle | May 13, 2008 4:32 PM
8

What happens in Vegas stays in your bank records forever and ever. Put the company credit card away, fool.

Posted by Fnarf | May 13, 2008 4:51 PM
9

#6 - And those who do care about our community are not allowed by these organizations (ERW, what used to be the GLBT Center - yeah I said it: G!, etc) to participate because they either don't "fit in" or as Strangeways refers they don't have vaginas or they do have vaginas but won't let said organization's leaders lick them.

Posted by CommonKnowledge | May 13, 2008 5:36 PM
10

I'm bummed for the loss of a community asset.

But I'm curious. Every non-profit I've ever been involved in has checks and balances to prevent this kind of thing. Like requiring checks to have 2 signatures. Or having some mechanism of oversight. Something that prevents one unscrupulous person from raiding the accounts. Didn't Verbana have any sort of safeguards in place? It isn't rocket science.

Mind you, apparently the Bellevue Art Museum didn't either when they were embezzled a year ago by their own CFO.

At least Verbana did the right thing and promptly took it to the police when the embezzlement was discovered.

Posted by Reverse Polarity | May 13, 2008 6:03 PM
11

So, you're posting this to alert us to our moral obligation to step and cover the services Verbena provides, right? You're hoping to create a better, more secure health service, right? 'cause, otherwise, it kinda sounds like jerkly glee.

Posted by pbaitch | May 13, 2008 6:29 PM
12

I agree with #11. These folks provided a valuable service to the community - one that will continue to be needed in the future. Instead of using your position to gloat, Dan, would it really cost you so much to lend a hand? Why not find out what's really going on, and then put out a kind word to help them begin the rebuilding process. Your mother would be so proud.

Posted by Timothy | May 14, 2008 8:51 AM
13

#10 is right on the money. If there is a lesson here it is this - any community organization that wants to be taken seriously must have financial accontability practices in place. This stuff happens when no one is paying attention and the fact that an organization is small or volunteer based is no excuse. That said - it's really too bad that the only organization dedicated to lesbian health is in this situation. And Dan's glee at such stories is a little...pathological.

Posted by dr. thompkins | May 14, 2008 9:06 AM
14

I find it interesting that the two EDs of groups who have "imploded" started out at Sappho's health collective (the precursor to Verbena). This sounds so eerily like the implosion of the LGBT Center, it isn't even funny.

I hope EVERY organization that serves the LGBT community takes a long hard look at their financials and their processes so that they don't go under like these two examples.

Now, the important thing is to find the organizations that can provide the services that Verbena once provided. I wonder if The Stranger will do more than tattle about the latest failings of our community.

Posted by deja vu | May 14, 2008 10:30 PM
15

My bad. The original ED of verbena was not around. Mo Malkin became ED of Verbena in 2006.

Posted by deja vu | May 14, 2008 10:47 PM
16

No, Sappho's imploded for another reason--it overextended itself, and reformed as another agency. Now, take a look at why LRC imploded and see what hand the current ED of Verbena had in that, and also look why there was such major turnover of staff at Verbena.

Posted by onestepbeyond | May 15, 2008 7:28 AM
17

I also wish to add, we need to help Verbena rebuild and re-establish itself, not kick the agency while it is down.

Posted by onestepbeyond | May 15, 2008 7:31 AM
18

1. Any non-profit, GLBT or not, must safe guard its financial resources, by a system of accounting procedural checks and balances. This means there is a clear system of allowed costs, segregation of accounting and fiscal responsibilities, constant over-sight and an actively involved Board Treasurer. Yes, this can be done, even within a small agency.

2. However, any non-profit can be ripped off by a staff member who treats agency resources as personal property.

3. Appreciate the current Verbana's Board efforts at being truthfull and transparent.

4. Hopefully a lesson was learned about accountability and responsibility.

Posted by rgilboa | May 15, 2008 3:30 PM
19

This is incredibly unfortunate and discouraging. On the same day we win a major victory as a community in CA we lose in our own community. And, due to an idiot among us. Grrr....

I personally had serious concerns about the ED of Verbena based on my experience with working as a contractor for her org. To anyone reading this - trust your gut instinct from this day forward.

Hey Mo, who'se doin' the curly shuffle now?

Posted by wtf? | May 15, 2008 8:12 PM
20

there are a number of questions here that need to be asked:
why did the board allow the full financials of the organization to sit with the ED along?
is it possible that there's more to this story and that the ED at Verbena isn't totally at fault?
I understand that Verbena has had financial troubles since before the current ED took her post.
Also, isn't it true that Verbena gained new programs over the past couple years and was doing more good programming for our community since this ED took office?
I think the Board found themselves in a bad situation financially and are trying to put the full blame on someone in our community who I believe has also done a lot of good things.
I'm not sure we are in a place to totally judge someone!

Posted by lgbtinsider | May 16, 2008 10:39 AM
21

there are a number of questions here that need to be asked:
why did the board allow the full financials of the organization to sit with the ED along?
is it possible that there's more to this story and that the ED at Verbena isn't totally at fault?
I understand that Verbena has had financial troubles since before the current ED took her post.
Also, isn't it true that Verbena gained new programs over the past couple years and was doing more good programming for our community since this ED took office?
I think the Board found themselves in a bad situation financially and are trying to put the full blame on someone in our community who I believe has also done a lot of good things.
I'm not sure we are in a place to totally judge someone!

Posted by lgbtinsider | May 16, 2008 10:40 AM
22

there are a number of questions here that need to be asked:
why did the board allow the full financials of the organization to sit with the ED along?
is it possible that there's more to this story and that the ED at Verbena isn't totally at fault?
I understand that Verbena has had financial troubles since before the current ED took her post.
Also, isn't it true that Verbena gained new programs over the past couple years and was doing more good programming for our community since this ED took office?
I think the Board found themselves in a bad situation financially and are trying to put the full blame on someone in our community who I believe has also done a lot of good things.
I'm not sure we are in a place to totally judge someone!

Posted by lgbtinsider | May 16, 2008 10:41 AM
23

There are a number of questions here that need to be asked:
why did the board allow the full financials of the organization to sit with the ED alone?
Is it possible that there's more to this story and that the ED at Verbena isn't totally at fault?
I understand that Verbena has had financial troubles since before the current ED took her post.
I also understand that the Board had trouble doing their job raising funds for the organization.
Also, isn't it true that Verbena gained new programs over the past couple years and was doing more good programming for our community since this ED took office?
I think the Board found themselves in a bad situation financially and are trying to put the full blame on someone in our community who I believe has also done a lot of good things.
I'm not sure we are in a place to totally judge someone!

Posted by lgbtinsider | May 16, 2008 10:42 AM
24

1. With all non-profits, it's is imperative that the Board of Directors is an active, involved, competant and fiscally knowledgeable board.That's why you have a qualified Board Tresurer, hopefully an CPA. That's also why an agency has an annual indepdant audit. That's why the agency has a Monthly Financial report that is reviewed ahnd apporved by the Board of Directors.
2. Depending on the structure of the agency and the Board of Director's, fundraising is a mutual effort, not just the staff's or the Board's responsbility alone.
3. The issue is not whether or not Verbana had previuous fiscal concerns or fund raising difficulties or that the current ED had better programming skills, but how this person used Verbana fiscal resources.

4.As a person with 30+ years in the non-profit community, with 25+ as either an ED or a Manager, I know that my personal expenses can not be paid with agency funds or credit cards. That's theft.

Posted by rgilboa | May 16, 2008 3:08 PM
25

Were the former GLBT Center's ED and Verbena's former ED separated at birth? I think they both work out at the same gym...coincidence, or something mo'?

Posted by ~Whodunnit~ | May 16, 2008 5:03 PM
26

I think this kind of loss for the LGBT community is tragic. I know that in the last year Verbena had ramped up its efforts to serve the Trans community and held a few big grants for cultural competency trainings (the only grant the city of Seattle gave). It's sad to see them go, particularly if one person and a weak board led to its downfall.

I feel bad for the staff who are now out of jobs and the clients who now find a huge gaping hole in services. Very sad indeed for all the lives ruined by careless actions.

I wonder if Dan will follow up as the story unfolds. Financial mismanagement or true embezzlement. I personally want to know. But I saw this coming, I had heard whispers and rumors that the ED was not the most qualified for the job.

Posted by Doc_bollywood | May 16, 2008 9:16 PM
27

In the worst, I believe what we will learn to know for sure is financial mismanagement.
We should not be surprised by this, as LGBTQ groups that work with health outside of HIV/AIDS have a tough time keeping with their budget because raising funds for these issues is so very difficult.
I personally knew/know the ED of Verbena on a professional level and I think she was definitely qualified for the position. She grew the organization. She did national breast cancer work (I believe). She has lots of admirers in the area. She may be young but we all start young. I don't believe she embezzled - however I do think she may have done financial mismanagement. If you can't make your budget, you and the Board NEED to cut expenses. I didn't see Verbena cutting its expenses anywhere. I think there's more to this story.

Posted by sadandconfused | May 17, 2008 7:34 AM
28

I don't believe she embezzled - however I do think she may have done financial mismanagement.

But as an ED, she should know better. Even if it wasn't outright theft, you still have to be scrupulous when it comes to finances - there cannot be even the appearance of questionable practices on the part of the ED. ED's are held to a higher level of accountability and if you can't take it, don't be an ED.

Ditto for the board, actually.

I really, really hope that Verbena's programs and services can be salvaged and that we can move forward. It's a worthy cause and one that we as a community should not allow to disappear.

Posted by demolitionwoman | May 17, 2008 2:20 PM
29

I volunteered with the agency alot before 2006- and it's really sad to hear that an investigation of embezzlement is happening. Yeah, I got weird vibes from the ED (why I stopped volunteering), but vibes of weird and embezzlement are two very different things.

I've never heard of an investigation of embezzlement that wasn't found to to be true. And what makes it so bad is that Verbena was such a small org. that did so many programs. Seattle is a small city - it's not like people can go to their sister women's health organization to get the services Verbena provided. This impacts too many to not care. It pisses me off actually.

I work in non-profit now and sytems of "checks and balances" are always to happen, but often it's pretty hard to make sure every empty seat is filled - especially a volunteer board position. Seems like the person in charge of taking money and spending it at a casino - even a dollar is actively embezzeling.

The leadership role needed by the ED of Verbena is a big one-It's a small staff, alot of work and not alot of pay. I imagine life would be difficult in that role. But once taken, you've got to take it on - the right way. Ethically I am depressed for our community. Mismanagment of money in a leadership role IS embezzlement. Even a dollar. Mo also was one of the people who started Camp Ten Trees. So how long was she a trusted member of the community? A leader and a service provider to many in the community?

I hope there is something that can be done to rebuild the safe space for women's health that was built by Verbena pre Mo days.

Posted by disappointed | May 17, 2008 11:50 PM
30

If you or someone you know is seeking healthcare services, Spectrum Natural Health offers primary and naturopathic care for the LGBTQ community. Spectrum Natural Health is at Country Doctor Community Health Clinic, 500 19th Ave E (Capitol Hill), every Thursday 5:30-8:30pm. Dr. Carolyn Fuller and Dr. Cristopher Bosted have been serving the GLBTQ community for years. Sliding scale, no one turned away. For info or appointment, call 206 299 1600.

Posted by GLBTQ doc | May 18, 2008 6:37 PM
31

I think it is important to remember that this is an investigation. Clearly something is going on, but it's important not to jump to conclusions just because it makes a good story. Maybe the reason we don't hear about embezzlement accusations turning out to be false is because it doesn't make good headlines. It would be sad to destroy someone who may, in the end, be innocent of the crime.

Posted by wannabe | May 18, 2008 6:38 PM
32

There is a much bigger story here than just "one bad apple spoils a perfectly lovely organization." Problems at Verbena have been endemic for a long time. Keep digging, Stranger staff!

Ask the Verbena employees who left (hint: there are a lot of them for such a small org.) Ask the many providers who left in disgust (hint: why was Spectrum Natural Health formed at Country Doc by providers who used to do Verbena's Country Doc clinic?) Ask the contractors who couldn't get paid, month after month, even when Verbena was reporting record-breaking fund raising success. Ask the volunteers who just couldn't take it any more. Ask the trans people who went to Vebena's trans health fair and found providers with no experience working with trans people, no cultural competence training, and no clue, because the competent providers had been alienated. Ask the many, many local organizations that also serve queer women and trans people, who would no longer work with Verbena after getting screwed over time and again. Ask yourself this question: if I were a lesbian with cancer, what would Verbena, formerly the Seattle Lesbian Cancer Project, have to offer me in the way of useful services?

The trouble here is that Verbena was providing very little in the way of actual services, but was putting up a good front with the funders so that no one else was able to step in to fill the gap. Yes, the need for services is real, and great. But Verbena wasn't doing much to fill that need. The difference between Verbena's public rep and actual doings was huge. And the biggest question of all is: Where was the board during all of this? Not just the embezzlement, but all of it, for several years?

Maybe now that Verbena is closed, there will be room for others to provide much-needed community health care services instead of chasing the funding while screwing over everyone in sight.

Posted by it_needed_to_happen | May 19, 2008 8:53 AM
33

I think it's important to note that Verbena has had problems since at least 2002 with issues. When the current ED took office, she adopted these problems and I believe Verbena made a lot of movement in the right way. These accusations are profound, but Verbena was not in debt because of the current ED - it was in debt despite record fundraising. Also, Verbena did serve thousands of people each year, so saying that it wasn't adequately serving the city is unfair and untrue. We will probably never know the full truth. It's easy to point fingers, but we don't know the truth and should not necessarily ruin a person because of accusations.

Posted by movingon | May 19, 2008 11:13 AM
34

get your facts right.
go to GuideStar.
Search "Verbena."
Read the 2006 IRS 990.
Verbena had a professional audit and was fiscally sound through 2006.

http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2006/911/959/2006-911959289-030f6c5a-9.pdf

Posted by get_your_facts_right | May 19, 2008 3:10 PM
35

Very few people who really know Mo are surprised by this. Saddened, yes, but not surprised. And before you jump to defend her, remember that many, many lives have now been affected by her actions, not the least of whom were fired and have to seek employment in this economic climate. Mo, without question, did some good things for this community, but she should have gotten the help she needed before it got this out of hand. Yes, she EMBEZZLED. I am sick of this redefining of words. She did not mismanage, she STOLE. And, while this does not completely negate the good she may be remembered for, it is unfortunate that such a talent as hers has come to this tragic end.
Payback is a D-O-G..., and so apparently is she.

Posted by Don'tGetMeStarted | May 19, 2008 7:52 PM

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