Contributing to the local rumour mill
There is a persistent rumour floating around the Town that has both angered and intrigued groups of people. On one hand because the rumour concerns the largest non-profit in the Town some believe that its activities, because they are funded entirely by public donations, should be transparent and open, and others believe the opposite - it may be funded by public money (donations) but it is a private organization and the way they run things is their affair.
Well where the rubber hits the road, in this case is the rumour - "Did the United Way give the CAO a $10,000 raise?"
If it is true two or three things have happened: one is that members of the Board who disagreed with the process and the event have leaked the info from an in-camera session held earlier in the week. Two the event has enraged some prominent people in Town who are pushing the MSM to ask questions. Three asking questions of this organization is not a politically wise thing to do as the CAO is a major player in ALL the activities in this community and payback would be a problem.
Finally why did the Board, if it is true, award the CAO a $10K raise when the heavy lifting of the recently successful campaign was done by Bill Patchett? One reason being floated was the fact that Board was faced with the prospect of the CAO moving to an open job in Peterborough. So - let her go and start fresh, It was only through the efforts of Mr Patchett that an extra $250,000 was raised after losing $100K in checkoffs caused by layoffs.
Let's kill or confirm the rumour - have the UW issue a statement confirming or denying the tale.
9 comments:
My apologies, Ben. I'm a kind of Eats, Shoots And Leaves kinda guy. So, distracted by the need to insert punctuation of my own imagination into your subject, a subject which raises some very serious questions, I find myself left with, well...some questions.
For instance: the rumour 'Did the United Way give the CAO a $10,000 raise?" 'CAO' of what? 'CAO' who? What exactly does CAO in this case stand for? Is it Chief Administrative Officer or what?
What's an 'MSM'? In an acronym filled world it's getting harder and harder to keep up.
No doubt you're on to something here . Far be it from me to derail the train. Please, Sir. More. More commas. More details.
Geez Merk I thought i was qite a comma guy - way too many for some but I'll give you some more if it makes it easier to to read. Anyway apart from publishing a glossary keep up will ya! MSM = Main Stream Media. CAO = Chief Administrative Officer.
The rumour is simple did the UW (United Way) give its CAO (Chief Administrative Officer - the Boss) a raise?
Her official title at the NUW is Executive Director that might help clarify.
I believe that the 'biggest' non-profit in Town is the NHH Hospital Foundation. Far more money is donated to the Hospital Foundation annually than to the UW. I am always amazed that the salaries of the staff of the Hospital Foundation, which I believe are far more lucrative, remain unquestioned. Why the difference in treatment?
Interesting info at the link below to Northumberland United Way 2008 Tax return (2009 not posted yet). See where your donations actually go!
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/basicsearchresult-eng.action?s=+&k=United+Way+Northumberland&p=1&b=true Way 2008 tax return.
Your search - http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/basicsearchresult-eng.action?s=+&k=United+Way+Northumberland&p=1&b=true Way 2008 tax return. - did not match any documents.
I can't believe that you are making a big deal out of this. The head of the United Way is someone who works day and night to make Northumberland better for people to live here. This United Way is one of the best in the country and the leadership that is required to make this happen must be compensated reasonably.
As far as any changes that a responsible Board chooses to make in title or salary, there are two considerations that I would have. First of all a change in titles does not cost anything. Secondly, if in fact there was a $10,000 raise to her annual salary, then they were probably paying her poorly to begin with. Just because an organization is a charity does not mean that it is okay to pay poorly - that just ensures either poor performance or that the person will move on. Even in a charitable organization, you get what you pay for. We are not talking about a salary that hits the sunshine club for heaven's sake.
And for the record - this is the only media place that I have seen this so called 'rumour' which frankly sounds like sour grapes to me. I wonder who the source of the rumour is - does that individual have the guts to stand up and own their own words? Let's just see.
try this one
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/basicsearchresult-eng.action?s=+&k=United+Way+Northumberland&p=1&b=true
then click on the doc image
Lots of really good stuff - thanks anonymous check out other communities for comparisons on the salaries and fundraising figures.
Analysis to follow
Thanks Ben
I wish there was more public knowledge of this Government site. I wish people were advised to research so they could make educated donations.
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